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Chapter 1 Section 1
Themes and Elements of Geography
Ways of Thinking about Geography
Geography – study of people, places, and environments
Environment – physical surroundings of a location
Geographers study the world in spatial terms
They look at the space where a place is located and its physical relationship to other places, people, and
environments
Use two different methods to organize geographic information: 5 themes and 6 essential elements
Theme 1 - Location
Where are things located?
Location can mean either the exact location or longitude or a description of a place in relation to places around
it
Theme 1 – Location: Elkin
Latitude: 36.26 N
 Longitude: 80.85 W
34.7 miles west of Winston-Salem, NC
Located in Surry County, North Carolina, United States
Theme 2 - Place
What is a particular location like?
Place describes physical characteristics such as mountains, rivers, as well as human characteristics such as the
people who live there
Theme 2 – Place: Elkin
White alone - 2,992 (74.8%)
Hispanic - 713 (17.8%)
Black alone - 216 (5.4%)
Two or more races - 37 (0.9%)
Asian alone - 31 (0.8%)
Other race alone - 10 (0.2%)
Located alongside the Yadkin River
Mountainous area
Theme 3 - Region
How are places similar or different?
Regions have physical or human characteristics that unite them and make them different from or similar to other
regions
Theme 3 – Region : Elkin
Elkin is considered to be in the Northwest Region of NC based on location
Elkin is also considered to be in the foothills of NC based on our geography
Theme 4 - Movement
How do people, goods, and ideas move from location to another?
Movement of people, goods, and ideas change places and regions and the people who live there.
Theme 4 – Movement : Elkin
Most of our goods come in on transfer trucks
People mostly come to Elkin by car; even if they take a plane to NC they still have to ride in a car to get to
Elkin
Ideas move through technology and communication: The Tribune, Facebook, email, etc.
Theme 5 – Human Environment Interaction
How do people relate to the physcial world?
Humans adapt to their environment and change elements of it.
Theme 5 – Human Environment Interaction : Elkin
Elkin was first settled because of it’s convenience to the Yadkin River, a water source
Rivers can also cause damage when they flood so humans altered environment by learning how to control it
(dams, bridges, etc.)
6 Essential Elements
Geographers use these elements or key ideas to help them study and understand the Earth
Element 1 – The World in Spatial Terms
Geographers study locations of places and patterns of features using maps, data, and other geographic tools.
Element 2 - Places and Regions
Geographers look for characteristics of places and then compare their similarities and differences.
Element 3 - Physical Systems
Geographers study changes in the Earth’s surface. Where and why people choose to live in certain locations
may depend on Earth’s surface conditions.
Element 4 - Human Systems
Geographers study human settlement patterns and use of resources. This helps explain human interactions and
lifestyles.
Element 5 – Environment and Society
Geographers study how people interact with the environment and how they use resources.
Element 6 – The Uses of Geography
Geographers study patterns and processes in the world. The helps people understand the past and plan for the
future.