Republic of Zambia

GEORGRAPHY
HIGH SCHOOL SYLLABUS

GRADES 10 - 12

Curriculum Development Centre

P.O. Box 50092
RIDGEWAY
LUSAKA

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Preface

This syllabus was designed against the background of the localisation of the School
Certificate Examinations.

The content of the syllabus was compiled after consultations with teachers and other
stakeholders in the field. The content emphasizes the Geography of Zambia, Africa south
of the Sahara and the world at large. Population and settlements studies, natural and
human environmental issues are also emphasized as well as possible solutions such issues
bring.

The syllabus also focus on physical, economic, social and political forces currently
evolving in Africa, south of the Sahara. These new developments have deeply affected
the sub-region.

The syllabus includes a section on fieldwork (project). Project work is compulsory and no
learner will be allowed to write the final examinations without fieldwork. Fieldwork will
encourage learners to think logically, interpret and evaluate statistical data, graphs and
tables. Learners are also expected to read and interpret topographical maps to the scale of
either 1: 50 000 or 1: 250 000. Learners will acquire skills and knowledge through direct
observations within the environment in order for them to make valid and reliable
conclusions.

S.M. Kasanda (Dr)

PERMANENT SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

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Aims of the syllabus

The syllabus presents a course of study which will allow candidates to acquire skills,
knowledge, appreciation and application of the principles related to the;

 Basic geographical character of the learner’s local environment;

 Systematic geography of the “home” area as part of a more general study of a

wider region of which the “home” area is part;

 Major issues of geographical nature arising from people’s relationships with the
environment;

 Provision of opportunities for every person to acquire values, attitudes, skills and
commitment needed to protect and improve the environment and

 Creation of new patterns of positive behaviour of individuals, groups and society

towards the environment.

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Introduction

The topics in this syllabus are related to the “home area” (Zambia). Areas of study will
include COMESA/SADC countries. These include: Angola, Kenya, Malawi, South
Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe.

Format of Examination

The syllabus is based in the assumption that not less than four teaching periods of forty
minutes each per week, over a period of three years will be allocated. One period will be
allocated to map work every fortnight. Candidates should offer Papers 1, 2 and Paper 3
Field Project. Only metric units will be used for temperature, rainfall, altitude and
distance.

Paper1 (1hour 30mins). 40% of the total marks for the subject will be allocated to this
paper. Candidates must attempt all questions. The paper will consist of multiple-choice
test of 50 items. The paper will be constructed as follows:

Syllabus Section Number of Questions

Section A
12 questions based on topographical map
Map work: Basic techniques and skills of either 1:50 000 or 1: 125 000
Section B
20 questions based on physical features,
Elements of Physical Geography climate and vegetation
Section C
18 questions based on human and
Elements of Human Geography economic geography of the world
Total 50 (40%)

Paper 2 (2 hours). This paper will carry 48% of the total marks for the subject. Twelve
questions will be set. Candidates must answer four questions (4 x 12 marks), one question
from each section: D, E and F and the fourth one from any of the three sections.

Syllabus Section Number of questions

Section D
Zambia
Section E
Sub-region
Section F
Settlement and population studies with
reference to Zambia and sub-region
Section G

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Field Project

Field Project: Candidates will be required to write a field project report which will carry
12 % of total marks for the subject.

Scope of the Syllabus

Section A: Map work.

Basic Techniques and Skills

 Interpretation of topographical maps on a scale of either 1:50 000 or 1: 25 000.
Grid references, Conventional Signs, Gradients, Measurement of distances and
area, Bearings and directions. Description of relief and drainage, land use,
Settlement patterns, Communications and the inter-relationships between these
features.
 Simple interpretation of sources of information such as diagrams, maps, graphs
charts and statistics (in appropriate cases, these may be related to topographical
maps)
 Calculation of Latitude, Longitude, Time and angle of sun’s elevation

Section B: Elements of Physical Geography

 Earth as a planet and its structure
 Landforms resulting from earth movements: folding, faulting, volcanic activity
and earth quakes
 Weathering in tropical and temperate regions
 River processes (erosion, transportation and deposition) and resulting landforms.
The development of river valleys, flood plains and deltas. Impact of human
activities in water catchment areas
 Weather study based on local observations and use of weather instruments. Basic
cloud formation, relief, convectional and frontal rainfall. The study of the
formation, structure and effect of tropical and temperate storms (hurricanes or
cyclones, tornadoes, typhoons and whirl winds).
 Major characteristics of climate and natural vegetation in: equatorial, savanna,
desert and temperate zones
 Natural environmental hazards: floods; duststorms, drought, earthquakes,
avalanches, rockfalls, landslides, volcanic eruptions and tropical storms. Positive
and negative effects, forecasting and possible solutions

Section C: Elements of Human Geography

 Distribution and characteristics of major farming types: Shifting cultivation,
Semi-permanent cultivation, Mixed farming, Intensive and extensive farming,
Plantation and livestock farming

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  Distribution, extraction, transportation and uses of sources of fuel and energy:
Coal; oil; natural gas, hydro-power, solar; geo-thermal and nuclear energy
 Location and importance of world major Iron and Steel Industries
 World population (developed and developing countries) distribution, size, growth,
future trends, structure (pyramids) and change. Population factors, causes, effects
and impacts, carrying capacity, population problems and possible solutions
 Human environmental hazards: unplanned settlements, Green-house effect,
Pollution (air, water, biological, noise and land), Ozone layer depletion, waste
disposal, monitoring and possible solutions

Section D: Zambia
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Energy sources, Processing and
Manufacturing industries, Transport and Communications, Wildlife and Tourism.

Agriculture
 Land tenure systems: traditional and state land
 Commercial farming: intensive and extensive
 Subsistence farming
 Emergent farming
 Food production and the environment

Forestry
 Location and distribution of forests, Importance, Deforestation, Afforestation and
Re-afforestation

Fishing
 Location of major fisheries
 Types of fish
 Fishing methods
 Fish processing and fish products
 Factors that influence fish exploitation
 Threats to sustainable fishing and possible solutions
 Fish farming and hatcheries

Mining
 Location and distribution of:
1. Copper
2. Coal
3. Cobalt
4. Gypsum and gemstones
5. Other minerals

 Contribution to the national economy

 Mining and the environment

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  Environmental impacts and possible solutions

Energy and power

 Factors affecting the location and development of power stations for:
1. Hydro-electric
2. Thermal
3. Solar
4. Wind
5. Biogas

 Generation and trade in energy and power within the region (SADC and
COMESA countries)
 Environmental impact of energy and power development

Transport and Communication

 Types of transport and communication (Rail, Road, Water and Air)
 Challenges of poor transport and communication systems
 Possible solutions

Processing and Manufacturing Industries

 Difference between processing and manufacturing industries
 Factors affecting location and development of industries with reference to raw
materials, power, human resources, transport and government policy
 Effects of government policy on processing and manufacturing industries
(Liberalization and privatization of industries).

Wildlife and Tourism

 Importance of wildlife
 Government policy on wildlife and tourism
 Location of major tourism attractions
 Positive and negative impact of large scale tourism on receiving areas
 Potential threats to tourism
 Management and sustainable use of natural resources and heritage sites
 New forms of tourism

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Section E: Sub-region
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Energy and power, Processing and
Manufacturing industries, Transport and communication, Tourism with reference
to Angola, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of
Congo.

Agricultural Studies
 Small subsistence farming (Zimbabwe)
 Large scale commercial (estate) farming confined to sugar (South Africa), tea
(Malawi) and Coffee (Kenya)
 Large scale cereal production confined to maize South African veld), rice
(Malawi) and wheat (Zimbabwe)

Forestry
 Location of forest resources
 Factors influencing exploitation of forests
 Methods of extraction
 Forests and forest products
 Trade in forest products
 Sustainable use and management of forests

Fishing
 Location of major fisheries confined to Namibia and South Africa
 Types of fish
 Fishing methods
 Factors influencing fish exploitation
 Fish processing and trade
 Environmental problems (water pollution and over fishing), local and foreign
fishing fleets
 Possible solutions

Mining
 Petroleum and natural gas (Angola)
 Coal (Zimbabwe)
 Gold (South Africa)
 Diamond (Democratic Republic of Congo)
 Iron ore (Zimbabwe)
 Impact of mining on the environment

Energy and power

 Hydro-power production and importance
 Factors affecting location and development of hydro-power stations (Kariba,
Cabbora basa, Inga). Choose only two schemes

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  Energy needs in the sub-region
 Impact on the construction of dams and power stations on the environment\

Transport and Communication

 Importance
 Major transport and communication networks in the region
 Prospects for landlocked countries
 Impact of transport and communication development on the environment

Processing and Manufacturing Industries

 Factor affecting location of industries with reference to raw materials, power,
labour supply, markets, capital and transport
 Iron and steel manufacturing (Zimbabwe or South Africa)
 Petroleum refining (Angola)
 One assembly industry (South Africa or Kenya)
 One agricultural processing industry (Malawi)
 Impact of processing and manufacturing industries on the environment

Wildlife and Tourism (Comparative study of Kenya and South Africa)

 Location of National Parks and tourist attractions
 Factors affecting growth and development of tourism in the region
 Importance of wildlife and tourism
 Challenges and prospects in the tourism in industry
 Possible solutions

Section F: Population studies with special reference to Zambia

Population and settlement studies

 Growth, structure(age and sex composition), distribution, density, migration
(National and international) population policies and programmes
 Impact of rapid population growth on social services provision (sanitation,
housing, health, education and other services)
 Settlement types and origins
 Rural settlements (layout and land use patterns) and factors that affect them
 Challenges of rural life ( poverty, food security, transport and communication,
social services provision
 Location of urban settlements
 Internal structure of towns, urban morphology, urban spheres of influence
 Spread and development of urban settlements
 Problems and consequences of urban life (traffic congestion, water and sanitation,
pollution of air, water, land and noise pollution, housing, crime, waste disposal
 Possible solutions

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Section G: Field Project
Field Project is an integral part of geographical studies. As such, Field project experience
should be cited whenever relevant to any part of this syllabus. Field project question will
require basic knowledge and understanding of field investigations. It will allow schools
flexibility to study and appreciate local geographical phenomena, physical, social and
economic development in the areas schools are located. Emphasis should be on
practicals, direct observations, recording, assessment and analysis rather than on pre-
printed materials and other handouts.
In order to attempt field project questions, candidates will be expected to have studied
some of the following aspect of geography:
 Rural land use zones, farm studies and land use transects
 Urban settlement characteristics: site, development, land use zones, transect and
spheres of influence
 Local industries
 Traffic studies: simple network analysis, flow patterns, movement of commuters
and tourists
 Impact of human activities upon a small area, waste disposal, dereliction and
reclamation
 Development of a river and its valley including measurement of velocity, depth,
width, load, process of erosion and deposition, catchment area or any aspect of a
water system for example, canal dam, swamp dambo
 Examination of soils with particular reference to collection and analysis of soil
profile samples, soil forming process, inter-relationships with vegetation and land
use
 Weather studies: observation, collection recording and use of weather data,
weather instruments
 Local population: its structure, distribution and density
 Local land forms: hills, escarpments, gorges, ridges, valleys etc

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 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

TOPIC SPECIFIC OUTCOMES CONTENT

SECTION A  Read simple charts, maps and  Maps, charts and pictures
pictures  Direction, bearing, grid
MAPWORK: BASIC  Read and interpret reference, conventional signs,
TECHNIQUES AND topographic maps either at 1: gradient, measurement of
SKILLS 50 000 or 1: 25 000 distances and areas
 Orientate map features to  Calculation of latitude and
ground features longitude
 Measure real distances of  Scale, relief and drainage
objects in the field patterns, land use patterns,
Interpretation of  Translate real distances into settlement patterns
topographical maps map distances  Communications: roads,
 Draw a sketch map according railways, air strips, airports
to chosen scale and aerodromes, waterways
 Identify human aspects on
charts, maps and pictures
 Describe/interpret
information on a map, chart
or picture
 Relate human activities to
relief and drainage
 Draw and interpret sketch
maps of settlement patterns
 Identify vegetation and land
use types
 Account for observed
vegetation and land use
patterns
 Statistical tables related to
Sketch maps and diagrams  Identify and represent
topographical maps, cross
variables on a graphical axis
sections
 Draw sketch maps from
 Topographical maps,
topographical maps and
photographs
photographs
 Relief and drainage, land use,
 Read simple charts, maps and
settlement patterns,
pictures
communication networks
 Determine major human
activities on 1: 50 000 or 1:
 Farming, mining, fishing,
25 000 map
lumbering, tourism,

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 pastoralism
 List factors influencing their
location  Rainfall, temperature, relief,
 Identify human activities on drainage, soil fertility,
1: 50 000 or 1: 25 000 map presence of minerals
 Represent variables on
graphical axis  Cross sections
 Draw simple charts (linear,
bargraphs and pie charts)  Statistical data

 Statistical data

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TOPIC SPECIFIC OUTCOMES CONTENT
SECTION B  Define ‘weather’ and  Definitions
‘Climate’
 Describe elements of weather  Temperature, humidity,
and climate pressure, rainfall, wind
direction and speed, cloud
ELEMENTS OF cover and sunshine
PHYSICAL  Identify use of weather  Weather instruments and
GEOGRAPHY instruments charts: thermometers,
hygrometer, barometer, rain-
gauge, anemometer, windrose,
sundial, wind-sock and
beaufort scale

Weather studies  Observe and record  Weather or meteorogical

prevailing weather conditions station (use of conventional
in the local area signs)
 Predict likely weather  Isohyets, isotherms, isobars
conditions using observed
and recorded data
 Interpret synoptic charts,  Synoptic charts, weather maps
weather maps
 Identify and observe basic  Types of clouds and cloud
cloud cover cover (nimbus, cirrus, cumulus
and stratus)
 Describe with aid of  Relief (orographic),
diagrams types of rainfall convectional and convergence
(frontal, cyclonic) rainfall

 Describe local atmospheric  Tropical cyclones, hurricanes,

disturbances such as storms typhoons, whirlwinds,
tornadoes, temperate
depressions
 Discuss the impact of  Physical, social and economic
atmospheric hazards on impacts of storms, floods,
people and the environment droughts etc

Earth as planet and its  Describe the shape of the  Longitude, Great cycles,
structure earth parallels of latitude
 Define latitude and longitude  Angular distances in degrees
 Locate places using latitudes of latitude and longitude
and longitudes
 Calculation of distances on the
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  Calculate latitudinal and globe
longitudinal distances
 Calculate local time of  Time and longitude
various places on earth
 Calculate longitude from  Time and distance
local time and GMT
 Calculate time and dates  International Date Line
using the International Date
Line  Changing position of the
 Calculate the angle of midday sun at different times
elevation of the midday sun of the year
given latitude
 Solar system
 List planets in the solar
system
 Rotation, revolution of the
 Describe the causes of day earth
and night

 Angle of inclination of the

 Explain how seasons are earth’s axes and revolution
caused

 Distinguish forces leading to

Landforms resulting from
faulting, folding, earthquakes
earth movements: faulting,
and volcanic activity  Compression (overthrust),
folding, earthquakes and
volcanic activity  Describe the distribution of tension (crustal stretching)
landforms resulting from
faulting  Rift valleys, block or horst
 Describe the distribution of mountains, fault scarps
landforms resulting from
folding  Fold mountains, anticline and
synclines
 Explain effects of
earthquakes on the
environment  Landslides, displacement of
crustal rocks, raising and
lowering of sea floors,
 List influence of rift valleys destruction of life and
on people infrastructure and pollution
 Climatic barriers (variations of
rainfall, snow, temperature),
 Describe the features of mining and agricultural
volcanism activities
 Extrusive features: volcanoes,
lava plateaux
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  Intrusive features: batholiths,
lopoliths, laccoliths, dykes,
sills
 Explain effects of volcanic  Associated features: hot
eruptions on people and the springs, geyser and gases
environment  Fertile soils, minerals and
precious stones, hot springs,
geo-thermal power, loss of life
and property, pollution and
gas poisoning
 Define weathering
Weathering in tropical and
temperate regions  List agents of weathering  Definition

 Temperature variations
(exfoliation), frost action,
alternate wetting and drying,
solution, carbonation,
 Distinguish and describe hydrolysis, oxidation and
different types of weathering hydration
 Mechanical (physical),
 Discuss the process of mass chemical and biotic
movement weathering
 Soil creep, landslides,
mudflow, rockfall and
 Describe river systems and avalanches
River processes drainage patterns
 The hydrological cycle
models, topographical maps
and atlas maps, consequent
and subsequent streams,
confluence, tributary, source,
mouth, dendritic, radial, trellis,
 Describe the mechanism of river capture, super-imposed,
river erosion, transportation rejuvenation
and deposition  Traction, suspension, solution
or corrosion, saltation,
 Classify and describe attrition, cavitation, hydraulic
erosional and depositional action
features of river processes  Upper stage features: V-
shaped valleys, pot-holes,
interlocking spurs, waterfalls,
rapids and gorges
 Valley stage features: bluffs,
slip off slopes, menders
 Lower/plain features: flood

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 plain, braided streams, oxbow
lakes (lagoons), levees,
deferred streams, deltas,
distributaries, river terraces,
 Discuss the importance and estuaries
uses of rivers  Farming, H.E.P. tourism,
water supply, fishing,
transport, settlements

 Define climate  Definition

Climate
 Describe main characteristics  Temperature, rainfall,
Equatorial, tropical, warm of each climatic type prevailing wind, humidity,
and cool temperate pressure and natural
climates vegetation
 Locate on a world map, each  World climate map
climatic type

 Discuss the adaptation of  Equatorial (hydrophytic)

vegetation to climate evergreen,
savanna(tropophytic)
deciduous, hot deserts
(xerophytic), Mediterranean
(tropical maritime), warm
temperate grasslands, cool
temperate east coast.
 Adaptation of animals
(survival) to heat and cold
 Drought, floods, pollution,
 Describe how human desertification
activities have modified the
environment in each climatic
type

 Assess the impact of climate  Droughts, floods, rising sea

change on the environment level, green house effect, heat
waves, global warming, acid
rain
 Describe effects of natural  Floods, drought, earthquakes,
Natural environmental
environmental hazards on volcanoes, avalanches,
hazards
people and the environment rockfalls, landslides, cyclones,
 Explain positive and negative tsunami and other atmospheric
impacts of natural disturbances
environmental hazards
 Suggest possible solutions to
the hazards

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TOPIC SPECIFIC OUTCOMES CONTENT

SECTION C

ELEMENTS OF HUMAN
GEOGRAPHY

Major farming types  Locate major farming types on a  Shifting cultivation, semi-
world map permanent cultivation, mixed
farming, intensive and
 Discuss factors that influence type extensive farming, plantation
of farming agriculture, livestock
farming
 Describe major faming types

Distribution, transportation  Name different sources of fuel and  Sources of fuel and energy:
and use of fuel and energy energy coal, oil, natural gas, water,
in the world sun, uranium, human and
animal waste, wind
 Locate on the map of the world,  Coal: R.S.A. Zimbabwe,
the distribution of sources/types of Zambia, U.S.A.
fuel and energy  Oil: Algeria, Nigeria,
Angola, Middle East
 H.E.P: Egypt, Ghana,
Mozambique, Zambia

 Distinguish methods of  Coal: road, rail, water (ship)

transporting fuel and energy
 Oil: road, rail, water(ship),
pipeline

 Electric (thermal, hydro,

nuclear): overhead and
marine power lines

 Describe uses of different types of  Coal: smelting and heating,

fuel and energy raw material in petro-
chemical industries

 Oil: domestic and industrial

oils, fuel, synthetic products

 Electric power: Domestic

and industrial use

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