Year 7 - Geography
Features of an OS map
Geography: what makes a geographer?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils will use atlases, maps and globes to develop their locational knowledge of the world. Pupils will focus in on specific places to develop an awareness of how geographers examine place. OS maps and GIS will be used alongside fieldwork to build pupils' procedural knowledge.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use a key on an OS map to identify features and landforms.
Key Notes
- OS maps use symbols to show human and physical features.
- A key is used to explain what each symbol represents.
- The details around the outside of the OS map give locational information such as the three norths.
- Symbols differ between a 1:25 000 and 1:50 000 map.
Vocabulary To Learn
- scale: scale on a map shows what size the area that is represented in the map really is
- Ordnance Survey (OS): the national mapping agency for Great Britain
- key: explains what the different symbols or colours used on the map mean
- compass: an instrument used for navigation and orientation that shows direction relative to north, east, south and west
- topography: the landforms and features of land surfaces
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Maps always have the same symbols.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
OS maps use symbols to show human and physical features. A key is used to explain what each symbol represents.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'scale'
scale on a map shows what size the area that is represented in the map really is.
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: Maps always have the same symbols. Correction: You find different symbols depending on the scale of your map.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Different map projections Study Guide
- Fieldwork: Analysing, concluding and evaluating survey data Study Guide
- Fieldwork: Planning and collecting survey data Study Guide
- Fieldwork: Presenting survey data Study Guide
- Four and Six Figure Grid References Study Guide
- Geography in secondary school Study Guide
- Latitude and longitude Study Guide
- Locational knowledge of the world Study Guide
- Scale and distance on OS maps Study Guide
- Showing height and relief on OS maps Study Guide
- Using a GIS to locate and analyse places around the world Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 7 Geography guide library.