Five Themes of Geography

1. Five Themes of Geography • 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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