Transcript Introduction to Geography

Introduction to Geography
Geography – The study of
where people, places and things
are located and how they relate
to each other.
Five Themes of Geography
 Location
 Place
 Interaction
between
people/environment
 Movement
 Region
Location
The position on the Earth’s surface in relation
to another place.
Absolute Location – Exact spot on earth using
latitude and longitude lines.
Relative Location – Position of a place in
relation to another location.
Latitude – Measures distances north and south
of the equator.
Longitude – Measures distances east and west
of Prime Meridian, (Greenwich, England)
Place
Incorporates physical and cultural characteristics.
Describes “what it is like there”.
Ex. Vail, Colorado is surrounded by snow covered
mountains.
Ex. Northern Minnesota has an abundance of fresh
water lakes and pine trees.
Interaction between people and the
environment
How people adapt to the environment in places
in which they live.
Ex. People who live around the Nile River in
Egypt have built irrigation ditches in order to
farm.
Ex. People who move to Minnesota from Texas
need to learn how to adapt to our winters.
Movement
The movement of people, goods and
ideas.
The theme of movement helps us
understand how we are connected with
other regions, cultures etc….
Region
Region can be defined
by physical, cultural or
political characteristics.
Ex. Minnesota and Iowa are
part of the Midwest Region.
Ex. Saudi Arabia is located in
the region of the Middle East.