Chapter 2 The Geographer’s World Section 1: The Five Themes of Geography

How Has New Technology Increased Our Knowledge of Earth?

Pangaea—The super continent On January 6, 1912, Scientist Alfred Wegener proposed that the continents were once one large landmass. Continents seem to fit together. Tectonic plates caused the continents to drift, which created earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains.

Five themes of geography Location Place Region Movement Human-Environment Interaction

Theme 1: location Tells where something is located in space. Absolute Location—The exact spot on Earth something can be found. Relative Location—Describing the location of one place in relation to another place.

Theme 1: location (cont’d) Latitude Lines—Imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator that show the distance north and south of the equator. Longitude Lines—Imaginary lines that run between the North and South Poles that show distance east and west of the prime meridian.

Theme 2: place What is the area like? Climate? Landforms? Bodies of water? Plant and animal life? Cities? Governments? Cultural traditions?

Theme 2: Place (cont’d) What causes places to change? Climate Earthquakes Volcanic eruptions Hurricanes Movement of glaciers

Theme 3: region Group of places that have common physical features and/or human characteristics. Geographers compare regions to understand the differences and similarities between them.

Natural Regions of the World Climate Plant Life Tropical Rain Forest Hot and wet all year Thick trees with broad leaves; Trees are green all year Tropical Grassland Hot all year Wet and dry season Tall grasses; Some trees Mediterranean Cool-to-mild winters Open forests; Some clumps of trees; Many shrubs, herbs, and grasses Temperate Forest Warm summers Cold-to-cool winters Mixed forests; Some trees lose leaves in winter; Other trees stay green all year Cool Forest Cool-to-mild summers Long, cold winters Mostly trees with needles; Stay green all year; Some trees lose leaves in winter Cool Grassland Cool winters Drier than forest regions Prairies; Tall, thick grass; Higher lands; Shorter grass Desert Very little rain Sand or bare soil; Few plants; May have cactus; Some grass and bushes Tundra Short, cool summers Little rain or snow Rolling plains; No trees; Some patches of moss; Short grass; Flowering plants Arctic Very cold Covered in ice all year None High Mountain Varies, depending upon altitude

Theme 4: movement People, goods, and ideas move from one place to another. Animals, plants, and other physical features also move. The Internet helps move ideas around the world. Migrate—The movement from one area to another.

Theme 4: movement (cont’d) Why do people move? Reasons for leaving (“Push”): Poverty, overcrowding, lack of jobs and schools, prejudice, war, political oppression.

Theme 4: movement (cont’d) Why do people move? Reasons for going somewhere (“Pull”): Higher stand of living, employment, educational opportunities, rights, freedom, peace, and safety.

Theme 5: human-environment interaction Interaction between human beings and their environment. Humans adapt their way of life to the natural resources around them. Technology has made adaptation easier. Humans need to interact with their environment responsibly.

Questions?