The study of the earth and how people live and
work on it.
Partner discuss/write: Why study geography?
Location tells: where something is.
A. Absolute Location – where something is in the
world found by using latitude and longitude.
1. Discuss – how could you find the absolute
location of a place?
For example – If you wanted to know the absolute location of Gillette,
Wyoming, what tools could you use or where could you look?
B. Relative Location – Location of a place in
relation to something else.
Example: Mr. Wendt lives by the Little Store.
1. Direction – east of, across the street from, northwest
of…
2. Distance – 25 miles from, 300 yards from, a hop-skipand jump from…
3. Time – an hour from, just minutes from, two days
from…
Discuss/write: The relative location of:
a. Twin Spruce (direction)
b. Your house (distance)
c. Gillette (time)
Place tells: what somewhere is like.
Places are defined by:
a. physical features - landforms, climate, flora
(plants) and fauna (animals)
Discuss/write: What are some physical features of
eastern Wyoming?
Hint – these are not man-made!
Places are also defined by:
a. human features – ethnicity (race), language,
religion, customs, food, music, activities,
occupations (jobs), recreation
Discuss/write: What are some human features of
Gillette, Wyoming?
Place questions:
1.What event defines the city of Sturgis, SD?
2.What religion is most common in Mexico?
3. What landform do most people associate with
Colorado?
4. What industry has long defined the city of
Detroit, MI?
5. What climate do most people associate with
Arizona?