MAPWORK: CONTENT IN GRADE 12
Good map reading skills are of paramount importance to seek answers to the key issues that impact our
lives. Maps convey their message by means of symbols. Knowing and understanding the relationships
between all these symbols forms the basis of good map reading skills.
Map reading skills, as well as map and photo interpretation, can be done very effectively if you ask critical
questions regarding colour on maps. This will help you to supply explanations of features found on maps.
The following shows how colours and possible questions can be used to enhance your map reading skills
with regard to the content of Grade 12 Geography..
CLIMATOLOGY
Colour and questions to enhance map-reading skills in studying CLIMATOLOGY
Colour
Used for/landforms
Questions
Brown
Relief, mountains,
indication of type of
slope
 Where are the highest and lowest points on the map? Where would it be
colder/warmer? Why?
 Which slope (North- or South facing) will be warmer? Why?
 In what direction will the wind blow during the day/night? Why?
 Where would inversions be found? Why?
Rivers, waterfall, lake,
ocean, dam
 How many perennial/non perennial rivers are there on the map? What does
this tell us about the climate?
 Are there many dams on farms? What do these dams tell you about the
climate?
 What do furrows and canals tell you about the climate?
 Is the mapped area close to the sea? How does the sea influence the climate?
 Is there a cold or warm current? How does this influence the temperature and
rainfall?
Orchards or vineyards,
cultivated fields, trees
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Blue
Green
Railways, bridges,
cemeteries, industries,
excavations
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Black
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Built up areas
Grey
Red
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Main roads
Are there farming activities close to rivers?
Is water extracted for irrigation purposes for farming activities?
What does this tell you about the climate of the area?
Are there rows trees along the farms? What purpose does it serve?
What possible seasonal fruit are cultivated?
Is it cooler or warmer in the rural areas? Why?
Are there wind pumps on the farms? What does this tell you about the climate?
Are there more settlements on the South- or North facing slope of the
mountain? Why?
Are there settlements on the middle slope? Why?
What infrastructure/features could be destroyed by mid latitude cyclone,
tropical cyclone or flooding?
Which residential area would have a higher pollution concentration before and
after a cold front has moved over the area?
How are the runways of the airport located with regard to wind direction? NB
airplanes take off and land against the wind.
Where would heat islands be found on the mapped area? Why
What manmade features contribute to higher temperatures and rainfall in the
urban settlement on the map?
What impact do heat islands have on the environment/humans?
How can the impact of heat islands on the built up area be managed?
What features in the up areas contribute to air pollution?
How can this be managed?
 Is here a danger of flooding the road?
GEOMORPHOLOGY
Colour and questions to enhance map-reading skills in studying GEOMORPHOLOGY
Colour
Brown
Used for/landforms
Questions
Relief, mountains,
indication of type of
slope
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Where are the highest and lowest points on the map?
In what direction does the river flow?
In what course is the river? Reasons/landforms on map.
Where are the Watersheds?
Rivers, waterfall, lake,
ocean, dam
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How many perennial rivers are there on the map?
How many non-perennial rivers are there on the map?
What does this tell us about the climate?
What is the stream pattern of the river?
Does the river flow into a lake, dam, the sea?
For what is the dam in the river used?
What does the dam wall tell us about the flow direction?
Is there a waterfall in the river?
Is there an economic use of the waterfall?
Is the waterfall an indication of rejuvenation?
In what course is the river? Reasons/landforms on map?
Orchards or vineyards,
cultivated fields, trees
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Are there farming activities close to rivers?
How does use of insecticides influence water quality?
Is water extracted for irrigation purposes?
Are there alien trees along the river?
Railways, bridges,
cemeteries, industries,
excavations
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Does a railway line follow the same route as the river?
Are there cemeteries/excavations close to the river?
How does this influence water quality of the river?
Are there industries close to the river?
Do the industries use the water in the river?
Do the industries pollute the river?
How can this be managed?
Is there a bridge over the river? For what purpose?
Does the river flow through/round a settlement?
What manmade features are found in the river, for example a weir?
How do built up areas contribute to pollution?
How can this be managed?
Blue
Green
Black
Built up areas
Grey
Main roads
Red
 Does the main road follow the same route as the river?
 Do bench marks along the road indicate the direction in which the river
flows?
FACTORS
Level
ground
Raw
material
Transport
Water
Labour
Power
Market
SETTLEMENT GEOGRAPHY
Colour and questions to enhance map-reading skills in studying SETTLEMENT GEOGRAPHY
Colour
Used for/landforms
Questions
Relief, mountains,
indication of type of
slope
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Are settlements found where contours are far apart?
Are settlements found on the North- or South facing slope?
Are the settlements found in a valley?
Is the settlement built on a steep slope/mountain for defence purposes?
Are settlements found on the middle slopes?
Is there the possibility of inversions? Where in the mapped area?
Rivers, waterfall, lake,
ocean, dam
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Are settlements close to a source of water (river)?
Are there indications of irrigation (dams, canals and furrows)?
What does this tell us about the climate?
Is there a danger of flooding the settlements by the river?
Is there the possibility if mosquitoes/disease?
Are there sources of water pollution in settlements?
Are there linear settlements along the river?
Orchards or vineyards,
cultivated fields, trees,
woodlands
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Are there farming activities close to rivers?
Is small- or large scale farming practised?
Is water extracted for irrigation purposes?
Are there trees/woodlands, indicating building materials and fuel?
Is there an indication of the type of farming (cellar, dipping tank, abbatoir)?
Is there an indication of orchards, vineyards, cultivated fields?
Are there indications of forestry?(Woodlands, fire break, lookout towers,
saw mill, State forest)
Is there evidence of a green belt? Function of greenbelt?
Are rows of trees found on the map? What purpose do they serve?
RURAL
Are the rural settlements nucleated or dispersed? Why?
What is the shape of the rural settlements?
What factors influenced the shape of the rural settlements.
URBAN SETTLEMENT
What is the shape of the urban settlement on the map?
What physical factors influenced the shape of the urban settlement?
What factors influenced the location of industries?
Are there light and/or heavy industries.
Are there industries using farming activities as raw material?
What tertiary activities are found in the mapped area? (S W H P PS K)
Is there a railway line running through the settlement? Type?
Is electricity generated in the mapped area?
Brown
Blue
Green
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Black
Railways, bridges,
cemeteries, industries,
excavations, dipping
tanks, settlements,
school, post office,
hotel, shop, place of
worship, power lines
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Built up areas
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Main road, Arterial route
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Grey
Red
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Where js the CBD located? Why?
Are there any commercial activities outside the CBD? Where and Why?
Where are the high/low income residential areas? Why?
What functions are found in the rural urban fringe?
How do built up areas contribute to pollution?
Is there a railway line close to the industrial area?
How can this be managed?
What is the function of the urban settlement?(Central place, trade and
transport, specialised)
 What type of street pattern? Reason? Advantages and disadvantages?
Why is the CBD located there?
Do the roads contribute to a stellar shape?
Is there a road close to the industrial area?
Are there linear/cross road settlements along the roads?
ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY OF SOUTH AFRICA
Colour and questions to enhance map-reading skills in studying ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
Colour
Used for/landforms
Questions
Relief, mountains,
indication of type of
slope
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Rivers, waterfall, lake,
ocean, dam

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Orchards or vineyards,
cultivated fields, trees,
woodlands

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Railways, bridges,
industries, excavations,
dipping tanks,
settlements, school,
post office, hotel, shop,
place of worship, power
lines
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Built up areas
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Main road, Arterial route
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Brown
Blue
Green
Black
Grey
Red