The Five Themes of Geography A Framework for Studying North Carolina and the World
Theme 1: Location Where is it? Why is it there? Two Types: Absolute, Relative
Absolute Location A specific point on the Earth’s surface using Latitude and Longitude A GPS address or physical address (For Example, North Carolina is at 36° N Latitude, 79° W Longitude; TMSA is located at 600 Industrial Ave, Greensboro, NC)
Relative Location Where a place is in relation to another place Uses directional words to describe (For Example, NC is bordered by VA on the north, SC and GA to the south, TN on the west, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east: TMSA’s Elementary campus is 2 miles east of the Upper campus)
Theme 2: Place Two Types: Physical and Human
Physical Places Based on Land Characteristics (Landforms) (for example, NC has the Outer Banks, the Blue Ridge Mountains)
Human Places Places touched by human characteristics (culture, landmarks, cities) (NC Examples – Cherokee Indian Reservation, Linn Viaduct, Raleigh)
Theme 3: Human Environment Interaction How people interact with their environment People… Adapt to their environment Modify their environment Depend on their environment
Adapting to Environment Making changes to culture/way of life that takes natural environment into account NC Example – moving the Cape Hatteras lighthouse when erosion threatened it
Modifying their Environment Changing the physical environment to suit human needs NC Example – Randleman Lake created to provide additional water supply for Guilford County.
Depending on their Environment Local environment (natural or man-made) drives economy NC Examples – NC beaches, shopping areas
Theme 4: Movement The mobility of people, goods, ideas How places are linked to one another and the world NC Examples – transportation, shipping, communication
Theme 5: Regions What places have in common Different types of Regions include: Political, Physical, Economic, Agricultural, Cultural Regions (NC is in the Southeastern region of the US)
NC Regions Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal