5 Themes of Geography

Objective: Identify and explain the Five Themes of Geography. Explain how you can make them relevant to your own life.

Theme	Explanation	Example(s)
*Location*	Two types:Absolute Location- A latitude and longitude (global location) or a street address (local location) \n Relative Location- Described by landmarks, time, direction, or distance from one place to another	Paris France is 48 degrees North Latitude and 2 degrees East Longitude a. The White House is located 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Go one mile west on main street and turn left for one block
*Place*	Two Characteristics:Human Characteristics- What are the main languages, customs, and beliefs? How many people live, work, and visit a place? \n Physical Characteristics- Landforms (mountians, rivers, etc) climate, vegetation, wildlife, soil, etc	Italy- restaurants shut down at 2-3 because that is their traditionIllinois- farmlands, flat, four distinct seasons, humidity
*Human Environment InteractionHow do humans and the environment affect each other?***	Three types of interaction:We depend on it We modify it We adapt to it	people depend on the Tennesse River for water and transportationHeating buildings, cooling buildings for comfort, canals We adapt to the environment by wearing clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and winter (coats), rain and shine
*MovementHow are people, goods, ideas, moved from place to place?***	What Moves?Human MovementInformation Movement Idea Movement- How do fads move from place to place? \n	Trucks, Trains, PlanesPhones, computer (email), mailTV, Radio, Magazines, Internet
*Region*	Three Regions:Formal Region- everyone shares a characteristic (homogenous physical or cultural trait) \n Functional Region- Area around a node or focal point \n Perceptual/ Vernacular Region- Perceptions or impressions that help us understand an area	Illinois, Corn belt, Rust belt Newspaper service area, cell phone coverage area, all of our news stations come from ChicagoMiddle east, from the south, etc

\n Site and Situation - Site is absolute location - detailed description of that absolute location, and situation is what is around the site (relative location).

Density and Concentration - Where do all the people live? Are there more people in one location than another? How many things per square mile?

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