Geographic skills
The aim of this page is to outline the "interpret, analyse and, when appropriate, construct tables, graphs, diagrams, cartographic material and images" and "undertake statistical calculations to show patterns and summarize information" sections of the IB DP Geography guide.
It is essential that the skills should be covered throughout the whole syllabus and that they are introduced and integrated where appropriate, depending on the context, in the different themes and the SL/HL core and HL extension. It is essential that the skills should be all taught at some stage of the course and are not treated in isolation.
The Geography guide
- Interpret, analyse and, when appropriate, construct tables, graphs, diagrams, cartographic material and images
- Isoline and isopleth maps
- Choropleth maps
- Topological maps
- Dot maps
- Flow maps
- Thematic maps
- Topographic maps
- Proportional symbols
- Aerial photographs
- Ground-level photographs
- Satellite images
- Scatter graphs
- Line graphs
- Bar graphs
- Compound graphs
- Triangular graphs
- Logarithmic graphs
- Bipolar graphs
- Pie charts
- Flow diagrams/charts
- Population pyramids
- Lorenz curves
- Cross-profiles (sections)
- Rose diagrams
- Development diamonds
- Undertake statistical calculations to show patterns and summarize information
- Interesting extras
Interpret, analyse and, when appropriate, construct tables, graphs, diagrams, cartographic material and images
Isoline and isopleth maps
Example

Definition
Isolines are lines drawn on maps connecting data points of the same value. Isolines should have equal intervals between them numerically, and if shaded in a choropleth manner, the map can be known as an isopleth map.
carto.com
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Specimen paper - Urban environments
Choropleth maps
Example

Definition
Choropleth Maps display divided geographical areas or regions that are coloured, shaded or patterned in relation to a data variable. This provides a way to visualise values over a geographical area, which can show variation or patterns across the displayed location.
The data variable uses colour progression to represent itself in each region of the map. Typically, this can be a blending from one colour to another, a single hue progression, transparent to opaque, light to dark or an entire colour spectrum.
datavizcatalogue.com
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- 1.1.3 Population distribution and economic development at the national scale
- 1.2.3 Migration - knowledge and understanding
- 2.1.3 The enhanced greenhouse effect
- 2.3.1 Climate change risk and vulnerability
- 3.1.1 Poverty reduction
- 3.1.5 Energy
- 4.1.1 Global interactions
- 6.1.4 Globalization and nationalism
- 6.2.1 Transboundary pollution - Chernobyl
- ee.1.4 Changing distribution of extreme environments over time
- fh.1.1 Global patterns in nutrition indicators
- fh.1.3 Global patterns in health indicators
- fh.2.4 Vector-borne and water-borne diseases
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Specimen paper - Unit 3
- N19 - Geophysical hazards, Food and health and Unit 3
- M21 - Unit 2
- M22 - Unit 1
- N22 - Freshwater
- M23 - Geophysical hazards
- N23 - Food and health
Topological maps
Example
I improved the #Topologist's #Map with territorial disputes (white dotted) and the Lake Constance condominium between Austria, Germany and Switzerland. pic.twitter.com/Xaa6sxKH6a
— Peter Staub ⛰ 🗺 🚲 (@peterstaub) March 9, 2021
Definition
A topological map is a type of diagram that has been simplified so that only vital information remains and unnecessary detail has been removed.
Wikipedia
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- N20 - Food and health
Dot maps
Example

nbcnews.com - 500,000 lives lost [22 February 2021]
CNN - Race and ethnicity across the nation [12 August 2021]
Office for National Statistics - Census maps
Definition
There are two types of Dot Map: one-to-one (one point represents a single count or object) and one-to-many (one point represents a particular unit, e.g. 1 point = 10 trees).
Dot Maps are ideal for seeing how things are distributed over a geographical region and can reveal patterns when the points cluster on the map. Dot Maps are easy to grasp and are better at giving an overview of the data, but are not great for retrieving exact values.
datavizcatalogue.com
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- N22 - Unit 2
Flow maps
Example
flowmap.blue - Relocations between Swiss cantons in 2016
Definition
A type of thematic map that uses linear symbols to represent movement.
Wikipedia
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- 1.1.3 Population distribution and economic development at the national scale
- 3.2.3 Recycling and waste
- 4.2.1 Global networks and flows - Global trade
- 4.2.2 Global networks and flows - Illegal flows
- fw.4.2 Multipurpose dams
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- M22 - Oceans and coastal margins
Thematic maps
Example

Definition
A type of map that portrays the geographic pattern of a particular subject matter (theme) in a geographic area.
Wikipedia
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- 4.3.3 Shrinking world - communications
- ee.1.4 Changing distribution of extreme environments over time
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- M19 - Oceans and coastal margins, Extreme environments and Unit 2
- N19 - Extreme environments and urban environments
- N20 - Freshwater and Food and health
- M21 - Oceans and coastal margins and Extreme environments
- N21 - Extreme environments and Geophysical hazards
- M22 - Extreme environments
- N23 - Oceans and coastal margins
- M24 - Freshwater, Oceans and coastal margins and Unit 2
Topographic maps
Example

Definition
The distinctive characteristic of a topographic map is the use of elevation contour lines to show the shape of the Earth's surface.
USGS
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Specimen paper - Freshwater
- M19 - Urban environments
- N19 - Oceans and coastal margins
- N20 - Geophysical hazards
- M21 - Food and health
- M22 - Urban environments
Sources
Proportional symbols
Example

USGS - USGS Magnitude 2.5+ Earthquakes, Past Day
Definition
Proportional symbol maps scale the size of simple symbols (usually a circle or square) proportionally to the data value found at that location. They are a simple concept to grasp: The larger the symbol, the “more” of something exists at a location.
Axis Maps
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Specimen paper - Unit 1
- N20 - Oceans and coastal margin
- M23 - Unit 3
Aerial photographs
Example
Definition
An aerial photograph, in broad terms, is any photograph taken from the air. Normally, air photos are taken vertically from an aircraft using a highly-accurate camera.
Concepts of Aerial Photography
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Specimen paper - Oceans and coastal margins
- M22 - Leisure, tourism and sport
Ground-level photographs
Example
Definition
Ground photography is taken from a vantage point somewhere at ground level. It can produce close up, detailed images or wider angle shots, but within a much more limited scope than aerial photographs.
JRR Aerial Imaging
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- M23 - Oceans and coastal margins
- M24 - Extreme environments
Satellite images
Example

Definition
Satellite imagery consists of photographs of Earth or other planets captured by satellites.
IGI Global
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- M19 - Leisure, tourism and sport
- N21 - Freshwater
- M24 - Leisure, tourism and sport
Scatter graphs
Example
Definition
A scatter diagram (also known as scatter plot, scatter graph, and correlation chart) is a tool for analyzing relationships between two variables for determining how closely the two variables are related. One variable is plotted on the horizontal axis and the other is plotted on the vertical axis. The pattern of their intersecting points can graphically show relationship patterns.
online.visual-paradigm.com
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- 1.1.2 Global patterns of economic development
- 3.3.3 Resource stewardship and the UN SDGs
- 5.2.1 Global spectrum of cultural traits
- 6.3.3 New technologies for the management of global flows
- fh.2.2 Variations in food consumption
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- M19 - Freshwater
- N21 - Unit 3
- M22 - Geophysical hazards
- N23 - Urban environments
Line graphs
Example

Definition
A line chart (aka line plot, line graph) uses points connected by line segments from left to right to demonstrate changes in value. The horizontal axis depicts a continuous progression, often that of time, while the vertical axis reports values for a metric of interest across that progression.
chartio
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- 1.3.2 Ageing societies - Japan
- 3.1.4 Water, land and food
- 3.1.5 Energy
- 6.3.3 New technologies for the management of global flows
- ee.1.3 Cold / high altitude extreme environments
- fh.1.1 Global patterns in nutrition indicators
- fh.1.2 The nutrition transition
- fw.1.2 River discharge and hydrographs
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- M19 - Unit 1
- N20 - Unit 1 and Unit 2
- N21 - Unit 3
- N22 - Oceans and coastal margins
- M23 - Leisure, tourism and sport
- N23 - Freshwater (as a hydrograph)
- M24 - Urban environmen
Bar graphs
Example
Definition
A bar graph is a graphical representation of information. It uses bars that extend to different heights to depict value.
Bar graphs can be created with vertical bars, horizontal bars, grouped bars (multiple bars that compare values in a category), or stacked bars (bars containing multiple types of information).
Investopedia
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- 3.1.2 The growth of the “new global middle class”
- 6.2.3 Carbon footprints for global flows
- ee.1.3 Cold / high altitude extreme environments
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Specimen paper - Leisure, tourism and sport
- M21 - Leisure, tourism and sport
- N21 - Urban environments
- M22 - Unit 3
- N23 - Freshwater (as a hydrograph) and Unit 3
Compound graphs
Example
Definition
A compound bar-chart (also known as a stacked bar-chart) is similar to a clustered bar-chart, but instead of placing the bars next to each other, they are placed on top of each other.
peterstatistics.com
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- 1.3.3 Gender equality policies
- 2.2.2 Climate change and the incidence and severity of extreme weather events
- 3.1.1 Poverty reduction
- 3.1.5 Energy
- fh.2.1 The merits of a systems approach
- fh.2.2 Variations in food consumption
- fh.2.4 Vector-borne and water-borne diseases
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- N19 - Unit 1
- M21 - Unit 3
- N21 - Food and health
- M22 - Freshwater
- N23 - Unit 1
Triangular graphs
Example

Definition
Triangular graphs are used to show the relationship between 3 sets of data, and are used when the 3 sets of data combined add up to 100%.
Piggraphy Alevel Skills
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- N20 - Leisure, tourism and sport
- N23 - Oceans and coastal margins
Logarithmic graphs
Example

Definition
On a logarithmic scale, numbers on the Y-axis don’t move up in equal increments but instead each interval increases by a set factor – it’s often 10 but could be a factor of 3 or 350 or 3,500, anything at all. It all depends on what is deemed to be the most effective way of interpreting the data in question. The Richter scale is logarithmic – an earthquake that measures 6 is 10- times more destructive than one that measures 5.
It “flattens out the rate of growth so it becomes easier to see,", he says. "On a logarithmic graph of COVID-19 infections, even though the overall numbers are still increasing, you can see the point at which the rate of growth starts to level off when that exponential growth has stopped."
World Economic Forum - What's a logarithmic graph and how does it help explain the spread of COVID-19? [3 April 2020]
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- fh.2.1 The merits of a systems approach
- fw.1.3 River processes - erosion, transportation and deposition
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- M22 - Geophysical hazards
- N22 - Geophysical hazards
- M23 - Food and health
Bipolar graphs
Example


Definition
Bipolar survey -
A survey where a chosen aspect is rated using
PMT - Edexcel Geography A-Level
polar opposite ratings (e.g. from -5 to +5).
Bipolar analysis -
One way of displaying the results of the bi-polar analysis is to draw a bar chart with the bi-polar score on the x-axis and labels on the y-axis.
Field Studies Council
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
No geographyalltheway.com pages include this content yet.
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Not yet
Pie charts
Example

Definition
A pie chart is a graphical representation of data that is used to show the proportion of different categories within a whole. It is often used in geography to compare the relative sizes of different regions or land uses. The chart is circular in shape and each category is represented by a slice or wedge, the size of which is proportional to the amount of data it represents. This type of visualization allows for a quick and easy comparison of the different categories and their relative sizes.
ChatGPT
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- 3.1.2 The growth of the “new global middle class”
- 6.2.3 Carbon footprints for global flows
- fh.1.4 The disease continuum and the implications of a global ageing population
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- N21 - Oceans and coastal margins
- N22 - Paper 2 visual stimulus
Flow diagrams/charts
Example

Definition
A flow chart is a type of diagram that represents a process or system, showing the steps and decisions involved. It uses symbols and shapes to connect the steps in a logical order, and is commonly used in geography to document and communicate processes such as land use change, population migration and other spatio-temporal processes.
ChatGPT - What is a flow chart → Please rewrite this for a geographer
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- 2.1.1 The atmospheric system
- 3.3.2 The circular economy
- 6.2.4 Global shift of industry
- ee.1.4 Changing distribution of extreme environments over time
- fh.2.1 The merits of a systems approach
- fw.1.1 The drainage basin as an open system
- fw.1.4 River landforms
- fw.2.1 Flood risk within a drainage basin
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Specimen paper - Extreme environments
- M19 - Geophysical hazards
- N19 - Geophysical hazards
- M21 - Urban environments
Population pyramids
Example

Definition
The population pyramid represents the breakdown of the population by gender and age at a given point in time. It consists of two histograms, one for each gender (by convention, men on the left and women on the right) where the numbers are shown horizontally and the ages vertically. The numbers by gender and by age depend on interactions between fertility, mortality and migrations. The shape of the pyramid and its variations over the years depend above all on the variations in fertility.
Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- N22 - Paper 2 visual stimulus
- M23 - Unit 1
Lorenz curves
Example


- Estimate what percentage of the city's total wealth belongs to the wealthiest 10% of households. [1]
- Referring to the graph, outline the evidence that many households in this city suffer from poverty. [2]
Definition
Graphical Representation of the Gini Index (Lorenz curve)
The Gini index is often represented graphically through the Lorenz curve, which shows income (or wealth) distribution by plotting the population percentile by income on the horizontal axis and cumulative income on the vertical axis.
The further a Lorenz curve deviates from the perfectly equal straight line (which represents a Gini coefficient of 0), the higher the Gini coefficient and the less equal the society.
towardsdatascience.com - Clearly Explained: Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve [27 April 2020]
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- You will need to go back to the urban environments question in May 2018 or further to November 2006 to find a lorenz curve in the DP Geography exam.
Cross-profiles (sections)
Example


Definition
A [topographical] cross section is a representation of the land surface of an area, showing the elevation and relief of the land in a vertical, or cross-sectional, view. It is typically created using data from topographical surveys. The cross section will typically show the relative elevations of different parts of the land, as well as features such as valleys, hills, rivers, and other physical features.
ChatGPT
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- N22 - Extreme environments
Rose diagrams
Example

Definition
A type of chart used in geography to represent the distribution of data in terms of direction or orientation. It is similar to a bar chart, but instead of using bars to represent data, it uses wedges or sectors of a circle to represent the frequency or proportion of data in different directions. The data is usually grouped into a number of categories or bins, with each bin representing a specific range of angles or orientations. The size of each wedge corresponds to the frequency or proportion of data within that bin, while the angle or orientation represents the direction or azimuth of the data.
In geography, what is a rose diagram? - ChatGPT
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- N20 - Extreme environments
- M21 - Geophysical hazards
- N23 - Paper 1 Section B
Development diamonds
Example

Definition
A tool that visualises four different factors that are considered crucial for development or for an index. Commonly a development diamond shows how one country (or place) compares to a global average score.
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- You need to go back to the November 2005 exam (Paper 1) to find development diamonds used in exams.
Undertake statistical calculations to show patterns and summarize information
Totals
Example

State the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by China and India combined in billions of tonnes.
Definition
The result of adding.
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
No geographyalltheway.com pages include this content yet.
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- M21 - Leisure, tourism and sport
Averages (means, medians, modes)
Example

State the median number of visitors, in millions, for the ten major tourist destinations, for 2014.
Definition
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
No geographyalltheway.com pages include this content yet.
Used in a recent DP Geography exam?
- M21 - Freshwater [mode]
- N21 - Leisure, tourism and sport [median]
Frequencies
Example

Identify which country has the most buildings between 540m and 700m in height.
Definition
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- M21 - Freshwater
Ranges of data
Example

State the range of the number of international visitors, in millions, for the ten major tourist destinations, for 2014.
Definition
Differences between maximum and minimum.
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
No geographyalltheway.com pages include this content yet.
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- M21 - Leisure, tourism and sport
- N21 - Leisure, tourism and sport
- N22 - Oceans and coastal margins
Densities
Example
Definition
Density is the number of things—which could be people, animals, plants, or objects—in a certain area.
National Geographic Resource Library
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Not yet
Percentages
Example

Definition
A number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. For example - India's literacy rate for 2018 was 74.37%, a 5.07% increase from 2011.
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
No geographyalltheway.com pages include this content yet.
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Not yet
Ratios
Example

Definition
The ratio is defined as the comparison of two quantities of the same units that indicates how much of one quantity is present in the other quantity.
cuemath.com
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Not yet
Interesting extras
Treemaps
Example

Definition
A method for displaying hierarchical data using nested figures, usually rectangles.
Wikipedia
Used in geographyalltheway.com lessons
- 2.1.3 The enhanced greenhouse effect
- 3.1.2 The growth of the “new global middle class”
- 4.2.1 Global networks and flows - Global trade
- fh.1.4 The disease continuum and the implications of a global ageing population
- fh.3.3 Gender roles related to food and health
Last seen in a DP Geography exam
- Not yet