The Five Themes of
Geography
A Framework for Studying the
World
The 5 Themes of Geography
1. 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
• Indianapolis
39° 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: Place
Physical Characteristics
• Land Features
• Mountains, plains,
and plateaus
• Climate
• Bodies of Water
Indiana:
Physical
Characteristics
Brown County State Park
Geist Reservoir
Theme 2: Place
Human 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
http://www.fotosearch.com/comp/corbis/DGT119/BAG0017.jpg
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
White River State Park
Noblesville Elementary
School Districts
Indiana’s 6 Congressional Districts