The Five ThemesThe Five Themesofof

GeographyGeography

GeographyGeography

The study of the distribution and The study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human interaction of physical and human features on the earth (p.5)features on the earth (p.5)

Term comes from Greek roots ‘ge’ Term comes from Greek roots ‘ge’ meaning ‘earth’ and ‘graphein,’ meaning ‘earth’ and ‘graphein,’ which means to write or describewhich means to write or describe

The Five Themes of GeographyThe Five Themes of Geography

1.1. LocationLocation• Where is it?Where is it?• Location can be described in two Location can be described in two

different ways…different ways…

a.a. Absolute LocationAbsolute Location• To find absolute location, geographers To find absolute location, geographers

use a system of imaginary lines use a system of imaginary lines crisscrossing the earth called lines of crisscrossing the earth called lines of latitude and lines of longitude.latitude and lines of longitude.

i.i. LatitudeLatitude• Lines of latitude run east-west across the Lines of latitude run east-west across the

globe. They are all parallel to each other and globe. They are all parallel to each other and so are sometimes called ‘parallels.’so are sometimes called ‘parallels.’

•Note that the Equator is the 0o point. Every line north of the equator is designated as xoN. Every line south of the equator is designated as xoS.

•Note too that there are 90 degrees of latitude per hemisphere.

•Each degree is broken up into 60 minutes and each minute is broken up into 60 seconds.

ii.ii. LongitudeLongitude• Lines of longitude run north-south and Lines of longitude run north-south and

they meet at the north and south they meet at the north and south poles. These are also called poles. These are also called ‘meridians.’‘meridians.’

• The 0o longitude is called the prime meridian and it runs through Greenwich, England.

• Every meridian to the east of it is called xoE and every meridian to the west of it is called xoW.

• Why Greenwich? Because astronomers decided on it in 1884.

• As the earth is a spherical object (it’s not a perfect sphere, mind you), there are a total of 360o of longitude with 180o in each of the two hemispheres, the eastern hemisphere and the western hemisphere.

• Just like with latitude, there are 60 minutes in each degree and 60 seconds in each minute.

• To help remember the difference between latitude and longitude, think of latitude as being like a ladder.

When describing the absolute location of a particular spot on the globe, you say the latitude first and then the longitude.

• So you’d say, it’s at 48 degrees 12 minutes 45 seconds south latitude and 89 degrees 54 minutes 1 second east longitude. This is written as 48o12’45”S 89o54’1”E

About where is this?

How about you? Where are you now?

Friendswood

Ah, there you are…

sitting comfortably at about

29o30’45”N 95o12’31”W

b.b. Relative locationRelative location• Where something is relative to Where something is relative to

something else around it.something else around it.• In relation to Friendswood, Houston is In relation to Friendswood, Houston is

to the north. In relation to Conroe, to the north. In relation to Conroe, however, Houston is to the south.however, Houston is to the south.

• Chicago is on Lake MichiganChicago is on Lake Michigan

2.2. PlacePlace• What is it like?What is it like?• This includes the physical features and This includes the physical features and

cultural characteristics of a location cultural characteristics of a location that set it apart from other locations.that set it apart from other locations.

• What’s the climate? Dry, rainy, What’s the climate? Dry, rainy, temperate?temperate?

• What’s the terrain? Mountains, plains?What’s the terrain? Mountains, plains?• What’s the vegetation? Lush, sparse?What’s the vegetation? Lush, sparse?• Are there highways, houses, etc.?Are there highways, houses, etc.?

3.3. RegionRegion• How are places similar or different?How are places similar or different?• What about a particular area unites it What about a particular area unites it

with similar characteristics?with similar characteristics?• May be physical, political, economic, or May be physical, political, economic, or

culturalcultural• Regions are categorized in three waysRegions are categorized in three ways

a.a. Formal RegionsFormal Regions• Regions defined by a limited number Regions defined by a limited number

or related characteristics, e.g. a or related characteristics, e.g. a specific climate, vegetation, and land specific climate, vegetation, and land use.use.

• Such regions include East Asia, South Such regions include East Asia, South Asia, the U.S. and Canada, and Latin Asia, the U.S. and Canada, and Latin AmericaAmerica

b.b. Functional RegionsFunctional Regions• Organized around a set of interactions Organized around a set of interactions

and connections between places.and connections between places.• There’s usually a hub that links other There’s usually a hub that links other

places. The Houston metro area is a places. The Houston metro area is a functional region that includes Houston functional region that includes Houston proper as the hub and all the suburbs, proper as the hub and all the suburbs, e.g. Conroe, Clear Lake, Friendswood.e.g. Conroe, Clear Lake, Friendswood.

c.c. Perceptual RegionsPerceptual Regions• A region that people perceive as being A region that people perceive as being

connected by certain characteristics, connected by certain characteristics, but individuals differ on the but individuals differ on the characteristics. characteristics.

4.4. Human-Environment InteractionHuman-Environment Interaction• How do people relate to the physical How do people relate to the physical

world?world?• People interact with their environment People interact with their environment

in different ways and for different in different ways and for different purposes. Houstonians interact with purposes. Houstonians interact with their environment far differently in their environment far differently in January than do folks in Anchorage, January than do folks in Anchorage, Alaska, for example.Alaska, for example.

• How do people interact with their How do people interact with their surroundings?surroundings?

5.5. MovementMovement• How do people, goods, and ideas move How do people, goods, and ideas move

from one location to another?from one location to another?• Three types:Three types:

a.a. Linear distance: How far must something Linear distance: How far must something travel? What affects the distance travel? What affects the distance (mountains, rivers, etc.)?(mountains, rivers, etc.)?

b.b. Time distance: How much time does it take Time distance: How much time does it take for something to travel from point to point? for something to travel from point to point? What affects this? Improved locomotion, What affects this? Improved locomotion, better roads, etc.?better roads, etc.?

c.c. Psychological distance: How far away do Psychological distance: How far away do we perceive things to be, why do we we perceive things to be, why do we perceive it this way, and how does it affect perceive it this way, and how does it affect our choices?our choices?