This place comparison explores what is the same and what is different in two remote island locations: Shetland in Scotland and Iqaluit in Canada.
Video summary
Exploring similarities and differences between two remote locations: Shetland in Scotland and Iqaluit in Canada.
Kayla-Marie, 10, is from Shetland. It takes a plane or twelve-and-a-half-hour ferry to get from Shetland to the Scottish mainland.
Christina lives on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, on a very large island in northern Canada, in a city called Iqaluit. Iqaluit is the capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. The name Iqaluit translates as ‘the place of many fish’ and fishing is a big industry here.
The weather in Iqaluit is extremely different to the weather Shetland: for eight months of the year the average temperature is below freezing.
Both Christina and Kayla enjoy the outdoors life, fishing and playing in the hills surrounding their houses. Both children enjoy a sense of freedom; they love to explore the vast unpopulated landscape that surrounds them.
Community is also very important in these remote places. Both Kayla and Christina have several generations of family within walking distance of their homes.
The clips contains themes which some younger viewers may find upsetting. Teacher review is recommended prior to use in class.
This clip was originally broadcast as part of the series Your World.
Teacher Notes
You could ask your pupils to make lists of the similarities and differences between Iqaluit and Shetland.
What is the climate like? What are the geographical features they see in the film?
Your pupils could discuss the pros and cons of living in remote places, encourage them to talk about the transport modes used in more remote places and how the weather effects what people do.
This clip is relevant for teaching Geography at KS1 and KS2 in England and Wales, Early and 1st level and 2nd Level in Scotland and Foundation and KS1 in Northern Ireland.
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