GEOGRAPHY

WHAT IS GEOGRAPHY? With a partner, make a list of everything you can think of that is part of geography.

GEOGRAPHY: A science that deals with the description, distribution and interaction of the physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth’s surface. ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary

FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY LOCATION PLACE HUMAN/ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION MOVEMENT REGIONS

LOCATION WHERE IS IT?? Every point on Earth has a specific location –A–ABSOLUTE LOCATION: An exact point on the map using Latitude /Longitude –R–RELATIVE LOCATION: How one location is related to the other. Connected by land, water and technology Interactions can occur between and among places –E–Ex. Next door, nearby, beside the post office

PLACE Every place on Earth has characteristics that make it different from other places. – PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Animal life, mountains, plants, nature – HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS: Architecture, land-use/ownership, town planning, transportation needs

HUMAN/ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION The relationship between people and their environment. How people adapt to an environment/how they change it Positive/Negative - How do you affect your environment everyday? - How do seasonal activities affect your environment? - Which activities are more harmful or helpful to your environment?

MOVEMENT People interact with other people, places and things almost every day of their lives – Move from one place to another – Communicate with each other – Rely on products, information and ideas that come from beyond their immediate environment Connecting with and depending on other regions, cultures and people in the world.

REGION An area on the Earth’s surface that is defined by certain, similar characteristics – PHYSICAL: The valley, the coast, the desert – HUMAN: Residential, Commercial – CULTURAL: Ethnic Regions can change over time