Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
STATE DA VINCI DECATHLON 2019 CELEBRATING THE ACADEMIC GIFTS OF STUDENTS IN YEARS 5 & 6
CARTOGRAPHY
TEAM NUMBER ______
1 2 3 4 Total Rank
/20 /12 /14 /14 /60
Complete the above table with question numbers and marks as required.
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
QUESTION ONE LAY OF THE LAND 20 MARKS The most basic task of maps is to depict landscapes. The Earth is home to a wide array of different landscapes, from deserts to rainforests to polar plains, and there are unique features of each which a map must show.
You will be presented with maps of five different landscapes. Your challenge is to identify the landscape depicted, and to then provide three reasons why you believe that this is what the map shows.
MAP ONE Landscape: ______
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
MAP TWO Landscape: ______
MAP THREE Landscape: ______
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
MAP FOUR Landscape: ______
MAP FIVE Landscape: ______
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
QUESTION TWO UNDER THE SEA 12 MARKS In 1527, the cartographer Olaus Magnus began working on a map of northern Europe, which he would name the Carta Marina. The map was designed predominantly for the purposes of maritime navigation, although the degree of detail that Magnus provides within the various landmasses is also exceptional. However, the most famous feature of this map is its abundance of sea monsters!
A section of this map is provided on page seven. As you can see, there are many sea monsters dominating the watery landscape that comprises much of this map. They capture the attention of the map reader with their vibrant shapes and colours, and they are the product of Magnus’ own imagination, with inspiration from existing creatures.
So, your task is to examine this map and answer the questions below.
QUESTIONS 1. One of the monsters is a large fish eating one of four other smaller fish, who themselves are eating a human. Which modern day country is south of this monster?
______
2. One particular geographical feature is abundantly present to the east of most of the monsters on this map. What is it?
◌ Tombolo ◌ Plateau ◌ Fjord
3. The monster immediately north of modern day Scotland would have been inspired by which real animal?
______
4. The landmass in the north-west corner of the map is part of which modern country?
______
5. Is this map oriented due north?
______
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
6. How do you know?
______
7. There are two rivers that extend beyond the southern map border. Why?
______
8. List six other sea creatures (besides the answer to question three) that may have inspired Magnus’ monsters (half mark each).
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
6. ______
9. The picture above shows one of the monsters on the map attacking a ship. With this depiction in mind, what do you think was the purpose of including these monsters in maritime maps at the time?
______
10. The latitude of Reykjavik is approximately 64oN. With this in mind, are the latitudes provided in this map accurate?
______
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
QUESTION THREE BATTLESHIP ISLAND 14 MARKS While landscapes are generally thought of as natural, there are some that are made by humans, and these often become some of the most unique and awe-inspiring locations on the planet. Not all, however, survive.
One such example is Battleship Island, a small, man-made island off the coast of one of the world’s countries, which at one point in history was the most densely populated place on Earth. It was used as a coal mine and, as the pictures show, was packed with imposing cement structures used mainly as housing. Today, it lies abandoned, and this has only further contributed to its status as among the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet.
Legend has it that there is buried treasure somewhere on the island. Your challenge will be to use the clues, questions and maps below in order to determine the location of the island on the world map, and then the location of the treasure within the island itself. Good luck!
QUESTIONS 1. Start in Sydney and travel north to the tip of Cape York. Which two countries exist on the landmass immediately north of you (half-mark each)?
______
2. Make your way through the seas of Arafura, Banda and Java, and past Singapore and Malaysia. Which Gulf are you now in?
______
3. Hit land and travel towards Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. What will your approximate latitude and longitude be once you reach this city?
______
4. Cross the Himalayas and travel into the northern-most of the ‘Stans’. Which country is this?
______
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
5. Travel west to Ukraine. Which two large inland seas will pass south of you (two marks)?
______
6. Ukraine is the ______largest country that is at least partly in Europe.
7. Now, trek north-west to the piece of land between Poland and Lithuania. Which country does this exclave belong to?
______
8. You decide that you’ve seen enough of Europe already, so you turn back eastwards and travel to Moscow. Then, you take the famous train that journeys from the Russian capital all the way to Vladivostok. What is the name of this railway?
______
9. From Vladivostok, it is possible to catch a ferry all the way to the Land of the Rising Sun. You eventually land in the city of Niigata, and then take a shinkansen train to the world’s most populated city. Then, you take a flight down to the city that was devastated by the second atomic bomb drop during World War Two. Where are you?
______
10. Battleship Island is just off the coast of this city. Give your approximate coordinates.
______
11. You have landed on the abandoned island, at Dolphin Pier. Initially, you follow the tour route, but only until you are inside the General Office. Then, you escape through a door at the north corner of the building, and head to Mountain Street. You travel to the far end of the street. Who are you likely to see in the building at this end?
______
12. From here, what direction will you then have to walk in to reach the fourth wind tunnel intake shaft?
______
13. The treasure is close by, in a room with a twist. Where is it?
______
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
MAP ONE – THE WORLD
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
MAP TWO – BATTLESHIP ISLAND
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Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019
QUESTION FOUR ONE WITH NATURE 14 MARKS It is not often that you find a city which is truly integrated within its landscape; usually, the cities and towns that we inhabit are built up in place of landscapes, and the natural environment is at least partly destroyed.
This final question challenges you to imagine a city where this is not the case. Your task is to design a map of a city that blends in with its landscape. In doing so, you may choose from the following possible landscapes:
Alps (mountains)
Rainforest
Canyon
Archipelago
Wetlands
Cave system
Please complete your map in the blank space provided on page 13 of this paper. You may choose any style of map that you wish, but a variety of cartographic features must always be present. Teams who present the most original, aesthetically pleasing and detailed maps will score highest. Full marking guidelines are provided below and you are encouraged to read these carefully.
MARKING GUIDELINES
CRITERIA LIMITED SOUND OUTSTANDING TOTAL
Presents a map of a city that is well-integrated within its 0-1 2-3 4 landscape Employs a wide variety of cartographic features and 0-1 2-3 4 map symbols Original and creative map design and choice of 0-1 2 3 landscape and city features Detailed representation of 0-1 2 3 both the landscape and city TOTAL /14
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QUESTION FOUR MAP Task developed by Giacomo Rotolo-Ross, University of Sydney, 2019 Team Number: ______
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