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Year 7

Using a GIS to locate and analyse places around the world

I can use a geographic information system (GIS) to locate places around the world and find out their size and distance from the UK.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 7

Using a GIS to locate and analyse places around the world

I can use a geographic information system (GIS) to locate places around the world and find out their size and distance from the UK.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A GIS allows us to store and display data on a digital map.
  2. Different layers of data can be added on a GIS which allows us to investigate spatial patterns.
  3. A GIS can be used to locate places around the world and investigate their size and distance from other places.
  4. Decisions are taken when using a GIS to analyse data which can lead to differences in results.

Keywords

  • Digital map - A digital map is an electronic version of a map that can be used on a computer to see places, get directions, and find information about locations.

  • Geographic information system - A GIS (geographic information system) is a computer system that captures, and displays geographic data to help understand spatial patterns.

  • Layer - A layer in a GIS is a set of data that you can look at on a map so that geographical patterns can be analysed.

Common misconception

Digital maps are only used to locate places.

Digital maps are used in many different jobs and used to present data.


To help you plan your year 7 geography lesson on: Using a GIS to locate and analyse places around the world, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use computers or tablets to allow students to look at different examples of digital maps such as Google Maps or Google Earth.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Computers, tablets or laptops with an internet connection are needed for this lesson.

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is not an example of a map?
an atlas
a globe
Google Maps
Correct answer: a photograph from above
Q2.
A small-scale map shows a area.
Correct Answer: large, big
Q3.
Which of these features of a map works out the distance in real life compared to the map?
coordinates
Correct answer: the scale
the north arrow
the key
Q4.
What can maps help us do?
Correct answer: work out how to get somewhere
Correct answer: locate special features
Correct answer: present data
inform us about news and events
Q5.
What does a political map show?
Correct answer: country borders
the height of the land
population data
mountains
Q6.
What does a physical map show?
Correct answer: mountains
Correct answer: rivers
population data
Correct answer: the height of the land

6 Questions

Q1.
What does GIS stand for?
Geographic Important Satellite
Global Information System
Correct answer: Geographic Information System
Q2.
How could you access a digital map?
Correct answer: via a computer
Correct answer: via a tablet
via an atlas
Correct answer: via a mobile phone
Q3.
Why might people use digital maps?
Correct answer: to investigate an area that they want to go to on holiday
Correct answer: to find their way on a car journey
to find out how to spell geographical words
Correct answer: to look for nearby shops and restaurants
Q4.
Why are GIS maps useful?
Correct answer: they include digital maps that show data over an area
Correct answer: they help you to analyse spatial patterns in maps
they inform you about news and events
Q5.
True or false? GIS maps can show more than one piece of data.
Correct Answer: true, True
Q6.
Which of these data sets could be presented on a GIS map?
temperature data
population data
air quality data
crime data
Correct answer: all of the above

Additional material

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