In the last 100 years, the world has seen a rapid rise in both temperature and CO2 levels. And it is only expected to rise. Climate change is happening, and it’s not just causing problems for future generations. It’s already causing a lot of problems for people living today. The effects of climate change are wide-ranging, and increased awareness is leading the world to take action. In order to help the global community understand the causes and effects of climate change, this article will examine the state of the world’s climate, climate change effects, and what is being done to help.
What is climate change?
Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change has been connected with damaging weather events such as more frequent and more intense hurricanes, floods, downpours, and winter storms. Together with expanding ocean waters due to rising temperatures melting polar ice, the resulting rise in sea level has begun to damage coastlines as a result of increased flooding and erosion. The cause of current climate change is largely human activity, like burning fossil fuels, like natural gas, oil, and coal. Burning these materials releases what are called greenhouse gases into Earth’s atmosphere. There, these gases trap heat from the sun’s rays inside the atmosphere causing Earth’s average temperature to rise.
What are the causes of climate change?
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Scientists are still trying to determine all of the causes of climate change, but there are some that are more widely accepted than others. One cause of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels. When we burn fossil fuels like coal and oil, we release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun in our atmosphere and cause the Earth’s temperature to rise. Another cause of climate change is deforestation. When we cut down forests, we remove trees that absorb carbon dioxide from the air. This leaves more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming.
What are the effects of climate change?
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time. The effects of climate change are far-reaching and devastating. Climate change is a global problem, and it is one that we must all work together to solve.
The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world. In some areas, the effects are more pronounced than in others. But make no mistake: climate change is real, and it is happening right now.
Climate change is causing extreme weather events, such as more frequent and more intense hurricanes, floods, and droughts. It is also causing sea levels to rise and ice caps to melt. As a result, coastal communities are at risk of flooding and erosion.
There has also been an increase in the size of wildfires, and the frequency of these fires has also increased. These events have also led to an increase in water shortages, as well as a decrease in the availability of clean drinking water.
The effects of climate change have also increased the number of species that are going extinct.
In addition to the physical effects of climate change, there are also serious economic consequences.
Looking for solutions.
As the world begins to feel the effects of climate change more and more, it is becoming increasingly important to find ways to mitigate its progress. Scientists have been working hard to develop solutions that will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the rate of climate change. Some of the most promising solutions include:
1. Renewable energy sources – Solar, wind and hydropower are all renewable sources of energy that can be used to replace fossil fuels. This would help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
2. Carbon capture and storage – This technology captures carbon dioxide from power plants and other industrial facilities, and stores it deep underground. This would prevent it from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.
3. Sustainable agriculture – Sustainable agriculture practices can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector.
Conclusion.
Climate change is the change in the climate of the Earth. There are many different causes of climate change, but the main cause is the increase in the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is caused by the increase in greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. This causes the Earth’s temperature to rise. The effects of climate change are many and vary depending on the region. In the Arctic, climate change is causing an increase in the sea ice and ice sheets. In the Antarctic, climate change is causing an increase in the thickness of the ice sheet and the amount of snowfall. In the tropics, climate change is causing an increase in the number of hurricanes. In the temperate zones, climate change is causing an increase in extreme weather events. In the subtropics, climate change is causing an increase in the frequency of intense rain events. In the mid-latitudes, climate change is causing an increase in the frequency of intense snow events. In the high latitudes, climate change is causing an increase in the frequency of extreme cold events.
The debate over which city is colder in winter, London or Paris, has been around for centuries. The English and the French have argued back and forth about who has the colder weather. Many people have their own opinions on the matter, but there is no clear answer.
One thing is for sure, both cities have a cold winter climate. London and Paris both have average winter temperatures that are below freezing. In addition, both cities experience a lot of snow during the winter months.
On average London is colder than Paris, but Paris can experience colder temperatures because of its northerly location. In general, the average high temperatures in London are about 2 degrees Celsius lower than in Paris. However, the low temperatures in London are about 4 degrees Celsius higher on average. This means that in the winter, London is colder overall, but Paris can get much colder temperatures.
Comparing average temperatures
When comparing the average winter temperatures in London and Paris, London is colder. However, Paris can experience colder temperatures because of its northerly location. In general, the average high temperature in January in London is about 44 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average high temperature in Paris is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low temperature in London is about 34 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average low temperature in Paris is about 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is there more snow in London or Paris?
In the Northern Hemisphere, there are two popular tourist destinations for people who love winter sports: London and Paris. Both cities have a lot to offer, but which one has more snow? Surprisingly, Paris has more snow on average than London does. In fact, Paris usually sees around 40 snowy days per year, while London only averages about 25 days of snowfall each year. This may be because London is located further south than Paris.
Are there more daylight hours in London or Paris in the Winter?
Paris gets more hours of daylight
If we look at the shortest day of the year last year – 21st December 2022 – then Paris had 8 hours 14 minutes and 49 seconds of daylight between sunrise and sunset, whereas London only had 7 hours and 49 minutes and 42 seconds!!
How to prepare for a cold winter in London or Paris.
Get your winter coat ready, because it’s cold in London and Paris.
Buy some winter clothes
Make sure you have a warm place to sleep
Get a winter hat and gloves
Stock up on food and drink
What to do in London in the Winter
There are many things to do in London in the winter. One popular activity is to go ice skating on the frozen Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park. Another option is to visit one of the city’s many Christmas markets. At the markets, you can buy traditional Christmas items like ornaments, decorations, and gifts. You can also enjoy festive food and drinks like mulled wine and gingerbread.
And most of the usual places will be available to visit.
What to do in Paris in the Winter
Paris is a beautiful city with a lot to offer tourists, no matter what time of year it is. However, some activities are only available during certain times of year. Here are five things you can do in Paris in the winter:
1. Visit the Christmas markets. There are several markets throughout the city, all of which have unique decorations and souvenirs.
2. See the holiday lights. Paris is lit up with beautiful displays during the holiday season.
3. Go ice skating. The city has plenty of parks and gardens where you can skate during the winter months.
4. Take a stroll through the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg Gardens.
5. Visit the Eiffel Tower at night. This is only possible during the festive season, but it is a popular activity for tourists and locals alike.
And don’t forget the venues which are open all year round.
Conclusion
When considering average temperatures, London is colder than Paris. However, Paris can experience colder temperatures because of its northerly location and its exposure to cold air masses from the Eurasian continent. In the winter, the difference between the average temperature in London and Paris can be as much as 10 degrees Celsius. But this difference is not always consistent, and there have been winters when Paris has been colder than London.
But in any case there is plenty to do in each city!
London is the capital
The city that never sleeps
It’s always buzzing with life
There’s always something to do
From museums to parks
There’s something for everyone
London is a city that you must see.
The London Tube
The London tube is a thing of beauty
It’s like a big dark snake
Coiling through the city
Carrying people to their destinations
In a hurry
The tube is always busy
People rushing to get on
And off again
Always in a hurry
The London tube is a thing of beauty
The London Tube Map
The tube map is so vast and complex
With stations spanning far and wide
There’s a route for everyone, whatever their need
Whether travelling for business or pleasure
The map is always there, ready to help
Guiding you to your destination
And with its bright colours and easy-to-read design
It’s never been simpler to get around London.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, a tourist’s dream
The home of the Queen and her family
A place where history is alive and well
One of the most famous buildings in the world
Inside and out it’s a sight to behold
No matter how often you see it, it never gets old.
The Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum
Is a world of history and art
It’s a place where you can learn about the past
And see the present in a new light
There are sculptures and paintings galore
And exhibits that will capture your heart
It’s a place where you can explore and discover
And learn about different cultures near and far
So if you’re looking for a fun day out
The Victoria and Albert Museum is the place to go.
The London Eye
The London Eye is a giant wheel,
Offering views of the city below.
It’s a popular tourist spot,
Especially for those who love to sightsee.
From up high, you can see all the landmarks,
The Tower of London and Westminster Abbey.
You can also see St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace,
All while relaxing in your glass pod.
Madame Tussauds in London
Come one, come all to see the sights
Of London’s Madame Tussauds
The wax replicas of famous figures
In history and pop culture
Stand here, sit there, so lifelike
It’s hard to tell them apart.
Journalistic integrity
Requires I do not give away the surprises.
But rest assured, it’s an experience
You won’t want to miss.
The London Planetarium
Is a place of wonder and amazement
For people of all ages
It’s a place where you can explore the universe
And learn about the planets
It’s a place where you can experience the stars
And feel like you’re floating among them
It’s a place where you can discover new things
And see the universe in a whole new light
If you’re ever in London, be sure to visit the planetarium
You won’t regret it!
It’s a celestial sanctuary
Where you can lose yourself in the universe.
The Houses of Parliament
The Houses of Parliament sit on the Thames,
Glimpsing downstream to the London Eye;
Facing the river, their back to the City,
The medieval palace now a seat of power.
Rising in grandeur above the weathered stone,
Elizabeth’s turret and Big Ben’s great clock,
They are symbols of our British heritage,
Majestic reminders of bygone days.
Big Ben
I’ve heard that Big Ben is the biggest clock
In the land, and it’s really something to see
It’s so big and bold, with a voice that’s so loud
And each strike of the bell is so clear
People come from all around just to hear
The sound of Big Ben ringing in their ear
This famous clock is something unique
It’s stood the test of time and still ticks
Everyone should have the chance to see
The legendary Big Ben in London
St. Paul’s Cathedral
I am St. Paul’s Cathedral,
Named after the Patron Saint of London.
I have stood here for many years,
A witness to the city’s growth.
I have been a place of worship,
A shelter in times of need.
I have been a symbol of strength,
And a beacon of hope.
My doors have welcomed kings,
And my walls have held the poor and homeless.
I am more than just a building,
I am an important part of London’s history.
The Natural History Museum in London
This is a museum of natural history
Filled with fossils and bones of dinosaurs
It’s a place where you can explore the past
And learn about the animals that once roamed the earth.
The museum has everything from mammoths
To sabre-tooth tigers and giant sloths
You can see exhibits on insects and plants
And learn about the human body too
It’s a place where you can discover new things
Every time you visit, without fail.
The River Thames
The River Thames flows through the heart of London,
seeing all that happens in this great city.
The river is a witness to the good and bad,
the happiness and sorrow.
It carries people on its banks and boats on its waves,
bringing them to their destinations.
The River Thames is a symbol of life in London,
and it will continue to flow long after we’re gone.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in London.
It’s a drawbridge that was built over a hundred years ago.
The views from the bridge are stunning, and it’s a must-see for visitors.
Tower Bridge is a British symbol, and it’s a vital part of the city’s infrastructure.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey,
home to kings and queens,
a place of history and mystery.
Architectural beauty surrounds you,
with carvings and sculptures on every wall.
The stained glass windows shed light,
filling the church with a rainbow of colours.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
it is one of the most visited places in the world.
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral stands so tall and proud
A beacon of light in the heart of London town
Its grandeur is matched by its beauty
And its soaring spires can be seen for miles around
The faithful come to pray and worship here
And marvel at the stained glass windows that dot the walls
It’s a place of peace in the midst of chaos
A holy sanctuary that welcomes all.
The Science Museum in London
The Science Museum is a place of learning,
A place where people can come to explore and discover.
It’s a place where you can be inspired by the wonders of science,
And learn about the world around you.
The Science Museum is a place where you can have fun too,
With exhibits that are both educational and entertaining.
So if you’re looking for a place to learn and have some fun,
The Science Museum is the place for you!
I would love to see any poems written by children – or adults – inspired by this page. I look forward to reading your comments and poems.
This article has been inspired by a book called The Big Countdown: Seven Quintillion, Five hundred Quadrillion Grains of Sand on Planet Earth. Its author is Paul Rockett. It is full of pictures, infographics and amazing planet Earth facts. It was published in 2014 so I imagine that most of the facts are still correct.
Planet Surface
70.8% of the earth’s surface is water.
29.2% of the earth’s surface is land.
The Earth’s Atmosphere
This book takes great delight in using enormous numbers. It tells us about the Earth’s atmosphere is that it is made up of atoms as is everything around us. Apparently, some scientists think that there are about 200 tredecillion atoms in the atmosphere. One tredecillion has 42 zeros in it!
We learn about the 5 layers of the Earth’s atmosphere. They are the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. The outer layer of the exosphere is 8000 kilometres away, well not exactly because there isn’t a specific edge. It just drifts off into outer space.
One of the facts I found interesting, is that an estimated 40 tonnes of meteors crash into the middle layer every single day. Luckily for us, they burnt out before getting any closer to the Earth.
7 Quintillion, 500 Quadrillion Grains Of Sand On The Planet Earth
7 Quintillion, 500 Quadrillion Grains Of Sand On The Planet Earth is part of the title of the book and is also a chapter title.
This is obviously an estimate. There is no way anyone could count all the grains of sand on the Earth. Sand comes in different sizes anything from 0.06 of a millimetre to 2 mm. To come up with the number 7 quintillion 500 quadrillion, scientist calculated how many grains of sand would fit into a teaspoon and then they multiplied the number of teaspoons they thought they were in all the beaches in the world and all the deserts in the world. How accurate do you think they might have been?
There are some amazingly long beaches in the world, according to this book the longest one in the world is Praia do Cassino beach in Brazil which is just over 250 km long. The next couple of longest beaches are Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh which is just over 240 km long and Padre Island Texas where the beach is about 230 km long. After that come to beaches which are both called Ninety Mile Beach one of them is in New Zealand and one of them is in Australia. The one that is in Australia is actually slightly longer and the one that is in New Zealand is actually about 88 miles long not 90 as its name suggests.
The largest sun sand castle in the world was built in America and was nearly as tall as 3 double decker buses.
Deserts make up about 9.5% of the world surface, however, only about 20% of the deserts in the world are covered by sand. The others are covered with rocks and pebbles and different types of soils.
People
We now have over 7 billion people living on the Earth. This is twice as many as they were 50 years ago. In the next 50 years it is estimated that we will have over 9 billion people living on the Earth. Nearly 90 babies are born every 20 seconds.
The Earth’s population is spread over 7 continents – Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Australasia and Antarctica.
Asia has the largest land mass and also the largest population with over 4 billion people living there, most of those in China.
Australasia has the fewest people living there. Nobody lives there permanently but about 4000 scientists come To live and work there each year.
Water
As we’ve said most of the Earth is covered with water, 70.8% of its surface in fact. 68.3% of the earth’s surface is covered with saltwater and 2.5% of the earth’s surface is covered with freshwater. However, about 41% of the known species of fish are only found in freshwater.
The largest fish that is found in salt water is the whale shark which can grow up to 12 metres in length and its mouth is 1 and 1/2 metres wide!
The largest freshwater fish is the Beluga sturgeon this can live in both freshwater and saltwater and it can measure up to 5 metres long.
Sea sponges are a type of animal life, scientists reckon that they have probably been around for over 760 trillion years.
Most of us will have heard of the longest rivers in the world the very longest is the river Nile in Africa which is about 6,650 km long after that is the Amazon in South America, the Yangtze in Asia and the Mississippi in North America.
The largest waterfalls in the world are the Angel Falls in Venezuela Which has a height of 979 m, and then Tugela in South Africa and then or Utigord in Norway.
Volcanoes
Children often enjoy learning about volcanoes at school. There are three types of volcanoes – Composite volcanoes, Cinder Cone volcanoes, and Shield volcanoes.
Volcanoes can also be classified as active dormant or extinct.
Active means it’s erupted in the last 10000 years. Dormant volcanoes, are those which have not erupted but they might erupt again, and Extinct volcanoes are those which are not expected to ever erupt again.
For more information
For more details on these and many other subjects you might like to get a copy of the book – it is available for 35% off (at the time of writing) and free P&P to anywhere in the world from Book Depository
There are 54 countries in Africa. Here is a list and some interesting information about them. So next time someone asks, “How many countries in Africa?” you can tell them more than just the number.
Here is a list in alphabetical order (except I put the 2 Congos together) with some interesting facts about each country. These are not necessarily the most important things about each of these countries but they just grabbed my attention.
The countries and a few facts about them
Algeria – Algeria is the largest country by area in Africa. It produces some of the best dates in the world.
Angola – Nearly 70% of the people in Angola are under 24 years old. Dreadlocks were first worn in Angola.
Benin – Royal pythons are worshipped in Benin. There is a place called the Temple of Pythons which houses about 50 adult royal pythons.
Botswana – Many people around the world feel they know a bit about Botswana because the book “The First Ladies Detective Agency” was set in Botswana. There are large areas for animals to roam around in Botswana as about 40% of the land is made up of nature reserves and national parks.
Burkina Faso – Burkina Faso is the largest producer of cotton in Africa. It is known as “white gold”. Its capital city is called Ouagadougou which is pronounced Wagadugu!
Burundi – at Mugere in Burundi is the Livingstone-Stanley Monument. It overlooks Lake Tanganyika and marks the spot where David Livingstone met Henry Morton Stanley and spent a couple of nights there in 1781. 92% of the population of Burundi still live in rural areas and group jogging is banned!
Cabo Verde – Cabo Verde is also known as the Cape Verde islands. The islands are covered with mountains which makes growing food difficult. There is lots of interesting marine life around including Loggernest Turtles and Humpback Whales.
Cameroon – Cameroon has a lake called Lake Nyos which is considered the most dangerous in the world as it has poisonous gases from a local volcano going into it. People come to Cameroon to see the hippos and also the forest deer which are called bongos. The bongos have white stripes on them which helps to camouflage them.
Central African Republic – The Central African Republic as its name suggests is in the middle of Africa. It has lots of lowland gorillas and forest elephants.
Chad – If you go to the to the Tibesti Mountains in Chad you can see some of the best camel racing in the world. About a third of the country is covered by the Sahara desert. The country is named after Lake Chad. Lake Chad has shrunk by about 95% since 1963 but it’s still the 17th largest lake in the world.
Comoros – The Comoros is made up of three tropical islands with amazing beaches. There is an active volcano called Mount Karthala which has erupted more than 20 times since the 19th century.
Democratic Republic of the Congo – The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the only country where wild bonobos and the eastern lowland gorillas are found. We need to make sure that they don’t become extinct.
Republic of the Congo – One of the major rivers in the Republic of the Congo is the Congo River which is the deepest in the world in some places. Depths of over 220 metres have been recorded.
Cote d’Ivoire – The Cote d’Ivoire has the largest church in the world which was modelled on the Vatican and finished in 1990. It can hold a congregation of 18000. However, it is rarely that full. The national football team is called Les Éléphants.
Djibouti – Lake Assal in Djibouti is saltier than the Dead Sea. After the sun sets taxi fares increase by about 50%.
Egypt – The Egyptian alphabet has over 700 hieroglyphs! Most of Egypt is made up of desert – The Sahara and Libyan Deserts.
Equatorial Guinea – Spanish is the official language. The Goliath frog lives here. The Goliath frog is large – it is about a foot long and weighs more than 3 kilos!
Eritrea – Eritrea means “red”, it is named after the Red Sea. It is likely that early humans migrated out of Africa from Eritrea.
eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) – The Ngwenya Mine is considered to be the world’s oldest mine – red ochre was extracted about 43,000 years ago and then iron later on. There are many rock paintings – some are as old as 25,000 B.C., others maybe just a couple of hundred years old.
Ethiopia – a human fossil which is about 3 million years old and known as Lucy was found in Ethiopia in 1974. Since then even older fossils were found in 2001. These fossils are about 5 million years old and are the oldest human remains ever found.
Gabon – The first people to live in Gabon were pygmies. The president is called Ali Bongo Ondimba which I think is a great name. 80% of Africa’s gorillas live here.
Gambia – Gambia is the smallest country in Africa. It Is also very narrow. At its widest, it is just 30 miles wide. One of Gambia’s largest exports is peanuts.
Ghana – Ghana used to be known as the Gold Coast. Gold was and is mined there. Ghana has the largest reservoir/artificial lake. It’s over 320 miles long and can be seen from space.
Guinea – There are 22 West African rivers that start in Guinea Including the Niger River, the Gambia River, and the Senegal River.
Guinea-Bissau – People from this region are known as Bissau-Guineans and not Guinea-Bissauans.
Kenya – Kenya has lots of national parks and nature reserves. Lots of tourists come to Kenya to look at the animals. The highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa Is called Mount Kenya.
Lesotho – Lesotho has about 300 days of sunshine each year. There is a dinosaur called the Lesothosaurus which means lizard from Lesotho. Its footprints can be seen in the rocks.
Liberia – The Sapo National Park Is in Liberia and in this park there are some very rare pygmy hippopotami. The Liberian flag is a bit like the American flag it has 11 white and red stripes which are two reminders of the 11 people who signed the Liberian Declaration of Independence.
Libya – Libya is 95% desert and so it needs to import 75% of its food. It has 1100 miles of coastline which makes it the longest Mediterranean coastline. There are superb Roman and Greek ruins including at Leptis Magna, which was described as one of the most beautiful Roman cities in the world.
Madagascar – Madagascar is an island country. In fact, it is the fourth largest island in the world. Lemurs are only found here. There are lots of different species of lemur many of which are rare or endangered.
Malawi – More than a fifth of Malawi is taken up by Lake Malawi. There are more species of fish there than anywhere else. David Livingstone described it as a “Lake of Stars” because of all the fishing boats with lanterns on it. It has also been called the Calendar Lake as it is 365 miles long and 52 miles wide.
Mali – In the early 1300s, Emperor Mansa Musa went to Mecca on a pilgrimage. Mansa Musa was very rich. He took with him 60,000 men, 12,000 slaves and 80 camels. Each camel carried 30 to 50 pounds of gold. Every Friday along the way Mansa Musa built a mosque.
Mauritania – In Mauritania there is an amazing circular feature in the desert called the Richat Structure or the Eye of the Sahara. It has a diameter of 25 miles! Early astronauts used it as a landmark to look for when they were in space.
Mauritius – The Dodo an exotic bird which is now extinct used to live on Mauritius. About 90% of cultivated land is used for growing sugarcane. However, Mauritius is probably best known as a tourist destination.
Morocco – There is a university called al-Qarawiyin in Fez. It was built by a woman in 849 as a madrasa – which is an educational institution. it is considered by many people to be the oldest university in the world.
Mozambique – Mozambique is the only country in the world that has a weapon on its flag. It is also the only country in the world to have a one-word name that contains all the vowels. If you play Scrabble you might also like to know that it is worth 34 points which is more than any other country. Not that you would use it as you don’t normally include nouns when playing Scrabble.
Namibia – Namibia has desert elephants! These are not a particular type of elephant although one time it was thought that they might be a subspecies of the African elephant, but these are elephants that have chosen to live in the desert. Now, from large animals to a large plant. Namibia has an 800-year-old baobab tree which has been hollowed out and used as a church, a Post Office and a hideout. It is at the Ombalantu Baobab Tree Heritage Centre & Campsite.
Niger – A strange looking dinosaur was discovered here, at least its head was strange. It was named Nigersaurus after the country. It had a head like a hammerhead shark with loads of teeth in it which was good for grazing on ferns. It had a long neck and was about 30 feet long together.
Nigeria – Nigeria has 170 million people which makes it the country with the largest population in Africa. The longest bridge in Africa is in Nigeria. It connects Lagos Island to the mainland. The Nigerian movie industry is called Nollywood. About 200 movies every week are produced.
Rwanda – Rwanda is known as the land of a thousand hills, as it is covered by grassy hills. You can visit gorillas in the wild in Rwanda. Kigali is incredibly clean as on the last Saturday of every month there is a community clear up programme.
Sao Tome and Principe – There is a beach called Praia Jalé, where you can stay in huts where there is no electricity. On some mornings giant sea turtles come onto the beach to lay their eggs.
Senegal – The most western part of Africa is in Senegal. There are over a 1000 stone circles which have been created from about 300 BCE and 1600 CE – these are called the Stone Circles of Senegambia.
Seychelles – Esmerelda the largest tortoise in the world lives here and is about 170 years old. Seychelles used to be a hideout for pirates.
Sierra Leone – In Sierra Leone there are 20 different words for rice including one for rice that sticks to the bottom of the pan. The name Sierra Leone comes from the Portuguese for “Lion Mountain Range”.
Somalia – There are more camels in Somalia than in any other country. Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa. It is 1880 miles long.
South Africa – South Africa has hosted the football, rugby and cricket world cups and it the only country to have done so. There are many wild animals in South Africa, but did you know that there are African Penguins living there?
South Sudan – South Sudan is a very new country. The first baby boy born on the day it became independent was called, “Independent”.
Sudan – Sudan became 25% smaller when South Sudan separated from it. There are more pyramids in Sudan than in Egypt.
Tanzania – Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa. They are both in Tanzania. Six species of galagos or bushbabies live in Tanzania.
Togo – In Togo, it is considered rude to be seen smelling your food and a compliment to be told you are fat.
Tunisia – Carthage which was a very important city in Roman times and has many amazing ruins which you can visit is in Tunisia. Lots of scenes from the original Star Wars film like Luke’s home are in Tunisia and are visited by Star Wars fans.
Uganda – Ugandans love trees, they have a rule that if you cut one down, you must plant 3 more. One favourite food is a pan of fried grasshoppers. This is considered a great treat.
Zambia – Zambia’s longest river is the Zambezi, after which it is named. The Victoria Falls which is classed as the largest waterfall in the world is on the Zambezi river between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe – In the 10th century this was a rich gold-trading country, where they build big stone houses. It is believed that Zimbabwe means either stone houses or honourable houses.
How many of these countries had you heard of?
Now can you fill in the missing vowels?
(Answers after the films and the craft activity.)
Ngr
Ghn
Ethp
Algr
Mdgscr
Ertr
Ml
Cntrl Afrcn Rpblc
Gmb
Gn-Bss
Rpblc f th Cng
Brnd
Egypt
Gn
Sngl
Djbt
Tnzn
Srr Ln
Btswn
Zmbbw
Sth Sdn
Ugnd
Sdn
Rwnd
Dmcrtc Rpblc f th Cng
Gbn
Mlw
Tg
Angl
Zmb
Eqtrl Gn
Mzmbq
Lsth
Swtn (frmrly Swzlnd)
Sml
Lbr
Cmrs
Kny
Chd
Ngr
Mrtn
Brkn Fs
Mrts
Bnn
Cb Vrd
Sth Afrc
Mrcc
S Tm nd Prncp
Lby
Tns
Sychlls
Nmb
Ct d’Ivr
A Song about the Countries of Africa
Here is a song from Arthur – if I had listened to this first I could have saved many hours of research!!
You might notice a couple of differences – put them in the comments below if you spot them.
This song tells you the names of the capitals of the African countries
A craft activity
A picture of an African savanna scene used with permission.
For instructions and templates to make your own please go to:
Nigeria
Ghana
Ethiopia
Algeria
Madagascar
Eritrea
Mali
Central African Republic
Gambia
Guinea-Bissau
Republic of the Congo
Burundi
Egypt
Guinea
Senegal
Djibouti
Tanzania
Sierra Leone
Botswana
Zimbabwe
South Sudan
Uganda
Sudan
Rwanda
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Gabon
Malawi
Togo
Angola
Zambia
Equatorial Guinea
Mozambique
Lesotho
eSwatini (formerly Swaziland)
Somalia
Liberia
Comoros
Kenya
Chad
Niger
Mauritania
Burkina Faso
Mauritius
Benin
Cabo Verde
South Africa
Morocco
Sao Tome and Principe
Libya
Tunisia
Seychelles
Namibia
Cote d’Ivoire
Cameroon
Comments and Feedback
I hope you enjoyed this page. Please let me know if you have any comments, suggestions or questions below in the comments area. I look forward to hearing from you!
How many people know their countries and capitals? How many people even know all the countries in Europe? Probably not that many. Have a look at theses lists and see how familiar they are? Maybe you might like to try out the missing vowels quiz or the anagrams quiz?
An Alphabetical List of European Countries and Capitals.
Albania Tirana
Andorra Andorra la Vella
Armenia Yerevan
Austria Vienna
Azerbaijan Baku
Belarus Minsk
Belgium Brussels
Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo
Bulgaria Sofia
Croatia Zagreb
Cyprus Nicosia
Czech Republic Prague
Denmark Copenhagen
Estonia Tallinn
Finland Helsinki
France Paris
Georgia Tbilisi
Germany Berlin
Greece Athens
Hungary Budapest
Iceland Reykjavik
Ireland Dublin
Italy Rome
Kazakhstan Astana
Kosovo Pristina
Latvia Riga
Liechtenstein Vaduz
Lithuania Vilnius
Luxembourg Luxembourg
Macedonia Skopje
Malta Valletta
Moldova Chisinau
Monaco Monaco
Montenegro Podgorica
Netherlands Amsterdam
Norway Oslo
Poland Warsaw
Portugal Lisbon
Romania Bucharest
Russia Moscow
San Marino San Marino
Scotland Edinburgh
Serbia Belgrade
Slovakia Bratislava
Slovenia Ljubljana
Spain Madrid
Sweden Stockholm
Switzerland Bern
Turkey Ankara
Ukraine Kyiv
England London
Vatican City (Holy See) Vatican City
Wales Cardiff
An Alphabetical List of European Capitals and their Countries.
Amsterdam Netherlands
Andorra la Vella Andorra
Ankara Turkey
Astana Kazakhstan
Athens Greece
Baku Azerbaijan
Belgrade Serbia
Berlin Germany
Bern Switzerland
Bratislava Slovakia
Brussels Belgium
Bucharest Romania
Budapest Hungary
Cardiff Wales
Chisinau Moldova
Copenhagen Denmark
Dublin Ireland
Edinburgh Scotland
Helsinki Finland
Kyiv Ukraine
Lisbon Portugal
Ljubljana Slovenia
London England
Luxembourg Luxembourg
Madrid Spain
Minsk Belarus
Monaco Monaco
Moscow Russia
Nicosia Cyprus
Oslo Norway
Paris France
Podgorica Montenegro
Prague Czech Republic
Pristina Kosovo
Reykjavik Iceland
Riga Latvia
Rome Italy
San Marino San Marino
Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina
Skopje Macedonia
Sofia Bulgaria
Stockholm Sweden
Tallinn Estonia
Tbilisi Georgia
Tirana Albania
Vaduz Liechtenstein
Valletta Malta
Vatican City Vatican City (Holy See)
Vienna Austria
Vilnius Lithuania
Warsaw Poland
Yerevan Armenia
Zagreb Croatia
Let’s start with something straight-forward. Here we have countries with their capitals but with the vowels missing.
grmny – brln
lbn – trn
hngry – bdpst
clnd – rykjvk
fnlnd – hlsnk
ksv – prstn
str – vnn
grc – thns
rlnd – dbln
lchtnstn – vdz
ndrr – ndrr l vll
mlt – vlltt
tly – rm
kzkhstn – stn
ltv – rg
zrbjn – bk
lthn – vlns
lxmbrg – lxmbrg
mcdn – skpj
mldv – chsn
dnmrk – cpnhgn
mnc – mnc
crt – zgrb
mntngr – pdgrc
plnd – wrsw
nthrlnds – mstrdm
czch rpblc – prg
nrwy – sl
prtgl – lsbn
blgr – sf
grg – tbls
slvn – ljbljn
rss – mscw
spn – mdrd
blrs – mnsk
slvk – brtslv
frnc – prs
stn – tllnn
rmn – bchrst
sn mrn – sn mrn
srb – blgrd
swdn – stckhlm
nglnd – lndn
bsn nd hrzgvn – srjv
vtcn cty – vtcn cty
rmn – yrvn
wls – crdff
cyprs – ncs
sctlnd – dnbrgh
blgm – brssls
krn – kyv
swtzrlnd – brn
trky – nkr
Copy and paste one of these sections.
Match these Countries with their Capitals
Draw a line to match each country with its capital
Vatican City Tbilisi
Wales Rome
Portugal Amsterdam
Kazakhstan Sarajevo
Turkey Astana
Georgia Cardiff
Monaco Lisbon
Albania Stockholm
Sweden Tirana
Slovenia Ankara
Italy Ljubljana
Bosnia and Herzegovina Vatican City
Netherlands Monaco
Match these Countries with their Capitals
Draw a line to match each country with its capital
Scotland Baku
Switzerland Riga
Slovakia Vienna
Cyprus Valletta
Ukraine Minsk
Malta Bratislava
Azerbaijan Helsinki
Belarus Luxembourg
Latvia Bern
Austria Kyiv
Luxembourg Nicosia
Finland Edinburgh
Croatia Zagreb
Match these Countries with their Capitals
Draw a line to match each country with its capital
Estonia Yerevan
Hungary Reykjavik
Greece San Marino
Romania Budapest
San Marino Andorra la Vella
Andorra Tallinn
Iceland Oslo
Montenegro Athens
Norway Chisinau
France Podgorica
Germany Berlin
Armenia Bucharest
Moldova Paris
Match these Countries with their Capitals
Draw a line to match each country with its capital
Although maths and English are very important, we shouldn’t stick to just teaching English and maths. Looking at the geography of our world is a great way to interest children and teaches us some skills at the same time. That’s geography skills and maths and English! Here are some useful geography teaching resources that I have found on the internet.
One of the good things about geography is that there are lots of photos lots of different types of pictures and diagrams, and lots of videos we can look at.
These sites are mainly for children up to 11 although some of the books suggested at the end of this article are for older pupils.
Our World
Our World is a welsh primary school site showing local geography, and then European and world geography that the children at a primary school have investigated. It is aimed at other children in their school but it is a fantastic resource for anyone.
Here we have a PowerPoint and a PDF. They tell the story of different children, the homestead living and the food they eat. They often have to grow their own food.
Here we have a PowerPoint and a set of teachers notes. The teachers notes of really useful. There are three questions for each picture to ask for children and some suggested activities. You might want to just pick one or two pictures to look at you don’t have to use the whole set.
There is a photo pack you can buy here but you don’t need to as there’s a PDF so you can look at it all online. There are 34 pages packed with pictures, questions, activities for you to do with your child.
There’s a rather clever video at the top of the page. You can actually click on a number of hotspots so that you can choose which child’s story you’re looking at. You can also look at various themes by clicking on the appropriate hotspot. The hotspots become available when you are 20 seconds into the video, and they are also available at the end of the video so you can choose something else.
There is one section for 8 -11 year olds and another for 11 -16 year olds.
In the first section, there is a fictional island and a role -playing game aimed at thinking about issues of sustainability and fairness related to buying land.
In the second section there is a situation for you to investigate concerning the forbidding of land to be sold for biofuels.
A lot of resources on this site for primary school children so that’s everybody between the ages about 5 and 11.
These have been collected from different teachers over quite a large period of time. The quality is variable partly because some of the resources look quite old fashioned now.
However, there are masses of PowerPoints and other documents which is very easy to just use either on the computer or to print off if it’s an activity.
There are a number of pages for geography. Each one has a box like this at the top so just click on whatever topic you would like and you’ll get further resources.
When I first came across this site it was onto a page of photographs, so I wondered why it was called 3D Geography. However, once I saw the first page it was obvious.
There are lots of models that you can make.
There are examples of rainforest and ocean dioramas that were made by Year 2 children, and there are some backgrounds you can use.
As well as these there are quizzes, word searches, vocabulary lists , animal facts posters and much more.
Using pictures
You will have noticed that there are plenty of picture photobanks amongst the resources. If we are using the photos publically then we have to be careful about copyright. For tutors – sites like https://unsplash.com/ or https://pixabay.com/ are really useful and some of these pictures are amazing.
For instance, I have typed in China on Unsplash and you get 1,307 amazing pictures come up.
I have done the same on Pixabay and another 4000+ come up but here you have to be careful and some of the pictures will take you to other sites where you need to pay for the pictures. These are clearly marked, but just be careful. Ignore the sponsored photos and choose from the “4,093 Free photos of China” section.
If you are just looking for some to use at home with your own child then you can be more relaxed about your use of pictures.
KS1 Geography Video
Watch this inspirational Geography video showcasing the work of Jane Whittle in an early map making journey with her class.
This would work well whatever the number of children you had, whether it is just you and your child or there are more of you.
Geography Teaching Resources
