Tool

9-12

World Population Map poster

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SUBJECTS: Social Studies

TOPICS: Population Density, World Population Trends/History

The World Population Map is a cartogram poster providing students a unique view of the Earth – the size of each country is shown in proportion to its population, rather than its land mass. Colorful squares are arranged to represent the 2022 global population of 8 billion people. The map is a powerful teaching tool for student exploration of how population data can be visually interpreted and how different map types can alter the perspective of how one sees the world.

These lessons in the Map Activity Guide have been designed primarily for the high school social studies classroom but all are interdisciplinary, relying on and applying knowledge and skills from mathematics, English language arts, and science.

Cartogram map of global population

Features of This Resource

  • 35″ x 50″ human population cartogram poster
  • Map Activity Guide includes a background reading and two classroom lesson plans
  • Opportunity for learners of all ages to work with geographic representations
  • Students practice geo-literacy and quantitative literacy

Accompanying Lesson Plans

The following are included with the downloadable Activity Guide:

Lesson Plans

Population Squared

- Students analyze, interpret, and evaluate conclusions on population data from the World Population Map, and then construct their own population cartogram.

Land Use Squared

- Students compare the World Population Map with an equal area map to calculate statistics related to urbanization and arable land.


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