Before students begin learning about the history or culture of a place, it is important they understand the physical characteristics of the location. This activity is an appropriate introduction to a unit about the Middle East
* Directions to complete political map of the Middle East
* Differentiated directions to complete political map of the Middle East (starred features are optional/bonus/challenge)
* Directions to complete physical map of the Middle East
* Differentiated directions to complete physical map of the Middle East
* Blank maps of the Middle East
* Completed political map and physical map samples
Suggestions for Use:
* Students follow the directions to create the maps of the Middle East individually or in pairs.
* Students use maps in textbooks, atlases, or online resources.
National Geography Standards
1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, geospatial technologies, and spatial thinking to understand and communicate information
7: Describe the physical processes that shape the pattern of Earth’s surface (8.1.A. Identify and describe patterns in the environment that result from the interaction of Earth’s physical processes; 8.1.B. Analyze and explain patterns of physical features resulting from the interactions of Earth’s physical processes).
Check out other mapping activities:
Japan Mapping Practice (mapping, answer key included)