1. What is Geography???
5 Themes of Geography

2. What is Geography?
Geography = the study of people, places and the environment
Geography comes from 2 Greek words
“Geo” = Earth
“graphy” = Writing
Geography = writing about the Earth

3. Two Types of Geography Physical Geography Cultural Geography
Location, Landforms
Cultural Geography
Human Characteristics, Regions, Movement

4. 5 Themes of Geography 1 - Location
Geography helps you think of things spatially
Where things are located and how they got there.

5. 2 Types of Location Absolute Location Relative Location
EXACT place on Earth something can be found using latitude and longitude
Melbourne, Australia = 38S, 145E
Relative Location
Location of one place in relation to another place.
Canada is north of the United States
Giving directions to your house
We use this one the most!!!

6. 5 Themes of Geography 2 – Place
Changes over time based on human and physical characteristics (features)
Volcanoes erupt, glaciers move, forests burn
People build new cities and expand old cities

7. 2 Types of Place Physical Characteristics
Climate (typical weather over long period)
Landforms
Bodies of water
Plant/animal life
Human/Cultural Characteristics
Cities, towns, governments, cultural traditions
Human created features

8. 5 Themes of Geography 3 – Region Geographers group places into regions
Region = a group of places that have physical features or human characteristics in common
Geographers compare regions to understand the differences and similarities among them.
Geographer interested in language may group countries based on the language they speak.

9. 2 Types of Regions Natural Regions
10 natural regions based on a unique combination of plant/animal life and climate

11. 2 Types of Regions Cultural Regions
An area in the world where many people share similar beliefs, history, and languages
There may be multiculturalism in one region – but one overall cultural trait (USA)

13. 5 Themes of Geography 4 – Movement
The movement of people, goods, ideas as well as plants, animals and other physical features.

14. Migrate vs. Emigrate
Migrate = move from one area to another usually within a country
Emigrate = to move from one country or region to another (leaving)
Permanent intentions
People take with them their customs and ideas
Immigrate = to come to a country of which you are not a native to live (coming)

16. Push – Pull Theory Push = problems in one place push people out
Poverty, overcrowding, lack of jobs, schools, prejudice, war
Pull = better opportunities pull people to a new place
Higher standard of living, employment, rights, freedoms, safety
Irish potato famine (1.5 million in 1840’s-1850’s)
Cubans flee for Florida

18. Barriers to Movement
Natural barriers can prevent people from migrating
Difficult
Mountain ranges, canyons, raging rivers
Easier
Oceans, lakes, navigable rivers, flat land

19. 5 Themes of Geography 5 – Human-Environment Interaction
The interaction between the people and their environment
How people affect their environment & how the environment affects people.
Can be positive and negative
Planting trees, irrigation = positive
Clear-cutting trees = negative
Occurs because humans depend on, adapt to and modify the world around them.

20. Human Adaptation
Humans have often adapted their way of life to their environment
What they wear, eat, do to make a living
Modern technology has made a close adaptation to the environment not as necessary

21. Interaction
People and the environment continually interact with each other
Public transportation
Less gas consumed
Less air pollution
Healthier lives for people