Site and Situation

Question 1

What is a ‘site and situation’ question asking about?

Answer 1

It’s asking you to describe the location of a certain point.

Question 2

What are Site Characteristics? Name 5 types:

Answer 2

These are features at the SITE of the settlement, no further that 5-10km away.

Examples include:

• Topography
• Landforms
• Drainage
• Vegetation
• Soils

Question 3

Describe Topography (Site Characteristics):

Answer 3

The height range, gradient and slope of the land.

e.g. Summer is located 280 – 300m asl (above sea level), on fairly flat ground, sloping to the west.

Question 4

Describe Landforms (Site Characteristics):

Answer 4

Any physical landforms found nearby.

e.g. City X is located on a river valley, with the perennial river (found in GR629462) flowing through it in a North-Easterly direction.

Question 5

Describe Drainage (Site Characteristics):

Answer 5

Any hydrological features such as rivers, lakes and swamps.

e.g. Alpine Ridge is situated on the north-western edge of Lake Jundup, and is dissceted by perrenial (constant, not seasonal) streams.

Question 6

Describe Vegetation (Site Characteristics):

Answer 6

Any evidence of natural vegetation in the area, mainly scrub, indicated by the legend.

e.g. Crystal Plains is bordered by dense forrest on the Eastern, Western and Southern sides, with patches of medium and sccatered scrub immediately to the North (AR4835).

Question 7

Describe Soils (Site Characteristics):

Answer 7

Either Alluvial associated with a stream or lake, or Sandy associated with coastal locations.

e.g. Ashlee’s Hollow is likely located on alluvial soil due to its location on a river valley with a river flowing north easterly along the south-west section of the settlement.

Question 8

What are Situation Characteristics? Name 3 examples:

Answer 8

These involve the location of a place relative to surroundings and other nearby areas.

Examples include:

• Distance and Direction from other settlements or other major features
• Lattitude and Longitude
• Location in relation to (or on) major transport routes

Question 9

Describe Distance and Direction (Situation Characteristics):

Answer 9

For this type of situation characteristic, locate a MAJOR settlement or feature (such as a mountain, not a small hill) on the map. Work out its’ distance and direction from your location with a compass bearing.

e.g. Woodlands is located 42km to the NW (340*) of Madnon City.

Question 10

Describe Latitude and Longitude (Situation Characteristics):

Answer 10

Simply state the latitude and longitude of the location.

e.g. Winter City is located at
24* 30’ 26” S 156* 25’ 02” E

Question 11

Describe Location in Relation to (or on) Major transport routes (Situation Characteristics):

Answer 11

For this type of situation characteristic, locate a MAJOR road or railway on the map. Work out its’ distance and direction from your location with a compass bearing.

e.g. Trinity’s Peak is located 35km to the NW (335*) of the intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 33 (you could also use a train station).

Question 12

Always provide evidence where possible! Name 3 types of evidence:

Answer 12

Grid references, area references and physical descriptions (as can be seen by the convergence of two streams in GR163628).