Transport and Communication
Transport networks of roads, rail, air and sea link places, and communications like the internet connect people instantly.
▶ Interact
Play with the controls to see the idea in action.
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Transport networks of roads, rail, air and sea link places, and communications like the internet connect people instantly.
- Containers carry global trade
- Airports create employment
- Good transport helps development
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Transport and Communication?
Within Geography, which covers maps, landforms, weather, climate, population and settlements: understand how our planet and people connect, this topic explains Transport and Communication. Geography explains how places, people and natural processes connect, so each topic here combines a clear definition with a visual model.
Check that you can explain Transport and Communication in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Transport and Communication helps you explain patterns on maps and in the news, and make reasoned decisions about places and environments.
Transport and Communication in detail
Transport moves people and goods by road, rail, air, water and pipeline, and each has advantages: roads are flexible, rail carries heavy loads efficiently, air is fast and sea is cheap for bulk goods. Containerisation has made shipping very efficient.
Communication has been revolutionised by mobile phones, the internet, satellites and fibre optics. Better connections help trade, jobs and access to services, but infrastructure is costly and can damage the environment. The digital divide separates those with and without access. Transport is a major source of greenhouse gases, so cleaner options are being developed.
How the interactive helps you understand Transport and Communication
Watch the network in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the network responds.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Transport and Communication.
Real-life uses and examples
- Describe a real place where Transport and Communication can be seen, using a map or photograph.
- Explain how Transport and Communication affects people, jobs and land use in a region.
- Support an answer about Transport and Communication with a named case study and specific evidence.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing general statements without a named place or example.
- Mixing up cause, effect and consequence when you explain Transport and Communication.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Transport and Communication
What is Transport and Communication?
Transport networks of roads, rail, air and sea link places, and communications like the internet connect people instantly.
What are the most important points about Transport and Communication?
The main points are: Containers carry global trade; Airports create employment; Good transport helps development.
Why is Transport and Communication useful?
Understanding Transport and Communication helps you explain patterns on maps and in the news, and make reasoned decisions about places and environments.
How can I practise Transport and Communication?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Transport and Communication?
Related topics in Geography include Deindustrialisation, Natural Hazard Risk, Conservation and Protected Areas.