LESSON NOTES

FCT - SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED, GWAGWALADA

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THIRD TERM: E-LEARNING NOTES

SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
CLASS: SS1
SCHEME OF WORK (SUMMARY)
WEEK TOPIC

THEME:
MAP READING AND INTERPRETATION

1. Basic Concepts in Map Reading: (a) Map – Definition,

Types, Examples and Uses. (b)
Marginal Information (c) Conventional Symbols
2. Scales: (a) Types; (Linear, Statement and Representative
Fraction or Ratio (b) Attributes (c) Merits and
Demerits of each type. (d) Scale Conversion.
3. Map Distances: (a) Measurement and units (b)
Conversion; (i) Conversion from map distance to actual
distance (ii) Conversion of actual distance to map
distance.
4. Map Reduction and Enlargement: (a) Map Reduction
and Enlargement – Grid and square methods (b) Scale
(small, medium and large scales).
5. Interpretation of Physical Features and Cultural
Features: (a) Contour lines – definition of contour lines,
vertical intervals, form lines, etc. (b) Physical features –
Ridges, Gaps, Col, Saddle, Pass, Crest, Spurs, Valleys,
Hills, Plateaux, Rivers and streams, etc. (c) Roads and
Foot paths (d) Communication lines (e)
Settlements, schools, markets, church, mosque etc.

THEME:
ECONOMIC AND HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
6. Transportation: (a) Modes of transportation; (i) Road,
(ii) Rail, (iii) Water, (iv) Air, (v)
Pipeline, (vi) Cable, etc. (b) Transportation means
associated with each mode. (c) Merits and demerits of

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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
 each type of transportation mode/means. (d) Importance
of transportation (e) Transportation problems.

7. MID – TERM BREAK

8. Industry: (a) Meaning and Classification of Industries; (i)

Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Quaternary (ii) Heavy
industry and Light industry. (b) Factors affecting
industrial location. (c) Problems of
industrial location.

THEME:
INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)

9. Basic Concepts of GIS: (a) Geographic Information

Systems (GIS) (b) Geographic data: (i)
Meaning/Examples – Line for rivers, roads, rail, etc.
Points for boreholes, buildings, settlements, towns, farms,
etc. (ii) Sources (maps, field work, Satellite images, etc.
(c) Importance of geo-referencing,
geographic data and the GIS.
10. Components of GIS: (a) Hardware Components: (i)
Digitizer, (ii) Global Positioning System (GPS), (iii)
Computer (iv) Printer (v) Scanner, etc. (b) Software
Components: (i) Data Input, (ii)
Storage, (iii) Retrieval, (iv) Manipulation. (c) Data: (i)
Positional (ii) Relational. (d)
Procedures: Sets of Rules. (e) People: Experts.

11. Revision
12. Examination

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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
WEEK 1
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
CLASS: SS 1
TOPIC:
BASIC CONCEPT OF MAP READING
CONTENT:

1. Map – Definition, Types, Examples and Uses

2. Conventional Symbols

SUB-TOPIC 1: Map – Definition, Types, Examples and Uses

Definition of Map and Map Reading

Maps are the graphical representation of the earth’s surface or part of it on a plane
surface such as sheet of paper drawn to scale. The map of an area shows the features of
the area.
Map Reading: Map reading is the ability to recognize the conventional signs and
symbols as used on maps and to interpret them.
Types of Map
Map can be classified into the following types:
1. Topographical maps: These are large scale maps which cover relatively small
areas, but give detailed information concerning the geographical features of the
area that is represented. Such features include relief (which are represented by
contour lines), drainage, vegetation and other man-made features like settlements,
communication lines, etc. Below is an example of a topographic map.

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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
 Topographic Map
Topographical maps are also known as Ordinance Survey Maps. Students refer to them as
contour maps.
2. Atlas maps: These are small-scale maps that represent very large areas ranging in
size from a local government area to a state, a country, a continent and even the
whole world. Atlas maps do not contain as much detailed information about the
area as topographical maps.

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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
 Atlas Map of Nigeria
3. Sketch maps: They are freehand drawn maps, drawn to illustrate a particular
point. These maps are not usually drawn to scale. Neither are they drawn with any
regard to details or accuracy.

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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
 Sketch Map
4. Plan maps: Plans are drawing for specific purpose. They are usually drawn on a
large scale and show the detailed information about an area. E.g. building plan.

Abuja Master Plan

Others: Other types of maps include:
1. Cadastral maps – which contain land-use features.
2. Route maps – which contain route distances and features along routes to help
tourists and road users.
Uses of Map
1. To locate places on the earth
2. To represent geographical area
3. Road maps guide the road users on the direction and distance they have to travel to
get to their destination
4. Map gives information about a particular place. E.g. African map, Nigerian map,
etc.
5. Weather maps provide required information to be used by airplane pilots and ship
captains
6. Plan maps are used in buildings and constructions

Sub-Topic3: CONVENTIONAL SYMBOLS

Meaning of Conventional Symbols
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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
Conventional symbols are the various signs used by map makers (cartographers) to
represent both natural and cultural features on the map. These symbols can be grouped as
follows: Line symbols, Point symbols, Pictorial symbols and Literal symbols
Line Symbols: These are used on topographical maps to show features like rivers, roads,
boundaries, railways, telegraph lines, pipelines, etc.

Line Symbols
Point Symbols: These are used to represent heights of places such as bench marks,
survey pillars, spot heights, trigonometrical stations, houses, settlements, farms, etc.
Pictorial Symbols: These are the use of pictures to represent features on the map.
Pictorial symbols were the first set of symbols used by Geographers to represent relief.
Literal Symbols: These are letter abbreviation used to show the location of some
features. E.g. Ch= church, mkt= market, RH= Rest house, Disp. = Dispensary, sch=
school, etc.
EVALUATION:
1. Define (i) map (ii) map reading.
2. Explain three types of map.
3. Mention three types of conventional symbols.
4. State what each of these abbreviations represents (i) msq (ii) mkt (iii) RH
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
1. Use pencil to draw the following signs
(i) Primary road
(ii) Secondary road
(iii) Trigonometrical stations
(iv) Spot height

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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
(v) Railway
2. Sketch a plan map of the school compound.
READING ASSIGNMENT:
Read the next topic- Scale and its types.
REFERENCE TEXTS:
1. Map Reading for West Africa by D.A. Nimako.
2. A Practical Approach to Map-Reading for West Africa (fourth edition) by C.A.
Aso

WEEK 2

DATE....................................
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
CLASS: SS1
TOPIC: SCALES
CONTENT:
1. Meaning and Types of scale
2. Merits and demerits
3. Scale conversion.
Meaning of Map Scales
A map scale expresses the relationship between the distance or size of objects on a
map and the actual distance or size of the objects on the ground. In another words, it
is the ratio or relationship between measurement on the map and the actual
measurement on the ground. For example, if the scale of a map is 1cm to 1km, it means
that for every 1km on the ground, it is represented by 1cm on the paper.
Types of Scales
There are three types of scales namely; Statement of scale, Representative fraction or
ratio scale (RF) and Linear scale
STATEMENT OF SCALE
This is a scale usually expressed as the ratio of map size to the actual size of an area in
words. The statement scale can be stated in different ways. For example, one centimetre
to represent two kilometres or 1cm to 1km. This means that 1cm represents the distance
on map while the last figure, 1km represents the distance on the ground. Note, it is not
correct to say that one centimetre is equal to one kilometre or 1cm =1km.
How to Use Statement of Scale
i. Note the two places involved
ii. Measure the distance between the two places and relate it to the scale.
E.g. If a scale of a map is 2cm to 1km, what is the ground distance if the distance
between the two places on the map is 10cm.
Solution:
Map distance = 10cm
Ground distance =?
Map scale = 2cm to 1km
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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
 Since 2cm = 1km
Therefore: 10cm = 10/2 X 1km = 5km.
The ground distance between the two places is 5km.
Merits of statement of scale
i. It is simple and easy to understand
ii. It helps to get actual distance on ground
Demerits of statement scale
i. It is difficult to convert
ii. It is not error free
REPRESENTATIVE FRACTION (R.F)
RF scale expresses the ratio of map to ground numerically. The distance on the map and
the distance on the ground are expressed in form of fraction or ratio. E.g. 1 50,000 or
1:50,000. The numerator “1” represents a length on the map while the denominator
“50,000” represents the actual distance on the ground. Both the numerator and
denominator are in the same unit (cm). The numerator in RF is always 1. N.B:
100,000cm = 1km.
How to Use Representative Scale
i. Measure the distance between the two places either by ruler or thread
ii. Relate the distance measured to the scale.
Example: If the scale of a map is 1:200,000, what is the ground distance if the distance
between two towns on the map is 10cm?
Solution: Map distance= 10cm
Ground distance=?
Therefore; ground distance = 10cm×200,000 = 20km
100,000

Merits of RF
i. It shows the difference between the actual distance and the map
distance in ratio
ii. No conversion of unit is needed because both the numerator and
denominator are the same unit
iii. It can be used to calculate the distance on ground.
Demerits of RF
i. The answer may not be accurate if not properly calculated
LINEAR SCALE
A linear scale is a line drawn to represent the relationship between the distance on the
map and that of the actual distance on the ground. It is shown in the form of a bar by
means of straight line sub-divided so that length measured on the map can easily be read
as true measurement on the ground. Linear scale is divided into two parts: Primary
divisions and Secondary divisions.

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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
 Linear Scale
The primary divisions show the full unit length while the secondary divisions are sub-
divided into a smaller units. The advantages of linear scale are:
1. It saves the student from the trouble of calculation required in other scales.
2. It is always remains correct
HOW TO USE LINEAR SCALE
1. Determine the required distance on the map with a piece of strong string, an edge
of paper or dividers.
2. Take your measurement to ruler in centimeters
3. Then take the distance measured in cm to the scale and begins the measurement
from the origin marked (0) and stretch it to the right (primary divisions). Wherever
it ends represents the distance on the ground either in kilometers or miles.
4. If the length is longer than the scale, record the first measurement where it ends
and then measure the remaining part again starting from zero (0). Later add the
two measurements together.
EVALUATION:
1. List three types of scale.
2. Explain each of the types of scale.
3. State two merits and demerits of any two types of scale mentioned above.
Sub-Topic2: CONVERSION OF SCALE
In map reading one type of scale can be converted into another one.
A. CONVERSION FROM STATEMENT OF SCALE TO R.F
Example: Convert 1cm to 1km to RF
Solution: 1cm to 1km
Convert to same unit by multiplying number of kilometers by 100,000
1cm to (1 x 100,000)
= 1cm to 100,000cm
RF = 1:100,000 or 1/100,000

B. CONVERSION FROM REPRESENTATIVE FRACTION TO

STATEMENT OF SCALE
Example:
Convert 1:50,000 to Statement of Scale

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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
Solution:
1:50,000 = 1cm to 50,000
Divide 50,000 by 100,000
50,000
=1cm represents
100,000
= 1cm to ½km or 2cm to 1km.
C. CONVERSION OF LINEAR TO STATEMENT OF SCALE OR RF
Follow the procedure given earlier
NOTE that:
1:100,000 is the same as 1cm to 100,000 cm or 1km
1:50,000 is the same as 1cm to ½km or 2cm to 1km
1:200,000 is the same as 1cm to 2km
1:25,000 is the same as 1cm to ¼km or 4cm to 1km
EVALUATION:
1. Convert 2cm to 1km to RF
2. Convert 1/100,000 to statement of scale

3. Convert the above linear scale to: (i) Statement of scale (ii) RF
GENERAL EVALUATION:

Use the scale above to answer the questions below

1. Identify two types of scale above
2. Convert the RF to Statement of scale
3. Convert the linear scale to (i) RF (ii) Statement of scale.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
1. Draw a linear scale and identify (i) primary division (ii) secondary division of
the scale.

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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel
 2. Convert the above RF to statement of scale
3. Convert the above linear scale to (i) RF (ii) Statement of scale
READING ASSIGNMENT:
Read about map distance
REFERENCE TEXTS:
1. Map Reading for West Africa by D.A. Nimako.
2. A Practical Approach to Map-Reading for West Africa (fourth edition) by C.A.
Aso

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FCT - School For The Gifted: Geography: SS1 3rd Term: Teacher: Naadzenga Aperr Immanuel