Where Is Brazil?

Activity One: Map Assignments

Divide students into pairs, and provide each pair with an atlas and the required maps. The following points for completing maps should be reviewed

• All information must be printed, using capitulation where appropriate, using blue or black ink only.

• All information must be printed on the map horizontally.

• No white out allowed. Therefore compete a rough copy of the map using pencil, when satisfied with the accuracy of the map go over the pencil with a pen.

• When colouring a map, blue is for water only.

• A accurate title must be printed neatly across the top of the page.

• A compass rose must be placed on the map indicating north.

• When necessary an accurate legend must be completed.

• Student’s full name, date and class must be placed in the top right hand corner.

Locate Brazil on the World Map

Using an atlas, either book or on-line, label Brazil on the supplied world map. Also label the following information:

1. The seven continents.

2. The following countries: the Russian Federation, Canada, China and the United States.

3. The four major oceans and the seven seas.

4. The Equator, Prime Meridian, International Date Line, Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Arctic Circle, and the Antarctic Circle.
   

 Locate Brazil on the South American Map

Using an atlas, either book or on-line, label Brazil on the supplied South American map. Also label the following information:

1. The countries of South America.

2. The Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.

3. The Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Activity Two: Compare Brazil To Other Countries In The World

Divide students into pairs, and provide each pair with the required reference materials and a data retrieval chart. All data collected on the following points is to be placed on the data retrieval chart to complete the study of Brazil's absolute and relative location.

1. Absolute Location - Latitude and longitude is used to determine each countries absolute location.

2. Area - Geographers use land area to compare the sizes of countries. Land area is measured in square kilometers.

3. Size - Lines of latitude can be used to help determine a country’s size. The number of degrees of latitude a country stretches from north to south is called the range. The distance between each degree of latitude is 111 kilometers. Using the range of latitude, the distance a country stretches form north to south can be calculated.

4. Time Zones - The number of time zones a country has can be an indication of its size. The earth has 24 time zones. Each time zone is 15 degrees of longitude wide.  Using the range of longitude it is possible to calculate each countries number of time zones.

Activity Three: Time Zones

While your are sound asleep tonight, students in some other parts of the world are sitting at their school desks.

1. Why is that?

2. How do time zones affect students' lives?

3. How do time zones affect them as they fly from place to place?

4. What time is it right now in other parts of the world? For this activity use a world time zone map.