Theme of Geography
Location
Two Types of Location

Absolute Location

Relative Location
Types of Absolute Location

Global Location-Every point on Earth
has a specific location that is
determined by an imaginary grid of
lines denoting latitude and longitude.
Examples

Local Location-Street Address
Examples
Latitude

Parallels of latitude
measure distances
north and south of
the line called the
Equator.
Longitude

Meridians of
longitude measure
distances east and
west of the line
called the Prime
Meridian.
Relative Location


Relative location deals with the
interaction that occurs between and
among places.
It refers to the many ways---by
land, by water, even by technology
that places are connected.
Examples
additional description of relative location
Try a quiz!
Additional Description of
Relative Location

Relative locations are described by
landmarks, time, direction, or
distance from one place to another
and may associate a particular place
with another.
Landmarks




Potter Park Zoo
Michigan Historical Museum
Michigan State University
Wilcox School
Back to:
Additional description of relative location
Time

Driving time

Flying time
Back to:
Additional description of relative location
Directions



North, South, East, West
Northwest, Southwest, Northeast,
Southeast
Right, Left
Back to:
Additional description of relative location
Distance


Number of blocks
Number of miles/kilometers
Back to:
Additional description of relative location
Absolute Global Location Examples
U.S. Weather Stations in Michigan
Name of City
Latitude
Longitude
Lansing
42° 47'
84° 36'
Detroit
42° 25'
Grand Rapids
42° 53'
Sault Ste. Marie 46° 28'
83° 1'
85° 31'
84° 22'
-Question-
Which dot is closer to 30° North and 75° West -
A
or
B ?
Great!
Back
Try Again!
Try This!
Click on the correct answer.

Holt is ______ of Lansing.
a.
b.
c.
d.
North
South
East
West
Sorry, try again!
Congratulations!
Holt is south of Lansing.
Oops!
Try again.
Try again!
Hint:
It’s the direction opposite of north.
Relative Location Examples





My house is next to Wilcox School.
Michigan is north of Ohio.
The Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes are a 3
and ½ hour drive from Lansing.
The Mackinac Bridge is between Michigan’s
peninsulas.
Traverse City is near many cherry
orchards.
Quiz
Holt is 42° 73' N, 84° 53 ' W.
Is this an example of
Relative Location or Absolute Location?
Try again!
Another Question:
Mackinac Island is near the
Mackinac Bridge.
Is this an example of
relative location or absolute location?
Hint!
Correct!
Congratulations!
You were correct.
(Near was the key word.)
Try again!
Hint!
Near is the key word.
Back to the Question
Do you know where Mackinac Island is
located?
It is near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Check out this page!


Go to the Mackinac Island Tourist
Information website
http://www.mackinac.com/
It describes Mackinac Islands
location on the introductory page.
This description is an example of relative
location.
Explore!



Try the interactive map on the
http://www.mackinac.com/ website.
Look at some of the terms that are
used.
Click on the downtown section. Is the
coal dock near the end of Astor or
Fort Street?
You’re Right!
The coal dock is near the end of Astor
Street. This statement is an example of
relative location.
Oops!
Check again.
Absolute Local Location


Wilcox School is at 1650 Laurelwood.
The White House is at 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue.
Back
RememberThere are two types of location.
• Relative location
• Absolute location
Where do you live?