Five themes of geography: Difference between revisions
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== Location == |
== Location == |
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[[Image:Nyc-e72st plane crash map.png|thumb|200px|right|A map of [[New York City]] shows the absolute location of 524 |
[[Image:Nyc-e72st plane crash map.png|thumb|200px|right|A map of [[New York City]] which shows the absolute location of 524 East. 72nd Street]] |
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'''[[Location]]''', the most basic theme of geography, can be expressed simply as where something is. Location can be either absolute or relative. Absolute location is more useful than relative location, but is harder to obtain. On the other hand, relative location is easily obtained but is meaningless in many cirsumstances. |
'''[[Location]]''', the most basic theme of geography, can be expressed simply as where something is. Location can be either absolute or relative. Absolute location is more useful than relative location, but is harder to obtain. On the other hand, relative location is easily obtained but is meaningless in many cirsumstances. |
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=== Relative location === |
=== Relative location === |
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'''[[Relative location]]''' is the position of something in regards to another place (usually where one currently is). Relative location is usually expressed in the form of [[directions]], such as "go five miles north and head west for two miles". Relative location varies depending on where one is situated (unless it is relative to a fixed point). Although relative location is easy to obtain (usually requiring only the naked eye for a rough observation), the directions would mean nothing to someone who does not know from which starting point the directions are intended for. |
'''[[Relative location]]''' is the position of something in regards to another place (usually where one currently is). Relative location is usually expressed in the form of [[directions]], such as "go five miles north and head west for two miles". Relative location varies depending on where one is situated (unless it is relative to a fixed point). Although relative location is easy to obtain (usually requiring only the naked eye for a rough observation), the directions would mean nothing to someone who does not know from which starting point the directions are intended for. |
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== Place == |
== Place == |
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[[Image:San Francisco Sunset.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The unique skyline of [[San Francisco]] makes it distinct from any other location.]] |
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'''[[Place]]''' is a [[description]] of the [[characteristic]]s that make a certain location [[distinct]]. [[Physical]] characteristics include [[landforms]], [[vegetation]], and [[climate]]. Human characteristics include [[culture]], [[economy]], and [[government]]. Every place has a unique combination of physical and human characteristics. |
'''[[Place]]''' is a [[description]] of the [[characteristic]]s that make a certain location [[distinct]]. [[Physical]] characteristics include [[landforms]], [[vegetation]], and [[climate]]. Human characteristics include [[culture]], [[economy]], and [[government]]. Every place has a unique combination of physical and human characteristics. |
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== Movement == |
== Movement == |
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'''[[Movement]]''' is the [[travel]] of [[people]], [[good]]s or [[idea]]s from one location to another. Examples of movement include [[United States|America]]'s [[westward expansion]], the [[Information Revolution]], and [[immigration]]. New devices such as the [[airplane]] and the [[Internet]] allow physical and ideological goods to be transferred long distances in short time intervals. |
'''[[Movement]]''' is the [[travel]] of [[people]], [[good]]s or [[idea]]s from one location to another. Examples of movement include [[United States|America]]'s [[westward expansion]], the [[Information Revolution]], and [[immigration]]. New devices such as the [[airplane]] and the [[Internet]] allow physical and ideological goods to be transferred long distances in short time intervals. |
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== Regions == |
== Regions == |
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A '''[[region]]''' is any group of places that share at least one similar characteristic. egions can be any size, and one location can be a part of multiple regions. For example, [[Detroit]] is a part of the [[American Midwest]], the [[Michigan]] [[coastline]], and the [[temperate]] [[climate]] zome. |
A '''[[region]]''' is any group of places that share at least one similar characteristic. egions can be any size, and one location can be a part of multiple regions. For example, [[Detroit]] is a part of the [[American Midwest]], the [[Michigan]] [[coastline]], and the [[temperate]] [[climate]] zome. |
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== Human-Environment Interaction == |
== Human-Environment Interaction == |
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'''[[Human]]-[[environment]] [[interaction]]''' is the complex, interwoven bond between [[humans]] and [[nature]]. It explores humanity's use and modifications to the environment. Examples of human-environment interaction include [[bridge]]s, [[dam]]s, and the [[mining]] [[industry]]. |
'''[[Human]]-[[environment]] [[interaction]]''' is the complex, interwoven bond between [[humans]] and [[nature]]. It explores humanity's use and modifications to the environment. Examples of human-environment interaction include [[bridge]]s, [[dam]]s, and the [[mining]] [[industry]]. |
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Revision as of 21:43, 8 February 2007
- For a basic list of geography topics, see the List of basic geography topics.
- For a more comprehensive list, see the List of geography topics.
Geography is the study of the Earth and its features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including human life and the effects of human activity. Geography research addresses both the questions of where, as well as why, geographical phenomena occur. In most modern geography and social studies classrooms, students are taught about the five unifying themes of geography. These five themes are location (which can be absolute or relative), place, movement, regions, and human-environment interaction.
Location
Location, the most basic theme of geography, can be expressed simply as where something is. Location can be either absolute or relative. Absolute location is more useful than relative location, but is harder to obtain. On the other hand, relative location is easily obtained but is meaningless in many cirsumstances.
Absolute location
Absolute location is the position of something in regards to an absolute scale (like latitude and longitude), which is the same no matter where one is. Road maps normally use absolute location. Although harder to obtain than relative location (usually requiring knowledge of one's exact location to begin with), absolute location (unlike relative location) can be used by anyone, regardless of location.
Relative location
Relative location is the position of something in regards to another place (usually where one currently is). Relative location is usually expressed in the form of directions, such as "go five miles north and head west for two miles". Relative location varies depending on where one is situated (unless it is relative to a fixed point). Although relative location is easy to obtain (usually requiring only the naked eye for a rough observation), the directions would mean nothing to someone who does not know from which starting point the directions are intended for.
Place
Place is a description of the characteristics that make a certain location distinct. Physical characteristics include landforms, vegetation, and climate. Human characteristics include culture, economy, and government. Every place has a unique combination of physical and human characteristics.
Movement
Movement is the travel of people, goods or ideas from one location to another. Examples of movement include America's westward expansion, the Information Revolution, and immigration. New devices such as the airplane and the Internet allow physical and ideological goods to be transferred long distances in short time intervals.
Regions
A region is any group of places that share at least one similar characteristic. egions can be any size, and one location can be a part of multiple regions. For example, Detroit is a part of the American Midwest, the Michigan coastline, and the temperate climate zome.
Human-Environment Interaction
Human-environment interaction is the complex, interwoven bond between humans and nature. It explores humanity's use and modifications to the environment. Examples of human-environment interaction include bridges, dams, and the mining industry.
References
Cayton, Andrew, Elisabeth I. Perry, Linda Reed, and Allan M. Winkler. America: Pathways to the Present. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2007. ISBN 0-13-133510-3.