Geography

Statistics- this is the

representation of information
on figures obtained from
various resources.
Dot maps –a dot distribution
map is used to represent
population density. This is the
average number of persons
per square km.
Choropleth maps- these
represent average values over
a given area. The information
is shown on this map by a
system of shading or coloring.
Pyramidal graphs-this shows
the population of a country
according to age and sex
groups.
Flow map-this shows the
measurement and volume of
passengers cargo and
shipping.
Maps- this is like a computer
in that it gives a wealth of
information on a particular
area or country. There are
many different type of maps.
Topographical map-this gives
information on the physical
layout of features of the
country.
The elements on a map: title
this consists of the name,
sheet and edition.
Scale- is an indication of the
size of the map and is given in
either meters or kilometers.
Compass direction- this
indicates north, true north and
magnetic north.
Key or legend- this contains
conventional signs and
symbols
Border or frame- this ensures
that the map is neat.
Types of maps: geographical
maps – tells us about the
nature and distribution of
rocks and rock types.
Weather map- tells us about
weather conditions.
Climatic map- tells about the
climate of an area.
Political map- shows us where
political boundaries are
located.
Economic map- shows the
distribution of economic
activities e.g. agriculture.
Grid reference-there is two
major type o grid references;
six and four figure grid
references.
Grid lines are referred to as
Eastings and Northings.
Easting lines are vertical and
run from north to south on a
map.
Northing lines are horizontal
lines running from east to
west on a map.
To find the location of a place
on a map read the easting line
then the northing.
A compass is an instrument
which is used to measure
directions.
Compass or angular bearings
give the precise direction of
any particular point from
another and are expressed in
degrees.
Contour lines are lines joining
places at same height above
sea level.
Gradient –this determines the
particular rise of the land over
a given distance.
Gradient= vertical interval/
horizontal distance.
Or: gradient= difference in
vertical height/ distance apart.
Method: difference in
height=m-m
Distance based on
scale= km to m
Gradient = m/m=
Cross sections
A cross-section of a map gives
a profile representation of
what a section of a country or
feature or area looks like.
Plate tectonics
Plate tectonics refers to the
crustal movements of plates
on the earth’s surface the
earth’s surface is made up of
a series of plates or slabs. A
tectonic plate is therefore a
rigid shell of the earths crust.
They carry and support the
continents and form seafloor.
The movement behavior of
these plates is referred as
plate tectonics. This concept
was developed in the 1960’s
to explain the earth’s
structural components. The
earth’s crust or lithosphere is
divided into 9 major plates
and several minor one’s which
100-200km thick .The
continents make up
continental plates while the
seafloor is made of oceanic
plates.
Plates are constantly
forming and separating. The
plate margins or boundaries
are either diverging or
converging. Plates are formed
at constructive margins where
ridges are formed and
consumed at destructive
margins due to the subduction
of materials. Plate margins are
characterized by the presence
of volcanic mountains and
earthquake activities.
Continental drift
This refers to the relative
movements of continental
masses over the surface of
the earth. The earth’s surface
has undergone horizontal
movements. Continents were
joined together to form a
single continent of a large
landmass known as Pangea
during the pre-cambian era
about 600-3.5 million years
ago. This large landmass was
surrounded by a large ocean
known as panthalassa which
was urlain by a dense material
called sima whuich was made
of silicon and magnesium.
Beneath the continent was a
light material known as sial
which was made of silicon and
aluminum. Continents were
separated forming a southern
landmass known as
Gondwanaland and a northern
landmass known as Laurasia.
Gondwanaland consisted of
Africa, Madagascar, India,
South America, Antarctica and
Australia while Laurasia
consisted of Europe, Asia and
North America. These
continents have drifted apart
so that they now maintain
their present positions with
oceans between them.