The Five Themes of Geography

A Framework for Studying the World

PowerPoint Presentation RevisedBy Junction Hill 6th Grade Class of

2009North Carolina Geographic Alliance 2007

Theme I: Location

• Where is It?Two Types of Location

1. Absolute

2. Relative

1. Absolute Location

• A specific place on the Earth’s surface

• Uses a grid system– Latitude and longitude

West Plains MOAbsolute Location

• West Plains36.74 N, 91. 86 W

2. Relative Location

• Where a place is in relation to another place

• Uses directional words to describe– Cardinal and

intermediate directions

West Plains• West Plains is about 100 miles

East of Springfield. • St. Louis is northeast of West

Plains.

Theme II: Place1. Physical Characteristics• Land Features

– Mountains, plains, and plateaus

– Bodies of Water– Vegetation

• Climate

West Plains: Physical Characteristics

http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc18775.php

http://www.westplains.net/tourism/millsandsprings.asp

Theme II: Place2. Human Characteristics

• People• Culture• Language• Religion• Buildings and

Landmarks• Cities

West plains: Human Characteristics

http://www.westplains.net/tourism/millsandsprings.asp

http://www.westplains.net/tourism/historic.asp

http://www.westplains.net/tourism/artsandculture.asp

Theme III: Human Environment Interaction

How People Interact With Their Environment

People . . .1. Adapt to Their Environment

– Adjust2. Modify Their Environment

– Change3. Depend on Their Environment

– Use (Resources)http://www.fotosearch.com/comp/corbis/DGT119/BAG0017.jpg

West Plains: Human Environment Interaction

http://www.westplains.net/tourism/attractions.asp#top

http://www.westplains.net/tourism/speedway.asp

Theme IV: Movement

How Places are linked to one another and the world

The Mobility of• People• Goods• Ideas

West Plains : Movement

http://www.carrtracks.com/bnkkng.htm

http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?catID=256&pageID=2&rows=12&style=&contestCatID=&camID=

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/barney_sipes/2004/aug/rail_bus/file0002.jpg

Theme V: Regions

What Places Have in Common

• Political• Physical• Agricultural• Cultural

Ozark : Region

http://missouricaves.com/mo-map.htm

wwwcooleys.com

http://www.westplains.net/