The Five Themes of Geography The Five Themes

The Five Themes of Geography

The Five Themes of Geography �#1: LOCATION �#2: PLACE ◦ Physical characteristics of place ◦ Human characteristics of place �#3: HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION �#4: MOVEMENT �#5: REGION

THEME #1: LOCATION �Location asks, “Where is it located? ” �ABSOLUTE location is very specific: ◦ Street address ◦ Coordinate pair (latitude and longitude) �RELATIVE location is more general: ◦ Describes where a place is in relation to another place (usually using landmarks or directions)

LOCATION: BOSTON �Absolute Location: 42˚North, 71˚West �Relative Location: on the east coast of Massachusetts

THEME #2: PLACE �Describes what a place is like �Physical characteristics are natural features such as landforms, bodies of water, climate, plants, and wildlife. � Human characteristics are manmade things such as buildings, landmarks, and roads, or other things determined by people such as language, culture, religions, or traditions.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BOSTON:

HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS OF BOSTON: �Fenway Park, Prudential Center, TD Banknorth Garden, State House

THEME #3: HUMANENVIRONMENT INTERACTION �Asks, “How do people and the environment affect each other? ” �People often have to modify (change) or adapt to their environment in order to survive there. For example, people might build a dam to help control water flow to an area. �People’s actions can also affect the environment, such as when we cut down trees to build new homes.

HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION IN MASS.

THEME #4: MOVEMENT �Movement refers to the way that people, ideas, and goods travel from place to place. �Movement of people and goods: ◦ Planes, trains, cars, roads, etc. �Movement of ideas: ◦ Newspapers, television, internet, cell phones, texting, e-mail, etc.

MOVEMENT in and around MASSACHUSETTS

THEME #5: REGION �What does this place have in common with areas around it? �Regions areas that share common characteristics that make them different from other areas. ◦ Political regions ◦ Landform or climate regions ◦ Cultural regions

The REGION OF NEW ENGLAND