The Five Themes of

Geography Slide Show

Developed by
Mrs. Morey
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5 Themes & Geographic Questions

PLACE
LOCATION
HUMAN
ENVIRONMENT/
INTERACTION
REGION

MOVEMENT

1.Location determining the

position of a place on the earths
surface

A. Absolute location precise

positioning latitude and longitude are
the best.

GIS gives this new meaning

Automobile systems linked to satellites

B. Relative location describing

in relation to other, known places such
as landmarks and unusual, easily
recognizable features.
Used by most people in giving
directions

RELATIVE
North of Shannon Hospital on
Oakes street is Central Freshman
Campus

ABSOLUTE
Where is 38 N and 95W?

2. Place those features that give

character to a location (a degree of
uniqueness).
A. Physical place natural features what
nature provides climate, landforms, vegetation,
etc.

Can many places no longer be called physical

places where might the human influence be
absent today? This relates to the theme of
human/environment interaction.

B. Human (cultural) place features

added by humans distinctive dress, architecture,
language, religion, burial practices, agricultural
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practices, etc.

HUMAN PLACE PHYSICAL PLACE

PRODUCED BY HUMANS
Distinctive type of boat
associated with south Pacific
islands

CREATED MAINLY BY
NATURE
Arid area with exotic stream at
the foot of a great escarpment or
mountain range.
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HUMAN PLACE PHYSICAL PLACE

PRODUCED BY
HUMANS
Distinctive type of
dress, musical
instrument & music

CREATED BY NATURE
Volcanic mountains
which influence soil
fertility and present
hazardous living
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conditions

3. Human/Environment Interaction
A. Human adaptations to
natural conditions.
Heavy coats in winter
Elevated housing in areas prone to
flooding

B. Changes in natural conditions

made by humans.
Digging canals
Changing the vegetation farming, etc.
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HUMANS ADAPT - HUMANS CHANGE

Humans had to adapt

their construction
methods to the arctic
environment when they
built the Alaska
pipeline.

Faster, easier
transportation was
important enough for
them to construct
tunnels through the
mountains.
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Humans change things

The Netherlands
versus the Sea.
Humans have
reclaimed land
from the sea at
least for now

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4. Movement the transfer of material and

non material things from place to place
A. Material things
involving tangible objects
transported in a variety of ways

Animal and animal-powered means

Land, water, and air vehicles

B. Non-material things
information, power, culture traits

Fashions, trends, fads, etc.

Electronic media, etc.
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MATERIAL

Material objects
(cargo & passengers)
are transferred from
one place to another
by an airplane.

NONMATERIAL

Nonmaterial entity
(data, pictures, &
conversations)
move invisibly from
one place to many
others.
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5. Regions mental constructs expressing

some commonality/uniformity
A. Formal Regions possesses a single
common feature or a limited combination
of features throughout the area

Political units such as states and counties

B. Functional Regions An operational

unit based on organization, structure, and
interactions

The hinterland of a major city

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FORMAL
REGION

The different colors stand for territory added

to Russia during different periods of time.
The common feature for each color is the
time period in which it was added to Russia.
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FUNCTIONAL
REGION
Coal mining is at
the heart of the
economy of all
these counties.
Many factors are
related to the
coal mining
industry. The
deposits
influence
movement and
settlement
patterns.

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Different sets of criteria produce

different versions of a region
Common core area

All three are anchored around a core

area, but the peripheral areas of the
regions differ markedly.

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Human Place & Interaction

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Physical Place

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Human/
Environment
Interaction and
Human Place

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Movement, Interaction, Urban Region,

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