AP Five Themes of Geography Rubenstein Text

Geography The study of distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth The study of distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth Methods Methods 1. maps 1. maps 2. photos 2. photos 3. charts 3. charts 4. graphs 4. graphs 5. tables 5. tables 6. etc. 6. etc.

Theme #1: Location (14-20) Where is it? Where is it? Two types of location Two types of location 1. Absolute: exact place on earth 1. Absolute: exact place on earth Use latitude and longitude coordinates Use latitude and longitude coordinates 2. Relative: describes a place in comparison to other places around its 2. Relative: describes a place in comparison to other places around its Ex: library is three blocks west of the park Ex: library is three blocks west of the park

Ways in which geographers describe place 1. Toponym- name given to a place on Earth 1. Toponym- name given to a place on Earth Named for person, religion, ancient history, physical enviornment, direction Named for person, religion, ancient history, physical enviornment, direction 2. Site- the physical character of a place 2. Site- the physical character of a place Climate, water sources, topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, and elevation Climate, water sources, topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, and elevation Essential in selecting locations for settlement Essential in selecting locations for settlement 3. Situation- location of a place relative to other places 3. Situation- location of a place relative to other places Identify other landmarks to direct people to the desired location Identify other landmarks to direct people to the desired location Helps understand the importance of location Helps understand the importance of location

Equator- imaginary line that divides the earth into north and south halves Equator- imaginary line that divides the earth into north and south halves Prime Meridian- imaginary line that divides the earth into east and west halves Prime Meridian- imaginary line that divides the earth into east and west halves International Date Line- 180 degress longitude International Date Line- 180 degress longitude

Latitude and Longitude Latitude Latitude Runs parallel to the equator and measures north and south Runs parallel to the equator and measures north and south “Changes in latitude Changes an attitude” “Changes in latitude Changes an attitude” Longitude Longitude Run parallel to the Prime Meridian and measure east and west Run parallel to the Prime Meridian and measure east and west

Theme #2: Place (5) What is it like? What is it like? Physical and cultural characteristics of a location Physical and cultural characteristics of a location Climate Climate Landforms Landforms Vegetation Vegetation Human influence: dams, highways, etc. Human influence: dams, highways, etc. A specific point on Earth distinguished by a particular charcteristic A specific point on Earth distinguished by a particular charcteristic

Theme #3: Region How are places similar or different? How are places similar or different? Area of the earth distinguished by a distinctive combination of cultural and physical features Area of the earth distinguished by a distinctive combination of cultural and physical features Different types of regions Different types of regions 1. formal 1. formal 2. functional 2. functional 3. perceptual 3. perceptual

Formal Region (21) Limited number of regional characteristics Limited number of regional characteristics Generally defined by continental area and cultural styles or predominant characteristincs Generally defined by continental area and cultural styles or predominant characteristincs Examples: Examples: United States and Canada United States and Canada Latin America (Spanish/Portuguese speaking) Latin America (Spanish/Portuguese speaking) Europe Europe Southwest Asia (Islam and desert regions) Southwest Asia (Islam and desert regions) South Asia (Hinduism and Aryan/Dravidian descent) South Asia (Hinduism and Aryan/Dravidian descent) East Asia (Buddhism and Asian descent) East Asia (Buddhism and Asian descent) OR OR The Wheat Belt The Wheat Belt Republican/Democratic States Republican/Democratic States Bible Belt Bible Belt

Functional Regions (21) Organized around a set of interactions and connections between places Organized around a set of interactions and connections between places Characterized by a hub or central place/focal point Characterized by a hub or central place/focal point Examples: Examples: New York City New York City Metro Atlanta Metro Atlanta MDJ/AJC MDJ/AJC 11 Alive 11 Alive AM 750/95.5 AM 750/95.5

Vernacular Regions (22) AKA Perceptual Regions AKA Perceptual Regions Region in which people perceive the characteristics; however, sometimes they can be disagreed upon Region in which people perceive the characteristics; however, sometimes they can be disagreed upon Ex: What states would you consider to be in the southeast? Ex: What states would you consider to be in the southeast?

Vernacular Regions Cont’d (22) Place that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity Place that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity Example: Mental map- internal representation of the Earth’s surface Example: Mental map- internal representation of the Earth’s surface Example: “The South” Example: “The South” High cotton production High cotton production Low graduation rates Low graduation rates States in the Confederacy States in the Confederacy Baptists Baptists Southerners and other Americans share a strong sense of the American South… some pride it… some avoid it Southerners and other Americans share a strong sense of the American South… some pride it… some avoid it

Theme #4: Human Environment Interaction (25) How do people relate to the physical world? How do people relate to the physical world? The study of human environment relationships is cultural ecology The study of human environment relationships is cultural ecology People learn to use what the environment offers them and to change that environment to meet their needs People learn to use what the environment offers them and to change that environment to meet their needs Examples: dams, roads, highways, cities, slash-and- burn, deforestation, etc. Examples: dams, roads, highways, cities, slash-and- burn, deforestation, etc.

HEI Factors and Theories (25) Environmental determinism Environmental determinism States physical environment causes social development States physical environment causes social development Climate Climate Precipitation Precipitation Topography Topography Possiblism Possiblism Physical environment can limit human action, but people have the ability to adjust to the environment Physical environment can limit human action, but people have the ability to adjust to the environment People learn what crops thrive People learn what crops thrive Technology… air conditioning Technology… air conditioning

Theme #5: Movement (86) How do people, goods, and ideas move from one location to another? How do people, goods, and ideas move from one location to another? Three types of movement/distance Three types of movement/distance 1. linear- how far away in length 1. linear- how far away in length 2. time- amount of time it takes to get from one place to the next 2. time- amount of time it takes to get from one place to the next 3. psychological- how far away a person views a place 3. psychological- how far away a person views a place Human geography focuses on how people migrate and spread their ideas Human geography focuses on how people migrate and spread their ideas Ex: immigrations from Europe to the U.S…. Why leave? What factors caused this? Ex: immigrations from Europe to the U.S…. Why leave? What factors caused this?