This cartoon is an introduction into the complex and rich world of geography and geographic education. It acts as a catalyst to thinking about the multi-faceted functions of geography, and the myriad of applications of the discipline. The world of geography is much more than place names and state capitals, and this cartoon aims to show the full breadth of the field.
Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments.
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For more than 137 years, education has been foundational to the National Geographic Society’s mission. We believe that advancing knowledge and inspiring curiosity are essential to understanding and protecting our world and we bring the lessons, skills, and insights of National Geographic Explorers and educators to communities of learners around the world. Central to our work today is the ...
Climate change is radically redefining the geography, biodiversity and political units of the Arctic. The extent of sea ice in the Arctic is shrinking. The 21st century has marked record lows in both the winter maximum and summer minimum extent of sea ice. Most climatologists estimate that by the year 2100, most Arctic sea ice will melt every ...
Throughout human history, most societies have sought to understand their physical place in the world and the people and environments around them.
One of the oldest tenets of geography is the concept of place. As a result, place has numerous definitions, from the simple “a space or location with meaning” to the more complex “an area having unique physical and human characteristics interconnected with other places.” There are three key components of place: location, locale, and a sense of place. Location is the position of a ...