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
