The 5 Themes of Geography

WHAT is Geography?? Geography= the study of people, places and things on the earth’s surface AND how they relate to one another.

1.Location Location refers to position on the Earth’s surface. There are 2 types: Relative location is a description of where something on the Earth’s surface. Exact Location is the exact position of someplace on the Earth’s surface. –Exact location uses latitude & longitude to locate a place.

Latitude Measures distances north or south of the Equator. Latitude has a relationship with climate. Important lines of latitude are: –The Equator- 0* divides the Earth into Northern & Southern Hemispheres –Tropic of Cancer- 23 ½*N- the sun is directly overhead when it reaches the northern most point in the sky –Tropic of Capricorn- 23 ½*S- the sun is directly overhead when it reaches the southern most point in the sky –The area btw the Tropic o f Cancer & The Tropic of Capricorn is officially termed “the tropics”

Longitude Measures distance east & west of the Prime Meridian Longitude has a relationship with time –Every 15*= 1 hour time change Important lines of Longitude are: –Prime Meridian 0* Divides the Earth into Eastern & Western Hemispheres Passes directly through Greenwich, England –International Dateline 180* Each day starts here

2.Place Described in terms of physical & human characteristics –Physical characteristics= landforms, climate, soil, animal life –Human characteristics= ppl’s way of life- their activities, transportation, religion, languages, etc

3. Interaction btw People & their Environment How ppl change the world around them & how ppl adapt to the world around them. –Hidden costs= actions can produce pollution, disrupt living organisms, etc

4.Movement Of people, goods, & Ideas –People migrate –Goods are traded (import v. export) –Ideas spread w/ ppl & goods & today’s mass media –Interdependence- the reliance of countries on goods, resources, & knowledge from other parts of the world.

5. Realm/ Region Geographic realm- defined in terms of total human geography- a composite of leading cultural, economic, historical, political, & environmental features. –Realms can change over time –Transition zones- areas where realms meet. There are no sharp boundaries Region- an area w/in a realm w/ unifying features like physical characteristics, cultural features, political regions, economic features –A country can be a part of several regions