Tips for memorizing maps for geography?

Question

I'm in a world geography class at college this semester, and part of the work is memorizing maps: the countries, their capitals, rivers, oceans, etc... Can anyone give me some advice?? Or at least a link to a webpage with advice?

Answer 1

I took two World Geography classes last summer and the way I prepared for my map quizzes was simple. Usually the teacher/professor will give you a list of countries, cities, etc for the quiz. I separated these into three categories, countries, cities, landmarks. I then printed out a map of the area I was studying and marked each item I needed to study for the test. Usually the countries were ordered 1,2,3,etc; the cities were ordered A,B,C,etc and the landmarks were ordered AA,BB,CC,etc. My preference was to start on the bottom left-hand side of the map and work my way in a circular motion counter-clockwise, but you can decide what order is best for you. I would then fill out several maps to practice for the test. If you look in the front of your textbook, they may have a website you can go to to help you study. The textbook I used had a really cool website that had map games to help you study. Once I had everything memorized I was prepared for the test. The trick when taking the test is that the test may not have everything ordered in the way that you memorized it. Don't try fill in the map as ordered on the test, fill in the test the way you studied it. A lot of times I filled in my tests completely out of order, but exactly the way I memorized it. I made a 100 on all my map tests. The key is to practice taking the test over and over again. I usually took the practice test on paper 3 or 4 times before I took the test and I took the practice test on the website as many times as I needed until I answered everyone of them correctly the first time. Remember: practice makes perfect.

Answer 2

Memorizing Maps

Answer 3

A former geography teacher of mine had us draw the maps with the major cities, rivers, etc. It worked surprisingly well. If you get really good you should be able to draw them from memory.

Answer 4

Some ideas:

Spend time looking at maps, just thumb through your atlas (especially if you got one for a textbook).

Take a few online quizzes to test your recall.

Find ways of making the geographic facts mean something to you ... match the places with historical events or current events.

Answer 5

I would get a puzzle of the world... like one of those kids puzzles... and as you piece the thing together, learn the capitals. Seeing, saying out loud, and using your hands is a really effective way to learn.

Answer 6

if there is like 5 states in a row. like lets say: california, arizona, new mexico

Cally Ate New Mexico.
or
Catherine Acted ....

you get it. came up phrases. that begin with the words your memorizing.

Answer 7

GPS