The 5 Themes of
Geography: A Framework
for Studying the World
Theme 1: Location
• Where is it?
• Why is it there?
Two types of
location
• Absolute
• Relative
Absolute Location
• Uses a specific place on the earth’s
surface
• Uses a grid system
• Latitude and Longitude
• A global “address”
Nevada
Absolute Location
• Las Vegas
36ºNorth, 115ºWest
• Reno
39ºNorth, 119ºWest
Relative Location
• Where a place is in relationship to another
place
• Uses directional words to describe
-Cardinal and intermediate directions
Nevada
Relative Location
• Nevada is bordered by Idaho and
Oregon to the north, California to the
west and Utah to the east.
OR
• Nevada is one of the
Southwestern states.
• Nevada is one of the
Western states.
ID
UT
CA
AZ
Theme 2: Place
Physical Characteristics
•
•
•
•
Land features
Mountains, Plains and Plateaus
Climate
Bodies of Water
Nevada: Physical Characteristics
Theme 2: Place
Human Characteristics
•People
•Culture
•Language
•Religion
•Buildings and landmarks
•Cities
Nevada: Human Characteristics
Theme 3: Human Environment
Interaction
How people interact with their environment
How people…….
• adapt to their environment
• modify their environment
• depend on their environment
Nevada: Human Environment
Interaction
Theme 4: Movement
The mobility of….
• people
• goods
• ideas
How places are linked
together and to the
world
Nevada: Movement
Theme 5: Regions
What places have in common
•
•
•
•
Political Regions
Landform Regions
Agricultural Regions
Culture Regions
The Middle East
Nevada: Regions
• Nevada is
part of the
“Southwest”
• Nevada is
part of the
“Great Basin”