Five Themes of Geography: Five Themes of Geography Iceland “Land in the Middle of Everywhere”


Geography is the study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth. Geographers look for patterns and connections between people and the land that they live on.: Geography is the study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth. Geographers look for patterns and connections between people and the land that they live on. Theme #1 – Location Theme #2 – Place Theme #3 – Region Theme #4 – Human – Environment Interaction Theme #5 – Movement Where is it? What is it like? How are places similar or different? How do people relate to the physical world? How do people, goods and ideas move from one location to another?


Slide3: Theme #1 – Iceland: Location - Where is it?


Slide4: Location: Polar projection Absolute location: 66` north latitude 18` east longitude Relative location: North Atlantic, Ring of Fire volcanic zone 66 North is a popular Icelandic clothing and gear producer.


Slide5: Location: Mercator projection – shows Relative location to North America, Greenland, Europe. Iceland is about the size of Kentucky. Cost of convenience of wall map use is distortion. Greenland appears 8 times larger than real size. Location of towns


Slide6: Location – Region: Continent – Europe Cultural grouping - Scandinavia


Theme #2 - Place: What is Iceland like?: Theme #2 - Place: What is Iceland like? Island nation Moderate climate – Gulf Stream current Unique land forms – Black sand beaches Volcanic steam heats Reykjavik homes with clean energy


Theme #2: What is Iceland like? - 2: Theme #2: What is Iceland like? - 2 Lava field with ash and moss covering. Northwestern fjord Geyser / thermal pools in southwestern Iceland Black sand beach.


Theme #3 – Region: What unifies 291,000 nearly homogenous Icelanders – Reykjavik and suburbs (185,000), small towns, farming settlements?: Theme #3 – Region: What unifies 291,000 nearly homogenous Icelanders – Reykjavik and suburbs (185,000), small towns, farming settlements? Blue Lagoon thermal pool / spa. Flag of Iceland Pingvellir, where Alping was held. Countryside Hallgrimskirkja church. Countryside, environment


Theme #4 – Human-Environment Interaction:How do Icelanders relate to their physical world? How do people respond to their climate and uncontrollable force of nature?: Theme #4 – Human-Environment Interaction: How do Icelanders relate to their physical world? How do people respond to their climate and uncontrollable force of nature? Icelanders tapped thermal springs to heat cities and conserve fossil fuels. What local food sources are used for diet? 3 sculptures in downtown Reykjavik reflects influence of the Sagas.


Theme #5 – Movement: How do people, goods and ideas move from one location to another?Iceland’s misleading name created psychological distance from world; fished, farmed but have opened country to new ideas to promote tourism and affluence. : Theme #5 – Movement: How do people, goods and ideas move from one location to another? Iceland’s misleading name created psychological distance from world; fished, farmed but have opened country to new ideas to promote tourism and affluence. What makes a restaurant “American style? Is a Thai / Indonesian food store a deli / delicatessen (German)? Two teenage golfers play nine holes at Reykjavik Point Park. Iceland has good flour and water, two important Ingredients for baking bagels.


Images of Iceland: Images of Iceland Puffin are admired and eaten. Akureyri, second largest city. An iceberg floats in background. Perlan is Reykjavik cultural center and famous restaurant.


History of Iceland: History of Iceland 8th century: Irish monks arrive, Norsemen arrive 874: Norsemen seek freedom from Norway 930: Icelanders founded Althing, general assembly, world’s oldest parliament 1000: Christianity adopted 1000: Leif Eriksson discovers North America – Vineland 1120 – 1230: Sagas written 1262: Norwegian rule 1370: Unites with Denmark 1400’s – 1700’s: Pestilence, natural catastrophes, commercial exploitation 1874: Constitution written 1904: Home rule under Denmark 1940: British occupation 1941: U.S. defense - WW II 1944: Full independence 2005: U.N. ranks Iceland one of five best nations in world to live.


Basic Facts About Iceland: Basic Facts About Iceland Land area: 40,000 sq. miles Population: 291,000 Language: Icelandic Religion: Lutheran 92% Government: Republic, Parliamentary system, Prime Minister and President Member of U.N., NATO Size: Tallest / largest people in world Life expectancy: 81for women, 77 for men Most overseas travelers per capita 300,000 tourists per year Drinking water comes from glaciers Most spacious average home size of European countries Highest publishing / book buying rate in world Naming process: surname + add son / dottir to father’s first name for last name


Icelandic Cultural Characteristics: Icelandic Cultural Characteristics Work hard, play hard attitude - Icelanders often work two jobs, high productivity valued Traditional dishes – rotting shark, sheep’s head, lamb smoked over dung, puffin Christmas celebrated 13 days, Dec. 24 – Jan. 6 Core of national culture is Iceland’s literary heritage, main component is “Sagas” written in 12th and 13th centuries


Dr. Arnold HellerWorld Geography: Dr. Arnold Heller World Geography Social Studies Department Etowah High School Cherokee County School District