The 5 Themes of Geography

Location Asks the Question “ Where Is It ”? Exact/Absolute Location – Uses latitude and Longitude – Tells you the exact point where something is – Ex: Dublin Ireland is 53 degrees N 6 W. Relative Location – Uses the 8 directions, gives you an approximate location of something. – Canada is to the North of United States, West of Greenland.

Place Describes location using characteristics. Physical Characteristics – landforms, climate, plant, or animals Human Characteristics – language, or way of life

Human Environment Interaction How we as humans shape our surroundings.

Movement How do people, things, and ideas move from one place to another – People – trains, planes, automobiles, buses etc. – Things – ships, planes etc. – Ideas – telephone, computers, internet etc.

Region Scientists group places into regions – share common characteristics. Northeast United States – manufacturing region of the United States