1. The Five Themes of Geography
A Framework for Studying North Carolina and the World

2. Theme 1: Location Where is it? Why is it there?
Two Types: Absolute, Relative

3. Absolute Location
A specific point on the Earth’s surface using Latitude and Longitude
A GPS address or physical address
(For Example, North Carolina is at 36° N Latitude, 79° W Longitude; TMSA is located at 600 Industrial Ave, Greensboro, NC)

4. Relative Location Where a place is in relation to another place
Uses directional words to describe
(For Example, NC is bordered by VA on the north, SC and GA to the south, TN on the west, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east:
TMSA’s Elementary campus is
2 miles east of the Upper
campus)

5. Theme 2: Place
Two Types: Physical and Human

6. Physical Places Based on Land Characteristics (Landforms)
(for example, NC has the Outer Banks, the Blue Ridge Mountains)

7. Human Places
Places touched by human characteristics (culture, landmarks, cities)
(NC Examples – Cherokee Indian Reservation, Linn Viaduct, Raleigh)

8. Theme 3: Human Environment Interaction
How people interact with their environment
People…
Adapt to their environment
Modify their environment
Depend on their environment

9. Adapting to Environment
Making changes to culture/way of life that takes natural environment into account
NC Example – moving the Cape Hatteras lighthouse when erosion threatened it

10. Modifying their Environment
Changing the physical environment to suit human needs
NC Example – Randleman Lake created to provide additional water supply for Guilford County.

11. Depending on their Environment
Local environment (natural or man-made) drives economy
NC Examples – NC beaches, shopping areas

12. Theme 4: Movement The mobility of people, goods, ideas
How places are linked to one another and the world
NC Examples – transportation, shipping, communication

13. Theme 5: Regions What places have in common
Different types of Regions include: Political, Physical, Economic, Agricultural, Cultural Regions
(NC is in the Southeastern region of the US)

14. NC Regions
Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal