DEFINITION OF GEOGRAPHY
ge· og· ra· phy
1 : a science that deals with the
description, distribution, and
interaction of the diverse
physical, biological, and cultural
features of the earth's surface
IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Geography is the study of the
earth and everything on it.
5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY
WHERE DID THE 5 THEMES COME
FROM?
The 5 Themes of Geography originated
by the National Geographic Society to
fulfill a need for geographers (people
who study the earth and everything on
it) categorize everything they learn.
These 5 places are easy to remember.
Just say the word “PRILM”.
PLACE
What is it like there, what kind of place is it?
• Human
Characteristics
• What are the main
languages, customs,
and beliefs.
• How many people live,
work, and visit a place.
• Physical
Characteristics
• Landforms (mountains,
rivers, etc.), climate,
vegetation, wildlife, soil,
etc.
REGIONS
• How are Regions similar to and different from
other places?
– Formal Regions
• Regions defined by governmental or administrative
boundaries (Cities, States, Countries)
• Regions defined by similar characteristics (Corn Belt,
Rocky Mountain region, Chinatown).
– Functional Regions
• Regions defined by a function (zip codes, newspaper
service area, cell phone coverage area).
– Vernacular Regions
• Regions defined by peoples perception (middle east, the
south, etc.)
HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT
INTERACTION
• How do humans and the environment
affect each other?
– We depend on it.
• People depend on the Mississippi River for water and
transportation.
– We modify it.
• People modify our environment by building structures
for shelter, growing crops for food, etc.
– We adapt to it.
• We adapt to the environment by wearing
clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and
winter (coats), rain and shine.
LOCATION
Where are we?
• Absolute Location
– A latitude and
longitude (global
location) or a street
address (local
location).
– Paris France is 48o
North Latitude and 2o
East Longitude.
– The White House is
located at 1600
Pennsylvania Ave.
• Relative Location
– Described by
landmarks, time,
direction or distance.
From one place to
another.
– Go 1 mile west on
main street and turn
left for 1 block.
Every point on earth corresponds to a
number showing latitude, plus a number
showing longitude.
MOVEMENT
• How are people, goods, ideas moved
from place to place?
– Human Movement
• Trucks, Trains, Planes
– Information Movement
• Phones, computer (email), mail
– Idea Movement
• How do fads move from place to place?
TV, Radio, Magazines
This map shows language regions. Examine the map. Tell one thing you
notice or are surprised by.
1. What is this map showing?
2. Make a comment about one aspect of this map that is interesting or
surprising to you.
Question 1
Which of the following is NOT a geography
theme?
A. movement
B. human-environmental
interaction
C. region
D. people
Question 2
Which of the following is an example of
Human-Environmental Interaction?
A. getting the mail
B. watching TV
C. playing
Gameboy
D. Rainforest
Clearing
Question 3
Which of the following helped create the
5 Themes of Geography?
A. Geographica
Institute
B. National Geographic
Society
C. National Council
for Social Studies
D. Social Studies
Teachers of America
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of
place?
A. Deep South
B. McDonalds
C. Dodge County
Middle School
D. Skating rink
Question 5
Which of the following is NOT an
example of Location?
A. Springfield,
Missouri
C. Georgia
B.
Dodge County Middle
School
1103 Herman Ave
Eastman, GA 31023
D. the hills
Question 6
Which of the following is an example of
region?
A. Georgia
B. South America
C. United States
D. The Midwest
Question 7
What is the name of a person who studies
the earth and everything on it?
A. Photographer
B. Cartographer
C. Geographer
D. Mapographer
Key
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1) D
2) D
3) B
4) A
5) B
6) D
7) C
Your Assignment Options
1. Describe you and your family using
the 5 Themes of Geography.
2. Create a map of your home.
• Make sure you use every theme.