5 Themes of Geography

Bell Ringer: August 11, 2014 Find the definition for Geography: You may use your book or cell phone.

Geography Geography comes from the Greek Word “geographia” meaning to describe the earth.

5 Themes The themes of geography help us understand and organize information about geography. They work together to help the geographer describe the use of SPACE. Helps us answer questions: Where is it? What is it like? How are places similar and different? How do people/goods/ideas get from one place to another? How do people relate to their physical surroundings?

1. Location: Where is it? Absolute Location: the EXACT place on earth where a geographic feature is found. Latitude Longitude Equator Prime Meridian Relative Location: describes a place in comparison to places around it.

1. Location: Where is it? Label: Equator Prime Meridian Latitude Longitude

1. Location: Hemispheres

2. Place: What is it like? Place is what makes an area unique or different. What makes an area one of a kind describes it’s PLACE. What makes New York one of a kind? __________________________________________ What makes Orlando, Florida one of a kind?

Human vs. Physical This theme is divided into 2 components: Human Characteristics: Human Characteristics describe man made objects like buildings or bridges. (Remember they must be UNIQUE) Physical Characteristics: These are NATURAL things that are UNIQUE/ONE OF A KIND to an area. Example of a Human Characteristic:__________________ Example of a Physical Characteristic:__________________

Physical Characteristics Which of the following do you believe would be used to describe the physical characteristics of Georgia? Maple Tree? Stone Mountain? Savannah River?

Would these qualify as a human characteristics of Griffin?

3. Region: How are places similar or different? Region: areas of the earths surface with similar characteristics. The world is divided into different regions based on similarities and differences. Formal Regions: usually defined by a continental area and similar cultures.

Formal Regions=Our Class Units US and Canada “Latin America” Europe North Africa and South West Asia Sub-Saharan Africa South Asia and East Asia Antarctica Australia and New Zealand

4. Human-Environment Interaction How do people interact with their surroundings? This is the relationship between people and their environment. Can you think of examples? Positive:__________________________ Negative:_________________________

5. Movement How do people, ideas, and goods move from one place to another? 3 types: Linear Distance: how far a person or idea travels. Restricted by geography. Example:__________________ Time Distance: how long did it take for a person or idea to travel. Shaped by geography and technology. Psychological Distance: how people view distance. When you get older, locations do not seem as far away. If you are familiar with a place, it seems closer.

Daily Grade: Closing Show your understanding of the 5 themes. Use each theme to describe Griffin, Georgia or another place you have been. Pay attention to the question each theme answers. You can include illustrations. Each theme should be explained in at least 3-4 complete sentences.