Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 11 Geography
This course investigates the complex interactions between physical environments and human societies. Students analyze spatial patterns, resource management, and the geopolitical forces that shape our modern world through a geographic lens.

01Geographic Foundations and Spatial Technologies
Students master the tools of the geographer, focusing on how spatial data is collected, analyzed, and used to solve real world problems.
Students will explore the fundamental questions and methodologies that define the field of geography, distinguishing it from other disciplines.
Students will identify and categorize different types of geographic data (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, primary, secondary) and explore various sources.
An exploration of how satellite imagery and digital mapping layers transform our understanding of terrestrial changes.
Students will investigate various map projections, understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and the inherent distortions in representing a 3D Earth on a 2D surface.
Students will learn to read and interpret various map elements, including scale, legend, and coordinate systems, to extract geographic information.
Examining how personal experience and cultural background influence the way individuals map their surroundings.
The methodology of primary research in geography, emphasizing observation and systematic recording of the environment.
Students will differentiate between qualitative and quantitative data in geographic research, exploring appropriate collection methods and analytical approaches for each.
Students will learn to identify and interpret spatial patterns in geographic data, using various analytical techniques to understand distributions and relationships.
Students will examine how changing the scale of analysis impacts the interpretation of geographic phenomena, from local to global perspectives.

02Physical Systems: The Dynamic Earth
An investigation into the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere to understand the natural processes that create landforms and climate patterns.
Studying the internal forces of the Earth that shape mountains and cause seismic activity.
Students will investigate the processes that break down rocks and transport sediment, shaping landscapes over time.
Students will explore the formation of major landforms (e.g., mountains, valleys, deltas) and the geomorphic processes responsible for their creation.
Students will examine the layers of the atmosphere and the gases that compose it, understanding their roles in weather and climate.
Students will investigate the dynamics of weather systems, including fronts, pressure systems, and severe weather events, and their geographic distribution.
Analyzing how solar energy and moisture move across the globe to create distinct climate regions.
Students will explore the major factors influencing global climate patterns, including latitude, altitude, ocean currents, and landforms.
Understanding the movement of water and the importance of drainage basins in local ecosystems.
Students will investigate the distribution, availability, and management challenges of freshwater resources globally, including issues of scarcity and pollution.
Students will investigate the major ocean currents, their causes, and their profound impact on global climate and marine biodiversity.

03Human Populations and Migration
Exploring demographic trends and the movement of people across borders in response to economic, social, and environmental factors.
Students will analyze global patterns of population distribution and density, identifying factors that influence where people live.
Analyzing birth rates, death rates, and population growth patterns across different stages of development.
Students will interpret population pyramids to understand the age and sex structure of different populations and predict future demographic trends.
Students will examine various population policies (e.g., pro-natalist, anti-natalist) implemented by governments and their social, economic, and ethical implications.
Investigating why people leave their homes and what draws them to specific destinations.
Students will differentiate between voluntary and forced migration, examining the diverse motivations and consequences for individuals and societies.
Students will analyze the social, economic, and cultural consequences of migration for both sending and receiving countries, including remittances and cultural diffusion.
Examining the rapid growth of cities and the challenges of providing infrastructure for millions of residents.
Students will investigate the social, economic, and environmental challenges associated with rapid urban growth, particularly the proliferation of informal settlements.
Students will explore principles of urban planning and design aimed at creating more sustainable, equitable, and resilient cities.

04Global Resources and Food Systems
A study of how humans extract, distribute, and consume natural resources, with a focus on agriculture and energy.
Students will trace the history of agricultural revolutions, from the Neolithic to the Green Revolution, and analyze their geographic and societal impacts.
Students will evaluate the successes and failures of the Green Revolution in increasing food production and its social and environmental consequences.
Students will investigate the causes and consequences of food insecurity and famine, exploring geographic factors and policy responses.
Students will trace the global journey of food from production to consumption, analyzing the environmental, economic, and social impacts of different food systems.
Analyzing how the distribution of oil, gas, and renewable energy sources influences international relations.
Students will compare and contrast different energy sources, evaluating their geographic distribution, environmental impacts, and economic viability.
Students will examine global patterns of energy consumption and explore strategies for improving energy efficiency and reducing demand.
Examining the increasing competition for fresh water resources in arid and semi-arid regions.
Students will investigate the geographic distribution of mineral resources, the processes of extraction, and the environmental and social impacts of mining.
Students will examine the global distribution of forest resources, the causes and consequences of deforestation, and sustainable forestry practices.

05Economic Development and Globalization
Analyzing the patterns of global wealth and the interconnectedness of economies through trade and technology.
Tracing the path of consumer goods from raw materials to the final product.
Students will examine the geographic factors influencing industrial location decisions and the concept of agglomeration economies.
Students will examine the role and impact of transnational corporations (TNCs) on global economic patterns, labor practices, and environmental regulations.
Students will investigate the formation and impact of major trade blocs (e.g., EU, NAFTA) and international economic organizations (e.g., WTO, IMF) on global trade and development.
Evaluating the economic benefits and environmental/cultural costs of the global travel industry.
Students will explore the concept of the digital divide, examining how unequal access to technology impacts economic development and global interconnectedness.
Students will investigate the characteristics and geographic distribution of the informal economy, analyzing its role in development and its challenges.
Students will investigate the scientific evidence for climate change, exploring both natural and anthropogenic causes.
Students will examine the diverse impacts of climate change on physical and human systems, focusing on regional vulnerabilities.
Investigating how different regions are modifying their infrastructure and lifestyles to cope with a changing climate.

06Environmental Challenges and Sustainability
A culminating unit focusing on the human impact on the planet and strategies for a sustainable future.
Students will examine how environmental burdens and benefits are unevenly distributed, often along socioeconomic and racial lines, and explore movements for environmental justice.
Students will explore different approaches to conservation, including the establishment of national parks and protected areas, and their effectiveness.
Students will analyze the concept of ecological footprints and carrying capacity to understand the sustainability of human consumption patterns.
Students will investigate the role of international agreements, treaties, and organizations in addressing global environmental challenges.
Students will explore the fundamental concepts of geopolitics, understanding how geography shapes political power and international relations.
Students will differentiate between the concepts of states, nations, and nation-states, and analyze their geographic distribution and political implications.
Students will investigate the nature of political borders, their formation, and the geographic factors contributing to territorial conflicts.
Students will examine the geographic dimensions of armed conflicts, including resource conflicts, ethnic tensions, and strategic locations.
Students will analyze the emerging geopolitical significance of the Arctic region, focusing on resource extraction, shipping routes, and territorial claims.
Students will explore the geographic implications of cyberspace, examining issues of digital sovereignty, cyber warfare, and global information flows.

07Geopolitics and Global Conflict
An examination of how geographic factors influence international relations, power dynamics, and the causes and consequences of global conflicts.
Exploring Southeast Asia's rapid economic development, its role in global supply chains, and the environmental and social costs of globalization.
A focus on the Amazon's unparalleled biodiversity, the threats of deforestation, and the complex interplay of indigenous rights, economic development, and conservation efforts.
Investigating the Middle East's unique physical geography, the scarcity of water resources, and how these factors contribute to regional geopolitical tensions.
Examining the European Union as a model of regional integration, its economic and political structures, and the challenges it faces (e.g., migration, Brexit).

08Regional Geography: Case Studies
An in-depth application of geographic concepts through focused case studies of diverse global regions, integrating physical, human, and environmental geography.
Focus on East Asia's rapid economic growth, its role in global manufacturing, and the associated environmental challenges and policy responses.
An examination of the diverse geographies of Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on development challenges, resource potential, and the impacts of globalization.
Exploring the rich cultural diversity of Latin America, its significant natural resources, and the historical and contemporary challenges of resource exploitation and inequality.
A regional study of North America, focusing on its patterns of urbanization, resource management, and the evolution of environmental policies.
Examining the unique island geographies of Oceania, the profound impacts of climate change, and the resilience and adaptation strategies of indigenous communities.
A study of the vast and diverse region of Russia and Central Asia, focusing on its geopolitical significance, resource wealth, and post-Soviet transformations.