National 5 Geography Course Notes

Physical Environments Unit

Weather (UK)

• Factors Affecting Weather:
  • Latitude: Further from equator = colder temperatures due to less sun intensity.
  • Altitude: Higher altitudes = colder temperatures.
  • Aspect: South-facing = warmer due to more sun.
  • Ocean Circulation: Warmer western coasts due to North Atlantic Drift.
  • Prevailing Winds: SW winds warmed by ocean currents.
  • Ocean Temperature: Coastal areas cooler in summer, warmer in winter.
• Air Masses Affecting UK:
  • Tropical continental: Hot, dry summers.
• Depressions & Anticyclones:
  • Depressions: Cyclonic winds, cloudy, heavy rain at fronts.
  • Anticyclones: Clear skies, dry weather, light winds.

Landscape Types

• Glaciated Upland Features:
  • Corrie, Pyramidal Peak, Arête, U-shaped Valley.
• Coastal Features:
  • Cliffs, Caves, Stacks, Headlands, Bays, Spits.
• Land Uses: Farming, forestry, tourism, water storage, renewable energy.

Human Environments Unit

Population and Development

• Indicators: Life expectancy, % workforce in agriculture.
• Global Population Distribution Influences:
  • Human Factors: Job opportunities, transport, government aid, services.
  • Physical Factors: Climate, relief, soil quality, natural resources.

Urban Areas

• Land Use Zones:
  • CBD, Inner City, Suburbs.
• Advantages & Disadvantages of Urban Development:
  • Flat land, transport links vs. congestion, noise pollution.

Rural Areas

• Developed Countries:
  • Farming diversification, new technology, government policies.
• Developing Countries:
  • GM crops, mechanization, irrigation improvements.

Climate Change

Causes

• Physical: Earth's orbit, volcanic eruptions, ocean circulation.
• Human: Fossil fuels, deforestation, methane from agriculture.

Effects

• Drier/wetter climates, rising sea levels, impact on farming and water supply.

Management Strategies

• Local: Energy saving, recycling, green power.
• National: Renewable energy targets, transport policies.
• International: Climate change conferences, Kyoto Protocol.

Health

Diseases

• AIDS: Transmission via fluids, impacts on labor and economy.
• Heart Disease: Fatty foods, lack of exercise, smoking.
• Malaria: Spread by mosquitoes, consequences for affected populations.

Management Strategies

• AIDS: Education, safe practices.
• Heart Disease: Health campaigns, medical advancements.
• Malaria: Insecticides, bed nets, community education.