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The Basics of Geography
Part 1
The 5 Themes of
Geography
What is Geography?
The word “geography” comes from
the Greek word geographia,
meaning “to describe the earth.”
Modern GEOGRAPHY is the study
of the distribution and interaction of
physical and human features on the
earth.
5 Themes of Geography
• Location
• Place
• Movement
• Human-Environment Interaction
• Region
LOCATION
Asks the question, “Where is it?”
RELATIVE LOCATION – Gives a
general idea of where something is.
ABSOLUTE LOCATION – Gives a
pinpoint, exact location
Relative
Location
North Dakota
is located in
the northern
part of the
continental
United States.
Absolute
Location
Can be
pinpointed
exactly
using
latitude and
longitude.
PLACE
Asks the question, “What is it like?”
This includes both the physical
features and cultural characteristics
of a location. Things like climate,
vegetation, landforms, and human
interaction would all be things that
describe “place”.
MOVEMENT
Asks the question, “How do people,
goods, and ideas move from one
location to another?”
Linear Distance
Time Distance
Psychological Distance
The U. S. Interstate System
• Linear Distance simply means how far
a person, idea, or product has to travel.
• Time Distance refers to how long it
takes to get there.
• Psychological Distance refers to how
people view distance. Studies show
that the more familiar we become with
a place, we think it is closer.
Linear Distance can be affected by barriers
such as rivers, mountains, or oceans.
Time Distance has been greatly influenced by
modern inventions. In the 1840s, traveling
from New York to California took 6 months.
It now takes under 6 hours.
Psychological Distance may influence
decisions about many different human
activities.
Across the world, people make important
choices based on Linear, Time, and
Psychological Distances.
HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT
INTERACTION
Asks the question, “How do people
relate to their physical world?”
People learn to use what the
environment offers them. They can
either change the environment to fit
their needs, or they can live with the
aspects they cannot control.
Lower Manhattan in the 1660s
New York City
August 2001
Notice the growth
outward from
lower Manhattan.
REGION
Asks the question, “How are places
similar or different?”
Regions are areas of earth with
similar characteristics, such as
physical, political, economic, or
cultural.
The “Traditional” Four Regions
of the United States
Regions
may
also be
divided
into
subregions.
Some regions of Utah
This map
divides Utah
into 6 Regions:
The West
Wasatch Front
The Northeast
The Central
Canyon Country
Dixie
The National Football League
Major League Baseball is divided into two
leagues, with West, Central, and East Divisions