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Year 6 - Geography

The coast of the UK

Coasts: what happens where the land meets the sea?

Unit Summary

This unit explores how coastal landscapes form and change. Pupils learn about erosion, habitats and human activity at the coast, and investigate how coastal environments are used, protected and managed in the face of ongoing change.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe what a coast is and how people's lives are affected by it.

Key Notes

  • A coast is a strip of land made of rock, sand, mud or gravel, that meets the sea or ocean.
  • The UK is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Irish Sea, and the English Channel.
  • The UK is a maritime nation which means the lives of people living here are connected to the sea.
  • Many large settlements around the world are on or near the coast.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • maritime: Maritime refers to anything to do with human activity at sea.
  • ocean: An ocean is a very big area of salt water between the continents.
  • settlement: Settlements are places where groups of people live and work.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Maritime nations have to be islands.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

A coast is a strip of land made of rock, sand, mud or gravel, that meets the sea or ocean. The UK is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Irish Sea, and the English Channel.

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

Maritime refers to anything to do with human activity at sea.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Maritime nations have to be islands. Correction: The term relates to the extent to which the nation is dependent on maritime activity for its survival. For example, Singapore is not an island but is utterly dependent on maritime trade for its economy.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 6 Geography guide library.