1. The 5 Themes of Geography

2. Geography Geography: the study of the earth’s physical and human characteristics. Geographers use 5 themes to explain and understand these characteristics

3. Location “Where is it?” Every place has: Absolute Location: the exact spot of a place on the earth’s surface. Uses Latitude and Longitude Relative Location: tells where a place is by comparing what is around it. Huntersville is north of Charlotte.

4. Place “What is it like?” Describes all of the characteristics that give an area its own special quality. Physical characteristics: mountains, plains, plateaus, climate, bodies of water, land features. Human characteristics: people, culture, language, religion, buildings and landmarks, cities.

5. Movement “How do people, goods, and ideas get from one place to another?” Has brought the world’s people closer together. Transportation and communication

6. Regions What places have in common. – Political regions (countries, states, counties, cities) – Landform regions (Rocky Mountains, Death Valley) – Agricultural regions (Cornbelt, Bread basket) – Cultural regions (Chinatown, Little Italy)

7. Human-Environment Interaction How people interact with their environment. People …… Adapt to their environment. Modify their environment. Depend on their environment.

8. Human-Environment Interaction Examples People adapt to their environment by wearing clothing that is suitable for the weather. People modify the environment by heating and/or cooling a building for comfort.

9. If you can’t remember the 5 themes of Geography, just ask Mr. Help ! M – Movement R – Regions HE – Human-Environment Interaction L – Location P – Place