Year 3 Geography: Exploring Features in Nigeria, UK, and USA
Exploring Our World: From Nigeria to the Globe
Welcome, Year 3 explorers! Today, we are going on a journey across continents to look at the mountains, rivers, and landmarks that make our planet so interesting. We will start right here in Nigeria and then travel across the ocean.
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| Map of nigeria showing the 36 states |
Amazing Geographical Features in Nigeria
Nigeria is a land of incredible variety. In the south, we find lush rainforests and the famous Niger Delta, where the great River Niger meets the Atlantic Ocean. As we move north, the land changes into the Jos Plateau, a high area of flat land that is much cooler than the coast.
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| Forest of Southern Nigeria |
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| The Niger RIver |
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| Jos Plateau, Nigeria |
One of the most famous landmarks is Zuma Rock, a massive natural monolith located in Niger State. It stands like a giant gateway to the capital city, Abuja. Nigeria also boasts the Chappal Waddi, the highest mountain in the country, found in the Gashaka-Gumti National Park.
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| Zuma Rock, Abuja |
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| Chappal Waddi, Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Taraba |
Possible resource: https://youtu.be/irn2SWBRZWQ?si=zJw3hk8kExDY50VW
↑ Back to ContentsFinding Features on an OS Map
Geographers use Ordnance Survey (OS) maps to identify features from a "bird's eye view." To find geographical features, we look for specific symbols and colors. For example, blue lines usually represent rivers, while green areas show woods or forests.
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| Detailed Ordinance Survey Map |
One of the most important tools on an OS map is the contour line. These are thin brown lines that show the shape and height of the land. If the lines are very close together, it means the land is very steep, like a mountain! If they are far apart, the land is flat.
↑ Back to ContentsNigeria vs. UK vs. USA: A Comparison
How does Nigeria compare to other places? Let's take a look at the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The United Kingdom (UK)
Unlike Nigeria's tropical climate, the UK is much cooler and has many "rolling hills." While Nigeria has the River Niger, the UK has the River Thames. The highest peak in the UK is Ben Nevis in Scotland, which is snowy for much of the year.
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| The rolling hills of The South Downs National Park, Southern England, UK |
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| Thames River, London UK |
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| Ben Nevis in Scotland, UK |
The United States of America (USA)
The USA is huge! It has features we don't see as often in Nigeria, like the Grand Canyon—a massive valley carved by a river over millions of years. Both Nigeria and the USA have vast coastlines, but the USA also has the Rocky Mountains, which are much taller than the hills found in Nigeria.
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| Grand Canyon, Northwestern Arizona, United States |
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| Rocky Mountains, United States |
Check for Understanding
Test your geography skills below!
Answers:
- 1. Zuma Rock
- 2. The land is very steep (a mountain or hill).
- 3. The United States of America (USA).