Fifth graders investigate the topography of Africa.  In this physical geography lesson, 5th graders research the six regions of Africa and complete a physical map.  Students locate various landforms in Africa.  Students...

By providing an in-depth and interesting overview of European exploration in the New World, this presentation would be a wonderful complement to a unit on this topic. The 17 slide presentation is both thought-provoking and informative....

For this explorers worksheet, students read a detailed text about the Age of Exploration from 1450 to 1700. Students then answer 7 matching or multiple choice questions.

Young scholars identify the different time zones by plotting the migration patterns of the leatherback sea turtles. They discover that traveling around the worlds includes passage through different time zones.

Young scholars research the important events that were taking place during the major expeditions and make presentations on how they may have influenced the expeditionary teams. There are some excellent websites imbedded in this plan.

Students examine the lines of latitude and longitude on a map, and explain why these lines might be useful. In this lesson students also explore websites that provide information to improve their understanding of how and why latitude and...

Students use the Internet to research and discover information about expeditions that were formed to observe the transit of Venus. In groups, they work together to present information about the expeditions and create a visual aid.

Students complete a worksheet while viewing a film about sharks. They examine the reasons for overfishing of the oceans. They identify predator-prey relationships as well.

Students explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. In this geography skills activity, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude activity.

Students associate explorers with specific discoveries. They apply research skills to inquire about the explorers. Students switch roles with the instructor for the class to demonstrate what they have learned.

Young scholars recreate a "60-minutes" interview using cue cards and historical information on the Chinese explorer Zheng He. This activity is an excellent introduction to World History during the 1400's.

Students read an article on the British Empire.  In this ESL instructional activity, students explore the British Empire from the 1600's, then work in small groups to complete several activities that reinforce the information...

A map of the Cape of Good Hope.

A map from 1909 detailing the area around Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope.

A map detailing the area around Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope around 1919.

Fifteenth century Portuguese explorer, Bartholomew Diaz (Bartolomeu Dias), known for discovering the Cape of Good Hope, is featured in this biography.

The Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection from the University of Texas provides an assortment of maps from South Africa detailing its provinces, politics, and relief. Content also includes various historical, city, and territory maps.

Since not much is known about Bartolomeu Dias (1450-1500 CE), a Portuguese explorer, his biography is somewhat short. We do know that he rounded the Cape of Good Hope and successfully found a route to India.

A comprehensive look at the history of South Africa beginning with its settlement by Zulus and progressing through apartheid to the current strong democracy. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.

Anesu lives at the Kaap De Goede Hoop (Cape of Good Hope), and is learning about sources of heat. Join her on the adventure.

The Dutch East India Company established a colony at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652 and administered it until 1795 when it fell into British hands. The British returned Cape Colony to the Company for a three-year period before finally...

This site from the Galileo Project of the Rice University provides an in-depth look at the historic problems figuring out longitude. Links are provided throughout this article along with pictures, making this a great site to check out.

Bartolomeu Dias, Dias also spelled Diaz (born c. 1450-died May 29, 1500, at sea, near Cape of Good Hope), Portuguese navigator and explorer who led the first European expedition to round the Cape of Good Hope (1488), opening the sea...

The first European to see the stormy Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa was Bartholomew Diaz (or Dias), a courageous Portuguese sea captain and explorer. Diaz was one of the great Portuguese seamen who helped find the...