In the study of geography, a town, state or country's location may be referred to by its absolute location or its relative location. Determining absolute location requires students to be capable of using a map or globe, and to know how to find a location by latitude and longitude. Students also learn to find a locale by determining its relative location, or its location in relation to other cities, countries and natural or man-made landmarks.
In contrast to "location," which refers to the exact space a locale occupies on the globe, the topic of "place" refers to the physical and human characteristics that distinguish one location from another. Physical characteristics typically refer to a location's geographical features, and students studying this topic learn whether a location is surrounded by water or inland mountains, whether the terrain is rugged or gentle and whether the city sits at the edge of a desert or was built on wooded hillsides. In the study of human characteristics, students discover the cultural features prevalent in a region or city, as well as changes to the natural terrain made by human beings.
According to the University of North Alabama's website, humans adapt to, modify and depend on their natural environment. While studying human/environment interaction, ninth-grade geography students learn about ways that residents of a particular location adapt to their environment (by wearing proper clothing or building adequate shelter, for example), modify the environment (by such actions as clearing trees or damming rivers) or depend upon the environment (for transportation or natural resources or other needs).
Ninth-grade geography students learn about importing and exporting goods and resources by studying the theme of movement. Changes and shifts in populations, such as the transition from rural to urban, are covered under this topic. Ideas and information also spread, changing popular culture and creating new standards for science, medicine and technology.
The geographical theme of region leads students into topics such as natural and political boundaries. Ninth-grade geography students learn to differentiate between area boundaries formed by mountain ranges and other naturally-occurring geographical features, and the political boundaries delineated by governments or areas of religious and cultural influence. Within this theme, a teacher might introduce the concept of "bioregions," or political areas defined by natural factors as well as cultural and societal elements.