Ancient maps: understanding the past

Investigations and activities (Geography/History/SOSE Focus)

1. Draw and label a map of the world from memory. Include as many mapping features as you can. For example, give the map a border, orientation, scale, legend and title. When you have finished, compare your map to another student’s map. How are your maps similar? How are they different? Compare your map with an atlas to find out what parts are most accurate. How can you account for some parts of the map being more accurate than others?
2. Locate Korea on an online world map. Use geographic terms such as ‘compass points’ to describe Korea’s relationship to China, Japan, Europe and Africa.
3. On a map of South Korea identify the major cities, regions, mountains and rivers.
4. Korea is located on a peninsula. What is a peninsula? What role does the ocean play in Korea’s culture, lifestyle and economy? How does Korea’s use of the oceans compare to Australia’s?
5. Which countries are Korea’s closest neighbours? Investigate the relationship between Korea and neighbouring China. When was the border drawn? What circumstances led to this border coming into existence?
6. Find out more about the relationships between China and Korea, and Japan and Korea during the Middle Ages. What kind of trade was occuring? What ideas were being exchanged?