Environmental Science

Grade 4
Student Textbook

Nifas Silk
Lafto

Grade 4
 Environmental Science
Grade 4
Student Text Book

Prepared by:
Haileamlak Adane
Biniam Alemayehu
Melese Bayu
Kidanu Belete
Workagegn Seifu

Editors and reviewers:

Solomon Wodimu
Belay Belete
Muluneh Teklebirhan
Getahun Getachew
Ali Kemal

Coordinator:
Getachew Talema

Illustration and page layout:

Entoto Polytechnic College (Sisay Degu)

2015 E.C/2022-23 G.C

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 © 2015 Addis Ababa City Administration Education
Bureau

We are grateful to all quotes and pictures used in this book as

sources.

Acknowledgments

The head of the Education Bureau, Ato Zelalem Mulatu, deserves great thanks for
his great support from preparation to completion of this textbook, by sharing his
experiences, generating and presenting ideas in panel discussions, by making it
prepared by the teachers who teach in our city, and by approving the necessary
budget as well as managing it with strict discipline.

Bounteous thanks to the management members of the Education Bureau: for the
success of our work by always being with us in supporting and providing solutions to the
problems encountered, monitoring the implementation process, evaluating and paying
attention up to the end. To mention some of the Education Bureau persons include,
Deputy Head of the Curriculum Sector, M r . Admasu Dechasa, Deputy Head of
the Education Technology Sector, Dagnaw Gebru and Mr. Samson, Deputy Head
of Teacher Development S ector, Mrs. Abebech N egash, Head of Education Office
Advisor,Mr. Sisay Endale, Head of E ducation Office, and Mr. Desta Mersha,
Technical Advisor, all deserve thanks to their contribution.

Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to the school principals for giving
special attention to the work and sending us teachers and providing moral support.
 Table of Contents Page

Uni One ....... .................................................................................... 1

Location of our city. .......................................................................................................1

1.1 Direction .................................................................................................................... 3

1.2 The Nature of Maps ................................................................................................ 7

1.3 Relative Location.................................................................................................... 11
1.4 Relative location of our city ................................................................................. 12

1.5 The Nature of Absolute Location ......................................................................... 14

1.6 Absolute location of our city............................................................................... 16

1.7 Main places in our city ......................................................................................... 18

1.8 Location and name of the border regions of our city................................. 27
1.9 Location,distance and direction of major places in our city........................ 28
1.10 Nature of Information Technology ....................................................................30

Uni Two . ........................................................................................ 37

Understanding Science ................................................................................................37

2.1 Food and healthy lifestyle ..................................................................................... 39

2.2 Nutrients ................................................................................................................... 41
2.3 Nutrition .................................................................................................................... 52

2.4 Human Internal Organs .......................................................................................... 59

2.5 Physical and chemical properties of matter ....................................................63.

2.6. Shadow formation ..................................................................................................79

I
Uni Three . ......................................................................... 77
Natural environment. ......................................................................................... 77
3.1 Climate of our city........................................................................................... 79
3.2. Natural resources of our city ........................................................................ 88
3.3 Waste disposal of our city ........................................................................... 102
 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Chapter One
The Location of Our City

Students, after the completion of this unit, you will be able to:

 develop skills of identifying t h e l o c a t i o n o f places.

 describe the nature of a map.
 use information to identify location by using information
technology.
 explain the nature of relative and absolute locations.
 identify the relative location of your city.
 show the location of their city using latitude and longitude.
 use latitude and longitude to indicate the location of places in
your city.
 indicate the location of the sub-cities in their city on the map
and write their names.
 specify the names of the neighboring regions of your city.
 find the location, distance, and direction of places in your city.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Main contents of the unit

1.1 Direction

1.2 The Nature of Map

1.3 The Nature of Relative Location

1.4 The Nature of Absolute Location

1.5 Relative location of our city

1.6 The relative location of our city

1.7 Location of the main places in our city

1.8 Location and name of the border regions of our city

1.9 Location, distance, and direction of major places in our city

1.10 Nature of information technology

Introduction

Students! In the third grade, you learned about the location of sub-cities in
Addis Ababa, the nature of relative and absolute location, and the main places
in your sub-city. In the fourth grade, you will learn in detail about the location
of your city, the nature of a map, the nature of relative and absolute location,
the relative and absolute location of your city, the location of the main places
in your city, the distance, the direction and the location of neighboring regions.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

1.1 Direction

 Minimum unit outcome expected from the lesson:

 After the completion of this subunit, you will be able to:-

 develop the skills of identifying directions.

Key words
 Major directions
 Map direction

Students! Try to remember what you have learned about direction and the location of sub-
cities in the third grade!

Figure 1.1.1 Map of Addis Ababa

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Activity 1.1.1
Objective: - : To develop skills of identifying directions.
Instructions: - Form a group of five members and discuss the following
q uestions.Write it in your notebook and present it to your teacher.
1. List the sub-cities located in the four cardinal directions.
2. Explain the nature of direction and list the main direction
indicators.
3. Describe the relationship between relative position and direction.
4. Why is i t useful to know directions?

Direction is the line of flow along which a moving individual or object travels.
A line towards which a person or thing is facing can mean the direction.

Stimulating Questions

State the direction of motion of the car you s e e in Figure 1.1.2

1. State the direction of the flow line of the car.
2. What is the direction opposite to the flow line of the car
called?

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

West East

Picture 1.1.2 A picture showing the flow line of a car

The main direction indicators we use to indicate t he location of a place

are North, South, East, and West. It can also be stated as left, right, back,
front, top, and bottom. We can refer to the relative location of an object
with respect to a fixed location in the four basic direction indicators.

Figure 1.1.3 Main / Cardinal Direction Indicators

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Activities1.1.2

Objective: To develop skills of identifying directions.

Directions: Answer the following questions by looking at the map in figure 1 .1.1
above.

1. Mention the sub-cities located in the North of our city.

2. In which part of our city is Akaki Kality sub-city located?

3. Mention the location of Yeka and Kolfe sub-cities.

What is map direction?

There is a sign on the map showing directions. This directional symbol is
usually an arrow indicating from where or to where north is. S o w hen we
read a map, we have to see this arrow and crosscheck the direction of the
map with the direction of the area.

Figure 1.1.4 Map Direction

Exercise 1.1

Answer the following sentences by saying true if they are correct and false
if they are incorrect.

1. Direction means the line that shows the flow of a moving individual.

2. Direction is an index line used to describe relative location.

3. Relative location is identified by using major direction indicators.

4. A directional arrow found on a map is a symbol pointing east.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

1.2 the nature a map

 Minimum unit outcome expected from the lesson:
 Students, after the completion of this subunit, the students you will be able to:-
 Describe the nature of a map.

Key words
 Map
 Scale

Activity1.2.1
Objective: To describe the nature of maps.
Instructions: Form a group of five members and discuss.
After discussing, present the results to your teacher.
Discussion Questions.
1. What is a map?
2. How do you show objects on t he ground by using a map?
3. List t he advantages of mapping.

Figure 1.2.1 Map of Addis Ababa

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Location is the place of an object or individual in relation to other objects. A map

is a tool we use to show the location of a place.

A map is a graphic representation drawn on a sheet of paper that shows all or

part of a landscape. A map is a tool that helps you find various information
about land. Maps are prepared by trained people and using modern
instruments.

Let's look at the main ideas given in the interpretation of a map.

 Information in a map is summarized.

 A map is a zoomed-in representation of objects on the ground, much like a

photograph.

 A map is the process of showing the topography of a piece of land on a flat sheet of

paper.

 A map helps to see land and its features from different directions.

If we want to show an object on a map, we need to reduce it using the scale of that
object. A map is mainly used to know the location, distance, area, and direction of
places.
Scale means the comparison or ratio of distance on the ground and distance on

the map.

Scale: 1 cm per 1 km. What does this mean?

One centimeter on the map represents one kilometer on earth. We can

describe the location of a place in two ways. These are relative location and
absolute location.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Group Discussion 1.2.1

Objective: To know the nature of map.

Instructions: Form a group of 5 members and discuss as a group.
Look at the map of Addis Ababa in Figure 1.5.1 above:-

Explain the scale of the map, the marginal data, the nature of the
colors and symbols and present it to your teacher.

Exercise 1.2
A. Choose the correct answer to the following questions.

1. Which one describes the basic concept of a map?

a. land photography c. pictorial description of land

b. exact features of the earth d. an accurate copy of the land

2. Which one of the following is the ratio of distance on a map to distance on the
ground?
a. relative location b. direction c. scale d. globe

3. Which one usually refers to the direction of a map using an arrow?

A. North B. South C. West D. East
B. Answer the following questions in brief.
1. What is a map?
2. List the advantages of mapping.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

1.3 Relative Location

 Minimum unit outcome expected from the lesson:
 Students, after the completion of this subunit, you will be able to:-
 Explain the nature of relative location.



Key words
 Relative location
 Sketch map

Lafto

Figure 1.3.1 Map of Addis Ababa

Activity 1.3.1
Objective : To explain the nature of relative location.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is relative location?

2. List the natural and man-made objects of comparison that we use to

describe the relative location of a place.

3. Make a sketch map showing the relative location of the sub-

city you live in and show it to your teacher.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Relative location refers to the location of a place or thing in comparison to other

things in the area.

Determining the location of a place is very easy using relative location. Using major
directions, we can describe the relative location of a place in comparison to
other objects.

Points of comparison are very important for determining relative location. Relative
location describes the location of a country, region, or continent in comparison to
land, water bodies, or neighboring countries.

In urban areas, we can use large buildings, roads, and bridges as comparisons.

A sketch map is a plan of a limited area drawn by hand without a

tool. Direction, scale and other information should be mentioned on
the sketch map.

Exercise 1.3
A. Answer the following sentences by saying true or false.
1. Relative location describes the location of a place relative to
surrounding objects.
2. We can use artificial/manmade objects for comparison to express relative location
.
3. A sketch map is a sketch of a location drawn by hand without a tool.
4. We can describe the relative location of a place using directions.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

1.4 Relative Location of Our City

 Minimum learning outcome expected from the lesson:

 Students, after the completion of this subunit, you will be able to:-

 describe the relative location of your city.

Brainstorming Questions

1. Where is Addis Ababa located?

2. Name the region and location that borders Addis Ababa in all the
four directions.

In this subsection, we will look at the relative location of our city Addis Ababa in relation to
bordering Oromia Special Zone.

Addis Ababa city administration is located in central Ethiopia. Our city is surrounded by a
special zone of Oromia regional government. Addis Ababa is bordered on all sides by
Oromia Regional Government Special Zone cities.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Task 1.4.1 Practical activity

Objective: To show the relative location of y o u r city on a sketch map.

Materials Needed: Use graph paper, pencils, markers, colored pencils

and pens.

Procedure:

1. Draw a simple map of your city by measuring lateral and parallel

vertical lines.

2. Place regions that border your city in an appropriate location

and direction.

3. Colors and marginal information can be added as needed.

4. Place an arrow pointing north.

5. Show the sketch map you made above to your teacher.

Exercise 1.4
A. Answer the following questions in brief.

1. Define the nature of a sketch map.

2. Mention the name and location of the region bordering Addis Ababa.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

1.5 The Nature of Absolute Location

 Minimum learning outcome expected from the lesson:

 Students, after the completion of this subunit, you will be able to:-
 explain the nature of absolute location

Key words
 Absolute  Latitude
Location  Equator
 Longitude  Prime Meridian

Activity 1.5.1

Instruction : Form a group of five members and discuss the following

questions.
Objective: to explain the nature of absolute location.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is absolute location?
2. Explain the nature of latitude and longitude.
3. Explain how it is possible to show the location of places using latitude and
longitude.

Absolute location is the ability to describe the exact location of a place using
angular measurements. This is defined using latitude and longitude.
Latitude is defined as degrees north and south of the equator, or the angular
measurement between parallel lines. The origin of latitude is the equator (Equator).
The distance between latitudes is measured in degrees and their total number
0
is180 .

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Longitude is defined as degrees west and east of the prime meridian, or an angular
measure between the vertical lines. The origin of longitude is the prime meridian. The
distance between the vertical lines is measured in degrees and their number is 360 0.
.

North Pole Equator

Prime meridian

West East

Vertical line
South Pole

Horizontal line

Figure 1.5.1 Horizontal and vertical lines

Exercise 1.5
A. Explain the nature or meaning of the following words/expressions.

1. Absolute location

2. Latitude

3. Longitude

4. Equator

5. The Prime meridian

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

1.5
1.6The NatureLocation
Absolute of Absolute Location
of our city
 Minimum learning outcomes expected from the lesson:

 Students, when completing this subtopic you will be able to:

 state the absolute location of their city.

Key words
 Absolute Location

 Altitude

Practical activity 1.6.1

Objective : to state the absolute location of your city.

Discussion Question:

Students! By looking at the map of Ethiopia, indicate the absolute

location of your city Addis Ababa in degrees. Show the results of your
work to your teacher.

0.
The absolute location of Addis Ababa city on the map of Ethiopia is 90 1’ 48”
0.
North and 380 4 4' 24" East.

The average altitude of Addis Ababa city administration is 2,400 meters above
sea level.

The highest point of the city is Entoto Mountain and its altitude is more than 3,200
meters.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Figure 1.6.1 Map of Addis Ababa

Exercise 1.6
A. Answer the following statements as true if they are correct and false if they are
not.

1. Absolute location describes the location of a place in degrees.

2. Location means where we find the actual location of a place or thing.

3. The starting point of longitude is the equator.

4. Points of comparison are very important to describe absolute location.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

1.71.6 Absolute
The Location
Location of of inour
Main Places Ourcity
City

 Minimum learning outcomes expected from the subtopic:

 Students, at the end of the lesson you will be able to:

 use latitude and longitude to indicate the location of places in your

city.

Group Discussion 1.7.1

Instructions: Work in groups.

Objective: to describe the location of the main places in your city.
1. List the highest and lowest places in your city.
2. List the monuments and parks in your city.
3. Where is the National Museum located in your city?
4. Using latitude and longitude, show the following places on a
map of Addis Ababa. National Palace, Addis Ababa Museum, Army
Hospital, and Cross Square (Meskel Adebabay).

There are many places in Addis Ababa that can be marked on the map. Our city
Addis Ababa has many natural resources, historical places, ancient artifacts, business
centers, parks, and various entertainment places.

 We will look at the main areas in Addis Ababa city Administration.

1. Land features showing the height difference in Addis Ababa city

The highest point of Addis Ababa city is Entoto Mountain and the lowest point
is Bole International Airport. There are also valleys formed by small river basins
within the city.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

E E

Yeka

Gulele
Addis Ketema Arada

Lideta Kirkos
Lemi Kura N
Kolfe Keranyo
Bole

Nifas Silk Lafto

Key
Height of boundary of subcity (meter)
Akaki Kality

Highest

Lowest

km

E E
Figure 1.7.1 Highest and lowest places in Addis Ababa

As shown in Figure 1.7.1, Addis Ababa's high places are found in the north of the city
direction and low places are located in the southern direction of the city. The

highest places in Gulele and Yeka sub-cities are from 3041 meters above sea
level. Places in Lafto, Bole, Akaki Kality and Nifas Silk Lafto sub cities are located at
an altitude of 2048 meters. Places in Arada, Lideta, Kirkos and Lemi kura sub-cities

are also located at medium altitude.

 Students! Look at the map presented in Figure 1.7.1 carefully and identify the altitude
of your sub-city ?

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Entoto Park in Gulele sub-city is a park built in 2013 E.C/2021G.C on the

highest point of the city (Entoto Mountain) which includes wild animals,
natural plants, various recreational areas, and sports competitions.

Picture 1.7.2 Entoto Park

The Bole International Airport, which is located in the lower part of the
city, is one of the famous places in the city.

Figure 1.7.3 Bole International Airport

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

2. Market Places in Addis Ababa

The major market areas and centers in our city are the following.
 Merkato market center

 Saris market center

 Shola market center (Yeha)

 Shiro Meda shopping center

Merkato Market center

Merkato is known for its vast spaciousness and the largest open market in Africa. It is one of
the most popular commercial areas in the city.

Figure 1.7.4 Merkato Market center

3. Monuments in Addis Ababa

There are monuments in important and key places in Addis Ababa. These monuments remind
us of what Ethiopians did and achieved in the past. These are:

 Statue of Emperor Menelik

 Martyrs Memorial Monument

 Victory Statue found in Arat killo

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Statue of Emperor Menelik:

This statue is located in front of the
Arada Giorgis Church. The
memorial is to remember Ethiopia's
victory over the Italian invasion
force.

Figure 1.7.5 Statue of Emperor Menelik

Memorial of martyrs Statue:

This statue which stands at Sidist Killo
commemorates the brutality of the
Italians against the people of the city
in 1930s.

Picture 1.7.6 Yekatit 12 (Feb.17) Martyrs Statue

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

4. Historical Monuments and Museums in Addis Ababa

Examples of monuments and museums in Addis Ababa:
 Empress Taitu Hotel

 Palace of Menelik II

 National Museum

 Ethiopian Research Institute Museum

National Museum at Amist Killo: This museum is a place where various artifacts
are collected and placed in a convenient manner for the visitors.

Picture 1.7.7 National Museum

Etege Taytu Hotel located in Piassa is the first hotel built in Ethiopia which is
registered as a historical heritage.

1.7.8 Etege Taitu Hotel

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

5. Entertainment places that attract visitors in Addis Ababa

Examples of attraction sites and places in Addis Ababa:

 Andinet (Unity) Park

 Anbesa Gibi (Lion’s Cage)
 Yewodajinet Adebabay (Friendship Square)
 Hamle 19 Park
Unity Park:
This park was inaugurated in 2012 E.C./2020 G.C. It is a place where lions
and other wild animals, birds, different plants, heritages and various
images that reflect our country's culture are found.

Picture 1.18 Unity Park

Yewodajinet Adebabay: T h i s w a s i naugurated in 2013 E.C/2021G.C.It is a

popular tourist attraction in the city. It contains an artificial lake, pictures showing
the history and culture of the Ethiopian people, various plants, and
entertainments. It can be called Friendship Square.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Picture 1.7.10 Yewodajinet Adebaby

6. Modern Institutions in Addis Ababa

 Addis Ababa University

 Addis Ababa Education Bureau
 Addis Ababa Police Commission
 Addis Ababa Health Office
 Addis Ababa Transport Authority
 Courts
 Addis Ababa Trade Office
 Financial institutions and other modern institutions are found
in our city.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Figure 1.7.11 Financial institutions in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa University located Sidist Killo:It is a competitive

educational, research and study center in Africa that has produced many
famous individuals.

Picture 1.7.12 Addis Ababa University

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

1.8 Location and name of the border region of our city

 Minimum learning outcomes expected from the lesson:

 Students, at the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
o Specify the location and name of the bordering region of your city.

 Activity 1.8.1

Objective: to define the region surrounding your city.

Discussion Questions:
1. Mention the special zones of the Oromia region bordering Addis Ababa.

2. List the names of the cities surrounding Addis Ababa.

Addis Ababa City Administration borders with various towns in Oromia Regional
Government Special Zone.
These towns are Burayu, Alem Gena, Sebeta, Gelan, Legetafo, and Sululuta found
surrounding the Addis Ababa city Administration.

Exercise 1.8

Read the following sentences and say true if they are correct and false if they
are not.
1. Ababa City Administration borders w i t h Tigray National Regional Government.

2. Addis Ababa city administration is located in central Ethiopia.

3. Addis Ababa city administration is organized in sub-city and district

administration.

4. Addis Ababa city is surrounded by Oromia regional government special

zone.

5. Addis Ababa c i t y borders the Oromia National Regional Government on all sides.

_________________

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

1.9Location, distance, and direction of main places in our city

 Minimum learning outcomes expected from the lesson:

 Students, upon completing this subtopic you will be able to:

 identify the location, distance, and direction of places in your city.

Activities 1.9.1 Group Discussion

Objective: Describe the main areas of your city.

Discuss the following questions.
1. Where is Entoto Park located?

2. How far is from Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa University?

3. List the main residential areas, hotels, and market centers in

Addis Ababa.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Table 1.9.1The main areas of Addis Ababa City Administration

The main places in our city Location of the Sub- Distance from the center of Direction
city Addis Ababa

Entoto Park Gulele sub-city 1.9 km In the north

Bole International A ir Port Bole sub-city 9.5 km In the east

Addis Ababa University Arada S ub-city, 1 .2 k m In the north

National Theatre Arada s ub-city 1 .9 km In the north

Martyrs Memorial Monument Arada s ub-city 1 .3 km In the north

The statue of Emperor Menelik Arada s ub-city 400 m In the north

Meskel Square Kirkos s ub-city 5 .2 km In the north

Friendship square Arada s ub-city 2 .5 km In the north

Merkato Shopping Center Addis Ketema sub-city 2.2 Km In the north

Emperor Menelik's palace Arada s ub-city 2 .5 km In the north

Exercise 1.9

1. Match the statements listed under "A" with those listed under "B".

A B

1. Located in a low place a. Commemoration of the victory of Adwa

2. Located in a high place b. Friendship square

3. Statue of Emperor Menelik c. Entoto Park

d. Victory Monument
4. Miazia 27 Square Statue
e. Monument of Martyrs
5. Yektit 12 Memorial Monument f. Bole International Airport

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

1.10 The Nature of Information Technology

 Minimum learning outcomes expected from the lesson:

 Students, after completing this subtopic you will be able to:
 identify locations using information technology.

Key words
 Google map
 GPS

Activities 1.10.1 Group work

Purpose: To show the location of places using Information Technology.

Instructions: In groups of four or five, go to the Information Technology

room (ICT Room) with your teacher and indicate the areas listed below.
Using Google Maps or Google Earth apps, mark the location of the
following major places in your city with your teacher.

Main squares Main monuments Main museums Main parks

Cross Square The statue of Menelik National Theatre Addis Entoto Park
Derartu Tulu Square The statue of Liberty Ababa Museum Gofa Anbesa Park
Karl Square Monuments of Martyrs Gebriel Museum Unity Park
Kagnew Square Patriots' Monument Ethiopian Study and Research Museum Korean Veterans Park

Technology is the creative products we use to create new things and put them into
practice.

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 Chapter One:-Location of Our City

Information and Technology

Information is a raw data collected about different things.
Information Technology means the use of technologies that provide information
about the location, distance and direction of various places. Information technology brings
rapid changes in information
Management and exchange. For example,
we can specify the location of a place using
applications like GPS, Google Earth, and
Google Maps, etc.

Figure 1.10.1 Google Earth

GPS

This information technology provides

information about locations using mobile
network data. It's also an application.

Figure 1.10.2 GPS

Google Map

This information technology is a digital technology that provides information about the location of
places, environment, traffic movement and road conditions. We can
easily use these information technologies with our
handheld phones and computers in our homes.
These information technologies are used to
easily find information related to location, and
Streamline work. It is useful to reduce time
wastage, consolidate and maintain information well.

Figure 1.10.3 Google Maps Search

31