The Equator is an imaginary line encircling Earth at 0° latitude and is an equal distance from the North Pole and the South Pole.

Temperature is the measure of how hot or cold something is.

Hot deserts are areas on Earth which are very hot and very dry, having less than 25 cm of rain per year.

The world's hottest places

Geography

This unit links to 'Contrasting locality: What is it like to live in (location in) in Jamaica?', as pupils draw on their knowledge of places that are hot and wet, and also to 'The water cycle: why does it matter?'. Pupils apply their beginning thinking about locational differences in rainfall and temperature.

This unit builds on 'Cold places: What is it like at the North and South Poles?', which pupils should have done first. Pupils draw on their knowledge of cold areas of the world to help them consider the location of hot places and what they are like, making comparisons. 

Hot places: where are they and what are they like?

Climate is an average of weather conditions (e.g. rain, sun, wind) in a place taken over a long period of time (usually 30 years or more).

Tropical rainforests are areas of dense forest found close to the Equator where it is warm and there are high levels of rainfall.

Diversity is the variety of human, physical or cultural characteristics in a geographical area.

Tropical rainforests: climate and location

Soil is the loose upper layer of the Earth’s surface where plants grow, and is formed from tiny particles of rock, dead plants and animals, air and water.

A long term change in the earth’s climate. Overall Earth is getting warmer.

Hot deserts: climate and location

A journey is a trip from one place to another, and the transport used to get there.

Sunscreen is a cream that you rub on your skin to protect it and stop it from burning in the sun.

Insect repellent is a spray which stops insects such as mosquitoes from biting you.

A holiday resort is a place where a lot of people go on holiday.

Hot places: where are they and what are they like?

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These lessons will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.