GEOGRAPHY FORM ONE

1. Definition of Geography

 Geography is the study of the Earth, its physical features, human activities, and how they
interact.
 It covers:
o Natural environment: Mountains, rivers, soil, and climate.
o Human environment: Cities, roads, farms, industries, and trade.

Why is Geography important?

 It helps us understand our surroundings.

 Explains how human activities impact the natural world (e.g., deforestation causing
climate change).
 Guides in solving global issues like natural disasters, global warming, and population
growth.

2. Branches of Geography

(a) Physical Geography

This focuses on natural features of the Earth, like:

 Landforms: Mountains, valleys, plateaus.

 Climatic regions: Hot deserts, tropical rainforests.
 Water bodies: Rivers, lakes, seas.
 Soils and vegetation: Types of soil and plants in various regions.

Example: Mount Kilimanjaro (a landform in East Africa) is studied to understand how

mountains influence weather patterns and vegetation in the region.

(b) Human Geography

This deals with how humans interact with their environment. Key topics include:

 Agriculture: Types of farming (e.g., subsistence, commercial farming).

 Population: Distribution and density of people globally.
 Urbanization: Growth of cities like Nairobi and their challenges.

(c) Practical Geography

This involves applying geographic knowledge through:

  Map work: Understanding maps, scales, and symbols.
 Fieldwork: Visiting areas like farms or factories to study real-life geographical features.
 Data interpretation: Using graphs, tables, and statistics to analyze geographic data.

3. Importance of Studying Geography

1. Environmental Awareness:
o Learners appreciate and conserve natural resources like forests and wildlife.
2. Career Opportunities:
o Geography knowledge leads to professions such as:
 Meteorologist (weather expert).
 Cartographer (mapmaker).
 Surveyor.
 Town planner.
3. National and Global Awareness:
o Learners understand their country’s physical and human geography and compare
it with other countries.
4. Problem Solving:
o Helps address issues like water shortages, flooding, and soil erosion.

4. The Solar System

Definition:

The solar system is a group of celestial bodies bound together by the Sun's gravitational force. It
includes:

 The Sun: The main source of energy for life on Earth.

 Eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
 Moons: Natural satellites that revolve around planets, like the Moon (Earth's satellite).

Importance of the Solar System:

1. Supports life on Earth by providing light and heat.

2. Guides time measurement (e.g., the rotation of the Earth leads to day and night).

Structure of the Solar System:

 Inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars (rocky planets).

 Outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune (gas giants).
 Asteroid Belt: A region of small rocky bodies between Mars and Jupiter.
5. The Earth and Its Shape

Shape of the Earth:

 The Earth is geoid-shaped, meaning it is spherical but slightly flattened at the poles and
bulging at the equator.

Evidence of the Earth's Shape:

1. Satellite Images: Pictures from space show the Earth as a sphere.

2. Circumnavigation: Travelers like Ferdinand Magellan proved the Earth is round by
sailing around it.
3. Lunar Eclipse: The Earth's shadow on the Moon during an eclipse is curved.

Movements of the Earth:

1. Rotation:
o The Earth spins on its axis once every 24 hours.
o Causes day and night.
2. Revolution:
o The Earth orbits around the Sun in 365¼ days.
o Causes seasons (e.g., summer, winter).

6. Major Features of the Earth’s Surface

The Earth’s surface consists of:

1. Landforms:
o Mountains (e.g., Mt. Kenya).
o Plateaus (e.g., Laikipia Plateau).
o Valleys (e.g., Great Rift Valley).
2. Water Bodies:
o Oceans (e.g., Indian Ocean).
o Seas (e.g., Red Sea).
o Rivers (e.g., River Tana).
o Lakes (e.g., Lake Victoria).

Importance of Features:

 Provide natural resources (e.g., water from rivers).

 Act as tourist attractions (e.g., Great Rift Valley).
7. Fieldwork in Geography

Definition:

Fieldwork is a practical study of geographical features in their natural setting.

Steps in Fieldwork:

1. Preparation: Identify the area to visit and set objectives.

2. Data Collection: Use methods like observation, interviews, and photography.
3. Analysis: Interpret data collected in the field.
4. Report Writing: Summarize findings and present them.

Benefits of Fieldwork:

 Promotes teamwork and observation skills.

 Helps learners link theoretical knowledge to real-world experiences.

8. Maps and Map Work

Definition of a Map:

A map is a two-dimensional representation of the Earth's surface.

Types of Maps:

1. Topographical Maps: Show natural and human-made features.

2. Political Maps: Indicate country boundaries, cities, and towns.
3. Thematic Maps: Focus on specific themes, e.g., climate maps, population maps.

Components of a Map:

 Title: Describes what the map shows.

 Scale: The ratio of map distance to ground distance (e.g., 1:50,000).
 Key/Legend: Explains symbols like roads, rivers, and buildings.
 Compass Direction: Points to North and other directions.

Importance of Map Work:

 Guides navigation and planning.

 Helps understand geographical relationships (e.g., location of towns and rivers).
9. Weather and Climate

Weather:

 Weather refers to the atmospheric conditions at a specific place and time.

 Elements of weather include:
o Temperature: Measured using a thermometer.
o Rainfall: Measured using a rain gauge.
o Wind: Measured using an anemometer.

Climate:

 Climate is the average weather condition of a place over a long time (e.g., 30 years).
 Types of climate in Kenya include:
o Tropical climate.
o Semi-arid climate.

Differences Between Weather and Climate:

 Weather: Changes daily and is short-term.

 Climate: Long-term patterns.

5. MINING
1. Major Mining Areas in Kenya

Mineral Location in Kenya Mining Method

Gold Kakamega, Migori, Vihiga Alluvial and Shaft Mining
Soda Ash Lake Magadi (Kajiado County) Open-Cast Mining
Fluorspar Kerio Valley (Elgeyo Marakwet) Open-Cast Mining
Titanium Kwale County Open-Cast Mining
Limestone Athi River, Kitui, and Bamburi Quarrying
Oil Turkana Basin Drilling

2. Case Studies

(a) Soda Ash Mining at Lake Magadi

 Location:
o Lake Magadi is in Kajiado County, part of the Great Rift Valley.
  Process:
o Open-cast mining is used to extract soda ash (sodium carbonate) from the lake’s
deposits.
o The mineral is processed at the Magadi Soda Company factory.
 Uses of Soda Ash:
o Glass manufacturing, water treatment, and production of detergents.
 Benefits:
o Generates foreign exchange as Kenya is a leading soda ash exporter in Africa.
o Provides jobs for locals.
 Challenges:
o Environmental degradation due to habitat destruction.
o Pollution of water sources and nearby land.

(b) Titanium Mining in Kwale

 Location:
o Kwale County, near Kenya's South Coast.
 Mineral:
o Titanium is extracted from heavy sand deposits using open-cast mining.
 Uses of Titanium:
o Production of aircraft parts, paints, and medical implants.
 Benefits:
o Earns foreign income, boosting Kenya’s economy.
o Infrastructure development like roads and schools in the mining areas.
 Challenges:
o Displacement of local communities.
o Sand mining causes environmental destruction.

(c) Oil Exploration in Turkana

 Location:
o Turkana Basin, located in northwestern Kenya.
 Mineral:
o Crude oil is extracted using drilling methods.
 Development:
o Commercial oil exploration began in 2012 after the discovery of significant oil
reserves.
 Benefits:
o Expected to enhance Kenya’s economy through export earnings.
o Infrastructure improvement, including road and pipeline projects.
 Challenges:
o Environmental risks like oil spills.
 o Conflict between local communities and oil companies over resource distribution.

3. Diagrams

(a) Open-Cast Mining Process

1. Diagram Description:
Open-cast mining involves removing the overlying soil (overburden) to expose mineral
deposits near the surface.

Key Features in the Diagram:

 Layers of soil and rock are stripped away using heavy machinery.
 Minerals are extracted using shovels or conveyor belts.
 Waste material is dumped in nearby areas.

(b) Shaft Mining Diagram

1. Diagram Description:
Shaft mining involves digging deep vertical shafts and horizontal tunnels to access
minerals buried deep underground.

Key Features in the Diagram:

 A vertical shaft is dug to reach the mineral deposit.

 Horizontal tunnels (drifts) branch out to extract the mineral.
 Lifts or pulleys transport workers and minerals to the surface.

(c) Drilling for Oil

1. Diagram Description:
Drilling involves boring deep holes into the Earth to extract liquid minerals like oil or
natural gas.

Key Features in the Diagram:

 Drill rigs bore through rock layers to reach the oil reservoir.
 Oil is pumped to the surface through pipes.
 Storage tanks and pipelines transport the oil to processing plants.
4. Benefits of Mining to Kenya

1. Economic Growth:
o Mining contributes significantly to Kenya's GDP.
2. Infrastructure Development:
o Mining areas benefit from improved roads, power supply, and schools.
3. Foreign Exchange:
o Minerals like soda ash and titanium are major export commodities.
4. Employment Opportunities:
o Mining employs thousands of workers directly and indirectly.

5. Challenges Facing Mining in Kenya

1. Environmental Degradation:
o Deforestation, soil erosion, and destruction of ecosystems.
2. Conflict with Communities:
o Local communities often feel excluded from mining benefits.
3. Poor Mining Technology:
o Some minerals remain untapped due to outdated methods.
4. Corruption and Mismanagement:
o Inefficiency in managing mining revenues.
5. Exhaustion of Resources:
o Over-mining leads to depletion of non-renewable resources.

6. Conservation of Mineral Resources

1. Sustainable Mining:
o Adopt methods that minimize environmental destruction.
2. Rehabilitation of Mining Sites:
o Fill and replant areas destroyed by mining.
3. Recycling Minerals:
o Reuse metals like aluminum to reduce the need for fresh mining.
4. Government Policies:
o Enforce strict environmental laws to regulate mining activities.
1. Minerals

Definition of Minerals

 Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances with a specific chemical

composition and crystal structure.
 They are the basic building blocks of rocks.

Characteristics of Minerals

1. Naturally Occurring: Formed through natural geological processes.

2. Inorganic: Not derived from living organisms.
3. Solid: Exist in solid-state at normal temperatures.
4. Definite Chemical Composition: Composed of specific elements (e.g., NaCl for salt).
5. Crystalline Structure: Atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern.

Types of Minerals

1. Metallic Minerals:
o Contain metals that can be extracted for industrial use.
o Examples: Gold, copper, iron ore, silver.
2. Non-Metallic Minerals:
o Do not contain metals but have industrial or agricultural uses.
o Examples: Limestone, gypsum, clay, salt.
3. Energy Minerals:
o Used to produce energy.
o Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium.

Importance of Minerals

1. Economic Contribution:
o Minerals like gold and titanium earn foreign exchange.
2. Industrial Use:
o Minerals like iron and limestone are used in manufacturing.
3. Energy Source:
o Coal, petroleum, and uranium are vital for energy production.
4. Agriculture:
o Minerals like phosphates are used in fertilizers.
 5. Construction:
o Limestone and gypsum are used for building materials.

6. Rocks

Definition of Rocks

 Rocks are naturally occurring solid materials composed of one or more minerals.
 They make up the Earth’s crust and are found in different forms.

Types of Rocks

Rocks are classified based on their mode of formation into three main types:

1. Igneous Rocks

 Formed when molten magma cools and solidifies, either inside or on the Earth’s surface.

Types of Igneous Rocks:

 Intrusive (Plutonic): Form below the surface (e.g., granite).

 Extrusive (Volcanic): Form on the surface (e.g., basalt).

Examples: Granite, basalt, pumice, obsidian.

Characteristics:

 Hard and crystalline.

 Do not contain fossils.

2. Sedimentary Rocks

 Formed through the accumulation, compression, and cementation of sediments (e.g.,

sand, clay, organic remains).

Formation Process:

1. Weathering and erosion produce sediments.

 2. Sediments are transported by wind, water, or ice.
3. Deposited in layers over time.
4. Cementation binds the particles to form rocks.

Examples: Limestone, sandstone, shale, coal.

Characteristics:

 Layered appearance.
 May contain fossils.
 Softer compared to igneous rocks.

3. Metamorphic Rocks

 Formed when existing rocks are subjected to intense heat, pressure, or chemical changes,
transforming their structure.

Examples:

 Limestone → Marble.
 Shale → Slate.
 Granite → Gneiss.

Characteristics:

 Hard and compact.

 May have banding or foliation (layered appearance).

Rock Cycle

 Rocks change from one type to another through the rock cycle:
1. Igneous rocks form from cooling magma.
2. Erosion of igneous rocks creates sediments, which form sedimentary rocks.
3. Sedimentary and igneous rocks undergo heat and pressure to form metamorphic
rocks.
4. Metamorphic rocks may melt and cool to form new igneous rocks.

3. Differences Between Rocks and Minerals

 Feature Rocks Minerals
Composition Made of multiple minerals. Composed of a single element or compound.

Structure Do not always have a crystal structure. Have a definite crystal structure.
Formation Formed through geological processes. Formed through natural chemical processes.

4. Importance of Rocks and Minerals

Economic Importance

 Provide raw materials for industries (e.g., limestone for cement production).
 Minerals like gold and diamonds are valuable exports.

Agricultural Use

 Weathered rocks form fertile soils for farming.

 Phosphates in rocks are used for making fertilizers.

Energy Production

 Coal and uranium from rocks are used to generate energy.

Construction

 Rocks like granite and marble are used for building and decoration.

Tourism

 Unique rock formations attract tourists (e.g., the Great Rift Valley).