GEOGRAPHER’S WORLD The Five Themes of Geography

Geography is about the discovery of the world around us. Geographers analyze how people everywhere make use of space, and interact with their environment and with each other. We use geography every day: ◦ Finding our way to school. ◦ Going on road trips. ◦ Deciding what to do, where to go, how to dress or even what to eat.

Shopping malls

Highways and bridges

Housing subdivisions

Geography is organized into 5 THEMES Whenever a geographer looks at a place they can organize all information into 5 themes: 1.Location 2.Place 3.Human-Environment Interaction 4.Movement 5.Region

1. Location Every place on earth has a location. Location is defined in terms of absolute and relative location. Absolute Location: The exact spot on earth where something is found. ◦ 29 N 90 W ◦ New Orleans Relative Location: The position of a place in relation to other places. ◦ Located at the mouth of the Mississippi river, below Lake Pontchartrain. ◦ Near the oil refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.

Absolute and Relative Location Why would we want to use absolute location to describe a place? ◦ More precise ◦ Does not change Why would we want to use relative location to describe a place? ◦ Easier to understand ◦ Describes characteristics about a location

2. Place Every place on earth has special characteristics that make it different from every other place. Physical Characteristics: Weather, land features, plants and animals. Human Characteristics: People, Culture, Language, Religion, Buildings and Landmarks, & Cities China Himalayas

3. Human–Environment Interaction People are constantly interacting with their surroundings. People adapt to their environment. People change their environment.

4. Movement People, goods and ideas move continuously. The movement of these people, goods and ideas is called spatial interaction. Bullet train in Japan Coca Cola in Africa McDonald’s in China

5. Region A region is an area defined by common characteristics. Regions can be defined by more than one characteristic.

What theme of Geography does this image represent? 1.1. Number 1-8 in your notes

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Branches of Geography Geography is divided into two different branches: ◦ Human Geography ◦ Physical Geography

Geography as a Profession Cartographers: People who make maps. ◦ United States Geological Survey hires cartographers to make topographic maps.  Topographic maps: Surface feature maps.

Geography as a Profession Meteorologist: People who specialize in weather and weather forecasting. Maps

Maps Map: A flat diagram of all or a part of Earth’s surface. Map projections: Different ways of presenting the round Earth on flat surfaces.

Map Components Most maps have several common features: 1. Directional indicator: Arrows that show directions on a map; points to all 4 directions. 2. Scale: Represent distances between points on a map. 3. Legend: Explains what the symbols on the map represents; also called a key.

Reading Maps Directional indicator Scale

Legend

Types of Maps Question: What can maps be used to show? Answer:  Physical features (mountains, rivers, etc.)  Political features: boundaries  Economy  Climate  Population

Create a map of your neighborhood. Your map must include: ◦ Title ◦ Compass Rose (Directional indicator) ◦ Scale ◦ Legend or a Key Your map must include: ◦ 15 details, at the very least.  Your House  Friends’ houses  Businesses  Hangout spots  Playgrounds / parks  Mailboxes  Physical Features  Human Features

Absolute and Relative Location Describe the location of your home. Are you using absolute or relative location to describe it? Why?

Answer the following questions using your map: 1. What is the relative location of your house? 2. List the physical characteristics that are present on your map. 3. List the human characteristics that are present on your map.

Vocabulary Words Movement Transportation of people, goods, and ideas Region An area defined by more than one common characteristics Location Defined in terms of absolute (exact) of relative (general) location Human-Environment Interaction Adapting to or changing your environment Place Physical and Human characteristics of a particular area Compass RoseArrows that show directions on a map Scale Represents distance between points on a map Legend Explains what symbols on a map represent; also called a key