Introduction: This project will test your research skills, your critical thinking skills, and give you an opportunity to do what we all would like to do: rule your own country. It is pretty important for you to keep this packet handy, since it contains all the information you need to complete this project. Oh, and you ought to read this packet. Just carrying it around probably won't do you much good. Don't say I didn't warn you.Directions: This project has several parts. You will complete each part by its due date (or before) and move on to the next portion of the project. Simple, huh?
Part I: The Research
1. What is the name of your country?
2. Where is your country located?
3. Describe the physical geography of your country. Does it have mountains? Is it an island? It is landlocked? Does it have multiple regions?
4. Describe the climate and vegetation of your country. What kind of weather does your country normally get? Is it cold and snowy? Is it dry? Is it a desert? Does it have rain forests? Remember to take your country's physical geography into account when discussing its climate.
5. Discuss the natural resources found in your country. Do the people in your country have an abundant energy source, or are they required to import it? Do they have any resources to export? Do they mine for gold or diamonds?
6. Describe the population of your country. Where do people live? Why do they live there? Does your country have huge population, or a very small one? Is your country's population growing? Why or why not? Do people in your country migrate a lot or do they stay put?
7. Describe your country's cultural traits. What kinds of work do they do? What are their beliefs? Do they have any interesting ways of doing things? What kinds of food do they eat? What is the language of your country? Do they have multiple languages? Are there any challenges to your country's culture or cultures?
8. Describe the religion of your country's people. Are they Christians? Are they Buddhist? Are they polytheistic?
9. Describe the social structure of your country's people. Are there social classes in your country? What are they? Is family important to the people of your country? If so, are nuclear or extended families more prevalent?
10. What kind of economic system do the people of your country use? Do they use capitalism, socialism, communism? Do they have their own unique system? What is the money called in your country? Do the people even use money?
11. What kind of political system does your country have? Is it a monarchy, a direct democracy, or a dictatorship? Is your country governed by one big central government or is it run by many smaller governments at the local level?
Part II: The Country
Create a country of your own. Use your imagination. The sky is the limit. Have fun.
Want your country to be underground? Go for it. Want your people to speak only in monosyllabic grunts? Fine.
There are just two rules.
First, it must be logical. Don't have tropical vegetation in a desert for example.
Second, you must answer the same questions for your fictional country as you did for your research country. Use these questions as your checklist for making sure you have addressed all the necessary points for your country.
Part III: The Maps
It just wouldn't be a Geography project unless we had a couple of maps. You need to draw two maps. One map needs to be of your research country and one map needs to be of your fictional country. Each map needs to have the following elements: Each of your maps must have a key, a scale, a compass rose, and any lakes, rivers, mountains, or other major physical features. They must show at least one city or town -- your nation's capital. They should show any borders it has with other countries. They should be colorful, creative, and neat. They should be large enough to present them to a group of people. Poster board size is a safe guide. Again - the more detail, the better.
Map Checklist
Use this checklist to make sure you have all the necessary parts of your maps. To meet the standard here you must meet these minimum requirements.
_____ Both of my maps have a key or legend.
_____ Both of my maps have a scale.
_____ Both of my maps have a compass rose.
_____ Both of my maps have the appropriate and important physical features.
_____ Both of my maps have the nations' capitols.
_____ My maps show any borders with other countries (if applicable).
_____ My maps are creative, colorful, and neat.
_____ My maps are large enough for use in a presentation (poster board size).
New Jobs on Teachers.Net
