Map Skills for Grade 5

A physical map shows land height, coastline, mountains, rivers, lakes, and deserts like the Namib desert in Namibia, the Kalahari desert in sections of South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, and the Sahara desert in Africa.

​ (Pratt-Zavadil, 2023).

​Physical Map

Political maps, which use bright colors to highlight the differences between the countries on the continent, their boundaries, and capital cities, are shown (Pratt-Zavadil, 2023). It emphasizes barriers created by humans.

Political Map

Political Map and Physical Map

Mountains, deserts, lakes, rivers, and oceans are examples of natural landforms and features that are shown on physical maps. To show the elevation change, they use color shades, which grow closer to sea level as the height increases. With shading, they can also show changes in height. To help with landscape information, physical maps also show important political boundaries, including large cities or roadways (Pratt-Zavadil, 2023).

​Why Is Physical Map Information Important?

For many topics, including geography, physical maps are essential because they offer deep information about the earth's features, such as rivers, mountains, and forests. Planning vacations, predicting weather, managing natural resources, and researching how humans affect the environment all depend on this information. For studying rocks and land, protecting natural areas, and taking part in outdoor activities, physical maps are very helpful. They assist in locating forests and bodies of water, guaranteeing safe outdoor experiences and assisting in practical decision-making.

(Dilley, Monteith, Nunneley, Proctor and Weldon, 2012).

On a map:
-The sea has a blue colour.
-Green is the colour of the lowlands close to the coast.
-Higher ground farther inland has brown and yellow colours.
-You can see what the colors on the physical map mean by checking the key.
-A symbol marking high mountains is shown along with the height in meters.

​(Dilley, et al., 2012).

Highlands are the highest point above sea level. Examples, plateau and escarpment.

Lowlands are the lowest points above sea level. Example, coastal plains

​​(Dilley, et al., 2012).

​The majority of the coastal plain is at sea level and is a low-lying region between the ocean and the escarpment.

​The Drakensburg and Cape Vouberg are among the high mountains that make up the escarpment.

The interior of the plateau is high and flat.

​​(Dilley, et al., 2012).

The height above sea level is the measurement of the height of a place (how high or how low a location is).

The benchmark is zero meters.

​​(Dilley, et al., 2012).

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A landform that rises high above its surroundings is called a mountain. It is typically taller than a hill, with sharp or rounded peaks and steep slopes. Very rarely do mountains exist in alone . Ranges are groups of mountains. Mountain belts are made up of lines of ranges.

(Britannica Kids, 2025).

Mount Kilimanjaro:
• Africa's tallest mountain and world's highest free-standing peak.
• Offers diverse trekking routes through its three volcanic cones.
• Uhuru Peak on Kibo offers a journey through varied ecosystems.

Mount Kenya:
• Africa's second-highest peak, located in central Kenya.
• Offers rugged landscapes, glacial valleys, and diverse flora.

Ras Dashen:
• The highest peak in Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains, offering rugged terrains, deep gorges, and unique wildlife encounters.

Highest Mountains in Africa

(Shamy, 2025).

Since they serve as rare species' habitats, natural freshwater areas, forests that slow down climate change, and sources of income and tourism, mountains are vital to both the environment and humankind. Also, they are culturally precious to many communities, helping save rare plants and animals.

(Matekere, 2025).

A river is a large, naturally occurring waterway that crosses land. Rivers have always been vital to human civilization even though they contain a very small portion of the water on Earth. Throughout the world, rivers provide freshwater to people, plants, and animals. They give people access to water power and a means of transportation. They also reshape the landscape by forming canyons and valleys.

​Rivers

​(Britannica Kids, 2025).

• The Nile River: With a length of over 6650 kilometers, the Nile flows through 11 countries and sustains life for ages.
• With a length of 4700 kilometers, the Congo River is the second-longest river in Africa. It flows through Central Africa and generates hydroelectric power.
• The fourth-longest river in Africa, the Zambezi flows through six nations and is well-known for the Victoria Falls.
• The Niger River: With a length of 4200 kilometers, the third longest river in West Africa, it is essential to fishing, transportation, and agriculture.
• The Limpopo River: Known for its abundant crocodile population, this South African river flows through Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.

​(Atlas, 2025).

​How rivers are shown on maps

Rivers appear as a thin blue line on a map and will have the name of the river written beside

Lakes are land-based bodies of water that can be found in millions of locations across the globe in a variety of settings, including plains, mountains, deserts, and seashores. They change in size depending on the continent.

​

​Lakes

​​(Beeton, 2018).

​Africa's Largest Lakes

Lake Victoria:
• Supports a varied ecosystem of reefs and islands; it is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake.
• Provides distinctive activities including sport fishing, birdwatching, boat excursions, and cross-cultural interactions.
• Supports communities economically through fisheries.

 Lake Naivasha
One of Kenya's most well-known lakes, Lake Naivasha is primarily supplied by the Malewa and Gilgil rivers, is home to a wide range of species, and provides both boat and walking safaris.
• Frequently featured in itineraries to neighboring sights.
• Encourages the local fishing and flower-growing industries.

Lake Tanganyika
• One of the ten biggest freshwater lakes in the world, Lake Tanganyika is also the longest lake in the world and serves as a natural boundary between Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The area offers attractions like crystal-blue waters, sport fishing, snorkeling, and diving, often paired with nearby parks and reserves for adventure and cultural discovery.

(Memphis Tours, 2018).

​How are lakes shown on a map

Lakes are shown on maps as blue regions, occasionally with contour lines showing their depth and frequently with a label. Darker blue colours or certain markings can be used to indicate deeper regions, and a number and a downward arrow might be used to indicate a lake's maximum depth.

​(Beeton, 2018).