The 5 Themes/Essential Elements of Geography By: Carrie McCaffrey

There are five themes/elements of geography 1.Location : Answers the question - “where is the place?” ~relative location: position of a place compared to or in relation to another place ~absolute location: The exact position of a place on the earth – coordinates – latitude & longitude in degrees

2.Place & Region : Answers the question – “what is the place like? ~physical characteristcs: Describes what features & characteristics give an area its own identity or personality. (landforms, climate, plants, animals) ~human characteristics: (language, religion, architecture, music, politics, & way of life)

2.Regions : Answers the question – “How is the similar or different than the places around it?” ~places that share certain features in common or similar characteristics (dry areas, coastal areas, mountainous areas)

3.Human-Environmental Relationships: Answers the question – “How are people linked to their surrounding environment?” ~The way people are changing, interacting, or relating to the environment. (adding a body of water, leveling land, cutting down trees, creating hills, adding plants, polluting the air) Can be good or bad

4.Human Systems/Movement : Answers the question – “How are the people linked with other people in other places?” ~ Migration: moving from one place to another – (culture, ideas) ~Transportation: how your groceries get to your supermarket…they come from other cities ~Communication: technology allows us to communicate with those faraway to help move ideas Transportation Communication

5.Physical Systems : Volcanoes, glaciers, & hurricanes – how they interact & shape the earth surface & what geographers analyze. They look at ecosystems, or communities of plants & animals that are dependent upon one another & their particular surroundings for survival.

Themes /Essential Elements of Geography Location (relative or absolute) Place/Region Human-Environment Interaction Human Systems or Movement Physical Systems Fax Machines send messages & information from Houston to the border town of Brownsville. Human Systems Movement

Themes /Essential Elements of Geography Location (relative or absolute) Place/Region Human-Environment Interaction Human Systems or Movement Physical Systems Concrete drainage ditches catch flood water run-off from community streets and sewers. Human Environment Interaction

Themes /Essential Elements of Geography Location (relative or absolute) Place/Region Human-Environment Interaction Human Systems or Movement Physical Systems Shipley’s Donuts is on the corner of Interstate 10 and Uvalde Road. Relative Location

Themes /Essential Elements of Geography Location (relative or absolute) Place/Region Human-Environment Interaction Human Systems or Movement Physical Systems The salty surge water from Hurricane Ike killed oak trees along Galveston streets. Physical Systems

Themes /Essential Elements of Geography Location (relative or absolute) Place/Region Human-Environment Interaction Human Systems or Movement Physical Systems Wallpaper manufacturers fill orders for stores throughout the United States. Human Systems - Movement

Themes /Essential Elements of Geography Location (relative or absolute) Place/Region Human-Environment Interaction Human Systems or Movement Physical Systems East Texas has pine forests due to the amount of annual precipitation it receives. Place/Region

Themes /Essential Elements of Geography Location (relative or absolute) Place/Region Human-Environment Interaction Human Systems or Movement Physical Systems Trees are planted along shorelines to prevent the erosion of sand. Human Environment Interaction

Themes /Essential Elements of Geography Location (relative or absolute) Place/Region Human-Environment Interaction Human Systems or Movement Physical Systems Lubbock Texas can found at 34 N and 102 W. Absolute Location

Themes /Essential Elements of Geography Location (relative or absolute) Place/Region Human-Environment Interaction Human Systems or Movement Physical Systems San Antonio is a large city with a huge population of Hispanic Americans. Place/Region