THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY

THEME 1: LOCATION

•Absolute location: The exact location on the earth determined by lines of latitude and longitude.

•Relative location: The position of a location as compared to a known landmark. We often use this when giving directions. (Ex. My house is near Gray Middle School).

THEME 2: PLACE

•The physical and human characteristics of an area. These affect what it’s like to live in an area. (Ex. Colorado is a place that has mountain ranges and man-made ski slopes.

THEME 3: HUMAN-ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTION

• The way the earth appears as a result of how human beings have changed it. (Ex. New York City has changed VERY MUCH over time because of human behavior. Long ago, it was inhabited by Native Americans. During the 1600’s, the Dutch started a settlement called New Amsterdam in this area. Today, it has been built up to become the most heavily populated city in the United States.)

THEME 4: MOVEMENT

•Refers to the way people, ideas, and goods travel from place to place. This can be through transportation (cars, planes, trains, etc.) or communication (computers, telephones, television, etc.)

THEME 5 – REGION

•Areas of the world that have common characteristics. These can include similar languages, landforms or climate. An area can be a part of more than one region.