5 Themes of Geography

Location

*Absolute:* The position of a place using latitude and longitude on a grid of the world (e.g. the *exact coordinates* for the Washington Monument are 38.8895° N, 77.0353° W). *Relative:* The approximate position of a place compared to other places nearby (e.g. the Washington Monument is *near* the WWII Memorial).

Human/Environment Interaction

*Adapt to the environment:* Humans change to agree with environment in order to help themselves (e.g. putting a coat on when it's cold, taking it off when it's warm). *Modify the environment:* Humans change the environment in order to assist themselves (e.g. brutally killing animals for meat, chopping down trees for wood). *Depend on the environment:* Humans depend on the environment to satisfy human needs (e.g. drinking water).

Region

*Formal:* Areas with characteristics that are similar (e.g. states, counties, cities). *Functional:* Consists of a central area and surrounding areas that are dependent upon that place (e.g. a metropolitan area, the Amazon drainage area) *Perceptual:* Defined by people's feelings and attitudes towards a place (e.g. the South, the North).

Place

*Human characteristics:* The ideas that are promoted by humans in a place (e.g. government, language, economy). *Physical characteristics:* Geographical features or occurrences to be noted about a place (e.g. landforms, climate).

Movement

*Human movement:* Describes humans on the move, going from one place to another (e.g. driving a car, flying in an airplane). *Information movement:* The transfer of knowledge from one person to another (e.g. speaking, email, text). *Idea movement:* The exchange of different ideas and thoughts throughout places (e.g. fads, fashion, music).