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examBoard: Cambridge
examType: IGCSE
lessonTitle: Bar Graphs - Horizontal, Vertical, Divided
Bar graphs are one of the most common and useful ways to display data in geography. They help us compare different categories of information visually, making patterns and trends easier to spot. Whether you're analyzing population statistics, climate data, or economic indicators, bar graphs can be powerful tools for presenting your findings.
Key Definitions:
Bar graphs are perfect for showing discrete data (separate categories) rather than continuous data. They help us:
Every good bar graph needs:
Vertical bar graphs (also called column graphs) are the most common type you'll encounter. They're excellent for comparing values across different categories or showing changes over time.
When creating a vertical bar graph, follow these steps:
Vertical bar graphs are perfect for showing monthly rainfall totals. The months would be arranged along the x-axis and the rainfall amounts (in mm) would be shown by the height of each bar on the y-axis. This makes it easy to identify the wettest and driest months and seasonal patterns.
For example, a graph showing rainfall in London would typically show higher bars for autumn and winter months, illustrating the seasonal nature of precipitation in the UK.
Horizontal bar graphs work on the same principle as vertical ones, but the bars run from left to right instead of bottom to top. They're particularly useful when you have long category names or many categories to display.
Horizontal bar graphs are especially useful in these situations:
In horizontal bar graphs, it's often effective to arrange the bars in order of size (either ascending or descending) rather than in alphabetical or chronological order. This makes it easier to see rankings and compare values.
Don't forget that in horizontal bar graphs, the y-axis shows the categories and the x-axis shows the values (the opposite of vertical bar graphs). Make sure your labels reflect this!
A horizontal bar graph is ideal for comparing the populations of different countries. Country names (which can be quite long) are listed along the y-axis, while population figures are shown on the x-axis. Countries can be arranged from most to least populous, making it easy to see their relative rankings.
Divided bar graphs (sometimes called component bar charts or stacked bar charts) show how a total is broken down into its component parts. Each bar represents a total and the segments within the bar show the proportions of different categories.
To create a divided bar graph:
Divided bar graphs are perfect for showing land use in different regions. Each bar represents a country or region and the segments show the proportion of land used for agriculture, forests, urban areas, etc.
Use divided bars to compare employment structures across countries. Each bar represents a country's workforce, with segments showing the percentage working in primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary sectors.
Divided bars can show how different countries generate their electricity. Each bar represents a country's total energy production, with segments showing the proportion from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables.
A divided bar graph comparing employment sectors in the UK and Kenya would show clear differences in economic development. The UK bar would have a small primary sector segment (about 1-2%), a moderate secondary sector (around 20%) and a large tertiary/quaternary sector (75-80%). Kenya's bar would show a much larger primary sector (about 40%), smaller secondary sector (15%) and growing tertiary sector (45%). This visual comparison clearly illustrates different stages of economic development.
Selecting the appropriate type of bar graph depends on what you want to show:
Best for:
Best for:
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In your iGCSE Geography exam, you might need to interpret bar graphs or create your own. Here are some tips:
Bar graphs are essential tools for displaying and analyzing geographical data. Whether you're comparing rainfall patterns, population statistics, or economic indicators, choosing the right type of bar graph can help you present information clearly and effectively.
Remember the key differences:
In your iGCSE Geography exam, you'll need to both interpret existing graphs and potentially create your own. Pay attention to detail, ensure your graphs have all the necessary components and practice linking what you see in the data to the geographical concepts you've studied.
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