GEOGRAPHY

XI-XII (2022-23)
(Code No. 029)

Geography is introduced as an elective subject at the senior secondary stage. After ten
years of general education, students branch out at the beginning of this stage and are
exposed to the rigors of the discipline for the first time. Being an entry point for the higher
education, students choose Geography for pursuing their academic interest and,
therefore, need a broader and deeper understanding of the subject. For others,
geographical knowledge is useful in daily lives because it is a valuable medium for the
education of young people. Its contribution lies in the content, cognitive processes, skills
and values that Geography promotes and thus helps the students explore, understand and
evaluate the environmental and social dimensions of the world in a better manner.

Since Geography explores the relationship between people and their environment, it
includes studies of physical and human environments and their interactions at different
scales-local, state/region, nation and the world. The fundamental principles responsible for
the varieties in the distributional pattern of physical and human features and phenomena
over the earth's surface need to be understood properly. Application of these principles
would be taken up through selected case studies from the world and India. Thus, the
physical and human environment of India and study of some issues from a geographical
point of view will be covered in greater detail. Students will be exposed to different
methods used in geographical investigations.

Objectives:
The course in Geography will help learners to:
 Familiarize with key concepts, terminology and core principles of Geography.
 Describe locations and correlate with Geographical Perspectives.
 List/describe what students might see, hear, and smell at a place.
 List/describe ways a place is linked with other places.
 Compare conditions and connections in one place to another.
 Analyze/describe how conditions in one place can affect nearby places.
 Identify regions as places that are similar or connected.
 Describe and interpret the spatial pattern features on a thematic map.
 Search for, recognize and understand the processes and patterns of the
spatial arrangement of the natural features as well as human aspects and
phenomena on the earth's surface.
 Understand and analyze the inter-relationship between physical and human
environments and utilize such knowledge in reflecting on issues related to
community.
  Apply geographical knowledge and methods of inquiry to emerging situations
or problems at different levels-local, regional, national and global.
 Develop geographical skills, relating to collection, processing and analysis of
spatial data/ information and preparation of report including maps and graphs
and use of computers where ever possible; and to be sensitive to issues.
 The child will develop the competency to analyze, evaluate, interpret and apply
the acquired knowledge to determine the environmental issues effectively.

COURSE STRUCTURE
CLASS XI (2022-23)
One Theory Paper 70 Marks
3 Hours

Part Units No. of Marks

Periods
A Fundamentals of Physical Geography 89 35 Marks
Unit-1: Geography as a discipline 06
Unit-2: The Earth 11
Unit-3: Landforms 20
Unit-4: Climate 30 30
Unit-5: Water (Oceans) 10
Unit-6: Life on the Earth 07
Map and diagram 05 5
B India-Physical Environment 78 35 Marks
Unit-7: Introduction 04
Unit-8: Physiography 28
30
Unit-9: Climate and Natural Vegetation 28
Unit-10: Natural hazards and disasters 14
Map and Diagram 04 5
Total 167 70 Marks
C Practical Work in Geography Part I 50 30 Marks
Unit-1: Fundamentals of Maps 25 15 Marks
Unit-2: Topographic Maps 25 10 Marks
Practical Record Book and Viva 5 Marks
 COURSE CONTENT

Part A: Fundamentals of Physical Geography 89

Periods

Unit 1: Geography as a Discipline

 Geography as an integrating discipline, as a 06
science of spatial attributes Periods
 Branches of Geography: Physical Geography
and Human Geography
Unit 2: The Earth
 Origin and evolution of the earth 11
 Interior of the earth Earthquakes and volcanoes: Periods
causes, types and effects
 Distribution of oceans and continents :
Wegener's continental drift theory and plate
tectonics
Unit 3: Landforms
20
 Geomorphic processes: weathering; mass Periods
wasting; erosion and deposition; soil-formation
 Landforms and their evolution- Brief erosional
and depositional features
Unit 4: Climate
30
 Atmosphere- composition and structure; Periods
elements of weather and climate
 Solar Radiation-Insolation-angle of incidence
and distribution; heat budget of the earth-
heating and cooling of atmosphere (conduction,
convection, terrestrial radiation and advection);
temperature- factors controlling temperature;
distribution of temperature-horizontal and
vertical; inversion of temperature
 Atmospheric circulation and weather systems -
Pressure-pressure belts; winds-planetary,
seasonal and local; air masses and fronts;
tropical and extra tropical cyclones
 Water in the atmosphere-Precipitation-
evaporation; condensation-dew, frost, fog, mist
and cloud; rainfall-types and world distribution
 World Climate and Global Concerns
 Unit 5: Water (Oceans) 10
 Basics of Oceanography Periods
 Oceans - distribution of temperature and salinity
 Movements of ocean water-waves, tides and
currents; submarine reliefs
Unit 6: Life on the Earth 07
 Biosphere - importance of plants and other Periods
organisms; biodiversity and conservation

Map work on identification of features based on 1 to 6 units 05

on the outline Physical/Political map of the world. Periods
Part B: India-Physical Environment 78
Periods
Unit 7: Introduction 04
 India : Location, space relations, India's place in Periods
the world
Unit 8: Physiography 28
 Structure and Relief; Physiographic Divisions Periods
 Drainage systems: Concept of river basins,
watershed; the Himalayan and the Peninsular
rivers
Unit 9: Climate, Vegetation and Soil 28
 Weather and climate - spatial and temporal Periods
distribution of temperature, Indian monsoon:
mechanism, onset and withdrawal
 Natural vegetation-forest types and distribution;
wild life; conservation; biosphere reserves
Unit 10: Hazards and Disasters: Causes, Consequences 14
andManagement Periods
 Floods, Cloudbursts
 Droughts: types and impact
 Earthquakes and Tsunami Cyclones: features
and impact
 Landslides
Map Work of features based on above units for locating 04
andlabeling on the outline Political/Physical map of India Periods
Part C: Practical Work in Geography Part I 50
Periods
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Maps 25
 Geo spatial data, Concept of Geographical data Periods
matrix; Point, line, area data
 Maps - types; scales-types; construction of
simple linear scale, measuring distance; finding
direction and use of symbols
 Map projection- Latitude, longitude and time,
typology, construction and properties of
projection: Conical with one standard parallel
and Mercator's projection. (only two projections)
Unit 2: Topographic and Weather Maps 25
 Study of topographic maps (1 : 50,000 or 1 : Periods
25,000 Survey of India maps); contour cross
section and identification of landforms-slopes,
hills, valleys, waterfall, cliffs; distribution of
settlements
 Satellite imageries, stages in remote sensing
data- acquisition, platform and sensors and data
products, (photographic and digital)

Practical Record Book and Viva Voce

Viva to be based on Practical Unit I and II only.
 COURSE STRUCTURE
Class XII (2022-23)
One Theory Paper 3 Hours
70 Marks

Part Units No. of Marks

Periods
A Fundamentals of Human Geography 90 35 Marks
Unit 1: Human Geography 07
Unit 2: People 20
Unit 3: Human Activities 32 30
Unit 4: Transport, Communication and Trade 26

Map Work 05 5
B India: People and Economy 90 35 Marks
Unit 6: People 15
Unit 7: Human Settlements 10
Unit 8: Resources and Development 30 30
Unit 9: Transport, Communication and International 15
Trade
Unit 10: Geographical Perspective on selected 15
issues and problems
Map Work 05 5
Total 180 70 Marks
C Practical Work in Geography Part II 40 30 Marks
Unit 1: Processing of Data and Thematic Mapping 25 15
Unit 2: Spatial Information Technology 15 10
Practical Record Book and Viva Voce 5
 COURSE CONTENT

Part A: Fundamentals of Human Geography 90 Periods

Unit 1: Human Geography: Nature and Scope 07 Periods
Unit 2: People
20 Periods
 The World Population- distribution, density and
growth
 Population change - Components of population
change, Demographic Transition
 Human development - concept; selected
indicators, international comparisons
Unit 3: Human Activities 32 Periods
 Primary activities - concept and changing
trends; gathering, pastoral, mining, subsistence
agriculture, modern agriculture; people engaged
in agricultural and allied activities - some
examples from selected countries
 Secondary activities- concept; manufacturing:
types - household, small scale, large scale; agro
based and mineral based industries;
 Tertiary activities - concept; trade, transport and
tourism; services; people engaged in tertiary
activities
 Quaternary activities- concept; people engaged
in quaternary activities - case study from
selected countries
Unit 4: Transport, Communication and Trade 26 Periods
 Land transport - roads, railways; trans-
continental railways Water transport- inland
waterways; major ocean routes
 Air transport- Intercontinental air routes Oil and
gas pipelines
 Satellite communication and cyber space-
importance and usage for geographical
information; use of GPS
 International trade- bases and changing
patterns; ports as gateways of international
trade; role of WTO in international trade

Map Work on identification of features based on 1-5 units 05 Periods

on theoutline Physical/Political map of World.
Part B: India: People and Economy 90 Periods
Unit 6: People 15 Periods
 Population: distribution, density and growth;
composition of population - linguistic, religious;
sex, rural-urban and occupational-regional
variations in growth of population

Unit 7: Human Settlements 10 Periods

 Rural settlements - types and distribution
 Urban settlements - types, distribution and
functional classification
Unit 8: Resources and Development 30 Periods
 Land resources- general land use; agricultural
land use; geographical conditions and
distribution of major crops (Wheat, Rice, Tea,
Coffee, Cotton, Jute, Sugarcane and Rubber);
agricultural development and problems
 Water resources-availability and utilization-
irrigation, domestic, industrial and other uses;
scarcity of water and conservation methods-rain
water harvesting and watershed management
 Mineral and energy resources- distribution of
metallic (Iron ore, Copper, Bauxite,
Manganese); non-metallic (Mica, Salt) minerals;
conventional (Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas and
Hydroelectricity) and non-conventional energy
sources (solar, wind, biogas) and conservation
 Planning in India- target group area planning
(case study); idea of sustainable development
(case study)
15 Periods
Unit 9: Transport, Communication and International
Trade
 Transport and communication-roads, railways,
waterways and airways: oil and gas pipelines;
Geographical information and communication
net works
 International trade- changing pattern of India's
foreign trade; sea ports and their hinterland and
airports
 Unit 10: Geographical Perspective on selected 15 Periods
issues and problems
 Environmental pollution; urban-waste disposal
 Urbanization, rural-urban migration; problems of
slums
 Land degradation
Map work on locating and labeling of features based on 05 Periods
aboveunits on outline map of India.
Part C: Practical Work in Geography Part II 40 Periods
Unit 1: Processing of Data and Thematic Mapping 25 Periods
 Type and Sources of data: Primary, Secondary
and other sources
 Tabulating and processing of data; calculation
of averages, measures of central tendency
 Representation of data- construction of
diagrams: bars, circles and flowchart; thematic
maps; construction of dot; choropleth and
isopleths maps

Unit 2: Spatial Information Technology 15 Periods

 Introduction to GIS; hardware requirements and
software modules; data formats; raster and
vector data, data input, editing and topology
building; data analysis; overlay and buffer.
Prescribed Books:
1. Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Class XI, Published by NCERT
2. India, Physical Environment, Class XI, Published by NCERT
3. Practical Work in Geography Part I, Class XI, Published by NCERT
4. Fundamentals of Human Geography, Class XII, Published by NCERT
5. India - People and Economy, Class XII, Published by NCERT
6. Practical Work in Geography Part II, Class XII, Published by NCERT

Note:
1. The above textbooks are also available in Hindi medium.
2. Kindly refer to the latest editions of all NCERT Textbooks.
QUESTION PAPER DESIGN GEOGRAPHY THEORY CLASS XI & XII

COMPETENCIES Total Marks and %

70 Marks

DEMONSTRATE 29 marks- 41%

APPLICATION 26 marks - 37%

FORMULATE 15 marks – 22%

TOTAL 70 marks – 100%

 Fundamentals of Human Geography
Class XII - Textbook I (NCERT)
Map Items for identification only on outline political map of the World.

Unit-1 Ch.-1 Nil

Unit-2 Ch. 2 to 4 1 The largest country in each continent in terms of area

Unit-3 Ch. 5 to 7 1 Areas of subsistence gathering
Primary Activities 2 Major areas of nomadic herding of the world
3 Major areas of commercial livestock rearing
4 Major areas of extensive commercial grain faming
5 Major areas of mixed farming of the World

Unit - 4 Ch. 8 to 9 2 Transcontinental Railways: Terminal Stations

of transcontinental railways– Trans Siberian, Trans
Canadian, Trans-Australian Railways
3 Major Sea Ports :

Europe: North Cape, London, Hamburg

North America: Vancouver, San Francisco, New
Orleans
South America: Rio De Janeiro, Colon, Valparaiso
Africa: Suez and Cape Town
Asia: Yokohama, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Aden,
Karachi, Kolkata
Australia: Perth, Sydney, Melbourne
4. Inland Waterways: Suez canal, Panama canal, Rhine
waterway and St. Lawrence Seaway
5. Major Airports:

Asia: Tokyo, Beijing, Mumbai, Jeddah, Aden

Africa: Johannesburg & Nairobi
Europe: Moscow, London, Paris, Berlin and Rome

North America: Chicago, New Orleans, Mexico City

South America: Buenos Aires, Santiago
Australia: Darwin and Wellington
 India - People and
Economy Class XII-
Textbook II (NCERT)
Map Items for locating and labeling only on the outline political map of India

Units - 6 & Ch. 1 to 4 • State with highest level of urbanization and lowest level of
7 urbanization

• State with higher level of population density & one state with
lowest level of population density (2011)
• Any city with more than 10 million population – Greater Mumbai,
Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru
Unit - 8 Ch. 5 to 9 Leading producing states of the following crops:
(a) Rice (b) Wheat (c) Cotton (d) Jute (e) Sugarcane (f) Tea and (g)
Coffee
Mines:
• Iron-ore mines: Mayurbhanj, Bailadila, Ratnagiri, Bellary
• Manganese mines: Balaghat, Shimoga
• Copper mines: Hazaribagh, Singhbhum, Khetari
• Bauxite mines: Katni, Bilaspur and Koraput
• Coal mines: Jharia, Bokaro, Raniganj, Neyveli
• Oil Refineries: Mathura, Jamnager, Barauni
Unit - 9 Ch. 10 - 11 Transport:

(i) Important nodes on north south corridor, East west corridor &
golden quadrilateral
(ii) Major Sea Ports: Kandla, Mumbai, Marmagao, Kochi,
Mangalore, Tuticorin, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam,
Paradwip,Haldia
(iii) International Air ports: Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru,
Chennai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, Amritsar,
Thiruvananthapuram & Hyderabad
Unit-10 Ch.12 NIL