Geographical Features Teaching Resources
Teach about geographical features in your HASS classes with printable worksheets, interactive activities, instructional slide decks and more Australian curriculum-aligned and teacher-created resources.
This teaching resource collection includes editable options so you can easily make the edits you need to fit your lesson planning needs. You'll also find resources that have already been differentiated for your students.
Best of all? Each printable and digital resource has been reviewed by the teachers on the Teach Starter team to ensure it's classroom-ready, so you can download and begin using it in the classroom right away.
New to teaching about the planet's different geographical features, or looking for some fresh ideas to explore mountains, lakes and more? The teachers of Teach Starter have put together this handy primer.
What Is a Geographic Feature? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Are you trying to explain geographical features to your students? Here's a simple definition for kids:
A geographical feature is a natural or human-made characteristic of the Earth's surface.
What Are Examples of Geographic Features?
OK, so that's what it is. But what, exactly are we talking about? Let's look at some examples of major geographic features to make the concept of features of geography more concrete for your students!
Examples of Natural Geographic Features for Kids
The physical and environmental characteristics of the Earth's surface that are created by natural processes — such as plate tectonics, erosion, weathering, and volcanic activity — are natural geographical features.
They're important because they shape our entire environment, determining everything from the distribution of plant and animal species to influencing climate patterns, and they provide natural resources for human societies. They also tend to become landmarks and tourist attractions.
Examples of major physical features of our Earth include:
- Mountains (e.g., the Rocky Mountains, the Andes, the Himalayas)
- Rivers (e.g., the Amazon River, the Nile, the Finke River)
- Lakes (e.g., Lake Albina, Lake Victoria, Avoca Lake)
- Oceans (e.g., the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean)
- Deserts (e.g., the Sahara, the Mojave Desert, the Gobi Desert)
- Islands (e.g., Heard Island, Madagascar, the Galapagos Islands)
- Plains (e.g., Bogong High Plains,Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains)
- Valleys (e.g., Hunter Valley, Clare Valley, Jamison Valley)
- Volcanoes (e.g., Mount Fuji, Mount Vesuvius, Mount Schank)
- Caves (e.g., Jenolan Caves, Careys Cave, Wellington Caves)
Examples of Human-Made Geographical Features for Kids
The other major type of feature of geography is the human-made kind. These physical and environmental characteristics of the Earth's surface are created or modified by human activities. These features are usually built to serve a specific purpose, such as transportation or communication.
These features also have cultural and historical significance, and they can be tourist attractions.
Examples of this type of feature include:
- Cities (e.g., Brisbane, Tokyo, Mumbai)
- Roads (e.g., the Great Ocean Road, the Trans-Amazonian Highway)
- Bridges (e.g., the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Tower Bridge)
- Canals (e.g., the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal, the Alexandra Canal)
- Dams (e.g., the Bendora Dam, the Three Gorges Dam, the Aswan High Dam)
- Airports (e.g., Alice Springs Airport, Heathrow Airport, Changi Airport)
- Railroads (e.g., the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Orient Express, the Eurostar)
- Harbours (e.g., Sydney Harbour, the Port of Shanghai, the Port of Singapore)
- Parks (e.g., Purnululu National Park, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Tomaree National Park)
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The Continent of Antarctica - Mini-Book
Explore the wonders and delights of the continent of Antarctica with this informative printable mini-book.
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The Natural Environment of Africa - Inquiry Task
An inquiry task focusing on the natural environment of the grasslands of Africa.
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The Natural Environment of South America PowerPoint
A 17 slide editable PowerPoint template to use when introducing students to the climate, vegetation and animals of South America.
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What is a Rainforest? Poster
A poster with information about the plant life, climate and annual rainfall that characterise a rainforest environment.
- Free Plan
Develop a Habitat - Garden Project
A project-based assessment task for students to demonstrate their understanding of how habitats can be preserved and protected in and around where people live.
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The Continent of North America - Mini-Book
Explore the wonders and delights of the continent of North America with this informative printable mini-book.
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Natural Disaster Posters
Posters with pictures for eight different types of natural disasters.
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World Vegetation Zones - Mapping Template
Locate and explore different vegetation zones around the world with this mapping worksheet.
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States and Territories of Australia Posters
8 beautifully illustrated posters outlining key information about Australia's states and territories.
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Famous Landmarks - STEM Challenge Cards
A set of 8 famous landmarks STEM challenge cards encouraging students to build famous structures.
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Ocean Food Chain - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Create an ocean food chain to show how energy flows between organisms with this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Natural, Managed, and Human-Made Features Posters
Identify the natural, manmade, and managed features of environments with printable anchor charts.
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Rivers of Australia - Teaching Presentation
Explore Australia's complex system of rivers with this 14-slide editable teaching presentation.
- Free Plan
The Continent of Europe - Mini-Book
Explore the wonders and delights of the continent of Europe with this informative printable mini-book.
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The Continent of Australia - Mini-Book
Explore the wonders and delights of the continent of Australia with this informative printable mini-book.
- Free Plan
Map of the World's Vegetation Zones
Locate and explore the different biomes of the world with this engaging classroom poster.
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Desert PowerPoint
An 11 slide editable PowerPoint to use in the classroom when learning about deserts.
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Changes to the Environment – Worksheet
Learn about environmental changes and how they affect living things with this worksheet.
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7 Continents Fortune Teller
Review the continents of the world with this hands-on continents fortune teller.
- Free Plan
Do You See What I See? - Worksheet
A worksheet that explores how features of a local environment may change.
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Deserts of Australia - Teaching Presentation
Explore Australia's deserts with this 14-slide editable teaching presentation.
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Mountain Ranges of Australia - Teaching Presentation
Explore Australia's mountain ranges with this 14-slide editable teaching presentation.
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Coniferous Forest PowerPoint
An 11 slide editable PowerPoint to use in the classroom when learning about coniferous forests.
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Antarctic Wildlife Poster
A poster highlighting some of the main wildlife in Antarctica.
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Continents and Oceans - Interactive Peg Cards
Turn world geography into a digital learning experience with this interactive activity.
- Free Plan
Continents and Oceans Bingo
Turn Geography into a fun and educational learning experience by using our Continents and Oceans Bingo Game!
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10 Fascinating Facts About Beaches – Comprehension Worksheet
A comprehension worksheet for a magazine article about beaches.
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The Natural Environment of South America — Inquiry Task
An inquiry task focusing on the natural environment of the Amazon rainforest in South America.
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Rainforest Layers - Poster
A poster that explains the layers of a rainforest.
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What is a Wetland? Poster
A poster with information about the plant life, climate and annual rainfall that characterise a wetland environment.
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What is a Bushland? Poster
A poster with information about the plant life, climate and annual rainfall that characterise a bushland environment.
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Exploring Environments and Places - Geography Word Wall Vocabulary
77 environments and places vocabulary cards.
- Geographical Features Worksheets
- Geographical Features Posters
- Geographical Features Teaching Presentations
- Geographical Features Labels, Signs & Decorations
- Geographical Features for Foundation Year
- Geographical Features for Year 1
- Geographical Features for Year 2
- Geographical Features for Year 3
- Geographical Features for Year 4
- Geographical Features for Year 5
- Geographical Features for Year 6
- Geographical Features for Year 7