THE 5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY Geography The study

THE 5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY

Geography The study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth. From the Greek word geographia, meaning “to describe the earth. ”

THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY Location Place Human-Environment Movement Regions Interaction

LOCATION Where are we? Absolute Relative Location A latitude and longitude (global location) or a street address (local location). ou Y e ar ere H Paris France is 48 o North Latitude and 2 o East Longitude. The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Described by landmarks, time, direction or distance. From one place to another. Go 1 mile west on main street and turn left for 1 block.

Absolute Location Examples: Rome is located at 41 N, 12 E Address

Relative Location Examples: Rome is located near the Mediterranean Sea. Argentina is near Brazil. Ecuador is south of Mexico. Mr. T lives near Dell Diamond.

PLACE What is it like there, what kind of place is it? Human Characteristics What are the main languages, customs, and beliefs. How many people live, work, and visit a place. Physical Characteristic s Landforms (mountains, rivers, etc. ), climate, vegetation, wildlife, soil, etc.

Human Characteristics Specific to THAT place, not generic. Man-made or invented. Peoples activities change the way a place looks or is represented. Language Unique buildings Religious Practices Celebrations/traditions/holidays Examples: Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Many Mexicans are Catholic. Mayan ruins are located in Mexico. Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday in Mexico.

Physical Characteristics Specific The way a place looks. Created to THAT place, not generic. by nature. Mountains Rivers, Lakes, Seas Climate Vegetation Examples: Andes Mountains are in South America. Amazon River flows through Brazil. Pampas are located in Argentina. The isthmus of Panama connects Central & South America.

REGIONS How are regions similar to and different from other places? Formal Regions defined by governmental or administrative boundaries (States, Countries, Cities) Functional Regions defined by a function (newspaper service area, cell phone coverage area, area code). Perceptual/Vernacular Regions etc. ) Regions defined by peoples perception (Middle East, The South,

Formal Region Most common/familiar. Determined by the distribution of a uniform characteristic (physical or cultural) Location Climate Religion Examples Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama) States – Texas, Arizona, New York, Montana Tropics (countries located near equator) ** All Formal Regions are based on MEASURABLE data!!!

Functional Region Serves a purpose that affects places around it. Distributes goods/people Serves specific purpose Examples: Panama Canal Amazon River Basin Hollywood Area Code 512

Perceptual Region Groups of areas that provoke a certain stereotype or feeling. Examples: The Bronx China Town The South The Middle East

Now, you try it… State of Texas Amazon River Basin The South Rust Belt Travis County Country of Brazil The ship channel Aggieland Chinatown -

Now, you try it… State of Texas - Formal Amazon River Basin - Functional The South - Perceptual Rust Belt - Perceptual Travis County - Formal Country of Brazil - Formal The ship channel - Functional Aggieland - Perceptual Chinatown - Perceptual

MOVEMENT How are people, goods, ideas moved from place to place? Human Movement Trucks, Trains, Planes Information Phones, Idea Movement computer (email), mail Movement How do fads move from place to place? TV, Radio, Magazines

Movement Places do not exist in isolation. Interconnectedness way places “look”. Today: People, place. of the world changes the “globalization” goods & ideas move from place to Examples Immigration from Latin America to US. War in Iraq (troops, supplies, ideas, people) UNL (people, ideas) Facebook (ideas)

HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION How do humans and the environment affect each other? We depend on it. People depend on the Tennessee River for water and transportation. We modify it. We build dams We adapt to it. We adapt to the environment by wearing clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and winter (coats), rain and shine. People modify our environment by heating and cooling buildings for comfort.

Remembering the 5 themes If you can’t remembering what they are just ask MR. HELP!!! M – Movement R – Regions HE – Human Environment interaction L – Location P - Place