Virginia Geographic Alliance

Virginia Geographical Society

 

VIRGINIA IN THE WORLD: The Geography of Commerce

Lessons and Suggested Activities for Middle School

Guided Practice

  1. Using the export map and a ruler, measure the gray arrows to determine value by referring to the gray scale in the upper left hand corner of the map. What is the export value of goods sent to:
    • Canada?
    • India?
    • South Korea?
  2. Using the Virginia Port Authority Table
    • In how many countries does Virginia have overseas offices?
    • Virginia has formed economic partnerships with what two foreign nations?
    • In 1995, what was the total value of Virginia's exports excluding services?
  3. Using the Waterborne U.S. Imports Graph
    • What is the value of waterborne imports to Virginia from France?
    • What is the value of waterborne imports from Russia?
    • What country has twice the imports of France?
  4. Using the Major International Air Routes and Sea Routes Map
    • What color lines indicate major sea routes?
    • What color lines indicate major international air routes?
    • Is the major route from Virginia to Mexico City an air route or a sea route?
    • What symbol indicates a port of call?
    • Is the major route from Virginia to Capetown, South Africa, a major international air route or a sea route?
  5. Using the Tourism Pie Graph
    • List in order the five countries that send the most tourists to Virginia.
    • What percentage of foreign tourists to Virginia come from Japan?
  6. Using the Distance to North American Markets Map. Assume a truck travels at 55 mph. How long will it take to travel from Richmond to:
    • Pittsburgh?
    • Toronto?
    • Memphis?
    • Cleveland?
  7. Using the Transportation Links Map.
    • List all available types of transportation in Virginia.
    • Name Virginia's seaport.
    • Name Virginia's river ports.
    • Where is Virginia's Spaceflight Center?
    • How would you transport apples from Front Royal to the District of Columbia?
    • What is the major transportation link in your area?
    • Name two areas that have more than one transportation link.
    • List the ports of call in :
      1. Papua, New Guinea
      2. Norway
      3. Ireland/N. Ireland
  8. Using the Virginia's Top Exports and Their Destination Regions Bar Graph
    • What product is Virginia's leading export?
    • What is the value of this product?
    • What area is the leading consumer of this product?
    • List the types of goods received by the Middle East from Virginia.
  9. Using the Foreign Affiliated Businesses in Virginia Bar Graph
    • Identify the three nations having the top foreign affiliated businesses in Virginia.
    • How many foreign-affiliated businesses from Australia are located in Virginia?
    • What is the total number of foreign-affiliated businesses from Europe located in Virginia?

Answers

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