Tristan da CunhaThe Most Isolated Permanently Inhabited Place on Earth

Mr. Golkosky’s6th Grade World Geography

www.tristandacunha.com

Lesson Objectives

• Find Tristan da Cunha on a map• Take a tour of the settlement• Explore life on the island• Learn about the history of Tristan da Cunha• Learn about the main industry and

occupations of the island residents• Explore the geology of the island

Focus Activities

• Look up Tristan da Cunha on Google Maps (maps.google.com). After finding it, zoom out and see where it is located. Near which continent(s) is it located? What is the nearest major town? How far is that town from Tristan da Cunha?

Developmental Activities1. Start the Google Earth application (not the website).2. Enter Tristan da Cunha in the search box and click the Search button.

Google Earth will zoom directly onto the island.3. Now zoom further into the island. As you zoom closer, Google Earth

puts you into a 3D viewing mode. Explore the island using the mouse controls to zoom in and out and to tilt the view. Describe the island (shape, geology, etc.). Now try to find some evidence of habitation. Can you find a settlement? Can you estimate how many people live in the settlement based on the structures you find?

4. In the Layers panel, turn on Photos and 3D Buildings (if not already on). Zoom in on the settlement. You will see a couple of 3D structures which Google Earth has created. You will also see some photo icons. Click on the icons to view street-level photos of the various places in the settlement.

Developmental Activities (cont.)

5. Go to the following three videos on YouTube to get a more up-close and personal view of the settlement from Andrew, a person who actually visited the island:5. Travel Tuesday on Tristan da Cunha (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kWLFIJDiXA)6. A Day on Tristan da Cunha (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgKYV5hplvM)7. Return to Tristan da Cunha (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLsojZHctBo)6. Go to the official Tristan da Cunha website (

www.tristandc.com). Explore links for History, Settlement, Economy, Education, Restless Earth, and Latest News.

Study Guide(complete as you take the tour)

1. After Google Earth finds Tristan da Cunha, determine the longitude and latitude of the island, to the nearest degree. Don’t forget the direction (N, S, E, W).

2. As you are taking the tour, try to find answers to the following questions:a. Where is Tristan da Cunha located?b. How far (in miles) is the closest habitation from the island?c. What is the population of the island?d. What language do the inhabitants speak? Why? (What nation is Tristan da Cunha part

of?)e. What prominent geological feature can be found on the island?f. What is the weather like?g. When was Tristan da Cunha’s first permanent settlement?h. What are the two main occupations on the island?i. What is school like?j. Do you think the inhabitants have Internet access?k. Do you think the inhabitants enjoy living on the island? Why?

Evaluation Activities

• Each student will share with the class the answers to their Study Guide questions.

• Students will take a short quiz to test their knowledge about Tristan da Cunha.

• Students will write a short essay on whether they think they would like to live on Tristan da Cunha and why.

Instructional Materials

• Computers with Internet Access• Google Earth application• Study Guide• Paper and pencils

Summary

I think that virtual field trips are a fantastic way for students to visit places that they will probably never get to visit in their lives, all from the comfort of their home or classroom. Viewing the websites and videos give students a good feel for life in different parts of the world. But the use of Google Earth makes you feel like you are really there. Not only to virtual field trips give an introduction to places around the world, they can also spark more curiosity about a place and may make students want to actually visit there. Andrew came across Tristan da Cunha on a map when he was young and then had a desire to visit the island, which he finally did.