Five Themes of Geography

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Theme #1: Location (Absolute & Relative)

Absolute Location: the exact spot where something is found

Example:

Culver City High School is at 4401 Elenda Street •Relative Location: is where something is located in relation to other places •

Example:

Tito’s Tacos is located on Washington Place between the freeway & Sepulveda Blvd CCHS

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Theme #2 – Place

Place describes the physical surroundings that make a place unique

Example:

Cities in Alaska are very cold

Example:

Streets in Los Angeles are very crowded

Example:

Streets in Big Bear Mountain are very windy

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Theme #3 – Human-Environment Interaction (HEI)

HEI is how people/animals interact with their environment, or how people/animals adapt to their environment

Example:

People have changed the environment. The San Fernando Valley used to be all orange groves, due to population increases it has now become homes and businesses.

Example:

The environment changes people. People that live in Alaska must wear heavy outer clothing.

Example:

People change the environment: Because of over-hunting there are few Great White Sharks left in the world.

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Theme #4 – Movement

Movement is the transport of people, products, and ideas

Example:

If I need milk and don’t have a car, I will get on a bus and go to the supermarket

Example:

Hawaiian pineapples can be found at the local Ralphs

Example:

The language we speak came from England

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Theme #5 – Region

A larger area with similar characteristics

Example:

Spanish type homes are very common in the US Southwest

Example:

Buddhism is the primary religion of SE Asia

Example:

Outdoor sports are very popular in Southern California due to the weather