The Five Themes of Geography

A Framework for Studying History

Theme 1: Location

• Where is It?• Why is It

There?

Two Types of Location

• Absolute

• Relative

Absolute Location

• A specific place on the Earth’s surface

• Uses a grid system• Latitude and longitude• A global address

LocationAbsolute Location

• North Carolina36° N Latitude, 79° W longitudeSpringfield, Illinois 39ºN, 89ºW Chicago, Illinois42ºN, 88ºW

Relative Location

• Where a place is in relation to another place

• Uses directional words to describe– Cardinal and

intermediate directions

North Carolina

• North Carolina is bordered by Virginia on the north, South Carolina and Georgia on the south, and Tennessee on the west.

• The Atlantic Ocean forms North Carolina's east coast.

• North Carolina is one of the Southeastern States

Theme 2: PlaceMore Physical Characteristics• Land Features• Mountains,

plains, and plateaus

• Climate• Bodies of Water

Examples of Physical Place Characteristics

Theme 2: PlaceCharacteristics (continued)

• People• Culture• Language• Religion• Buildings and

Landmarks• Cities

Characteristics continued….

Theme 3: Human Environment InteractionHow People Interact With Their

Environment

People . . .• Adapt to Their Environment• Modify Their Environment• Depend on Their Environment

Human Environment Interaction

Theme 4: Movement

The Mobility of• People• Goods• Ideas

How Places are linked to one another and the world

Movement

Theme 5: RegionWhat Places Have in Common• Political Regions• Landform Regions• Agricultural Regions• Cultural Regions

Regions

Steve Pierce

Assignment

Imagine you are going to travel to your favorite destination. Describe this destination using the Five Themes of Geography (Location, Place, Interaction, Movement, Region).