• Bellwork– What is geography?

The Five Themes of Geography

How geographers look at the world

Why study geography?

To understand more about the changing world we live in

To learn more about the people and cultures of the world so that we can better understand each other

To look at the connection between the earth and those who live on it

Elements of Geography

1. The World in Spatial Terms (Location)

2. Places and Regions3. Physical Systems4. Human Systems5. Environment and Society6. Uses of Geography

What are the Five Themes of Geography? The ideas that geographers use to study

the world and the people that live in it. Using all five themes helps us to truly

understand the geography of a place The five themes are: location, place,

region, movement and human interaction with the environment

Location

Asks the question: Where is it?

Here’s Madagascar!

We can use absolute location, which uses a

system to find an exact spot on the earth.

Examples: latitude and longitude, address with zip

codes, GPS, map coordinates

Grid System

Equator, Prime Meridian, and other lines of latitude and longitude cross one another to form a pattern• You can use these to find absolute

location• Precise location

We can use relative location, which uses descriptions and

comparisons to find places on the earth.

Example: I live in the condominiums near Pennichuck off of Manchester

Road.

Place

Asks: What are the characteristics of a location? What is the place like?

Describes what it is like there

For example, how would you describe Pennichuck Middle School?

We can use physical features:

• Climate – temperature, rainfall• Landforms – plateaus, plains, rivers• Topography - elevation• Flora - plants• Fauna - animals• Resources – petroleum, gemstones, trees

We can use human characteristics

Such as population statistics, economic activities, religion, language, government, traditions, etc.

MovementHow do people, goods and ideas get from

one place to another?

Examples of movement

►Trading products between countries►Migration of people to new areas►Buying clothes over the internet►Flying to California to visit your

relatives►Coming to school on the bus this

morning►Buying oranges that come from Florida► Watching the news for new

information

Human Environment Interaction

How do we use the earth? How have we changed the earth? How does the earth affect us?

Examples of Human Interaction with the Environment

Growing corn in fields Mining iron ore from the earth Building cities Fishing on Lake Sunapee Cars using gasoline and polluting the air Natural Disasters destroying houses Deforestation of the Rain Forest so that homes can be

built Cold weather causing us to dress warmly

Region

How is this place similar to other places?

Are there common characteristics between places?

Examples of Regions

New England The Rocky Mountains Latin America The Southeast Biomes such as desert, woodlands, etc.

Regions can share characteristics, culture, physical features, language, temperature,

etc.