Geography

Thursday, August 28, 2008 TSW: Be able to explain and identify the 5 themes of geography and how they relate to the world around us. Essential ??? Why might it be important to understand the difference between absolute and relative location?

Geography Defined: The study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth.

Themes of Geography Location (where is it?) Place (what is it like?) Region (how are areas similar or different?) Human-Environment Interaction (how do people relate to the physical world?) Movement (how do people, ideas and products move from one place to another?)

Location Where is it? –Absolute Location-exact place on earth where a geographic feature is found Catherine Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia 59.56° N latitude, 30.18° E longitude Fenway Park, Boston Home plate is precisely at 42° 20’ 46.47” N latitude 71° 05’ 51.96” W longitude ° Degree ‘ Minute “ Second

Hemispheres

Geographic Grid Absolute location is where lines of latitude and longitude cross

Location Where is it? –Relative Location- a place in comparison to other places around it (house next to the gas station) e.g., the NHS band hall is located just beyond the top of the stairs (adjacent to the student union), across the short hall, and through the doors. ☺

Place What is it like? –Explains characteristics like landforms, climate, human interaction with the environment South Sea Island, New Zealand

Region How are areas similar or different? –Formal –Functional –Perceptual Cairo, Egypt Marrakech, Morocco

Human-Environment Interaction How do people relate to the physical world? –Interact with the environment to adjust or to alter it Ireland

Movement How do people, ideas and products move from place to place? Harrod’s, London, England

Conclusion 5 Themes –Location –Place –Region –Human Environment –Movement