Page 1 of 54
Geography
Grade 12
Paper 2
Prelim Exam
2026
IMAGES: AI Generated. Based on typical examination questions
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum and
current exam requirements. This document is based on past examination papers.
Content was adapted and structured for exam preparation purposes. AI tools were used to
assist with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and
learners are encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If you
are unsure whether you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for exam preparation
and do not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction. IMAGES: Canva & AI Generated
REMEMBER: You must study Term 1, 2 and Term 3 STUDY NOTES for the Prelim Exam.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 2 of 54
Rural Settlements 2
Issues in Rural Settlements 7
Urban Structure and Patterns 11
Issues in Urban Settlements 12
Economic Geography of South Africa 18
Primary Sector (e.g. agriculture) 18
Secondary Sector (e.g. industries) 24
Tertiary and Informal Sector 26
Food security 29
Industrial development strategies (e.g. IDZs, SDIs) 33
Trade and Trade Balance 38
Map work and GIS 40
Topographic and orthophoto maps 40
GIS concepts, applications and calculations 48
Rural Settlements
Term Description
The maximum distance customers are willing to travel to use a
Range
specific service
Urban growth The increase in the actual number of people living in cities
Sphere of influence The surrounding area served by a settlement
Urban expansion An increase in the physical size of a settlement
Threshold The minimum number of customers required for a service to show
population a profit
Pace of The average rate of change in the size of the urban population over
urbanization a given period
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 3 of 54
Term Description
Level of
The percentage of a country’s total population living in urban areas.
urbanization
Settlement Hierarchy
A settlement hierarchy shows how settlements are ranked from small to large
according to population size, number of functions, and the services offered.
From smallest to Description
largest
Farmstead The smallest settlement, usually one farmhouse and farm buildings
Hamlet A very small group of houses with few or no services
Rural village / Small A small rural settlement that provides basic services to the
village surrounding farming area
Town A larger settlement with more people, more functions and more
services
City A large urban settlement with a large population and a wider variety
of services
Metropolis A very large city with many high-order functions
Conurbation An extensive urban area formed when towns and cities grow together
Megalopolis A very large continuous urban region made up of several large urban
areas
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 4 of 54
Important Concepts
Concept Meaning
Range The maximum distance people are willing to travel to obtain goods or
services
Threshold The minimum number of people needed to support goods or services
population profitably
Low-order Goods and services used regularly and offered by many smaller settlements,
functions e.g. a café, clinic or primary school
High-order Goods and services used less often and usually found only in larger
functions settlements, e.g. a university, specialist hospital or large shopping centre
_______________________________________________________________
Urban vs Rural Settlements
Urban settlements are larger and more developed. Many people usually live
close together in these areas. Urban settlements have more services such as
shops, schools, hospitals, banks and public transport. They are also linked to
secondary, tertiary and quaternary activities, such as factories, trade,
offices, services and technology.
Rural settlements are smaller and usually have fewer
people. Houses and buildings are often spread further apart.
There are fewer services and these areas are mostly linked
to primary activities, such as farming, fishing, forestry and mining.
Remember:
Urban = more people, more services and less open space.
Rural = fewer people, fewer services and more open space.
Urban Rural
Larger population Smaller population
Many services available Few services available
High population density Low population density
Compact settlement pattern Dispersed settlement pattern
Multi-functional Single-function
Linked to secondary, tertiary and quaternary Linked to primary activities
activities
More job opportunities Fewer job opportunities
Examples: towns, cities, metropolises and Examples: farmsteads, hamlets and rural
megalopolises villages
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
Geography
Grade 12
Paper 2
Prelim Exam
2026
IMAGES: AI Generated. Based on typical examination questions
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum and
current exam requirements. This document is based on past examination papers.
Content was adapted and structured for exam preparation purposes. AI tools were used to
assist with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and
learners are encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If you
are unsure whether you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for exam preparation
and do not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction. IMAGES: Canva & AI Generated
REMEMBER: You must study Term 1, 2 and Term 3 STUDY NOTES for the Prelim Exam.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 2 of 54
Rural Settlements 2
Issues in Rural Settlements 7
Urban Structure and Patterns 11
Issues in Urban Settlements 12
Economic Geography of South Africa 18
Primary Sector (e.g. agriculture) 18
Secondary Sector (e.g. industries) 24
Tertiary and Informal Sector 26
Food security 29
Industrial development strategies (e.g. IDZs, SDIs) 33
Trade and Trade Balance 38
Map work and GIS 40
Topographic and orthophoto maps 40
GIS concepts, applications and calculations 48
Rural Settlements
Term Description
The maximum distance customers are willing to travel to use a
Range
specific service
Urban growth The increase in the actual number of people living in cities
Sphere of influence The surrounding area served by a settlement
Urban expansion An increase in the physical size of a settlement
Threshold The minimum number of customers required for a service to show
population a profit
Pace of The average rate of change in the size of the urban population over
urbanization a given period
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 3 of 54
Term Description
Level of
The percentage of a country’s total population living in urban areas.
urbanization
Settlement Hierarchy
A settlement hierarchy shows how settlements are ranked from small to large
according to population size, number of functions, and the services offered.
From smallest to Description
largest
Farmstead The smallest settlement, usually one farmhouse and farm buildings
Hamlet A very small group of houses with few or no services
Rural village / Small A small rural settlement that provides basic services to the
village surrounding farming area
Town A larger settlement with more people, more functions and more
services
City A large urban settlement with a large population and a wider variety
of services
Metropolis A very large city with many high-order functions
Conurbation An extensive urban area formed when towns and cities grow together
Megalopolis A very large continuous urban region made up of several large urban
areas
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 4 of 54
Important Concepts
Concept Meaning
Range The maximum distance people are willing to travel to obtain goods or
services
Threshold The minimum number of people needed to support goods or services
population profitably
Low-order Goods and services used regularly and offered by many smaller settlements,
functions e.g. a café, clinic or primary school
High-order Goods and services used less often and usually found only in larger
functions settlements, e.g. a university, specialist hospital or large shopping centre
_______________________________________________________________
Urban vs Rural Settlements
Urban settlements are larger and more developed. Many people usually live
close together in these areas. Urban settlements have more services such as
shops, schools, hospitals, banks and public transport. They are also linked to
secondary, tertiary and quaternary activities, such as factories, trade,
offices, services and technology.
Rural settlements are smaller and usually have fewer
people. Houses and buildings are often spread further apart.
There are fewer services and these areas are mostly linked
to primary activities, such as farming, fishing, forestry and mining.
Remember:
Urban = more people, more services and less open space.
Rural = fewer people, fewer services and more open space.
Urban Rural
Larger population Smaller population
Many services available Few services available
High population density Low population density
Compact settlement pattern Dispersed settlement pattern
Multi-functional Single-function
Linked to secondary, tertiary and quaternary Linked to primary activities
activities
More job opportunities Fewer job opportunities
Examples: towns, cities, metropolises and Examples: farmsteads, hamlets and rural
megalopolises villages
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
