Keyphrase: CBSE Class 6 Social Science – Chapter Wise Study Materials Based on NCERT

This study module is prepared strictly as per the NCERT syllabus and covers Theme A — India and the World: Land and the People, focusing on Chapter 1: Locating Places on Earth. The notes below are concise, exam-focused and suitable for CBSE Class 6 board standards, school tests, and classroom revision.

1. What is the Earth? (Basic Understanding)

The Earth is a nearly spherical planet with surface features made up of landmasses (continents) and water bodies (oceans). At a basic level for Class 6 students, it is important to visualise the globe — a three-dimensional model of the Earth that shows how countries, continents and oceans are arranged.

2. Continents and Oceans — the Big Picture

The Earth’s surface is divided into continents and oceans. There are seven continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. The five major oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern (or Antarctic), and Arctic Oceans. Understanding the location and relative size of each helps students grasp global geography.

3. Maps — Why They Matter

Maps are two-dimensional representations of the Earth’s surface designed to help us locate places and understand spatial relationships. They are simplified drawings that show selected features such as countries, rivers, mountains and roads. Maps are useful because they are easier to carry and study than a globe.

Types of maps students should know: Physical maps (show natural features), Political maps (show countries, states, cities), and Thematic maps (focus on a particular topic like rainfall or population).

4. Reading a Map — Symbols, Scale and Orientation

Every map uses symbols, a scale and a direction indicator (usually the north arrow). Symbols help represent real-world features (e.g., a tree icon for forests). The scale tells how distances on a map relate to real distances on the ground — for example, 1 cm = 50 km. Orientation shows which way is north, and from that you can find east, south and west.

5. The Grid System — Latitude and Longitude

The grid system helps us locate any place on Earth using an imaginary set of lines. These lines are:

• Latitude (parallels): Horizontal lines running east–west, measured in degrees north or south from the Equator (0° latitude). Important parallels include the Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circles.
• Longitude (meridians): Vertical lines running from the North Pole to the South Pole, measured in degrees east or west from the Prime Meridian (0° longitude), which passes through Greenwich, London.

To find a place, note its latitude first (north or south) and then its longitude (east or west). For example, 28°N, 77°E is a coordinate close to New Delhi.

6. Cardinal Directions and Using a Compass

Cardinal directions — North, South, East and West — are fundamental to map-reading. A compass points towards the magnetic north, and using the compass together with a map helps to orient the map correctly in the field. Remember: East is to the right when facing North; West is to the left.

7. Practical Map Skills for Class 6

Students should practise the following skills regularly:

• Locate continents and oceans on a blank world map.
• Identify and mark the Equator, Prime Meridian, Tropics and Poles.
• Measure distances using map scales and convert them into real distances.
• Use latitude and longitude pairs to find given locations.
• Interpret simple thematic maps (e.g., rainfall, vegetation).

8. Common Exam Question Types

Questions in CBSE Class 6 Social Science typically include:

• Very short answer: Definitions (e.g., what is a globe?).
• Short answer: Explain the difference between a map and a globe.
• Long answer/Explain: Describe the grid system and its importance.
• Map skills: Mark and label continents, oceans and key parallels.

9. Quick Revision Checklist

10. Activities & Classroom Exercises

Suggested activities that align with NCERT learning outcomes:

• Create a simple paper globe or a 2D map of your locality and label important features.
• Organise a “map hunt” — give coordinates and ask classmates to find the place on a map.
• Compare different types of maps (physical vs political) and list three differences.
• Use an atlas to find the coordinates of selected capital cities and share them in class.

Closing Note

This revision guide follows the NCERT syllabus and is crafted to help Class 6 students build a strong foundation in basic geography. Mastering Chapter 1 prepares learners for more advanced map work in later classes and strengthens their spatial awareness for general studies and examinations.