IGCSE Geography Topics by Exam Board: Full List
Written by: Bridgette Barrett
Reviewed by: Angela Yates
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As an IGCSE Geography student, you may be confused about the many topics covered by the course you are studying. Working out how these topics fit into the course and which topics are examined in which paper is not easy. Every school may study a different combination of optional topics, which may add to your confusion.
This article will give you a detailed outline of all the IGCSE Geography topics covered by each exam board, and which paper each option is assessed in. You’ll also learn how Save My Exams revision notes can help you ace your IGCSE Geography exam.
Edexcel IGCSE Geography Topics
Studying the Edexcel IGCSE Geography will give you an understanding of the world, the challenges it faces, and the interactions between people and the physical environment. The course is split into nine options, you will study five of these, two physical geography topics, two human geography topics and one global issue:
Physical geography
River environments
Coastal environments
Hazardous environments
Human geography
Economic activity and energy
Rural environments
Urban environments
Global issues
Fragile environments and climate change
Globalisation and migration
Development and human welfare
1. River environments
In this unit, you’ll look at how rivers shape the land around them. You’ll learn about processes like erosion, transportation, and deposition, and how these create features such as waterfalls, meanders, and floodplains.
The unit also covers how rivers can be managed to control flooding and provide clean water, with real-world examples to help you understand these ideas. The three key ideas in the topic are:
The hydrological cycle as a closed system
Physical processes and river landforms
The importance of rivers to humans and their management
2. Coastal environments
This topic is all about the coastlines and how they’re shaped by natural forces like waves and tides. You’ll explore features like cliffs, beaches, and spits, and discuss the impact of coastal erosion.
As part of your studies, you will also learn how people manage coastlines to protect homes and businesses from threats like flooding and erosion. The three key ideas in this topic are:
Physical processes and human intervention in coastal areas
Coastal ecosystems
The importance of coasts to humans and their management
3. Hazardous environments
In this topic, you’ll study natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and tropical storms. You will learn what causes these disasters, how they affect people and places, and the ways people can prepare for and respond to them.
In the unit, you’ll also compare how countries with different levels of development cope with these events. The three key ideas in this topic are:
Some places are more hazardous
The impact of hazards
Earthquakes as hazards and their management
4. Economic activity and energy
This unit focuses on how people use resources and the different types of economic activities, from farming and factories to services and technology.
The unit also looks at the growing demand for energy, the challenges this creates, and how people can move towards using more sustainable energy sources. The three key ideas are:
The importance and location of different economic sectors
The growth and decline of economic sectors
Energy security and sustainable energy use
5. Rural environments
This topic is about rural areas and the changes they’re experiencing. You’ll explore farming, tourism, migration, and the challenges of balancing economic development with environmental protection. You’ll learn how rural communities are adapting to these changes. The three key ideas in this topic are:
The exploitation of ecosystems
Rural area characteristics and change
Sustainable rural environments
6. Urban environments
In this unit, you’ll study cities and the challenges they face as they grow. You’ll learn about urbanisation, the rise of megacities, and issues like housing shortages, pollution, and traffic.
The unit also explores solutions, like sustainable urban planning, to make cities better places to live. The three key ideas in this topic are:
Growing urban population
Social and environmental challenges of urban growth
Sustainable strategies to manage urban areas
7. Fragile environments and climate change
The content of this topic examines ecosystems like rainforests and deserts that are fragile and under threat. You’ll study problems such as deforestation, desertification, and the impacts of climate change. Most importantly, you’ll look at what can be done to protect these environments and reduce climate change. The three key ideas in this topic are:
Fragile environments under threat
Impacts of desertification, deforestation and climate change
Responses to desertification, deforestation and climate change
8. Globalisation and migration
Globalisation is all about how the world is becoming more connected through trade, travel, and communication. You’ll explore how this affects people and places, as well as issues like migration and tourism.
The topic also covers the challenges and opportunities that come with a globalised world. The three key ideas covered in this topic are:
The effects of globalisation
The impacts of globalisation
The responses to increased migration and tourism
9. Development and human welfare
In this topic, you’ll focus on why some countries are more developed than others. You’ll learn how development is measured, what challenges less developed countries face, and how we can improve living standards around the world.
The unit also discusses the importance of reducing inequalities and providing basic services like healthcare and education. The three key ideas covered in the topic are:
Definitions and measurements of development and human welfare
Variations in levels of development and human welfare
Sustainable strategies to address uneven development
What is Covered in Edexcel IGCSE Geography Paper 1?
Edexcel IGCSE Geography Paper 1 is split into two sections:
In Section A candidates choose two of three questions from:
River environments
Coastal environments
Hazardous environments
Each question is 25 marks
In Section B candidates choose one of three questions from:
River environment fieldwork
Coastal environment fieldwork
Hazardous environment fieldwork
Each question is 20 marks
The total for paper 1 is 70 marks.
The time available for the paper is 1 hour 10 minutes.
What is Covered in Edexcel IGCSE Geography Paper 2?
Edexcel IGCSE Geography Paper 2 is split into three sections:
In Section A candidates choose two of three questions from:
Economic activity and energy
Rural environments
Urban environments
Each question is 25 marks.
In Section B candidates choose one of three questions from:
Economic activity and energy fieldwork
Rural environments fieldwork
Urban environments fieldwork
Each question is 20 marks.
In Section C candidates choose one of three questions from:
Fragile environments and climate change
Globalisation and migration
Development and human welfare
Each question is 35 marks.
The total for paper 2 is 105 marks.
The time available for the paper is 1 hour 45 mins
Revision Resources for Edexcel IGCSE Geography
Why not start your revision now to improve your grades? The geography experts at Save My Exams have created revision note pages which cover all parts of the Edexcel IGCSE Geography specification. Exam questions with model answers and past papers are all carefully aligned to the specification.
Edexcel IGCSE Geography: Revision Notes
Edexcel IGCSE Geography: Exam Questions
Edexcel IGCSE Geography: Past Papers
CIE IGCSE Geography Topics
Studying CIE IGCSE Geography will give you an understanding of physical and human environments at a range of scales. It will also enable you to understand how people interact with the physical environment and the impact that this has. The course is split into three themes:
Theme 1: Population and Settlement
Theme 2: The natural environment
Theme 3: Economic development
You will study all of these themes.
Theme 1: Population and Settlement
Population Dynamics
This topic explores how and why populations grow or shrink over time, considering factors like birth rates, death rates, and migration. You’ll study:
factors affecting birth rates and death rates.
causes and effects of population growth and decline.
case studies of overpopulation and underpopulation.
Migration
Learn why people move from one place to another, the types of migration, and the impact migration has on people and places. You’ll study:
reasons why people migrate (push and pull factors).
types of migration (e.g., rural to urban, international).
impacts of migration on source and destination areas.
Population Structure
Discover how population composition is represented and analysed, with a focus on age and gender distribution. You’ll study:
population pyramids.
differences in population structures in MEDCs (More Economically Developed Countries) and LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries).
Settlement and Urbanisation
This topic looks at the reasons for settlement patterns and how urban areas grow, including the challenges they face. You’ll study:
factors influencing settlement location and growth.
the hierarchy of settlements (from hamlets to cities).
problems and solutions in urban areas, including urban sprawl, housing shortages, and traffic.
Theme 2: The Natural Environment
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Study the processes that cause earthquakes and volcanoes, their effects on the environment, and how people respond to them. You’ll study:
the causes of tectonic activity (plate boundaries).
impacts of earthquakes and volcanoes on people and the environment.
case studies of specific disasters and responses.
Rivers
Examine how rivers shape the landscape and how they can be managed to prevent flooding and provide water resources. You’ll study:
processes like erosion, transportation, and deposition.
features of river landscapes, such as waterfalls, meanders, and deltas.
flooding: causes, impacts, and management strategies.
Understand how coastal processes create landforms and how humans manage coastal areas to protect against natural threats. You’ll study:
coastal processes like wave erosion and deposition.
landforms such as beaches, spits, and cliffs.
coastal management techniques to protect against erosion and flooding.
Weather and Climate
Learn how weather patterns develop, how climate varies across regions, and the impacts of extreme weather events. You’ll study:
factors influencing climate and weather patterns.
tropical storms: formation, impacts, and responses.
climate zones and microclimates.
Ecosystems
Explore the diversity of ecosystems, their role in supporting life, and the threats posed by human activity. You’ll study:
characteristics of biomes such as rainforests, deserts, and tundra.
importance of ecosystems for biodiversity and human life.
threats to ecosystems, including deforestation and desertification.
Theme 3: Economic Development
Development
This topic focuses on understanding why some countries are more developed than others and how we measure progress. You’ll study:
differences in development between countries.
measuring development using indicators like GDP, literacy rates, and life expectancy.
causes and consequences of development inequalities.
Food Production
Study the importance of agriculture and the challenges of feeding a growing global population sustainably. You’ll study:
types of farming (e.g., subsistence and commercial).
challenges in agriculture, such as soil erosion and water shortages.
strategies to improve food security.
Industry
Learn about different types of industries, factors influencing their location, and how they affect the economy and environment. You’ll study:
types of industry: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
factors influencing industrial location, such as transport and labour.
case studies of industrial growth and decline.
Tourism
Discover how tourism contributes to development and the importance of making it sustainable for future generations. You’ll study:
the role of tourism in economic development.
positive and negative impacts of tourism on communities and the environment.
sustainable tourism strategies.
Energy and Water Resources
Explore how energy and water are essential resources, the challenges in managing them, and how to ensure sustainability. You’ll study:
renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
challenges in meeting the world’s energy demands.
managing water resources and ensuring sustainability.
What is Covered in CIE IGCSE Geography Paper 1?
Paper 1 of the CIE IGCSE Geography includes three sections:
Section A: Population and Settlement
Section B: The natural environment
Section C: Economic development
Each section contains three questions. You will answer one question from each section.
The paper has a total of 75 marks.
The time available for the paper is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
What is Covered in CIE IGCSE Geography Paper 2?
Paper 2 of the CIE IGCSE Geography covers Geographical Skills. The paper tests how well you can apply, interpret and analyse geographical data from a range of sources including:
maps
diagrams
graphs
tables
photographs
written sources
You do not need any place-specific knowledge to answer the questions in Paper 2 but you will need knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the three themes of the course.
Each section contains three questions. You will answer one question from each section.
The paper has a total of 60 marks.
The time available for the paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
What is Covered in CIE IGCSE Geography Paper 4?
Paper 3 of the CIE IGCSE Geography is the alternative to coursework. This paper will only be taken if you have not completed a geographical enquiry.
In Paper 3 you will complete a set of questions based on an issue from one or more of the subject themes covered in the course. The questions will test your knowledge and understanding of enquiry techniques, including:
questionnaires
observation
measurement and data collection techniques
presentation of data
analysis and evaluation of data
All questions on the paper must be completed.
The paper has a total of 60 marks.
The time available for the paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Revision Resources for CIE IGCSE Geography
Why not start your revision now to improve your grades? The geography experts at Save My Exams have created revision note pages which cover all parts of the CIE IGCSE Geography specification. Exam questions with model answers and past papers are all carefully aligned to the specification.
CIE IGCSE Geography: Revision Notes
CIE IGCSE Geography: Exam Questions
CIE IGCSE Geography: Flashcards
CIE IGCSE Geography: Past Papers
Improve Your Grades with Save My Exams
Achieve your best possible grade with Save My Exams. Find expert-written GCSE Geography revision resources, specifically tailored to your exam board. This includes:
Detailed revision notes
Exam questions with sample answers and examiner tips
Past papers with mark schemes
Videos
Geography IGCSE Revision Resources
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