1. The Five Themes of Geography and the

2. A Quick History
In 1925, a brave sled dog relay through the Alaskan wilderness, delivered life-saving medicine to the remote village of Nome. This furious race involved 20 drivers and more than 150 dogs, but one dog named Balto, became the star. Every March, this event is celebrated with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
For more details see Balto and the Iditarod

3. Place: the physical and human characteristics that make a location special
Ask yourself: What did the people build? Those are human characteristics.
Also ask, what is in this place naturally? Those are the physical characteristics.

4. Place: the physical and human characteristics that make a location special
Ask yourself: What did the people build? Those are human characteristics.
Also ask, What is in this place naturally? Those are the physical characteristics.

5. Place: the physical and human characteristics that make a location special
Ask yourself: What did the people build? Those are human characteristics.
Also ask, what is in this place naturally? Those are the physical characteristics.

6. Place: the physical and human characteristics that make a location special
Ask yourself: What did the people build? Those are human characteristics.
Also ask, what is in this place naturally? Those are the physical characteristics.

7. Place: the physical and human characteristics that make a location special
Ask yourself: What did the people build? Those are human characteristics.
Also ask, what is in this place naturally? Those are the physical characteristics.

8. Place: the physical and human characteristics that make a location special
Ask yourself: What did the people build? Those are human characteristics.
Also ask, what is in this place naturally? Those are the physical characteristics.

9. Location: answers the question, “where is it?”

10. Movement: how goods, people, ideas, and information move from place to place

11. Movement: how goods, people, ideas, and information move from place to place

12. Movement: how goods, people, ideas, and information move from place to place

13. Human Environment Interaction: the way people and the earth interact/affect each other

14. Region: an area with shared characteristics (Ask yourself, what does this place have in common with its neighbors?)

15. Region: an area with shared characteristics (Ask yourself, what does this place have in common with its neighbors?)

16. Answers to the Reading
Physical Characteristics of the Iditarod Trail: twists and turns, hills, steep banks along deep gorges, long stretches across the tundra, frozen rivers, dirt and boulders protruding through the snow, and high mountain passes
Human Characteristics of the Iditarod Trail: Small villages and checkpoints
The Iditarod race takes place in Alaska (from Anchorage to Nome).
There are two trails because it allows small villages to have a break from the craziness that comes from having mushers, press and volunteers come through. It also allows more towns to share in the excitement.

17. Answers to the Reading
Warmer temperature may cause the dogs to overheat. If the snow melts and becomes slushy, dogs may injure their paws on the bumpy trail.
Sled dogs were very helpful when people came to Alaska during the Gold Rush. Sled dogs traveled along mail routes, helped priest ministers and judges reach far away villages, and delivered diphtheria medicine in 1925.
Alaska is part of an Arctic region. It is very cold and remote. Alaska is also part of the North American region.
People now use snowmobiles or airplanes.