New
New
Describing landscapes using maps
I can describe a landscape from a map.
Lesson 4 of 11
New
New
- Year 10
- Edexcel B
Describing landscapes using maps
I can describe a landscape from a map.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Landscapes can be described through their relief and drainage.
- Landscapes can be described through their vegetation cover and land use.
- Landscapes can be described through the shape and situation of their settlements.
Keywords
Linear - a description for a feature (such as a settlement) that resembles a line
Sinuosity - how straight or curvy (sinuous) a river is
Nucleated - a description for a feature (such as a settlement) that is wrapped around a central point
Common misconception
White space on a map means there is nothing there.
White space means that the land cover there is grassland or farmland.
Maps can be used alongside photographs of landscapes. Students can evaluate which source gives the most accurate information and which allows the viewer to make the most informed description.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Relief is defined as the of the land.
Relief is defined as the of the land.
Q2.A ridge is ...
A ridge is ...
a hill with one steep and one gentle side.
an isolated hill.
a hill with a flat top.
Q3.The three courses of a river are known as the ...
The three courses of a river are known as the ...
high, middle and low courses.
high, centre and low courses.
upper, centre and lower courses.
Q4.How large is a hectare?
How large is a hectare?
Ten square metres
One square kilometre
Ten square kilometres
Q5.OS maps are covered in a series of vertical and horizontal lines. This means the map is divided into ...
OS maps are covered in a series of vertical and horizontal lines. This means the map is divided into ...
latitude squares.
national squares.
cross squares.
Q6.A settlement is ...
A settlement is ...
a cluster of houses.
a place with a population of more than 10 000 people.
a rural dwelling.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following on a map would indicate a river in its lower course?
Which of the following on a map would indicate a river in its lower course?
Contour lines close together and a thin channel.
Contour lines running parallel to the river channel.
The channel becoming straighter as it moves through settlements.
Q2.What does white space on an OS map show?
What does white space on an OS map show?
Woodland
Nothing
Settlements
Q3.A settlement is one that is made up of single buildings that are spread out from one another.
A settlement is one that is made up of single buildings that are spread out from one another.
Q4.A map that shows a settlement with straight black lines separating the white areas into smaller squares is likely to have what type of function?
A map that shows a settlement with straight black lines separating the white areas into smaller squares is likely to have what type of function?
Industrial
Residential
Tourism
