Year 7 Geography: Map Skills in a Digital World

Introduction to Map Skills

Welcome to Year 7 Geography! Today, we are going to explore how to use maps in a digital world and understand some key concepts like location, place, physical geography, and human geography. Maps are tools that help us understand where things are and how they connect.

What is Location?

Location tells us where something is. It can be described in two main ways:

1. Absolute Location: This is the exact spot on Earth where something is found. We often use coordinates (latitude and longitude) to describe absolute location. For example, the absolute location of London is approximately 51.5074° N, 0.1278° W.
2. Relative Location: This describes where something is in relation to other places. For example, you might say, “London is south of Edinburgh.”

Tip: Use maps or apps like Google Maps to practice finding the absolute and relative locations of different places.

What is Place?

Place refers to the characteristics that make a location unique. This includes both physical characteristics (the natural environment) and human characteristics (what people have built or created).

• Physical Geography: This includes things like mountains, rivers, climate, and ecosystems. For example, the Amazon Rainforest is a physical place known for its biodiversity.
• Human Geography: This includes cultural aspects like cities, languages, and traditions. For example, Paris is known as “The City of Light” because of its history and culture.

Examples:

• Place: The Sahara Desert is a physical place known for its vast sand dunes.
• Place: New York City is a human place known for its skyscrapers and diverse culture.

Why Are Maps Important?

Maps help us visualize information. They can show us physical features, human-made structures, and even data like population density. In our digital world, we can use tools like GPS and mapping apps to find routes and explore new areas.

Key Rules for Using Maps:

• Always check the map’s scale to understand distances.
• Use the legend/key to decode symbols and colours.
• Remember that north is usually at the top of a map.

Questions for Practice

Easy Level (20 Questions)

1. What is the absolute location of a city?
2. What does relative location tell us?
3. Name one physical characteristic of a place.
4. What is an example of human geography?
5. What tool can you use to find directions from one place to another?
6. What does a map’s scale show?
7. Why is London a place?
8. What is the capital of the UK?
9. What is the Amazon Rainforest?
10. Name one human-made feature in your town.
11. What direction is Edinburgh from London?
12. How do you find the coordinates of a place?
13. What is one way maps help us?
14. What is the definition of place?
15. Name a country that has a desert.
16. What is the capital city of France?
17. What do you call a map that shows physical features?
18. What is a GPS?
19. Why do we use legends on maps?
20. What is one thing you can learn from a map?

Medium Level (20 Questions)

1. How can you describe the relative location of your school?
2. What are the two main types of geography?
3. Give an example of a city that is known for its culture.
4. How do physical and human geography interact?
5. What is the significance of latitude and longitude?
6. How can maps be used in planning a trip?
7. What physical features might you find on a topographic map?
8. How does climate affect human geography?
9. What is one challenge of using digital maps?
10. Describe the importance of cartography.
11. What would you find in a map legend?
12. How can maps help in emergency situations?
13. Name a river in the UK.
14. Why is it important to know the scale of a map?
15. What type of map would you use to find the population of a region?
16. How does urban geography differ from rural geography?
17. What are some advantages of digital maps over paper maps?
18. How can physical geography influence where people live?
19. What role do maps play in understanding global issues?
20. Describe a place you would like to visit and its key characteristics.

Hard Level (20 Questions)

1. Explain how globalisation affects human geography.
2. What is the difference between a physical map and a political map?
3. How can topography affect human settlement?
4. Discuss the importance of spatial awareness in geography.
5. What role does geography play in environmental issues?
6. How does cultural geography differ from physical geography?
7. Explain how digital mapping has changed how we perceive location.
8. What are the implications of using satellite imagery in geography?
9. Discuss how economic factors influence human geography.
10. How can maps illustrate social issues?
11. What is the significance of using GIS (Geographic Information Systems)?
12. In what ways can maps be misleading?
13. How does transportation geography impact urban development?
14. Explain the concept of scale in relation to map reading.
15. How does human activity affect physical geography?
16. What is the relationship between geography and climate change?
17. Discuss the role of maps in historical geography.
18. How can geography influence political boundaries?
19. What are some ethical considerations when creating maps?
20. Explain how maps can be used to promote tourism.

Answers and Explanations

Easy Level Answers

1. The exact position of a city on Earth.
2. Where something is in relation to other places.
3. Mountains, rivers, forests.
4. Cities, cultures, languages.
5. Google Maps, GPS devices.
6. The distance represented on the map.
7. Because it has unique features and characteristics.
8. London.
9. A large rainforest in South America.
10. Buildings, parks, roads.
11. South.
12. By using a map or GPS.
13. They help visualize information and locations.
14. The characteristics that make a location unique.
15. The Sahara Desert.
16. Paris.
17. A physical map.
18. Global Positioning System.
19. To understand symbols and colours on the map.
20. Answers will vary.

Medium Level Answers

1. Answers will vary (e.g., near a park, next to a bus station).
2. Physical geography and human geography.
3. Answers will vary (e.g., Paris, New York City).
4. They can affect how people interact with the environment.
5. Latitude is the horizontal line, and longitude is the vertical line that helps pinpoint locations on Earth.
6. To find the best routes and places to visit.
7. Contours, elevations, hills.
8. It can determine where people build homes and businesses.
9. They may not be as accurate in remote areas.
10. It helps create and read maps accurately.
11. Symbols that represent features on the map.
12. To locate people and resources quickly.
13. The River Thames.
14. To understand distances between locations.
15. A population density map.
16. Urban areas are more densely populated than rural areas.
17. They are often more updated and interactive.
18. It can determine where resources are located.
19. Maps can show unfair or biased representations.
20. Answers will vary (e.g., beaches, mountains).

Hard Level Answers

1. It can create cultural exchanges that alter human geography.
2. Physical maps show natural features, political maps show boundaries.
3. It can determine where people can build homes.
4. It allows us to understand how locations relate to one another.
5. Geography informs policies and conservation efforts.
6. Cultural geography studies human beliefs, while physical geography looks at the environment.
7. It helps us navigate better and find information easily.
8. It allows us to see changes in landscapes and monitor developments.
9. It can influence where businesses and services are located.
10. They can show issues like poverty or health disparities.
11. GIS helps in mapping and analysing geographic data.
12. They may exaggerate or misrepresent features.
13. It can determine the accessibility and layout of a city.
14. Scale helps us understand the real-world size of map features.
15. Human activities can lead to deforestation, pollution, etc.
16. Geography influences climate patterns and sea levels.
17. Maps can show how places have changed over time.
18. Geography can determine resource distribution and conflicts.
19. Maps should accurately represent communities and resources.
20. They can help to plan routes, display attractions, etc.

Feel free to ask any questions if you need more clarification on any topic! Happy mapping!