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NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

11–12Geography 11–12 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2024
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Year 12

Rural and urban places
Rural and urban settlement
  • The size, pattern and spatial distribution of settlements

    Including:
    • different types of settlements – remote settlement, village, suburb, regional centre, city, megacity and urban mega-region
    • settlement patterns
    • influences on size and spatial distribution – location, climate, topography, natural resources, population and economic development
  • National and global urban hierarchies of settlements, based on population and urban function, and spheres of influence

  • The nature of urbanisation and urban growth at a global scale

    Including:
    • challenges facing rural and urban places
    • the interdependence of rural and urban places
  • Settlements in the world today that have maintained a small ecological footprint and a high level of wellbeing

  • Strategies for the sustainable management of rural and urban places, including at least one successful initiative or project

Investigation of a rural and an urban place

Students study ONE place in a rural setting and ONE place within a larger urban settlement, to investigate:

  • The location and character of the place

  • Geographical processes, both physical and human, that have shaped the identity of the place

  • Links to other places

  • The nature of changes affecting the place, including social, economic and environmental

  • Responses and strategies, including for sustainability

Investigation of a large city outside Australia

Students study ONE large city of 5 million people or more, outside Australia, to investigate:

  • The character and spatial dimensions of the large city

  • Geographical processes shaping the large city and change over time relating to demographic trends; social and economic patterns; political and economic roles; and regional and global linkages

  • Challenges of living in the large city

  • Responses to these challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainability, including strategies to improve people’s quality of life and reduce spatial inequality

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