MOUNTAINS, HILL & MAPS

MOUNTAINS, HILL & MAPS

Mountains and Hills are areas of high ground.

A Mountain is an area of high ground that rises 300 metres above sea level.

While a Hill is an area of high ground that is less than 300 metres above sea level

• Examples of mountains include Mount Everest in Nepal which is the highest mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania the highest mountain in Africa, Mountain Afadzato in Ghana, Mount Fuji in Japan, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Aconcagua Mountain in Argentina.

• Examples of Hills include Cypress Hill, Signal Hill in Cape Town and Shai Hills in Ghana.

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Multiple Choice

If the ground rises more than 300 metres above sea level it is called a

• Hill

• Mountain

Open Ended

Mention any two mountains that you know.

• A map is almost essential when walking up on a mountain, but a map is flat so how do we show mountains, hills and other land forms on a map.

• There are two main ways of showing these features on maps.

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TYPES OF MAPS

• There are two main types of maps used to show mountains and hills these are: Topographic Maps and Relief Maps

• Topographic Maps show the natural features of the land such a hills mountains, lakes and rivers as well as things that are made by people such as roads and towns.

• A Relief Map shows only how high or low the different parts of a region, country or continents are.

The height of the land is shown by using different colours usually shades of brown and green. All land areas of the same level are given the same colour therefore such a map needs a key.

When we say Mount Everest is 8863 metres high, we mean that its height is 8863 metres above sea level.

A Topographic map of Nigeria showing lakes, rivers mountains and hills. ( Obodu Mountain)

A Relief Map of North and West Africa.

Contour Lines

Another way of showing mountains and hills on a map is by using contour lines.

Contour lines are lines joining places of equal heights above sea level.

Note: They are exactly the same, they do not cross each other. Contour lines make it possible to show the height and shape of mountains, the depths of the ocean bottom, and the steepness of slopes. 

Contour Line Showing a hill because it is less than 300m above sea level.

Multiple Select

Contour lines are lines that join places of equal heights above sea level.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

This Contour line shows a .....

• Hill

• Map

• Mountain

Multiple Choice

If contour lines are close together, then the slope is ....

• Gentle

• Flat

• Steep

Importance of Mountains and Highlands

Minerals: Mountains and highlands often contain minerals like gold, diamond, bauxite and manganese. Countries mine these minerals and sell them for foreign exchange which is used to develop the country.

Rocks for Construction: Mountains often contain rocks or stones that can be quarried and used for the construction of roads, bridges, dams and buildings. The rocks are also broken down into small chippings which are used for terrazzo designs on buildings.

Importance of Mountains and Highlands

Cooler Climates: Mountain tops and highlands have cooler climates and more comfortable weather. This is because the higher you go, the cooler it becomes. In hot climates like Ghana, many people like to live in highland areas

Wind Breaks: Mountains and highlands serve as windbreaks by controlling the movement of the wind. Sometimes, they protect settlements against strong winds which can damage buildings.

Open Ended

List Three importance of mountains and highlands.