Geography Term 2

Navigating a Contour Map

• Contour maps use contour lines to connect points of equal altitude (elevation above sea level). These lines help visualize the terrain's shape.

• Numbers on contour lines indicate the height in meters above sea level, providing precise elevation data.

• Contour lines show the layout of the land, indicating water sources (rivers, lakes) and steep mountains to climb. The spacing between lines indicates slope steepness.

• The closer the contour lines, the steeper the slope. Conversely, widely spaced lines indicate a gentle slope. Understanding this spacing is crucial for navigation.

Finding Fresh Water Through the Water Cycle

• 97% of the world’s water is in the oceans and is too salty to drink. Desalination processes are used to make it potable but are energy-intensive.

• The remaining 3% is found in rivers, lakes, ice (glaciers, ice caps), below ground (aquifers), and in the air (humidity). These sources are vital for sustaining life.

• Water Cycle:

  • Groundwater: Water that sinks into the ground, is filtered by rocks (sandstone, limestone), and forms freshwater springs or accumulates in aquifers. This filtration removes impurities.

  • Runoff: Water flows over the ground, picking up impurities (pollutants, sediments), into rivers and lakes, eventually reaching the sea. This process contributes to water pollution.

  • Evaporation: Water turns from liquid to vapor due to heat, leaving impurities (salts, minerals) behind. This process purifies water, leaving contaminants behind.

  • Condensation: Water vapor cools, forming tiny droplets of pure water, creating clouds. These droplets coalesce to form larger drops.

  • Precipitation: Water droplets fall back to earth as rain, sleet, or snow, restarting the cycle. The form of precipitation depends on atmospheric temperature.

Using Geography to Find Shelter

• Factors affecting weather and climate on an island:

  • Height: Higher altitudes mean colder (temperature decreases with altitude) and windier conditions (exposure to prevailing winds).

  • Direction of Wind: Prevailing winds from the west bring rain (orographic precipitation). Windward sides receive more moisture.

  • Shelter: The east side of the island provides shelter from westerly winds, creating a leeward side with drier conditions.

  • Aspect: South-facing slopes are warmer due to sun exposure at midday (higher solar angle), while north-facing slopes are colder (lower solar angle).

  • The Water: The sea moderates temperature, keeping the island cooler in summer and warmer in winter (maritime climate). This reduces temperature extremes.

How Ecosystems Help You to Eat

• Ecosystems are communities of living organisms (biotic factors) interacting with each other and their environment (abiotic factors).

• They link living things (plants, animals, microorganisms) and non-living things (water, soil, sun, rock, air).

• Rockpool Ecosystem Example:

  • Sun, water, and rock allow plants (producers) to grow. Algae and seaweed are primary producers.

  • Plants use water, light, and carbon dioxide to produce food (e.g., seaweed) through photosynthesis. This process releases oxygen.

  • Sea creatures (consumers) eat plants and become food for bigger fish. Examples include snails, crabs, and small fish.

  • Fish become food for seagulls. Seagulls are apex predators in this ecosystem.

Life in the City - Manchester

Back to the Beginning of Manchester

• In AD79, the Romans sought a settlement site with:

  • Protection (hilltops offered defensive advantages)

  • Water supply (rivers, springs provided potable water)

  • Building materials (stone, wood were essential for construction)

  • Fertile land (for agriculture and food production)

  • Fuel for heat (wood for cooking and heating)

  • Natural shelter (protection from the elements)

  • Transport (river, road facilitated trade and movement)

  • Flood prevention (elevation above floodplains)

• The Romans built a fort to protect against Celtic tribes. This fort was a strategic military installation.

• The settlement was named “Mancunio,” combined with the English word for fort “chester” to form Manchester.

Manchester During the Industrial Revolution

• After the Romans left, Manchester remained a small town for 1000 years until the Industrial Revolution (post-1750), which transformed it into a major industrial center.

• Key developments:

  • 1750: Cotton mills were built, initiating the textile industry boom.

  • 1765: Steam power replaced water mills, increasing production capacity. The first canal in Britain was built to transport coal to power steam engines, facilitating the transport of raw materials and finished goods.

  • 1804: Manchester was credited with the introduction of mechanized textile production, leading to mass production and economic growth.

  • 1830: The first railways opened connecting Manchester to Liverpool, revolutionizing transportation and trade.

  • 1850: Factories and mills expanded, leading to increased urbanization and population growth.

  • 1894: The Manchester Ship Canal opened, providing direct access to the sea and boosting international trade.

Examining the Population Growth

• Between 1650 and 1850, Manchester urbanized and grew due to increased factories and workers, leading to population growth and social changes.

• Urbanization occurred rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries, leading to overcrowding and sanitation issues.

• Population decline in the late 20th century: due to old industries closing, workers sought jobs in other cities, leading to economic restructuring.

• Immigration led to a multicultural city:

  • Irish: Fled poverty and famine in the mid-1800s, contributing significantly to the city's labor force.

  • Indian and Pakistani: Arrived in the 1950s for cotton and textile industries, enriching the city's cultural diversity.

  • Chinese: Arrived in 1970 and developed Chinatown, establishing a vibrant cultural enclave.

  • West Indian: Recruited for health and transport services in the 1950s, playing a crucial role in public services.

  • Jewish: Fled persecution in Europe in the 19th century, contributing to the city's commercial and cultural life.

The Manchester of Today

• The city no longer needs a fort, marketplace, or old port, reflecting its transformation into a modern metropolis.

• New features include:

  • Sportcity: Built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, transforming a poor area with sports venues, homes, shops, and offices, promoting urban regeneration.

  • City Centre Transformation: Warehouses and factories replaced with modern buildings and shopping centers, revitalizing the city's economy and appearance.

  • Salford Quays: Derelict area