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The physical environment of Hong Kong 1
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The physical environment of Hong Kong
IH
Worksheet 1 The physical environment of
Hong Kong: Location
Where is Hong Kong?
Figure 1
Where is ……
Hong Kong?
Beijing
Shanghai
Hong Kong
km
Latitude and longitude are lines drawn on small scale maps. They show the
accurate location of a particular place in the expression of degree.
Longitude: Vertical lines on the map stretching from the South to the North
Latitude:
Horizontal lines on the map stretching from the West to the East
Location of Hong Kong:
Longitude
Latitude
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 2
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Worksheet 2 The physical environment of Hong
Kong: Weather
John is interested in the physical environment of Hong Kong. He plans to join a 5-day
Scout camp. The scout leader suggests that he browse the web page shown in Figure 2
and find the weather forecast for the coming days.
Figure 2
1
Based on the weather forecast from the web page, what should John take with him
to camping?
2
Apart from the above web page, are there any other sources for John to learn about
the weather condition in Hong Kong?
3
When John is searching the Hong Kong Observatory web page
(http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente_new.htm), he comes across lots of interesting
information about weather and climate. He is particularly interested in the section
on "Educational Resources" and would like to have more information. So, he sends
an email to the Hong Kong Observatory.
Email address: mailbox@hko.gcn.gov.hk
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 3
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How to draw and read a climatic graph?
Method 1: Plot a climatic graph on graph paper
Figure 3 shows the monthly mean temperature and rainfall of Hong Kong in 1999. Based
on the data given in Figure 3, plot a climatic graph on graph paper.
Figure 3
Monthly mean temperature and rainfall (1999)
Temperature (oC)
17.3
18.7
20.4
24.3
24.9
28.9
29.2
28.3
27.8
26.2
22.2
16.8
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rainfall (mm)
4.5
—
23.6
176.9
177.8
197.4
203.8
892.0
365.7
38.8
15.7
32.9
(Source: Hong Kong Observatory)
Guidelines:
1.
Complete the temperature graph first (The first four months have been done for you).
2.
Then complete the rainfall graph (The first four months have been done for you).
Temperature(oC)
Rainfall(mm)
30
20
800
10
600
0
400
-10
200
0
Discussion: Which
month in 1999
experienced
maximum rainfall?
Why? What were the
effects on the people
and the economy?
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sept
Aug
July
June
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 4
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Which month showed the highest temperature? How did high temperature affect our life?
(Have a look at your electricity bill.)
Which month showed the most rainfall? How did it affect our life?
Method 2: Use Excel to make a climatic graph
1 Make use of the Excel file in the CD-ROM titled "The Use of Information Technology in
the Learning of Geography" produced by the Education Department. Input the data given
in Figure 3 into the Excel file, it will automatically generate a beautiful climatic graph.
2 Complete the worksheet on the following page.
It
is
easy
to
make
climatic graphs with
Excel. The graph is so
neat and beautiful!
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 5
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Climatic Graph
1.
Input the following data into an Excel file, and note the changes in the graphs.
Month
Temperature (oC)
Rainfall (mm)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
-5
-3
5
10
19
24
26
23
20
12
6
-3
4
10
25
36
42
76
200
245
65
20
10
2
Figure 4
2.
Refer to the Excel file, fill in the following table:
Annual mean temperature
o
C
Annual range of temperature
o
C
Maximum monthly mean temperature
o
C
Minimum monthly mean temperature
o
C
Total rainfall
mm
Figure 5
3.
Name a city in other parts of China which has similar climatic features.
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 6
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What was the year's weather in 2000 like in Hong Kong?
Study the following paragraphs. Discuss and answer the questions.
The Year's Weather in 2000
The year 2000 was warmer and wetter than usual. The mean temperature of
23.3 degrees was the eighth highest on record and the mean minimum
temperature of 21.5 degrees was the sixth highest. The annual total rainfall of
2752.3 millimetres was 24 per cent above normal. Seven tropical cyclones ¹
necessitated the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals². However, no
Signal No. 8 or higher signals was hoisted.
(Source: Hong Kong Observatory)
1. How did the weather in 2000 differ from the past?
2. Has the weather been changing gradually in recent years? If yes, what is the trend?
3. How did Typhoon Sam impact on the economy and on the community of Hong Kong?
(Study the following web page http://www.info.gov.hk/hko/informtc/economic.htm)
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF TROPICAL CYCLONES
Although visible damage due to a tropical cyclone has become less, the economic
loss in a place like Hong Kong where "time is money" - is quite serious. Coping with
the unusual or unplanned leads to a good deal of congestion, uncertainty and loss of
income.
For example, with the development of new towns, heavy traffic jam is only too
common when Signal No. 8 is hoisted or lowered.
(Source: Hong Kong Observatory)
1 tropical cyclones
熱帶氣旋
2 Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals
熱帶氣旋警告信號
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 7
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Extreme weather conditions
Extreme weather conditions in
Hong Kong include typhoon,
storm, heat wave and cold
surge, which bring about the
loss of life and property.
John also browses http://www.info.gov.hk/hko/wxinfo/climat/climahk.htm for more data
on the climate of Hong Kong.
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 8
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Worksheet 3 The physical environment of Hong
IH
Kong: Relief
John studies a relief map of Hong Kong and realizes that Hong Kong is a hilly place.
B
A
C
D
E
F
L
N
M
O
A
x
0
A
P
5
10km
0
5
1. John has found the five tallest hills in Hong Kong. They are:
Name of the hill
Height (m)
2. John wants to join Boy Scout camp at site A. Write the name of the location.
_
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10km
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 9
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3. The boy scouts gather in school and set off for the campsite together. How can they
get to the campsite?
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4. When John faces North, he notices four islands in the directions of Northeast, East,
Southeast and South. John finds out their names from the map:
Name of the island
Northeast
East
Southeast
South
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 10
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How to measure gradient?
John wants to go hiking but is afraid of slopes which are too steep.
Can you help him decide which slope below is the steepest and is not suitable for hiking?
A.
B.
C.
vertical distance
horizontal
distance
Which is the easiest slope to climb?
Which is the most difficult slope to climb?
“Gradient” tells us how steep a slope is.
Gradient = vertical distance : horizontal distance or
vertical distance
.
horizontal distance
Calculate the gradient of slope A, B and C.
Slope A：Gradient = vertical distance : horizontal distance
=
1
cm：
3
cm
or
/
That is, for every 3cm horizontal distance movement, there is 1cm rise in height.
Slope B：Gradient = vertical distance : horizontal distance
=
That is, for every (
2.2
cm：
1.6
cm
or
1/
)cm horizontal distance movement, there is (
)cm rise in height.
Slope C：Gradient = vertical distance : horizontal distance
=
That is, for every (
height.
cm：
cm
or
/
)cm horizontal distance movement, there is (
)cm rise in
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 11
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How to measure gradient?
John goes hiking with the Boy Scout team. When he arrives at Victoria Peak,
he looks down the hill and notices a steep slope. He takes a map and calculates the
gradient of the slope.
The home of John's aunt
Gradient: Difference in height / Horizontal distance
Calculate the horizontal distance:
Measure the horizontal distance between A and B:
Actual distance between A and B =
×
=
m
Calculate the difference in height between A and B:
From the contour map, we can find out: the height of A =
the height of B =
cm
m
m
m
therefore, the difference in height =
Calculate the gradient:
Gradient =
difference in height
=
horizontal dis tan ce
/
=
m
/
Gradient can be expressed in 1(vertical) to X (horizontal). For example, 1 to 3 means
the land rises 1m for every 3m difference in horizontal distance. Therefore, the
gradient between A and B is 1 to
.
(Extracted from Teaching Kit on Understanding and Preventing Landslides in Hong Kong,
Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering Department)
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 12
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Teaching aid: PowerPoint on Conduit Road
John's aunt lives in Conduit Road, Please
help John analyze the advantages and
disadvantages of living there.
Advantages
Disadvantages
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 13
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"Should hillslope development continue in Hong Kong?"
Class discussion
The class is divided into small groups and discusses "Should hillslope development
continue in Hong Kong?" Using chart 1 as the basis of discussion, reorganize and
summarize the opinions of the group and present them in class.
With a large population but limited land supply
in Hong Kong, the demand for land, in particular
urban land, is great. It has been suggested that
developing the slopes can ease the problem of
land shortage. But many slopes in Hong Kong,
are rather steep and our climate is rainy and
humid. When people develop slopes, they have
to consider the risk of landslide.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Advantages
Disadvantages
Slope development in
Hong Kong:
Suggested ways of
increasing urban land
supply:
1. Hill leveling
2.
3.
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 14
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Extended Activity 1: Field observation and
report on land utilization in Hong Kong
Teaching objectives:
Through field observation, students are exposed to the question of slope utilization in
urban Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a hilly city, and many slopes in the urban areas have
been fully utilized. Students are encouraged to express their views on whether hillslope
development should continue.
Field sites:
The teacher identifies certain built-up slopes around the school area. A suggested
field study is the built-up area along Kotewall Road in the Mid-Levels of Hong Kong
Island.
Things to bring:
1.
Map
2.
Camera
3.
Colour and black pencils
4.
File board
Procedures:
1.
Divide the class into ten groups with 4 members each.
2.
Explain the aim and task of this site visit before setting off.
3.
On arrival, instruct students to take photos of crowded buildings on the slope.
4.
Ask students to draw a sketch map showing the structures on the slope and
indicate different land uses with different colours. For example, red to represent
commercial use and yellow for residential.
5.
Calculate the gradient of the site from a topographic map with contours.
6.
After returning to classroom, conduct a class discussion on the topic:
"Should hillslope development continue in Hong Kong?"
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The physical environment of Hong Kong 15
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Extended Activity 2
Teaching resources: The teaching kit "Understanding
Landslides" produced by the Geotechnical Engineering
Office, Civil Engineering Department includes:
1
Worksheet (Part 1)
2
A copy of CD-ROM
3
A copy of VHS tape
The objectives of the worksheet are to help students to:
1
learn about landslide hazards;
2
understand the reasons why people choose to live on
hillsides;
3
be aware of both the pluses and minuses of living on
hillsides.