Geography Note Booklet Grade 9 PDF
Geography Note Booklet Grade 9 PDF
Geography Note Booklet Grade 9 PDF
Teacher: ___________________________________
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Authors note:
Good day. Thank you for opting to use my material for your teaching process, I hope it will help
you as much to yield good results at the end of each term and year.
Please note that this note booklet is prepared according to the author’s knowledge capacity and
therefore may not be a 100% to everyone. I therefore apologize for the inconveniences this
might cause, and I advise that you edit the where necessary as to your preferences and
knowledge to suit your teaching and learners appropriately. Please feel free to contact the
author if you wish to correct the content in this note booklet, your suggestions and amendments
will openly be considered.
If you have any queries, please feel free and don’t hesitate to contact the author on the contact
details provided below. I am open to positive comments, compliments and corrections for
improvement and to build a developmental teaching relationship among us. Negative remarks
and personal attacks will however not be entertained, lets learn to be positive and improve our
teaching as a collective unit. Team work is only way to elevate.
Thank you!
Christof Mbango
+264 817760851
cembango@gmail.com
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
THEME 1: CLIMATOLOGY
1.1 WEATHER
Weather elements, instruments, measurement units and how to take measurements and
readings.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
barograph has a pen attached to the
barometer which writes the changes in
pressure of the air on a graph.
Cloud cover observation Octas, %, quarters You observe with your eyes the amount
of clouds that are occurring in the sky.
Measurements range from clear sky
with no clouds to overcast with whole
sky covered by clouds from horizon to
horizon.
WEATHER INSTRUMENTS
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Instrument Placement
Minimum and Maximum Kept in a Stevenson screen
Thermometer
Rain Gauge In an open area away from building and trees to avoid
extra water to drip into the gauge and give incorrect
measurements
Wind vane, Wind sock In an open are away from trees and buildings or high up
on top of a building where wind can blow freely, as
buildings and trees may block the wind.
Cup anemometer In an open are away from trees and buildings or high up
on top of a building where wind can blow freely, as
buildings and trees may block the wind.
Wet and dry bulb thermometer, Kept in a Stevenson screen
Hygrometer
Sunshine recorder In a n open area away from buildings, trees and any other
object that might cover the sunshine recorder and block
out the sun rays from reaching it.
Aneroid barometer, Barograph Kept in a Stevenson screen
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Analyze weather data and make calculation (average, total and range)
Average/Mean
Add all values and divide the sum by the number of values.
Example:
Temperature °C Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Minimum 13 14 16 12 12 14 11
Total
Add all figures together, the answer is the total.
Example:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Rainfall mm 10 7 1 0 4 3 9
Total rainfall: 10+7+1+0+4+3+9=34
Range
The difference between the highest and the lowest daily, monthly or yearly figures.
Example 1:
Temperature °C Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Minimum 13 14 16 12 12 14 11
Maximum 24 25 23 20 21 25 19
Temperature range: Difference between minimum and maximum temperature from Monday to
Sunday. Highest (Maximum) - Lowest (Minimum) = 25 – 11 = 14
Example 2:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Rainfall mm 10 7 1 1 4 3 9
Rainfall range: Difference between highest and lowest recorded rainfall from Monday to Sunday.
Range: 10 – 1 = 9 mm
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Presenting weather data on graphs
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Wind direction is presented on a wind rose.
draw a bar on the direction that the wind blows from every
day.
Days with no wind a are referred as calm days. The number of
calm days is written in the middle of the wind rose.
ISOLINES
CLIMATIC MAPS
A synoptic weather map shows weather patterns over a large area by putting together many
weather reports from different locations all taken at the same moment in time.
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Identify and interpret synoptic weather map symbols.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Features of a weather station model
Please note: You should know how to interpret weather station model symbols in order to
describe the weather conditions of that particular place or town represented by the station.
You should also know how to draw a weather station model using the given weather
information.
How the climate of Namibia is influenced by: latitude, altitude, high- and low-pressure
systems and, distance from the sea.
1. Latitude
Places far from the equator are cooler than places that are closer to the equator:
Places in the southern part of the country e.g. Keetmanshoop is far from the equator and
tend to be cooler than places in the northern par of Namibia e.g. Ondangwa which is
closer to the equator, tend to warmer.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
2. Altitude
Places at higher elevation are cooler than places that are at lower elevations:
Coastal places in Namibia such as Swakopmund are at lower height elevations, at 0
meters above sea level, so they are cooler than places in the interior part of Namibia such
as Windhoek which are at a higher height elevation at nearly 1500 meters above sea
level, so they are warmer.
3. Pressure systems
Places dominated by high pressure system experience clear and sunny conditions.
While places dominated by low pressure systems, experience rain and storms.
5. Ocean currents
Areas close to cold ocean currents tend to be cooler than place close to warm currents
current. Example the cold Benguela current bring cool conditions to the Namibian coast,
while the warm Indian currents, bring warm conditions to the eastern coastal areas of
Mozambique, Madagascar and South Africa
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Low Pressure system
They are called cyclones.
The value of isobars gets lower towards the center of the
system.
The air rises (ascends).
The air moves in a spiral, clockwise movement.
Associated with clouds and rain.
Reflect the characteristics of high- and low-pressure cells on the vertical diagram below.
Note: you should know how to identify on a map and to draw sketches representing vertical and
horizontal air movement in
relation to high- and low-pressure systems
TYPES OF BREEZES
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Land Breeze
Occurs during the night.
Land cools down faster than sea. Air above land
cools down faster.
Air above the sea is warmer, rises and creates a
low pressure at sea.
Warm air cools as it rises and sink over the land,
creating a high pressure on land.
Air then moves from High to low pressure, land
to sea.
Mountain breeze
Occurs during the night.
The top of the valley cools down faster than
the bottom. Airat the top of the valley cools
down and sinks to the bottom of the valey.
Bottom of valley cools down slower, and
warm air above valley bottom rises.
Low pressure forms at the bottom of the
valley and a high pressure on the mountain
side.
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BERG WIND (EAST WIND)
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THEME 2: MAPWORK
16 division direction.
Step 1: find the town/point. Step 2: On point where we are Step 3: Use a ruler to connect two
coming from draw a simple points. Determine the direction
directions compass. from point we are coming from to
point we are going to. It will be
North East.
Map interpretation: The act of understanding the geographic information shown on a map
using map symbols and keys.
Map symbols: are used to show features such as roads, campsites, buildings, monuments,
vegetation and rivers. Map symbols can be in a form of shapes, small pictures, letters, lines or
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
coloured areas. A map key or map legend is provided next to the map to explain what each
symbol means.
The following is an example how map symbols can be used:
Contour lines that show height are always brown.
Water features are always blue.
Important or main road are red.
Other roads and railway lines are black.
MAP SCALES
Map Scales shows the relation between the distance on the map distance and the corresponding
distance on the earth’s surface
Word scale
Ratio scale
Linear scale
A word scale expresses the scale in words or statement for example one centimeter to one
kilometer. This means 1 cm on the map represents 1 km on the ground.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
A ratio scale uses numbers to express the distance, e.g. the word scale of 1 cm to 1 km
converted to ratio scale will be 1: 100 000. This is because in 1 km there is 100 000 cm = 100
000 cm = 1 km.
A linear scale consists of a line, divided into primary units to the right and secondary units to
the left of the zero (0):
Converting scales
Keep in mind!
There are: To convert from
1 000 000 mm in 1 km mm to km you ÷ by 1 000 000
100 000 cm in 1 km cm to km you ÷ by 100 000
1 000 m in 1 km m to km you ÷ by 1 000
100 cm in 1 m cm to m you ÷ by 100
1 000 mm in 1 m mm to m you ÷ by 1 000
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
1:500 000 1:20 000
500 000 20 000
1 cm - 100 000 (1 km = 100 000 cm) 1 cm - 1 000 50 x 1000 (1 km = 1000 m)
1 cm - 5 km 1 cm - 20 m
1 cm on the map represents 5 km on the 1 cm on the map represents 20 m on the
ground. ground.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Using a ratio scale
To use the ratio scale, you must understand the following formula:
Map distance is the distance in centimeters or milimeters that you measure onm ther map. You
then multiply that by the scale, which is the number after the colon on the ratio scale (Do not use
the number before the colon). You then divide the answer by 100 000 to convert it from
centimeters to kilometers.
Example:
Map distance: 1.5 cm
Scale: 1:60 000 000
1.5 x 60 000 000
Ratio scale = = 900 𝑘𝑚
1 00 000
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
CONTOUR MAPS
Contour lines: lines that join or connect places of the same height above sea level.
Keep in mind!
Contour lines can never cross over each other, they can only touch each other which
indicates a cliff. But this can be a waterfall only if a river runs through the vertical slope
or cliff.
When contour lines are close together, they indicate a steep slope. When they are far
apart, they indicate a gentle or gradual slope.
Contour Interval: Is the difference between two contour lines.
Height on contour map is indicated by spot heights, trigonometric beacon and the
numbers in meters above sea level on the contour line
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Different types of landforms indicated by contour lines
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Study the contour map below to which shows how the contour landforms are presented on
a contour map. Identify these landforms and slopes.
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Drawing a cross-section of a contour map (topographic profile)
INTER-VISIBILITY
The state or fact of being visible.
You will need to determine inter-visibility between two points on a contour map. If a point is
visible to another point, we say there is inter-visibility. And if the two points are not visible to
each other, there is no inter-visibility.
Steps:
1. Draw a cross section of the two points you are asked to determine inter-visibility.
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2. On the cross section, draw a straight line from point to point to see if the line meets or
connects to the other point with no obstruction in the middle.
3. If the line is obstructed, there is no inter-visibility. If the line is not obstructed, there is inter-
visibility.
The diagram below, shows you the he steps.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
For instance, point A’s latitude will be given in west and longitude in north. (40°, 00’ W; 90°,
00’ N) Point B, Latitude in south and longitude in east (20°, 00’ S; 30, 00’ E).
Signs used in location Keep in mind the following:
° = Degrees 1° = 60’
‘= Minutes 1’ = 60”
“= Seconds
The degree grid is divided into smaller squares called minutes, and a minute grid into smaller
squares called seconds. Meaning, there are 60’ (minutes) in one degree and 6” (seconds) in one
minute.
Steps in finding location.
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Practice on this task
PHOTOGRAPHS
We have 3 types of photographs:
1. Horizntal photpgraphs /Ground level photographs
2. Oblique photpgraphs
2.1. Low oblique photpgraphs
2.2. High Oblique photpgraphs
3. Vertical photpgraphs
Identify them, give their advantages and disadvantages, as well as be able to identify man-made
and natural features that you canfind n them.
Horizontal photographs: Photographs taken at ground level.
Advantages:
It shows a lot of details (information)
Disadvantages:
It shows a small area
Objects in foreground block out objects in background
Objects in foreground appear larger than objects in
background
Photograph cannot be used to draw maps.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Oblique Photographs: Photographs taken from a high vantage point at a tilted angle.
1. Low Oblique: Photographs taken from a high vantage point with the horizon (where the
sky and earth meet) not visible.
Advantages:
They show a large area
They show much information, but less details.
Disadvantages:
Some areas in the background are blocked out
by objects in te foreground.
Objects in the foregroung appear larger than
objects in background.
They cannot be used for map drawing.
2. High oblique: Photographs taken at a high vantage point with the horizon visible.
Advantages
They cover a large area
They show a lot of information
Disadvantages:
Shows less details in the foreground
Objects in forground bloc out objects in
background.
They cannot be used for map drawing.
Vertical / Aerial photographs: Photographs taken from above from an aero plane at a vertical
angle down.
Advantages:
There are no hidden areas or information
They show a lot of information
They can be used to draw maps.
Disadvantages:
Heights and surface slopes are not easy to
identify
A lot of experience is needed to be able to
obtain information from these types of
photographs.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Expensive equipment s needed to take these
photographs.
Natural features: These are features that occurred naturally and not built by humans. They
appear in irregular and skewed shapes in photographs, such as rivers, mountains and trees.
Man-made features: These are features that are made or built by humans. They appear in
regular and uniform shapes in photographs, such as roads, Buildings, and electricity lines
ISOLINES
Lines that connect places of equal value on map.
Rules:
Isolines do not cross over each other.
Isolines only connect the same value (number), one line cannot connect two values.
They separate bigger from smaller numbers/values.
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Example:
1. Draw the isotherms that connect 19°C and 21°C on the map
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
THEME 3: ECOLOGY
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Effects of farming methods that causes deforestation and desertification
Poor ploughing techniques
Overgrazing
Over-use of ground water
No crop rotation
No fallow seasons
Farming marginal or unsuitable land
Over-cropping
Over irrigation
Over-use of pesticides
Over-use of fertilizers
Deforestation
The cutting down of trees faster than they can regrow back or without replacing them.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Decreased supply of oxygen
Loss of land and homes of indigenous people.
Increase of soil erosion.
Solutions to problems (deforestation)
Using other material for building e.g. bricks
Using solar renewable sources of energy for power e.g. Solar power. Not wood.
Planting more trees after cutting down one.
Use correct methods of farming
Implement and Enforce strict measure over buying land and selling wood.
Desertification
The spreading of a deserts due to a change in climatic condition caused by human activities.
Desertification: When an area is becoming more and more like a desert caused by human.
Desertisation: When an area is becoming more and more like a desert caused by nature.
Causes of desertification
Over -cultivation
Deforestation
Overgrazing
Poor irrigation
Overpopulation
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Prevent soil erosion
Plant more trees
Use solar power for energy.
Bush encroachment
The unnatural increase in bush at the expenses of other forms of vegetation.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
OVERPOPULATION
Overpopulation is too many people for the natural resources to sustain
POLLUTION
The activities of humans that poison the land water and air.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Solutions to Air pollution
Fit catalytic converters on cars
Fit scrubbers on factory chimneys
Use renewable sources of energy such as solar power to avoid burning wood
Educate and create awareness on air pollution.
Use CFCs free products
Air pollution also causes two phenomenon that are harmful to the environment:
ACID RAIN AND GLOBAL WARMING
ACID RAIN
Toxic Rain, whereby water vapor in the atmosphere mixes with gasses such as Sulphur, carbon
and nitrogen oxides.
Causes of Acid rain:
Release of Sulphur, carbon and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels into the
atmosphere.
Effects of Acid rain:
Kills crops, and animals
May cause skin burns and diseases
Can destroy forests
Soil weakens and disturbed in appropriate PH levels
Solutions to Acid rain
Reduce emissions of harmful gasses into the atmosphere from vehicles and industries
Use renewable energy
Plant more trees
Recycle and re-use products
GLOBAL WARMING
The average increase in the earth’s temperature.
Causes of Global warming:
Burning of fossil fuels and vegetation which release huge amounts of carbon dioxide into
the atmosphere.
Using products that release Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that destroy the ozone layer,
such as fridges, aerosol cans and air-conditioners w
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Effects of global warming:
Polar ice caps melt.
Wildlife lose their natural habitats
Water from melting will cause sea levels to rise, and low-lying coasts will be flooded
Climates will change, some places will have rain than others will have less.
Climate change destroys crops
Climate change may cause some plants and animals species o die out
LAND POLLUTION:
Caused by littered materials e.g. bottles, plastics, tins etc.
Causes of Land pollution
Littering
Land fills
Effects of land pollution
Can kill animal; fish and birds
Can cause spreading diseases.
it can spoil the landscape
Some waste material takes long to decompose
Chemicals can be washed into water systems
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
WATER POLLUTION
Caused by contaminating water sources.
Cause of water pollution
Oil from tankers
Fertilizers can be washed into water systems
Mines, industries and agricultural pesticides pollute
dams, rivers and lakes.
Effects of water
Polluted water kills fish and birds and animals
Water life threatened by this pollution
Wafer pollution causes diseases like typhoid and cholera.
Solutions to water pollution
Implement strict measure on water pollution
Educate and create awareness on water pollution.
Treat sewage before disposing it.
Solution to pollution
Keep environment clean (do not litter)
Take scrap metal to scrap metal dealers
Recycle materials like glass, plastic cans etc.
Use natural refuse to fill hollow
Use solar power instead of wood.
Provide rural area with taps and Sanitation-
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
THEME 4: GEOMORPHOLOGY
Geomorphology: Is the study of the physical or natural features of the surface of the earth.
Each plate has border or the edges known as plate boundaries or plate margin (where two plates
meet).
Plate Boundaries of the world
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Note:
Distinguish between divergent, convergent and shear plate boundaries;
Recognize and locate on a map the major land forms such as mid-oceanic ridges,
volcanic island arcs, fold mountain ranges and deep-sea trenches
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
The heavier oceanic plate sinks (subducts) under the lighter continental plate into the
mantle.
Folds
Fold: A fold is when the rocks bent.
Folding always takes place in sedimentary rocks beneath the earth surface.
Types of folds
1. Monoclonal fold: Stress (force) only from one side.
2. Symmetrical open fold: Equal force from both side but not too much.
3. Symmetrical closed fold: Too much force, equally from both sides.
4. Asymmetrical over-fold: Pressure from both side but stronger from one side.
5. Asymmetrical overthrust fold: Force from one side and very strong cause the
layers to break.
1. Monoclonal fold: Stress (force) only from 2. Symmetrical open fold: Equal force from
one side both side but not too much.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
3. Symmetrical closed fold: Too much 4. Asymmetrical over-fold: Pressure from
force, equally from both sides. both side but stronger from one side.
EARTHQUAKES
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Measuring an earthquake
Structure of an earthquake
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The relationship between earthquakes and plate boundaries:
Earthquakes occur at plate boundaries, because this is where the plates move, and these
movements cause earthquakes.
Tsunami: This is when an earthquake occurs on the sea floor. This causes a huge sea wave that
heads to shore.
VOLCANOES
This is a mountain build up by the release of materials like lava, ash, gas and also fire from
opening in the earth crust
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Note: Draw a sketch of the structure of a simple volcano.
Volcano structure
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Global distribution of volcanoes;
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Exfoliation
This is when the rock breaks as a result of expansion and contraction because of hot or
cold.
a) Frost shattering
This happens when water fills the cracks in rocks.
During the night the water freezes and expands.
During the day water melts.
The constant freezing and melting deepen and widens cracks causing rock to
breaks into pieces.
b) Granular disintegration
This is breaking of rocks into smaller pieces due to expanding and
contraction.
Rocks contain different minerals that makes them weathered differently.
Chemical weathering
Chemical structure of rock changes. Occurs in humid areas with rainfall, as water plays a major
role in this type of weathering. Occurs through the processes of oxidation, carbonation and
dissolution
a) Oxidation: When oxygen in the atmosphere combines with the iron minerals in the rock
and weathering process starts.
b) Carbonation: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere combines with water to form a weak
acid which weather the rock.
c) Dissolution: This is when rock, especially limestone, is dissolved when it comes into
contact with acid water.
Biological weathering: Weathering of rocks caused by the action of plants and animals.
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Plants:
The roots of plants often grow into cracks in rocks.
As the roots get bigger and thicker, they force the cracks to widen and eventually small
parts of rocks splinter off.
Plants roots also secrete a weak acid that can cause rocks to dissolve.
Animals:
Animals like moles, Meer cats, insects and earthworms dig holes and tunnels into the
soil.
In doing so the soil deep down is brought to the surface where it becomes exposed to
weathering.
Erosion
Agents of erosion
Wind
Water
Wind Water
Deflation: Wind pick up light particles for long Running water: Particles moved to new
distance. place by
running water.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Abrasion: When rock surface destroyed by Oceans: Ocean currents and waves move
moving materials
particles during transportation. along the coast.
Attrition: Small particles bump against each other Moving Ice: Moving ice carry a lot of
and materials.
become rounded
Saltation: Heavy particles lifted and carried long
distance
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THEME 5: ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
CROP FARMING
(a) Mahangu
It is grown mostly in communal farms in northern Namibia, between
Okavango and Kunene river cuvelai flood plains.
It is a drought resistant crop that can grow in unfavorable soil conditions,
intense heat and as well in moist conditions.
(b) Maize
Grown on commercial farms in the areas of Otavi, Tsumeb, Grootfontein
known as the maize triangle, as well as on the Caprivi strip.
It is crop that needs water, that’s why it is grown in the maize triangle which
has a large amount of underground water for irrigation.
Maize can be stored for long periods to feed livestock during dry seasons.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
FISHING
Fishing grounds of Namibia along the coast are influenced by the Cold Benguela currents
that bring cold waters from the Antarctica which is rich in oxygen and nutrients which
are perfect conditions for fish. Fish is exported to bring in large amount of foreign
income. It is also sold in the country for consumption.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
MINING
(a) Uranium
It is mined at Rossing Uranium mine, 65 km east of Swakopmund, in the
Namib desert. It is the largest open cast uranium mine and supplies 6% of the
world’s uranium demand.
The mine uses a huge quantity of water for chemicals and dust and radiation
control.
Uranium is used for nuclear power stations to generate electricity, and to
produce nuclear weapons of mass destruction.
Uranium contributes 10% to Namibia’s GDP. The mine also employs a large
number of people up to 4000.
(b) Diamonds
Diamond is mined in the south west of Namibia, along the coast between
Lüderitz and the Orange river. which is controlled by Namdeb Diamond
Corporation.
It is used for jewellery and for industrial purposes to cut glass and other hard
materials, and in drill bits that dig deep into the earth crust.
Diamond mining provides employment to over 1300 employees.
TRANSPORT
1. Trans-Caprivi Highway
It connects Namibia with
Botswana, Zambia and
Zimbabwe from Rundu through
Caprivi to Katima Mulilo and
through the Sesheke bridge to
other countries. and links
international and regional trade
between the countries as well as
the Walvis bay harbor.
It promotes tourism between
countries between countries.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
2. Trans-Kalahari Highway:
Links Namibia and Botswana and
shortens the route between
Namibia and Johannesburg by 400
km running through Gobabis and
crosses the border at Buitepos and
Mamuno.
Shortens Botswana’s route to its
imports and exports through the
Walvis bay port.
3. Rail road:
Was built to enable the colonial regime
South Africa to export out minerals such
as Copper and Diamonds from mining
towns of Namibia, Tsumeb,
Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Oranjemund and
stretching to the port of Walvis Bay for
goods imported into the country.
After independence the railroad was
extended to Ondangwa and Oshikango.
Advantages disadvantages
Cheap to transport goods and Very slow
people. Does not reach out to all parts of
the country.
4. air transport:
Namibia’s main international airport is
The Hosea Kuutako International Airport
located 30 km east of Windhoek. The
Main airline is Air Namibia.
Air Namibia has domestic routes to
several towns in Namibia, Ondangwa,
Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay, and
Oranjemund. International routes to
countries in Europe, South Africa,
Nigeria, and Mozambique.
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Advantages disadvantages
Fast – reaching destination will Expensive (many cannot
be fast afford)
Lack of trained air traffic
officials.
5. Ocean/Water transport:
Namibia has two main ports: Port of Walvis Bay which is the biggest and
handles more goods because it has deep water which allows big ships to dock
there off-load and on-load. While Lüderitz is smaller and handles less goods
because it has shallow water, only small ships can dock there to off-load and
on-load goods.
Advantages disadvantages
Cheap to transport goods. Very slow.
Poor Accessibility
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Advantages of tourism:
Disadvantages of Tourism
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
(c) Infrastructure
Namibia has little infrastructure, especially on transport networks. These
networks need to be maintained and looked after for imports and exports.
Competition in air transport industry could help reduce flight prices and this will
encourage more tourism.
(e) Education
Namibia does not have enough skilled labour, due to high school dropout.
There is a shortage of qualified teachers.
Few accredited tertiary institutions, Unam and Polytechnic (NUST) of Namibia.
Namcol offers grade 10 and 12 open learning distance education.
To solve this problem, government and companies need to encourage internships,
encourage people to study Science and commerce by providing scholarships.
(f) Population
Namibia has a small population which has doubled three twice since the 1960s
and still increasingly at fast rate. T
This has leads to a huge demand and strain on the natural resources and on the
government and services such as health care, education and food.
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THEME 6: POPULATION GEOGRAPHY
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Identify on a map major population cluster world wide
Number 1: East Asia includes China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
Number 2: Indian subcontinents, includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Number 3: Europe, includes areas like UK, Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands and
Belgium
Number 4: East coast of North America
Number 5: is the Nile valley
Number 6: is the Western coast of Africa includes Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ivory Coast
Namibia is highly populated in the northern parts of the country, mainly in Ohangwena
and northern parts of Oshana and Omusati regions.
The capital city is as well populated in central Namibia. Other clusters are at the coastal
towns of Walvis bay and Swakopmund, far north east in Katima Mulilo, and down south
in Keetmanshoop.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
POPULATION PYRAMID
They show information about the total population, divided by age groups, number of people in
each age group and gender.
Age groups:
Youth group: People under the age 14. Economically inactive, they do not work as they are too
young. Depend on adult group. Usually large group in developing countries because of high birth
rate.
Adults: People between ages of 15 and 64. Most economically active as they are the working
class. They support the two groups, the youth and elderly age groups.
The elderly/Old age: People that are 65 and older. They depend on the adult group as they no
longer work, they are retired. Larger group in developed countries because of higher life
expectancy.
Wide base – High birth rate, high Narrow base – Low birth rate, most
infant mortality babies survive to the next age group.
Narrow top – Low life expectancy Dependent ratio – Youth number is
Dependent ratio – large number of almost equal to the adult group.
youths depend on much smaller Life expectancy is high
number of adult groups
POPULATION GROWTH
Rapid growth of the world population since 1960
The world’s population growth since the 1960’s has doubled from 2.5 billion people to 6 billion,
due to the fast-economic developments of cities, countries and various services as well as the fast
advancements of technology, which all allow more safer births and increasing life expectancy of
people.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Population growth in Namibia since 1960
Namibia’s population in the 1950’s was 434 081, which increased by nearly doubling to 746 327
in 1970. The population was then expected to double again by the year 2000, but the 1991
national census showed that the population had already doubled, with the growth rate is 2.6 %.
Namibia currently has a population of 2 587 801 at a growth rate of 2.13% with a life
expectancy of 65 years. (world population review 2018)
Patterns of growth in different regions of Namibia
The southern regions of Namibia have been growing at a very low rate, were in some areas it has
been reported to have a negative growth rate. The northern regions have the highest growth rate
of up to 22.7%. while the central parts of the country such as Windhoek has the highest growth
due to urbanization.
Comparing the Namibian situation with a developed and a developing nation
Developing countries are classified to have a high population growth rate and a decreasing
mortality rate. classified as a developing country. Whereas developed countries have low or
declining birth rates. However, Namibia’s situation does not favorably compare with that of a
developed country, as we have a high and rising birth rate, and therefore, this classifies Namibia
as a developing country.
Cities with more than a million inhabitants In Africa.
Cape Town – South Africa Johannesburg - South Africa Kinshasa - DRC
Nairobi - Kenya Lagos – Nigeria Accra - Ghana
Abidjan – Ivory Coast Casablanca - Morocco Algiers – Tunisia
Alexandria - Egypt Cairo – Egypt Elgiza - Egypt
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Reasons for rapid Population growth
Food Production Distribution.
Improvement in Public Health.
Conquest of Disease.
Life expectancy is increasing. Infant, childhood and young adult mortality is decreasing.
This all feeds into a longer average life.
Religious promotion of large families and avoidance of birth control.
Ignorance about birth control, the environment, the economy and more.
In the past few hundred years traditional ways of life, herbal birth control and traditional
medicine were all disrupted by colonial empires.
War men demand (World War 2 – Germany).
Many governments simply don’t do enough to promote sex education, birth control,
children’s rights, welfare or other basic social policies.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Countries with economic and political more important than having a big
stability have a higher birth rate family and so people have fewer
Better job opportunities will help children.
people to afford more children During a war, birth rates decrease.
Some traditions allow polygamy-One Children are expensive to raise and
husband may have many wives, and costs parents a lot of money
thus many children. Governments might discourage large
In countries with a small population, families to save the cost of building
the government might encourage more schools, etc.
people to have more children.
Mortality (deaths in a country): Mortality rate – number of people per thousand who die each
year.
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑠
Formula: MR= × 1000
total population
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
POPULATION MOVEMENTS
Migration: the movement of people from one country to another, or to and from different places
within a country. Immigration: movement of people into a country from another. Emigration:
movement of people out of a country to another.
𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛−𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Formula: FR= × 1000
total population
BENEFITS PROBLEMS
Rural-urban migration
Migrants send money back home in Grandparents are left to raise the
rural areas. children and take care of agricultural
Better living standards for those who fields.
get employed in urban areas and Overcrowding of cities,
families in rural areas.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Large populations put pressure on
existing services and resources (water,
housing, schools, health care etc.)
increasing unemployment, poverty,
crime, prostitution and diseases.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Politically unstable countries, such as Better housing and general living
those fighting a civil war. conditions.
Not enough facilities like schools,
hospitals, entertainment etc.
Overcrowding in cities, pollution and
increase in crime.
Crop failure because of over
cultivation.
Mechanization(machinery) replaces
farm workers.
Rapid population growth creates: unemployment, housing shortage, lack of food, crime, shanty
towns, prostitution, overcrowding of busses, poor sanitation, strain on services such as water and
electricity and poor medical care. It also puts pressure on natural resources such as: water,
wood for fuel, wildlife, land for farming and fish.
Dependency ratio: The youth and the old age group people who depend or rely on the adult age
group for survival and care.
𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 (𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 15)+𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 (𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 65)
Formula: adult group (15−16)
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
antiretroviral drugs should be sufficiently supplied to all medical care centers and in rural
areas for access to all who are on treatment of the virus, to suppress the virus and stop the
progression of HIV into AIDS.
Although these drugs will not cure the virus, it helps people with HIV live longer and
healthier lives.
Promotion of Gender equality:
Educating everyone, male and female, will make people aware of the virus and know
how to protect themselves as well as the treatments.
Provision of Social services schemes to orphans:
Orphans should be taken care of by provision of food, clothing, counselling and
education through programmes to support them.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
THEME 7: REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
Neighboring countries: This are countries that share the same border with Namibia. They are:
Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
(geographic areas that share distinct properties like landforms, rock type, and evolutionary
history)
Namibia has four physiographic regions:
The Namib Desert or coastal plain: The area of lowland bordering the ocean. it runs
from the Kunene river down to the Orange river along the coast.
The escarpment: Is formed by mountains and mountain ranges. It is the rise in elevation
of the profile.
The central plateau: A fairly flat, high lying area. It rises above 1000 meters above sea
level, north to south in the central part of Namibia.
Basin: An area enclosed by higher land with or without an outlet to the sea. In Namibia
we have
(a) The Kalahari basin which is flat and in the eastern side of Namibia and
Kalahari
(b) Etosha basins up northern Namibia, as well as rivers and mountains.
basin
The physiographic regions also show the drainage system of Namibia, the rivers, both:
(a) Perennial rivers: Rivers with that flow water throughout the year (permanent water) and
(b) Non-perennial/ephemeral: Rivers that flow occasionally after sufficient heavy rainfall.
The perennial rivers are Kunene, Kavango, Zambezi and Orange rivers. Some of the
Non-perennial rivers are the Kuiseb and Swakop rivers.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Drainage system of Namibia
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Identify the following vegetation regions on a Namibian map:
Desert
Mopane savannah
Semi-desert
Dwarf shrub savannah
Thorn bush/mountain savannah
Shrub/camel thorn savannah
Three savannah/woodland
Very little vegetation occurs along the coastal plain hence the climate and vegetation of
succulent plants and thorn trees that a drought resistant, such as the Welwistchia plant. The
central to the eastern and northern has more plants, from tall grass to tree savanna and woodlands
with plants such as Marula due to sufficient rainfall. The southern part has a temperate savanna
with shorter grass and dwarf shrub savanna with fewer tress such as the Kookerboom (Quiver
tree).
NAMIBIAN CLIMATE
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
areas dominated by low pressure systems tend to be wet and receive more rainfall, because low
pressure systems consist of warm moist air which results in cloud formation which bear rainfall.
Distance from the sea: Places close to the sea are cooler in summer and warm in winter, while
places far from the sea are warmer in summer and colder in winter. This is because the land
heats up faster than water. In winter, land loses heat quickly and inland areas become colder,
while water loses its heat slowly and coastal areas become warm.
Cold Benguela Current: The cold Benguela current from the south pole brings in colder water
from the south pole, lowering the temperatures at the coast during summer.
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Customs tariffs may scare off potential investors
Members may not introduce tariffs on imports to protect own industries against other
countries.
Merits (Benefits)
Duty free access to trade market
Foreign investments
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum
Member State Responsibility
Namibia Marine fisheries and resources
Zambia Mining
Malawi Inland fisheries, forestry and wildlife
Angola Energy
Tanzania Industry and trade
Mozambique Transport and communication, culture and information
Botswana Agricultural research, livestock production and animal
disease control.
Lesotho Environment, land management and water resources
Zimbabwe Food, agriculture and natural resources.
South Africa Finance and investment.
Swaziland Human resources
Mauritius Tourism
Challenges and problems
Political and economic instability of some member states e.g. DRC, Zimbabwe
Regular droughts or other natural disaster in some member states.
Low and unstable prices for raw materials exported by members states.
Low and unstable prices of manufactured goods imported by members.
High population growth rates
High rate of HIV/AIDS infection and many AIDS orphans.
Lack of investments capital
Lack of skilled workers
~END OF SYLLABUS~
ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR EXAMS!!!
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Geography notes grade 9 revised curriculum