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      GIS: Visualising the human and physical geography of China

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use a geographic information system (GIS) to visualise the human and physical geography of China.

      Key learning points

      1. GIS can be used to visualise the human and physical geography of China.
      2. China is located in the Northern Hemisphere in the continent of Asia.
      3. China is the fourth largest country in the world by area although it looks smaller on some projections of the world map.
      4. Different layers of data on a GIS show that the population of China is very high.
      5. Visualising the landscape using GIS shows that China is a very diverse country.

      Keywords

      • Visualise - to form a mental or physical image of something, making it easier to understand

      • Geographic information system - a geographic information system (GIS) is a computer mapping system that captures, and displays geographic data to help understand spatial patterns

      • Layer - a visual representation of geographic data on a digital map, such as population density, income levels, or land use

      Common misconception

      China is about the same size as Greenland.

      China is around four times the size of Greenland although it looks about the same size on some projections of the world map.

      Teacher tip

      Teachers may want to use two lessons rather than one to explore the themes in more detail.

      Equipment

      Must have access to computers or tablets that are connected to the internet.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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.
      What is the capital city of China?

      Correct answer: Beijing
      London
      Tokyo

      Q2.
      Which ocean is China located next to?

      Atlantic Ocean
      Correct answer: Pacific Ocean
      Indian Ocean

      Q3.
      What mountain range runs along China's southwestern border?

      Alps
      Correct answer: Himalayas
      Rocky Mountains

      Q4.
      Which continent is China located on?

      Correct answer: Asia
      Africa
      Europe
      North America

      Q5.
      What is the main language spoken in China?

      Cantonese
      English
      Correct answer: Mandarin

      Q6.
      What is the name of China's largest and most populous city?

      Correct answer: Shanghai
      Paris
      Vancouver

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What does GIS stand for?

      Correct answer: Geographic Information System
      Global Information System
      General Information Science

      Q2.
      Which of these physical features can be visualised using GIS in China?

      Roads and bridges
      Correct answer: Mountains and rivers
      Buildings and houses

      Q3.
      How does the size of China compare to Greenland?

      They are about the same size.
      Greenland is larger than China.
      Correct answer: China is much larger than Greenland.

      Q4.
      What word best describes China's landscape?

      Tropical
      Desert-like
      Flat
      Correct answer: Diverse

      To help you plan your 7 geography lesson on: GIS: Visualising the human and physical geography of China, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...