Why Learn Geography
Tia Warmack
Why Study Geography? Aside from the fact that you can travel the world, learn different cultures, and try different foods without ever leaving your living room, there are many reasons to study geography!
In order to understand and appreciate each other and other cultures, it is important to learn about them. Understanding a country’s culture helps us understand why a certain country does things the way they do.
Aside from understanding different cultures, just the physical boundaries and physical characteristics of a country are important. An earthquake that occurred in Japan can cause tsunamis to happen in Hawaii.
Because we all live in the same Earth, it is important to study geography. With geographic literacy being so important, you would assume that geographical knowledge would not be a problem. However, according to The National Geographic - Roper Public Affairs 2006 Geographic Literacy Study, which “assesses the geographic knowledge of young American adults between the ages of 18 and 24. [1]”…
In order to understand and appreciate each other and other cultures, it is important to learn about them. Understanding a country’s culture helps us understand why a certain country does things the way they do.
Aside from understanding different cultures, just the physical boundaries and physical characteristics of a country are important. An earthquake that occurred in Japan can cause tsunamis to happen in Hawaii.
Because we all live in the same Earth, it is important to study geography. With geographic literacy being so important, you would assume that geographical knowledge would not be a problem. However, according to The National Geographic - Roper Public Affairs 2006 Geographic Literacy Study, which “assesses the geographic knowledge of young American adults between the ages of 18 and 24. [1]”…
“Six in ten (63%) cannot find Iraq on a map of the Middle East, despite near-constant news coverage since the U.S. invasion of March 2003.” [1]
“Three-quarters cannot find Indonesia on a map even after images of the tsunami and the damage it caused to this region of the world played prominently across televisions screens and in the pages of print media over many months in 2005.” [1]
Resources that other countries have play an important and significant part on global economics, however…
“Six in ten (59%) know that the Amazon Rainforest is in South America. Even though the region is vital for not only important for biodiversity as well as for the global climate, fully four in ten young Americans are unable to make this connection. Nearly one in five (18%) think the Amazon is in Africa.” [2]
With these statistics, and because of the importance of geography, it is becoming increasingly important to become more “Geo-literate”. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel! The general public is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of geography and taking a stand. Just last year, team USA, took Gold at the 11th National Geographic World Championship.
However, in the words of Andrew Shears who is an Assistant Professor of Geography at Mansfield University, “Geographic literacy is a [sic] so important that we must not lose focus on that objective, we must realize that our job is never finished, but that our job isn't impossible if we work together all levels of educators to emphasize its importance [3]”
Geography is important because there is a world out there besides the local boundary lines that we live in. With all the technology that we have, our world is indeed getting smaller and smaller and we are interdependent on each other. Geography is also fun! You can have a meal from a different country, learn about the people that live in that country, learn about the cities of that country, and even make a list of all the things you would LOVE to go and see in person someday! You can literally “travel” the world without ever leaving your home!
Tia Warmack is a unit study author and homeschooling mom to 3 teens.
However, in the words of Andrew Shears who is an Assistant Professor of Geography at Mansfield University, “Geographic literacy is a [sic] so important that we must not lose focus on that objective, we must realize that our job is never finished, but that our job isn't impossible if we work together all levels of educators to emphasize its importance [3]”
Geography is important because there is a world out there besides the local boundary lines that we live in. With all the technology that we have, our world is indeed getting smaller and smaller and we are interdependent on each other. Geography is also fun! You can have a meal from a different country, learn about the people that live in that country, learn about the cities of that country, and even make a list of all the things you would LOVE to go and see in person someday! You can literally “travel” the world without ever leaving your home!
Tia Warmack is a unit study author and homeschooling mom to 3 teens.
Citations
[1] National Geographic-Roper Public Affairs
2006 Geographic Literacy Study : http://www.nationalgeographic.com/roper2006/pdf/FINALReport2006GeogLitsurvey.pdf
[2] Ibid
[3] http://andrewshears.com/2010/11/18/geographic-literacy-our-job-isnt-finished/
2006 Geographic Literacy Study : http://www.nationalgeographic.com/roper2006/pdf/FINALReport2006GeogLitsurvey.pdf
[2] Ibid
[3] http://andrewshears.com/2010/11/18/geographic-literacy-our-job-isnt-finished/
