Create A Continent
You are going to create your very own continent! Yea!!!!!!!!!!!! This is NOT one of our 7 continents we
already have. Instead, you can make this continent to look like and have WHATEVER you want! You
should use this handout, checklists that you will be getting, and your notebook for help.
YOUR CONTINENT MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

A name

A climate region

At least 2 different natural resources with symbols
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At least 2 different kinds of landforms. They must be named (Elroy Mountain) and
have symbols

At least 2 different kinds of bodies of water ON your continent. They must be named.

At least 2 cities. One needs to be the capital. All cities need names and symbols.

A map key. The symbols in the map key need to match exactly the symbols on the continent

An accurate map scale

A compass rose
Other Important Notes:

You must be accurate when making your map. Natural resources and landforms need to
match your climate region. Your continent should measure 500 – 4000 miles across and
up/down. Symbols on the continent should match exactly the symbols in the map key.

You must be neat when making your map. If someone can’t read what is written on the map,
or it’s colored really messy, the map is no good. No one can use it.

Be creative with this project. Your continent can look like WHATEVER you want it to.
Symbols can be WHATEVER you want them to be. You can have AS MANY landforms,
bodies of water, cities, and natural resources you want. If you only do the minimum, you
will NOT earn an “A”.

Your final project should have NO pencil markings and NO white paper showing.
DO THE NEXT TWO SIDES BEFORE WORKING ON YOUR
CONTINENT!!!!!!! REMEMBER, BE CREATIVE!!!!!!!!!!
Name of Continent: ______________________________ Climate Region ________________
Natural Resources (need 2, but can have more; make sure they match the climate)
1. _______________________________ symbol __________________
2. _______________________________ symbol __________________
Any extra? Include here!
Landforms (need 2 different kinds, but can have more; make sure they match climate)
1. Kind __________________ Symbol _________________
Names _______________________________________________________________
2. Kind __________________ Symbol _________________
Names _______________________________________________________________
Any More? Include here!
Bodies of Water (need 2 different kinds; must go ON continent)
1. Kind _________________ Names _________________________________________
2. Kind _________________ Names _________________________________________
Any extra? Include here!
Cities

Capital name ________________________ Symbol __________________

Other city names _______________________________________________________
Symbol (same one for all) __________________
Remember………

You need an accurate map scale and compass rose

Leave enough space for the map key. You may want to make this first. Symbols in the map
key should match exactly the symbols on the continent

Be as neat as possible. Make the map easy to read and pleasant to look at

Your final project should have NO pencil markings or white showing.
Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Create a Continent
Criteria
Exceeds
3 points
Name/Title
Climate

Natural Resources
Landforms






Bodies of Water


Cities

Has 3 or more different
natural resources with
unique symbols
Symbols found in map key
and on map and match
exactly
Has 3 or more different
kinds of landforms with
unique symbols
Specific names on map (ex.
Elroy Mountains); general
names in map key
(mountains)
Symbols match exactly
Water around continent
labeled correctly
Has 3 or more different
kinds of water ON
continent, each with
specific name
Bodies of water look like
the bodies of water being
identified
Has a named capital with
symbols matching exactly
Has 2 or more other named
cities with symbols
matching exactly
Meets
2 points
Below
1 point
Continent is named and easy to
find
Map is labeled with a correct
climate region
 Has 2 different natural
resources with unique
symbols
 Symbols somewhat match
Continent is named but is hard to
find
Map is labeled with an incorrect
climate region
 Has 0-1 natural resources
 Symbols do not match

Has 2 different kinds of
landforms with unique
symbols
Specific names of map;
general names in key (1-2
mistakes)
Each kind of landform has
unique symbol
Symbols somewhat match
Water around continent
labeled correctly
Has 2 different kinds of
water ON continent
Most bodies of water have
specific name (1 mistake)


Has a named capital with
symbols somewhat matching
Has 1 other named city with
symbol somewhat matching
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Has 0-1 kinds of landform
Landforms on map do not
have specific names; do not
have general names in map
key
Symbols do not match
Has 0-1 kinds of water ON
continent
Bodies of water missing
specific names
Capital is missing or not
named
Other cities are missing or
not named
Symbols do not match
Map does not include an
accurate map scale
Map Scale

Map includes an accurate
map scale
Compass Rose

Map includes an accurate
compass rose

Did not meet one of the
requirements
Did not meet two or more of the
requirements

Organization/
Neatness/Creativity





Colored nicely, with not
much white or blank space
except for map key
No pencil markings
Easy to read
Attractive to look at
3 or less spelling mistakes
Turned in on time
Map does not include an
accurate compass rose
Total ________/23