The Equator is an imaginary line encircling Earth at 0° latitude and is an equal distance from the North Pole and the South Pole.

Temperature is the measure of how hot or cold something is.

Hot deserts are areas on Earth which are very hot and very dry, having less than 25 cm of rain per year.

The world's hottest places

Geography

Tropical rainforests: climate and location

Hot deserts: climate and location

Visiting the hot places of the world

This unit links to 'Contrasting locality: What is it like to live in (location in) in Jamaica?', as pupils draw on their knowledge of places that are hot and wet, and also to 'The water cycle: why does it matter?'. Pupils apply their beginning thinking about locational differences in rainfall and temperature.

This unit builds on 'Cold places: What is it like at the North and South Poles?', which pupils should have done first. Pupils draw on their knowledge of cold areas of the world to help them consider the location of hot places and what they are like, making comparisons. 

This unit explores the world’s hottest places, focusing on tropical rainforests and hot deserts. Pupils use maps and images to locate these environments, describe their climates and features, and compare contrasting hot places around the world.

Hot places: where are they and what are they like?

Which of these is not a line of latitude?

The sun's rays are stronger and more concentrated here.

Heat from the centre of the Earth comes out at the Equator.

Why is it hotter at the Equator than at the poles?

Along the Equator the sun remains high in the sky all year round. Is this true?

What is the imaginary horizontal line called that circles the middle of the Earth?

The world's hottest places

Lesson outcome