the physical shape of the land in an area, including its height and steepness

materials or substances occurring in nature, such as minerals, water, forests, and fossil fuels

extreme natural events that have the potential to cause harm to people, property, and the environment

an average of weather conditions (e.g. rain, sun, wind) in a place taken over a long period of time (usually 30 years or more)

Physical geography and development

Geography

This unit teaches pupils about the patterns, causes and impact of inequality around the world. Pupils will investigate how patterns of inequality affect people and places and how attempts have been made to reduce the development gap.

Global inequalities and development: how does life vary around the world?

It can affect resources, trade, and agriculture

Countries with mountains are always richer

How can physical geography impact a country's development?

Which physical factor can make trade and development easier?

Yes, physical geography is the only factor that determines development.

No, while important, human factors like politics and technology also matter.

Yes, countries with good physical geography always develop faster.

No, physical geography has no impact on development.

Can economic development be fully explained by physical geography?

Investing in technology and infrastructure

What is one way countries can overcome physical geography challenges?

Differences in wealth and access to resources

The improvement of people’s quality of life

What does ‘development’ mean in geography?

Which measure is often used to compare wealth between countries?

The study of natural features like landforms, climate, and ecosystems

The study of how people live and interact

The study of people, cultures, economies, and how they interact with places

All countries have become equally wealthy

It has generally increased, but unevenly across countries

How has global wealth changed over the past 100 years?

Starter Quiz