Mapwork

Map skills are the most common skill tested at all levels of Geography and they appear on both the NCSE, CSEC and CAPE examination.

A map is a representation of a part of the earth or the heavens. There is much that we can learn about an area just by studying a map. All  Geography students need to be familiar with maps. The first question on paper 2 of the CXC Geography examination will be based on a map which will be provided to you. This question is compulsory. It tests many map skills and is worth more marks than any other question on the paper. The CSEC Geography syllabus requires students to acquire many map skills. These include:

• reading and interpreting conventional symbols
• locating places using four figure reference
• locating places using six figure grid references
• using scale to measure distance
• giving direction in terms of the 16 points of the compass and compass bearing
• reducing and enlarging a section of a map
• calculating gradients using ratios
• drawing and interpreting cross sections and sketch sections
• describing drainage, vegetation, land use, settlement and communication
• describing landforms through the reading of contours
• explaining the relationship among the patterns of relief, drainage, vegetation, land use, communications and settlement