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Year 5 - Geography

Using maps to locate countries in North and South America

North and South America: how diverse are their places and landscapes?

Unit Summary

This unit introduces the continents of North and South America through their physical and human features. Pupils explore climate, land use, and economic activity across different regions, and plan a journey that connects a range of contrasting places.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to locate selected countries in North and South America on a map, identify lines of latitude and longitude, and start to appreciate the size of these continents.

Key Notes

  • A continent is usually defined as a group of countries on a continuous landmass with associated islands.
  • North and South America are huge continents, joined by central America.
  • North and South America are huge and have a diverse range of environments; they are popular travel destinations.
  • Paper and digital atlases and maps can be used to investigate the location of North and South America.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • continent: A continent is a large landmass on Earth and there are seven: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania.
  • location: A location is the particular position of something on Earth.
  • Equator: The Equator is an imaginary line encircling Earth at 0° latitude and is an equal distance from the North Pole and the South Pole.
  • northern hemisphere: The northern hemisphere is the half of Earth located north of the Equator.
  • southern hemisphere: The southern hemisphere is the half of Earth located south of the Equator.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • North America is the same as USA.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

A continent is usually defined as a group of countries on a continuous landmass with associated islands. North and South America are huge continents, joined by central America.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'continent'

A continent is a large landmass on Earth and there are seven: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: North America is the same as USA. Correction: Use maps to identify the different countries that make up the continent of North America.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 5 Geography guide library.