The second edition of "Mind the Gap" is aligned to the 2014 Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). 

Each of the Mind the Gap study guides provides explanations of key terminology, simple explanations and examples of the types of questions that learners can expect to be asked in an exam. Marking memoranda are included to assist learners in building their understanding. Learners are also referred to specific questions in past national exam papers and examination memos that are available on the Department’s website – www.education.gov.za

The CAPS edition include Accounting, Economics, Geography, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Physical Sciences. The series is produced in both English and Afrikaans.

This specific study guide focusses on Geography.   (The title of the Afrikaans version is "Geografie".)

Table of Contents:

Dear Grade 12 learner........................................................................................................vii

How to use this study guide..............................................................................................viii

Top 10 study tips ..................................................................................................................ix

Question words to help you answer questions...............................................................xiv

Study skills to boost your learning......................................................................................x

On the day of the exam … ................................................................................................xiii

Learner’s checklist..............................................................................................................xv

Chapter 1: Climate and weather ...................................................................... 1

KEY CONCEPTS .......................................................................................................2

1.1.Introduction................................................................................................................3

1.1.1 Synoptic weather map interpretation..........................................................3

1.1.2 Global winds/planetary winds .....................................................................6

1.2.Cyclones ...............................................................................................................6

1.2.1 Mid-latitude cyclones ...................................................................................6

1.2.2 Tropical cyclones...........................................................................................8

1.2.3 Characteristics of mid-latitude cyclones and tropical cyclones.................9

1.3 Factors affecting the South African climate.......................................................... 11

1.3.1 The impact of the ocean and the ocean currents on South Africa’s climate...... 11

1.3.2 The impact of the plateau on South Africa’s climate .............................. 13

1.3.3 The impact of the subtropical high pressure belt on South Africa’s climate....... 13

1.4 Local Climate (valley and city climate)................................................................... 16

1.4.1 Anabatic and katabatic winds................................................................... 16

1.4.2 Aspect......................................................................................................... 17

1.4.3 City climates............................................................................................... 19

Chapter 2: Geomorphology ............................................................................ 21

KEY CONCEPTS ...........................................................................................................21

Fluvial geomorphology ..................................................................................................... 23

2.1 Groundwater............................................................................................................ 24

2.2 Rivers....................................................................................................................... 26

2.2.1 Types of rivers ............................................................................................ 26

2.2.2 Drainage basins......................................................................................... 29

2.2.3 Stages of a river......................................................................................... 32

2.2.4 River profiles .............................................................................................. 33

2.2.5 River capture and rejuvenation ................................................................ 35

2.2.6 Catchment and river management........................................................... 38

Chapter 3: Rural settlement and urban settlement...................................... 40

KEY CONCEPTS .........................................................................................................41

3.1 Study of settlements............................................................................................... 42

3.1.1 Function...................................................................................................... 42

3.1.2 Size and complexity ................................................................................... 43

3.2 Rural settlements.................................................................................................... 44

3.2.1 Reasons for the location of rural settlements ........................................ 46

3.2.2 Rural-urban migration .............................................................................. 48

3.3 Urban settlements ................................................................................................ 51

3.3.1 Reasons for the location of urban settlements ....................................... 51

3.3.2 Types of urban settlements....................................................................... 52

3.3.3 Structure of an urban area ....................................................................... 55

3.3.4 Urban settlement problems ...................................................................... 66

3.3.5 Economic, social and environmental injustice ........................................ 67

Chapter 4: Economic Geography of South Africa ........................................ 77

KEY CONCEPTS ........................................................................................................ 78

4.1 Primary economic activities ................................................................................... 80

4.1.1 Farming in South Africa............................................................................. 81

4.1.2 Mining in South Africa ............................................................................... 84

4.2 Secondary economic activities .............................................................................. 85

4.2.1 Industrial development in South Africa.................................................... 86

4.3 Tertiary economic activities.................................................................................... 90

4.3.1 The informal sector in South Africa .......................................................... 91

4.4 Quaternary economic activities ............................................................................. 92

4.5 Understanding graphs and tables ......................................................................... 93

4.5.1 Understanding graphs............................................................................... 93

4.5.2 Understanding tables ................................................................................ 97

Chapter 5: Mapwork...................................................................................... 100

5.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................100

5.2 Some basic mapwork concepts ...........................................................................101

5.3 Mapwork calculations...........................................................................................103

5.3.1 Introduction to mapwork calculations....................................................103

5.3.2 Mapwork calculations: distance, area and gradient.............................104

5.3.3 Mapwork calculations: true bearing, magnetic declination, magnetic bearing, position, 

          map sheet reference, vertical exaggeration ............111

5.4 Application of theory to a topographic map and an orthophoto........................133

5.4.1 Climatology...............................................................................................133

5.4.2 Geomorphology........................................................................................135

5.5 Geographical information systems – GIS............................................................136

Appendix: Exemplar paper ........................................................................... 139

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The goals of this textbook are to help students acquire the technical skills of using software and managing a database, and develop research skills of collecting data, analyzing information and presenting results. We emphasize that the need to investigate the potential and practicality of GIS technologies in a typical planning setting and evaluate its possible applications. GIS may not be necessary (or useful) for every planning application, and we anticipate these readings to provide the necessary foundation for discerning its appropriate use. Therefore, this textbook attempts to facilitate spatial thinking focusing more on open-ended planning questions, which require judgment and exploration, while developing the analytical capacity for understanding a variety of local and regional planning challenges.

While this textbook provides the background for understanding the concepts in GIS as applicable to urban and regional planning, it is best when accompanied by a hands-on tutorial, which will enable readers to develop an in-depth understanding of the specific planning applications of GIS. Chapters in this text book are either composed by the editors using Creative Common materials, or linked to a book chapter scanned copy in the library reserve. In the end of each chapter, we also provided several discussion questions, together with contextual applications through some web links.

If you are an instructor adopting or adapting this PDXOpen textbook, please help us understand your use by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/sFg1WJhMvUzLh7ZE7 

Subjects:

Geographic information systems, 

Geospatial data, 

Regional planning -- Data processing, 

Land use -- Planning -- Data processing

Table of Contents:

Ch. 1: Defining a Geographic Information System

Ch. 2: Coordinate Systems and Projecting GIS Data

Ch. 3: Topology and Creating Data

Ch. 4: Mapping People with Census Data

Ch. 5: Lying with Maps

Ch. 6: To Standardize or Not to Standardize?

Ch. 7: Geographic Considerations in Planning Practice.

Ch. 8: Manipulating GIS Data

Ch. 9: Raster Data Models

Ch. 10: The Future of GIS

Reviews:

Please see the Open Textbook Library for faculty reviews of this textbook

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