The Five Themes of Geography

A Framework for Studying the World

The 5 Themes of Geography1. Location

– Absolute– Relative

2. Place– Physical Characteristics– Human Characteristics

3. Human Environment Interaction

4. Movement

5. Regions

Theme 1: Location

• Where is It?• Why is It There?

Two Types of Location

•Absolute

•Relative

Absolute Location

• A specific place on the Earth’s surface• Uses a grid system• Latitude and longitude• A global address

Absolute Location• Indiana

40° N Latitude 86° W longitude

• Indianapolis39° 46' N Latitude 86° 9' W Longitude

Relative Location

• Where a place is in relation to another place

• Uses directional words to describe– Cardinal and

intermediate directions

Indiana- Relative Location• Indiana is bordered by

Michigan to the north, Kentucky to the south, Illinois to the west, and Ohio to the east.

• Indiana is one of the Midwestern States or Great Lakes States.

Theme 2: PlacePhysical Characteristics• Land Features• Mountains, plains,

and plateaus• Climate• Bodies of Water

Indiana: Physical

Characteristics

Geist Reservoir

Brown County State Park

Theme 2: PlaceHuman Characteristics

• People• Culture• Language• Religion• Buildings and

Landmarks• Cities

INDIANAPOLIS: Human Characteristics

Lucas Oil Stadium

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Theme 3: Human Environment Interaction

How People Interact With Their Environment

People . . .• Adapt to Their Environment• Modify Their Environment• Depend on Their Environment

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INDIANA: Human Environment Interaction

Theme 4: Movement

The Mobility of• People• Goods• Ideas

How Places are linked to one another and the world

INDIANA: Movement

Theme 5: Regions

What Places Have in Common

• Political Regions• Landform Regions• Agricultural Regions• Cultural Regions

INDIANA: Regions

Indiana’s 6 Congressional Districts

Noblesville Elementary School Districts

White River State Park