Why study geography?
To understand more about the changing world we live in
To learn more about the people and cultures of the world so that we can better understand each other
To look at the connection between the earth and those who live on it
Elements of Geography
1. The World in Spatial Terms (Location)
2. Places and Regions3. Physical Systems4. Human Systems5. Environment and Society6. Uses of Geography
What are the Five Themes of Geography? The ideas that geographers use to study
the world and the people that live in it. Using all five themes helps us to truly
understand the geography of a place The five themes are: location, place,
region, movement and human interaction with the environment
We can use absolute location, which uses a
system to find an exact spot on the earth.
Examples: latitude and longitude, address with zip
codes, GPS, map coordinates
Grid System
Equator, Prime Meridian, and other lines of latitude and longitude cross one another to form a pattern• You can use these to find absolute
location• Precise location
We can use relative location, which uses descriptions and
comparisons to find places on the earth.
Example: I live in the condominiums near Pennichuck off of Manchester
Road.
Place
Asks: What are the characteristics of a location? What is the place like?
Describes what it is like there
For example, how would you describe Pennichuck Middle School?
We can use physical features:
• Climate – temperature, rainfall• Landforms – plateaus, plains, rivers• Topography - elevation• Flora - plants• Fauna - animals• Resources – petroleum, gemstones, trees
We can use human characteristics
Such as population statistics, economic activities, religion, language, government, traditions, etc.
Examples of movement
►Trading products between countries►Migration of people to new areas►Buying clothes over the internet►Flying to California to visit your
relatives►Coming to school on the bus this
morning►Buying oranges that come from Florida► Watching the news for new
information
Human Environment Interaction
How do we use the earth? How have we changed the earth? How does the earth affect us?
Examples of Human Interaction with the Environment
Growing corn in fields Mining iron ore from the earth Building cities Fishing on Lake Sunapee Cars using gasoline and polluting the air Natural Disasters destroying houses Deforestation of the Rain Forest so that homes can be
built Cold weather causing us to dress warmly