5 Themes of Geography

What is Geography? The study of the earth in all its variety Geography helps describe the earth’s land, water, plant, and animal life. The study of places and the complex relationships between people and the environment

What does Geography mean? The literal translation is "to describe or write about the Earth” Geography is HOW we describe the Earth

LOCATION

Location Definition: where a place is on earth; can be described in absolute or relative terms a. Absolute location: an exact point using measurement (example: longitude & latitude) b. Relative location: is the position of a place in relation to another place. (example: Target is next to Smith’s)

Location Using the map, write down the coordinates of Salt Lake City and any point in Texas. It does not have to be exact. Do the best you can!

Location West (W) As close as you can, write down the coordinates of Salt Lake City and any point in Texas. North (N)

PLACE

Place Definition: the physical and cultural features of a place. Example of Physical features: animal life, water bodies, vegetation, soil, etc. Example of Cultural features: ethnic groups, language, religion, art, etc.

Place Read the lyrics to “Home on the Range” Write down 5 adjectives of the range. What animals are there? What is the climate like? What’s an adjective?

Place “Oh,give me a home where the buffalo roam, 
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day. Oh, give me a land where the bright diamond sand
Flows leisurely down the stream;
Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along
Like a maid in a heavenly dream. Oh, I love these wild flowers in this dear land of ours;
The curlew I love to hear scream;
And I love the white rocks and the antelope flocks
That graze on the mountain-tops green.”

HUMAN/ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS

Human/Environment Interactions Definition: interactions between people and their environment How do things: 1. Adapt 2. Modify 3. Depend How do people adapt to their environment? How do people modify their environment? How do people depend their environment?

Human/Environment Interactions Write down 2 ways people adapt to their environment Example: put on a jacket in the cold Write down 2 ways people modify their environment Example: carving out a mountain for minerals Write down 2 ways people depend their environment Example: for oxygen to breathe

MOVEMENT

Movement Also includes natural movements of earth's physical features Definition: the movement and exchange of people, goods, and ideas Example: types of transportation, travel Also includes natural movements of earth's physical features Example: wind systems, water cycle, ocean currents, volcanic eruptions, erosion,

Movement Discussion: How do ideas move?

Regions Definition: groups of places with at least one common characteristic There are 3 ways regions can be grouped Political – man-made borders Cultural- man created areas based on cultures, religion, race… Natural- non-manmade areas based on earth change, formations, weather…

Political: US Political Map

Cultural: Religion Map

Natural:

REGIONS

Why do we use Geography? Knowledge of geography helps people understand The relationships among people, place, and environments overtime Understanding geography AND knowing how to use the tools/technology prepare you for modern life… how?