What is the continental shelf? When do students in Vietnam learn about the continental shelf?​

What is the continental shelf?

The continental shelf is an important part of the ocean with significant geographical, economic, and political implications. It is the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond a coastal nation’s territorial sea, on the natural prolongation of its land territory.

*Significance of the Continental Shelf

Geographically: The continental shelf serves as a bridge between land and ocean, playing an important role in sediment transport, influencing ocean currents and climate.

Economically: The continental shelf is a vital source of natural resources, particularly oil, gas, and seafood. Exploiting these resources makes a significant contribution to the economies of many countries.

Politically: The continental shelf is a subject of dispute among many countries, especially coastal nations. Sovereign rights over the continental shelf are a very important issue in international maritime law.

In conclusion, the continental shelf is an important part of the ocean with great significance for human life. Understanding the continental shelf will aid in the effective exploitation and protection of marine resources.

*Note: The information is for reference only./.

What is the continental shelf? When do students in Vietnam learn about the continental shelf?​ (Image from the Internet)

When do students in Vietnam learn about the continental shelf?​

According to Section IV of the General Education Program for History and Geography (primary level) issued under Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT:

CHARACTERISTICS OF VIETNAM'S TOPOGRAPHY AND MINERALS

- General characteristics of topography

- Describe one of the main features of Vietnam’s topography.

- Topographical regions. Basic characteristics of each topographic region

- Describe the characteristics of topographical regions: mountainous terrain; plain terrain; coastal terrain and continental shelf.

- Influence of topography on natural division and economic exploitation

- Provide examples demonstrating the impact of topographical division on the geographical and economic exploration of territories.

- General characteristics of Vietnam's mineral resources. Main types of minerals

- Describe and explain the general characteristics of Vietnam's mineral resources.

- Analyze the distribution characteristics of main types of minerals and the issue of rational use of mineral resources.

- Identify on the map the milestones determining the baseline line, the demarcation line in the Gulf of Tonkin between Vietnam and China; introduce the concepts of internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, Vietnam’s continental shelf (according to the Vietnam Maritime Law).

- Describe the characteristics of the marine and island environment and the issue of protecting Vietnam’s marine and island environment.

- Introduce the marine resources and continental shelf of Vietnam.

Thus, students will study the continental shelf in Grade 8 Geography.

How many lessons does grade 8 Geography in Vietnam have?

In the General Education Program for History and Geography issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the allotted time for the subject is 105 lessons/class/school year. The percentage of lessons allocated to each content thread is presented in the table below:

Thus, grade 8 Geography has 41 lessons including common topics 8 lessons, and periodic assessment 10 lessons.

What are the regulations on minimum teaching equipment for grade 8 Geography in Vietnam?

Based on the General Program for History and Geography issued under Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the minimum teaching equipment for History and Geography includes several forms such as:

- Classroom maps (of the world, regions, Vietnam) suitable for the content of each topic of each grade and appropriate for students' cognitive characteristics;

- Sets of general Physical Geography Atlases, Continental Atlases, and Vietnam Geography Atlases, and historical map sets;

- Models of artifacts, historical paintings, photographs, audio recordings of historical figures, etc.;

- Natural specimen samples;

- Photographs (printed on paper, static and dynamic digital images), diagrams, maps, video clips edited for educational purposes, suitable for the content of each topic;

- Study sheets containing source materials; Exercise sheets (maps, diagrams, charts, flowcharts);

- Common instruments and equipment for observing nature (compass, thermometer, hygrometer, barometer);

- Some field and practical tools;

- Digital libraries containing repositories of History and Geography teaching materials;

- Educational software.

In areas with conditions, subject-specific rooms should be organized.

The main purpose of using teaching equipment is to create a technical infrastructure to conduct learning activities and enable students to actively and creatively explore historical and geographical knowledge.