Nova Scotia · Grade 12
Global Geography 12
- GGS12
Nova Scotia’s Grade 12 social studies course, from Unit 1: The Global Geographer to Unit 6: Culture and Politics.
- Units
- 6
- Lessons
- 12
- Skills
- 28
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 6 skills
Unit 1: The Global Geographer
The Geographer's Tools and Methods
Using data and technology for geographic issues
I can formulate predictions about geographic issues by manipulating raw data using computer-based technology such as GIS and spreadsheets.
Skill 1.1
Key concepts and methods of geography
I can identify the key concepts, skills, and analytical methods geographers use.
Skill 1.2
Perspectives and Geographic Research
How the world reached its current state
I can build and illustrate a geographic argument about how the world arrived at its current state at the beginning of the 21st century.
Skill 1.3
Issues from multiple perspectives
I can examine geographic issues from multiple perspectives, including the experiences of youth.
Skill 1.4
Conducting a geographic research project
I can plan, conduct, and present a geographic research project using the skills and methods of geography.
Skill 1.5
A global issue across disciplines
I can research a global issue from the perspective of geography and at least two other disciplines.
Skill 1.6
The official wording · 6 outcomes
- 1.1
- formulate predictions about geographic issues by manipulating raw data using computer-based technology
- 1.2
- identify key concepts, skills, and problem solving and analytical methods used by geographers
- 1.3
- illustrate an argument as to how the world arrived at its current state at the beginning of the 21st century, using the discipline of geography
- 1.4
- examine all issues from multiple perspectives and with regard to the experiences of youth
- 1.5
- plan, conduct, and present a research project, independently or collaboratively, using the skills and methods of geography
- 1.6
- research a global issue from the perspective of geography and at least two other disciplines
Key ideas
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) layer spatial data on maps to reveal patterns and relationships.
Today's world is the product of geographic processes: migration, colonization, industrialization, trade, and environmental change.
Raw data (e.g. census, climate, economic figures) becomes insight when organized, mapped, and analyzed.
A geographic argument uses evidence (data, maps, patterns) to explain a claim.
Spreadsheets and presentation tools help geographers sort data and communicate findings.
Watch out for
- Thinking geography is just memorizing maps - it is data-driven spatial analysis.
- Thinking the current world 'just happened' - it results from traceable geographic processes.
- Assuming raw data speaks for itself - it must be organized and interpreted.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 4 skills
Unit 2: The Planet Earth
Earth as a Living System
Earth as a unique planet for human life
I can explain what makes Earth a unique planet for human life.
Skill 2.1
The planetary state of health
I can evaluate the planetary state of health using environmental indicators.
Skill 2.2
Ecosystems and Natural Disasters
The global distribution of ecosystems
I can examine and analyze the global distribution of ecosystems and the factors that shape it.
Skill 2.3
Natural disasters and humans
I can investigate the relationship between natural disasters and humans, including why some populations are more vulnerable.
Skill 2.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 2.1
- an understanding of the earth as a unique planet for human life
- 2.2
- evaluate the planetary state of health
- 2.3
- examine/analyze the global distribution of ecosystems
- 2.4
- the relationship between natural disasters and humans
Key ideas
Earth's habitability depends on interacting systems: atmosphere, hydrosphere (water), biosphere (life), and lithosphere (land).
Ecosystems (biomes) - such as rainforest, grassland, desert, tundra - are distributed in patterns across the globe.
A stable climate, liquid water, breathable air, and protection from radiation make complex life possible.
Climate (temperature and precipitation), latitude, and elevation are the main factors shaping where biomes occur.
These systems are interconnected - a change in one affects the others.
Watch out for
- Thinking Earth's habitability is guaranteed - it depends on a delicate systems balance.
- Thinking ecosystems are randomly placed - climate patterns explain their distribution.
- Treating Earth's spheres as separate - they constantly interact.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 5 skills
Unit 3: Population
Quality of Life and Where People Live
Understanding quality of life
I can explain what quality of life means and the different dimensions that make it up.
Skill 3.1
Evaluating measures of quality of life
I can evaluate various measures of quality of life and their strengths and weaknesses.
Skill 3.2
Population distribution and density
I can explain patterns of population distribution and density and why people live where they do.
Skill 3.3
Reading and Projecting Population
Interpreting population with vital statistics
I can interpret aspects of global population using vital statistics as tools.
Skill 3.4
Implications of population change
I can analyze the implications of population growth, distribution, and density for societies and the environment.
Skill 3.5
The official wording · 5 outcomes
- 3.1
- demonstrate an understanding of / evaluate various measures of Quality of Life
- 3.2
- evaluate various measures of Quality of Life
- 3.3
- explain patterns of population distributions and densities
- 3.4
- interpret aspects of global population, using vital statistics as tools
- 3.5
- the implications of growth, distributions, and densities
Key ideas
Quality of life is more than income - it includes health, education, safety, environment, and freedoms.
Vital statistics include birth rate, death rate, natural increase, fertility rate, and life expectancy.
It has both material dimensions (wealth, housing) and non-material ones (well-being, rights).
A population pyramid shows a population's age and sex structure and hints at its future.
Quality of life varies enormously between and within countries.
Watch out for
- Equating quality of life with income alone - it is multidimensional.
- Confusing birth rate with growth rate - growth also depends on deaths and migration.
- Assuming national averages describe everyone - inequality hides within them.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 5 skills
Unit 4: Resources and Commodities
Food and Water
The global production and distribution of food
I can analyze the factors that affect the global production and distribution of food.
Skill 4.1
The global distribution and consumption of water
I can analyze the factors that affect the global distribution and consumption of water.
Skill 4.2
Industrialization and Its Effects
Patterns of industrialization and resource extraction
I can examine contemporary global patterns of industrialization and resource extraction.
Skill 4.3
Effects of industrialization on quality of life
I can evaluate the effects of industrialization on quality of life throughout the world, including its benefits.
Skill 4.4
The costs of industrialization
I can evaluate the environmental and social costs of industrialization on quality of life throughout the world.
Skill 4.5
The official wording · 5 outcomes
- 4.1
- factors that affect the global production and distribution of food
- 4.2
- factors that affect the global distribution and consumption of water
- 4.3
- contemporary global patterns of industrialization and resource extraction
- 4.4
- the effects of industrialization on quality of life throughout the world
- 4.5
- the effects of industrialization on quality of life throughout the world
Key ideas
Physical factors (climate, soil, water) determine where food can be grown.
Industrialization has shifted globally - much manufacturing moved to newly industrializing countries.
Economic and technological factors (mechanization, trade, markets) shape how much is produced and where it goes.
Resource extraction (mining, oil, timber) is concentrated where resources are, often in the Global South.
Political factors (subsidies, conflict, trade policy) affect distribution and access.
Watch out for
- Thinking hunger is only about not producing enough food - access and distribution are central.
- Thinking industry is fixed in 'developed' countries - it has shifted globally.
- Ignoring political factors in the global food system.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 5 · 4 skills
Unit 5: Urbanization
Urban Patterns and Structure
Patterns of urbanization
I can identify patterns of urbanization around the world.
Skill 5.1
Models of urban structure
I can evaluate models of urban structure in developed and developing countries.
Skill 5.2
Urban Change and Improvement
Growth and decline of cities
I can explain and extrapolate trends in the growth and decline of cities.
Skill 5.3
Improving urban environments
I can illustrate strategies to improve urban environments and make cities more livable and sustainable.
Skill 5.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 5.1
- identify patterns of urbanization
- 5.2
- models of urban structure in developed and developing countries
- 5.3
- explain/extrapolate trends regarding the growth and decline of cities
- 5.4
- strategies to improve urban environments
Key ideas
Urbanization is the growing share of people living in cities rather than rural areas.
Cities grow through migration and natural increase and can sprawl outward (suburbanization).
The world crossed the point where most people live in urban areas, and cities keep growing.
Cities can also decline - through deindustrialization, job loss, or shrinking populations.
Urbanization is fastest today in developing countries, producing rapidly growing megacities.
Watch out for
- Thinking urbanization is finished in developed countries and irrelevant elsewhere - it is fastest in the developing world.
- Thinking all cities only grow - many decline or reshape.
- Confusing urban growth (more people) with urbanization (rising urban share).
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 6 · 4 skills
Unit 6: Culture and Politics
Cultural Geography
The distribution of cultural groups
I can analyze the distribution of different cultural groups in the world.
Skill 6.1
Culture and the environment
I can investigate how cultural attitudes and practices affect the environment.
Skill 6.2
Political Geography
The contemporary global political pattern
I can examine how the contemporary global political pattern evolved.
Skill 6.3
Mismatches between political and cultural patterns
I can analyze the spatial disjunctions between political, cultural, and other patterns.
Skill 6.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 6.1
- the distribution of different cultural groups in the world
- 6.2
- the extent to which the environment has been/is affected by cultural attitudes and practices
- 6.3
- the evolution of the contemporary global political pattern
- 6.4
- the spatial disjunctions between political, cultural, and other patterns
Key ideas
Cultural groups can be defined by language, religion, ethnicity, and shared traditions.
The world is divided into sovereign states with defined borders - a system that is historically recent.
Cultures are distributed in patterns shaped by history, migration, and diffusion.
Colonialism, decolonization, and conflict repeatedly redrew the political map.
Culture regions (e.g. linguistic or religious realms) map where groups concentrate.
Watch out for
- Thinking cultural boundaries are sharp lines - they blend and overlap.
- Thinking the current map of states is permanent or natural - it is recent and changing.
- Assuming culture maps onto national borders - it often crosses them.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
Which course?
Nova Scotia has 2 social studies courses for Grade 12. Here they are side by side.
- Global Geography 12This courseGGS126 units · 28 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversUnit 1: The Global Geographer · Unit 2: The Planet Earth · Unit 3: Population · Unit 4: Resources and Commodities · Unit 5: Urbanization · Unit 6: Culture and Politics
- Law 12LAW124 units · 32 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversUnit I: Foundations of Justice and Law · Unit II: Criminal Law · Unit III: Civil Law · Unit IV: Other Areas of Law
What a university, college or program asks for is theirs to say: check its admission page, and your school’s course guide.
The official curriculum
This page follows Nova Scotia’s own curriculum for Global Geography 12.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Global Geography 12 one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.
Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep Global Geography 12 organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
- 34
- Fillable fields
- 1,481
- Price
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Questions about Global Geography 12
What is Global Geography 12?
Nova Scotia’s Grade 12 social studies course: 6 units and 28 skills, from Unit 1: The Global Geographer to Unit 6: Culture and Politics.
What units are in Global Geography 12?
1. Unit 1: The Global Geographer, 2. Unit 2: The Planet Earth, 3. Unit 3: Population, 4. Unit 4: Resources and Commodities, 5. Unit 5: Urbanization and 6. Unit 6: Culture and Politics.
Is there a provincial exam for Global Geography 12?
No. Nova Scotia gives no provincial exam for Global Geography 12.
Can MapleMind help with Global Geography 12?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Global Geography 12, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
Get ready for Global Geography 12
Practise every skill of Global Geography 12 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
