We have come to the end of tectonics and are now moving rapidly onto tourism. To get you in the mood take the Travelers IQ challenge, more difficult than you would at first think!
If you are going to be a tourist you have to know where you are going so the following tetris style game on Europe, Statetris, just might ensure that you know your Balkans from your Bulgaria and your London from your Lisbon!
It is worth going to the Visited Countries website and then fill in all of the countries that you have visited in your life, it might suprise you especially when you consider your potential carbon footprint. I was suprised when I filled in mine!
It is worth thinking about the relationship between the growth of Globalisation and the ease with which we can travel around the world, especially important for those of you who will turn up in January with excuses why you didnt do your homework because you were in Brazil, Lisbon, Skiing....or whatever!
Being a tourist is increasingly beeing seen as a lifestyle choice, and some countries are marketing themselves very agressively, and it is no wonder because tourism is a multi billion dollar global industry that can effectively make or break some countries financially.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Year 9 Christmas Homework
Shock, Horror! Is there no escape from Geography?
Homework over the Christmas Holidays is to finish the worksheet you have been given on the two tourism case studies and the past paper question on population. It shouldnt take you too long.I hope!
You also need to ensure that all work set on Tectonics has been completed so that you can hand in your completed files before the holidays.
Homework over the Christmas Holidays is to finish the worksheet you have been given on the two tourism case studies and the past paper question on population. It shouldnt take you too long.I hope!
You also need to ensure that all work set on Tectonics has been completed so that you can hand in your completed files before the holidays.
Year 10 Christmas Revision
In order to revise effectively for the forthcoming exams you will need to know exactly what it is that you have to revise.
The Revision Checklist is essential,you simply have to print it off and then tick the relevant sections and add notes.....easy and a guaranteed way in which you can check what you do and dont know.
The detailed syllabus along with the 2007 past paper and mark scheme can all be found here and it is really useful to have a complete copy of the syllabus so that you can ensure that you are revise what the examiners will test you on.
It may sound silly but watch these videos on how to maximise your efficiency in revision, it will help you gain that A grade that you want at IGCSE so that you can go on to study IB Geography with no worries!
These are my personal favourite ways to revise, you may think differently but it never hurts to try out different ways to revise as it really does help. Also try going round to a friends house to revise, yes chat and eat chocolate but also use the time effectively and you will be able to double your revision effort, two brains are ffectively better than one sometimes.
The Revision Checklist is essential,you simply have to print it off and then tick the relevant sections and add notes.....easy and a guaranteed way in which you can check what you do and dont know.
The detailed syllabus along with the 2007 past paper and mark scheme can all be found here and it is really useful to have a complete copy of the syllabus so that you can ensure that you are revise what the examiners will test you on.
It may sound silly but watch these videos on how to maximise your efficiency in revision, it will help you gain that A grade that you want at IGCSE so that you can go on to study IB Geography with no worries!
These are my personal favourite ways to revise, you may think differently but it never hurts to try out different ways to revise as it really does help. Also try going round to a friends house to revise, yes chat and eat chocolate but also use the time effectively and you will be able to double your revision effort, two brains are ffectively better than one sometimes.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
IGCSE Settlement Revision
Settlement along with population are the two topics that you can guarantee that a revision question will come up in the exam. Settlement is also frequently used in the fieldwork paper which we will cover in another revision post.
This interactive map of Urban Growth from the BBC is fascinating and is also an excellent introduction.
It has been projected by the UN that world population will expand from 6.1 billion to 7.8 billion between 2000 and 2025 with 90% of the gowth occuring in urban areas or less developed countries (Population Reference Bureau). In 1800, only 3% of the world's population lived in urban areas, by 2000 this was estimated to be 47% and according to the Population Reference Bureau it is projected to reach 58% by 2025!
In this unit of the course, we will explore the growth of settlements in both MEDCs and LEDCs, looking at the reasons for, and changes in their growth and development as well as the resulting problems. We will also consider the patterns of land-use that have developed and some of the issues faced in managing these urban areas.
Wikipedia is a great place to start, especially fro general information
BBC Urban Planet has a series of articles that are all relevant.
Internet Geography offers a general overview
The BBC offers a photo archive that offers a broad view of the issues we look at
Here are all of the key headings that you need to be able to revise effectivey.
Make sure you are away of what is meant by the site and situation of a settlement and that you are able to make use of OS map evidence to describe site and situation (this is commonly required in the fieldwork paper).
BBC Bitesize, what is a settlement
1.Land-Use zones - you need to be able to describe and account for differences between the characteristics of land-use zones within settlements - remember the zones within the Burgess model - CBD; Inner City; Inner Suburbs; Outer Suburbs; Rural-urban fringe;
Rural Urban fring definition
Remember that there will be subtle differences in the land use zones of LEDCs and MEDCs, if you are not sure what I mean take a look at the excellent Daniel Raven Ellison and his Urban Earth project as he walks across differnt urban areas taking a photograph every 10 steps, sounds wierd but it is compelling!
Try google maps also, you could always start by watching this video and then googling wher you live and the surrounding area then possibly either moving towards the centre of Porto or away from it, what do you see in the changes of land use and utilisation?
2. Conflict at the Urban-Rural Fringe - be aware of the conflicts between land-users at the rural-urban fringe, types of development that locate in this area and strategies to try and reduce urban sprawl, e.g. green belts.
3. Case Study of Urban Regeneration - make sure that you are able to discuss a case study of urban regeneration such as the London Docklands - remember you must be able to give clear locational detail and specific facts and figures to reach the highest marks.
4. Case Study of Urban Traffic Management - remember to learn a case study - again you must be able to give clear locational detail and specific facts and figures to reach the highest marks.
We looked at the cost on companies of congestion making employees late and also holding up potential deliveries of goods and services, The environmental impact of pollution, noise, parking difficulties, stress on commuters, problems with public transport.
All of these are exemplifies in the Top Gear Race across London, which we saw in class but as it so classic I though that you might want to waste a few minutes of your valuable revision time watching it again.
You have to remember however that it is not all negative and that cities like New York, London and Paris are all attempting to combat congestion in a variety of different ways. The congestion charge in London has been particularly successful. As has the scheme to rent bicycles in Paris.
5. Know an example of the attractions and problems of an out-of-town shopping centre like Mar Shopping and the financial problems that it is currently experiencing. Think about the impact that Nort Shopping has on the local area, especially Matosinhos over the last few weekends which have been particularly wet, wher would you rather do your weekly shop and why?
6. Understand the causes and consequences of counterurbanisation (urban-rural migration), the impact on suburbanised villages and the impact of second homes in relation to changes in village populations.
7. Understand the concept of a settlement hierarchy and the interdependence of a town and its surrounding area (e.g. sphere of influence, threshold population etc.)
Settlement Hierarchy wikipedia definition
Shopping hierarchy
8. Housing Shortages and their Management is an issue of considerable importance in both MEDCs but LEDCs as well. We looked at the shortage of affordable housing in the South East of the UK around London and the you could also consider the possible impact of the corrent economic downturn on building companies and their current reluctance to build property at the moment.
9. Squatter settlements and the growth of cities in LEDC´s, we looked primarily at Mumbai in India as a case study of the worlds largest slum settlements. Slumdog millionare is great for this, but if you dont have the spare time to watch the film, this clip will just have to do instead.
Case studies are essential in order to gain you the higher grades.
BBC Bitesize has excellent information on Urban models in both MEDCs and LEDCs
Monday, November 30, 2009
IGCSE Coastal Processes Revision
I am working my way very slowly through the syllabus so you will have to bear with me.
Coastal Processes was a long module and looking through what we have done i felt that some revision notes were necessary, as usual you will get a sheet in class however there are do many digital resources out there that I thought I would try and detail them here.
The main areas we have covered and what you need to revise, are:
• Energy at the coast - types of waves and basic principles behind wave formation / factors affecting the strength of waves.
• Coastal Processes - erosion processes (you need to be able to describe the processes and how they work); transport processes (you must be able to talk through the process of longshore drift and it helps if you are able to draw an annotated diagram to show the process) and deposition.
• Coastal Erosion Landforms - you must be able to talk through both the features and formation of the following landforms: cliffs; wave-cut platforms; headlands and bays; caves, arches, stacks and stumps (in your description and explanation of formation always include some examples of named erosion processes that may be at work). You should also be able to draw annotated diagrams of the features to show how they form as well as knowing named examples of each.
• Coastal Deposition Landforms - you must be able to talk through both the features and formation of the following landforms: beaches; spits; bars and tombolos. You should be able to draw annotated diagrams of the features to show how they form as well as knowing named examples of each.
• Case Study of Coastal Erosion - learn (including detail - i.e. location, facts and figures) a case study of coastal erosion.
• Coastal Defense - you need to be aware of the options for coastal defense - hard engineering, soft engineering or managed retreat. You should be able to describe coastal management techniques and be able to discuss their advantages and disadvantages.
• Case Study of Coastal Defense - You should learn a named case study to back this up
Energy at the Coast
You need to know the difference between the two main types of wave, constructive and destructive
Savage Seas is a great wave simulator that is also good for Tectonic processes and Tsunamis.
BBC Bitesize also included information about the types of waves
The processes of Erosion, Transportation and Deposition
You need to know the six main types of erosional processes
BBC Bitesize is excellent for this
Longshore Drift is the main process of transportation
For deposition you cant go wrong again with BBC Bitesize
Key Terms to Revise:
Erosion - the wearing away and removal of material
Deposition - the dropping of material
Abrasion - the wearing of rock due to rock fragments being hurled against cliffs
Attrition - the breakdown of rocks as they hit against each other
Hydraulic Action - the force of waves causing rocks to split apart as waves compress air in cracks in the rocks
Wave Pounding - sheer force of water hitting rocks
Solution - where minerals in rocks are dissolved by the action of sea water
Scouring - occurs where water and broken rock fragments swirl around at the base of cliffs gradually wearing rock away.
Longshore Drift - the movement of material along a coastline
Coastal Erosional Landforms
There are 3 main groups of coastal features which result from coastal erosion:
1. Headlands and Bays
Headland and Bays animations here
Erosion of a headland
2. Caves, Arches, Stacks and Stumps
3. Cliffs and Wave-cut platforms
Coastal Depositional Landforms
Material that is transported by the waves along a coastline is eventually deposited forming distinctive deposition features. There are four main deposition features that you need to learn the formation of. These are:
1. Beaches
2. Spits
3. Bars
4. Tombolo
Coastal Management and Defenses
A knowledge of hard and soft engineering techniques is essential here, as well as a case study from New Wider World
You will be provided with a summary sheet in class
BBC Bitesize Coastal Management
S Cool Coastal Management Strategies
So hopefully with these notes, your notes, the textbook and the revision sheets you will have coastal processes all tied up.. .... I hope!
Coastal Processes was a long module and looking through what we have done i felt that some revision notes were necessary, as usual you will get a sheet in class however there are do many digital resources out there that I thought I would try and detail them here.
The main areas we have covered and what you need to revise, are:
• Energy at the coast - types of waves and basic principles behind wave formation / factors affecting the strength of waves.
• Coastal Processes - erosion processes (you need to be able to describe the processes and how they work); transport processes (you must be able to talk through the process of longshore drift and it helps if you are able to draw an annotated diagram to show the process) and deposition.
• Coastal Erosion Landforms - you must be able to talk through both the features and formation of the following landforms: cliffs; wave-cut platforms; headlands and bays; caves, arches, stacks and stumps (in your description and explanation of formation always include some examples of named erosion processes that may be at work). You should also be able to draw annotated diagrams of the features to show how they form as well as knowing named examples of each.
• Coastal Deposition Landforms - you must be able to talk through both the features and formation of the following landforms: beaches; spits; bars and tombolos. You should be able to draw annotated diagrams of the features to show how they form as well as knowing named examples of each.
• Case Study of Coastal Erosion - learn (including detail - i.e. location, facts and figures) a case study of coastal erosion.
• Coastal Defense - you need to be aware of the options for coastal defense - hard engineering, soft engineering or managed retreat. You should be able to describe coastal management techniques and be able to discuss their advantages and disadvantages.
• Case Study of Coastal Defense - You should learn a named case study to back this up
Energy at the Coast
You need to know the difference between the two main types of wave, constructive and destructive
Savage Seas is a great wave simulator that is also good for Tectonic processes and Tsunamis.
BBC Bitesize also included information about the types of waves
The processes of Erosion, Transportation and Deposition
You need to know the six main types of erosional processes
BBC Bitesize is excellent for this
Longshore Drift is the main process of transportation
For deposition you cant go wrong again with BBC Bitesize
Key Terms to Revise:
Erosion - the wearing away and removal of material
Deposition - the dropping of material
Abrasion - the wearing of rock due to rock fragments being hurled against cliffs
Attrition - the breakdown of rocks as they hit against each other
Hydraulic Action - the force of waves causing rocks to split apart as waves compress air in cracks in the rocks
Wave Pounding - sheer force of water hitting rocks
Solution - where minerals in rocks are dissolved by the action of sea water
Scouring - occurs where water and broken rock fragments swirl around at the base of cliffs gradually wearing rock away.
Longshore Drift - the movement of material along a coastline
Coastal Erosional Landforms
There are 3 main groups of coastal features which result from coastal erosion:
1. Headlands and Bays
Headland and Bays animations here
Erosion of a headland
2. Caves, Arches, Stacks and Stumps
3. Cliffs and Wave-cut platforms
Coastal Depositional Landforms
Material that is transported by the waves along a coastline is eventually deposited forming distinctive deposition features. There are four main deposition features that you need to learn the formation of. These are:
1. Beaches
2. Spits
3. Bars
4. Tombolo
Coastal Management and Defenses
A knowledge of hard and soft engineering techniques is essential here, as well as a case study from New Wider World
You will be provided with a summary sheet in class
BBC Bitesize Coastal Management
S Cool Coastal Management Strategies
So hopefully with these notes, your notes, the textbook and the revision sheets you will have coastal processes all tied up.. .... I hope!
IGCSE Agricultural Processes Revision
Farming as a System
This is where started our work on agriculture.
Types of Farming:
1. Commerical Farming - the growing of crops / rearing of aniamls to make a profit
2. Subsistence Farming - where there is just sufficient food producted to provide for the farmer's own family
3. Arable Farming - involves the growing of crops
4. Pastoral Farming - invovles the rearing of animals
5. Intensive Farming - where the farm size is small in comparison with the large amount of labour, and inputs of capital, fertilisers etc. which are required.
6. Extensive Farming - where the size of a farm is very large in comparison to the inputs of money, labour etc.. needed
FARMING SYSTEMS
INPUTS - these are things that go into the farm and may be split into Physical Inputs (e.g. amount of rain, soil) and Human Inputs (e.g. labour, money etc.)
PROCESSES - these are things which take place on the farm in order to convert the inputs to outputs (e.g. sowing, weeding, harvesting etc.)
OUTPUTS - these are the products from the farm (i.e. wheat, barley, cattle)
Depending on the type of farming e.g. arable/ pastoral, commerical / subsisitence, the type and amount of inputs, processes and outputs will vary.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/agriculture/char_farmrev2.shtml
Farming as a system, BBC Bitesize
The Green Revolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Revolution
Wikipedia is a good place to start
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6496585.stm
BBC, The limits of a Green Revolution
http://www.indiaonestop.com/Greenrevolution.htm
From Bengal Famine to Green Revolution
http://teacherweb.ftl.pinecrest.edu/SNYDERD/APHG/Unit%205/GreenRev.htm
The Green Revolution in India
If you back up your notes with reading these websites it makes a great case study for Agricultural Processess and Population with reference to Boserup and the fact that man is infinitely inventive and creative in solving the problems of feeding people. Although in this case it wasnt particularly successful.
Subsistence Farming
Ourr LEDC case study for this was from The New Wider World Textbook
Commercial Farming
This is where started our work on agriculture.
Types of Farming:
1. Commerical Farming - the growing of crops / rearing of aniamls to make a profit
2. Subsistence Farming - where there is just sufficient food producted to provide for the farmer's own family
3. Arable Farming - involves the growing of crops
4. Pastoral Farming - invovles the rearing of animals
5. Intensive Farming - where the farm size is small in comparison with the large amount of labour, and inputs of capital, fertilisers etc. which are required.
6. Extensive Farming - where the size of a farm is very large in comparison to the inputs of money, labour etc.. needed
FARMING SYSTEMS
INPUTS - these are things that go into the farm and may be split into Physical Inputs (e.g. amount of rain, soil) and Human Inputs (e.g. labour, money etc.)
PROCESSES - these are things which take place on the farm in order to convert the inputs to outputs (e.g. sowing, weeding, harvesting etc.)
OUTPUTS - these are the products from the farm (i.e. wheat, barley, cattle)
Depending on the type of farming e.g. arable/ pastoral, commerical / subsisitence, the type and amount of inputs, processes and outputs will vary.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/agriculture/char_farmrev2.shtml
Farming as a system, BBC Bitesize
The Green Revolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Revolution
Wikipedia is a good place to start
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6496585.stm
BBC, The limits of a Green Revolution
http://www.indiaonestop.com/Greenrevolution.htm
From Bengal Famine to Green Revolution
http://teacherweb.ftl.pinecrest.edu/SNYDERD/APHG/Unit%205/GreenRev.htm
The Green Revolution in India
If you back up your notes with reading these websites it makes a great case study for Agricultural Processess and Population with reference to Boserup and the fact that man is infinitely inventive and creative in solving the problems of feeding people. Although in this case it wasnt particularly successful.
Subsistence Farming
Ourr LEDC case study for this was from The New Wider World Textbook
Commercial Farming
IGCSE Tectonic Processes Revision
There will be a test next week on everything that we have covered on Tectonic processes, so to ensure that you arent going to panic too much here is a revision checklist.
Key Terms
Constructive Boundary (Divergent) - where two plates move away from each other resulting in new crust being formed.
Destructive Boundary (Convergent) - where two plates move towards each other - in the case of a plate consisting of continental crust meeting a plate consisting of oceanic crust, the oceanic crust will be subducted and destroyed as it is less dense.
Conservative Boundary - where two plates move alongside each other - although crust is neither created or destroyed here, earthquakes usually occur here.
Collision Boundary - where two plates of continental crust move towards each other creating fold mountains.
Volcano - a vent through which lava, ash etc. is erupted (often, but not always cone-shaped)
Earthquake - a sudden ground movement
The USGS is excellent for increasing your undesrstanding of all of the key terms.
Key Terms
Constructive Boundary (Divergent) - where two plates move away from each other resulting in new crust being formed.
Destructive Boundary (Convergent) - where two plates move towards each other - in the case of a plate consisting of continental crust meeting a plate consisting of oceanic crust, the oceanic crust will be subducted and destroyed as it is less dense.
Conservative Boundary - where two plates move alongside each other - although crust is neither created or destroyed here, earthquakes usually occur here.
Collision Boundary - where two plates of continental crust move towards each other creating fold mountains.
Volcano - a vent through which lava, ash etc. is erupted (often, but not always cone-shaped)
Earthquake - a sudden ground movement
The USGS is excellent for increasing your undesrstanding of all of the key terms.
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