Why is Geography Important?
Being able to view the world geographically is a fundamental skill for everyone. Understanding the connection between the environment and people, geography ties together diverse sciences as geology, biology, and climatology with economics, history, and politics based on location. Geographers understand conflict around the world because so many factors are involved.
Who Are The "Fathers" of Geography?
The Greek scholar Eratosthenes, who measured the circumference of the earth and was the first to use the word "geography," is commonly called the father of geography.Alexander von Humboldt is commonly called the "father of modern geography" and William Morris Davis is commonly called the "father of American geography."
How Can I Learn More About Geography?
Taking geography courses, reading geography books, and, of course, exploring this site are great ways to learn.You can increase your geographic literacy of places around the world by getting a good atlas, such as Goode's World Atlas and use it to look up unfamiliar places any time you encounter them while reading or watching the news. Before long, you'll have a great knowledge of where places are.
Reading travelogues and historical books can also help improve your geographic literacy and understanding of the world - they're some of my favorite things to read.
What is the Future of Geography?
Things are looking up for geography! More and more schools across the United States are offering or requiring geography be taught at all levels, especially high school. The introduction of the Advanced Placement Human Geography course in high schools for the 2000-2001 school year has increased the number of college-ready geography majors, thus increasing the numbers of geography students in undergraduate programs. New geography teachers and professors are needed in all areas of the educational system as more students begin learning geography.GIS (Geographic Information Systems) has become popular in many different disciplines and not just geography. The career opportunities for geographers with technical skills, especially in the area of GIS, is excellent and should continue to grow.
