New
New
Year 8

GIS: Visualising the physical and human geography of the DRC

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

New
New
Year 8

GIS: Visualising the physical and human geography of the DRC

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

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The DRC is a country in central Africa and is one of the largest countries in Africa.
  2. The DRC is largely landlocked, it has a very small stretch of coastline to the west.
  3. Different layers of data on a GIS help us visualise the human geography of the DRC.
  4. Different layers of data on a GIS help us visualise the physical geography of the DRC.

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

The DRC is a relatively small country.

The DRC is a very large country. It's position on the equator means that it often appears smaller than it really is on some world maps.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: GIS: Visualising the physical and human geography of the DRC, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

There is ample opportunity to expand or reduce the use of GIS in this lesson to suit the needs of your class.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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

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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:Equator,An imaginary line halfway around Earth

An imaginary line halfway around Earth

Correct Answer:Continent,A large landmass like Africa or Asia

A large landmass like Africa or Asia

Correct Answer:Capital city,City where a country’s government is based

City where a country’s government is based

Correct Answer:Climate,Rain, temperature, and wind in a region

Rain, temperature, and wind in a region

Q2.
What major river flows through the DRC?

Correct answer: Congo River
Amazon River
Nile River
Zambezi River

Q3.
The DRC is covered in large areas of ...

Desert
Correct answer: Rainforest
Mountains
Ice

Q4.
One of the DRC’s neighbours is ...

Correct answer: Uganda
Spain
India
Australia

Q5.
What natural feature influences the DRC’s high rainfall?

The mountains
Correct answer: The Equator
The ocean
The desert

Q6.
The River is one of the most important rivers in Africa.

Correct Answer: Congo

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword to its definition:

Correct Answer:Geographic Information System (GIS),A computer system for analysing geographic data

A computer system for analysing geographic data

Correct Answer:Layer,A visual representation of information on a map

A visual representation of information on a map

Correct Answer:Visualise,To form a mental or physical image of something

To form a mental or physical image of something

Q2.
What does GIS help geographers do?

Travel between places
Correct answer: See patterns in data on a map
Build roads and buildings
Write history books

Q3.
Which of the following could be a layer on a GIS map of the DRC?

A list of street names
The words of the national anthem
Correct answer: Population density
A clock

Q4.
Why might the DRC look smaller than it really is on some maps?

It has no borders
It’s mostly rainforest
Correct answer: Its location near the Equator distorts its size
It is underwater

Additional material

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