How well you understand geography will depend on many factors. If you live in Europe, for example, you probably won’t have any trouble labeling the Nordic nations on a map. But you might struggle to accurately label every country in South America or Africa. Meanwhile, if you’re from the United States, you might be able to label every state within two minutes. But you might start sweating when you have to name every country in Asia.
Some people simply live in a bubble, where they don’t have to know very much about geography. But just because you don’t use maps every day doesn’t mean that it’s not valuable to have an understanding of geography.
Americans often get a bad rap when it comes to geography, thanks to ignorant people online who make claims like “Texas is larger than Europe.” But according to a 2019 report from Gallup and National Geographic, seven in ten Americans do believe that events around the world affect their daily lives a “great deal” or a “fair amount.” The majority of Americans could also at least correctly identify the continent that most countries they were asked about were on.
However, some Americans could definitely use some help brushing up on their knowledge of geography and international relations. A 2020 survey found that 44% had trouble correctly spotting which nations are part of the EU. And at that time, only one fifth of survey respondents knew that the UK had left the EU.
Nowadays, it can be easy to assume that we don’t really need to know much about geography. After all, we have Google Maps at our fingertips at all times, and if you’re not in school, you’re probably not going to be tested on your knowledge of the world any time soon. But Thought Co. notes that it’s still important to study geography to better understand our planet. The more you know about geography, the better you’ll understand issues impacting our planet, such as climate change and water resource issues.
A deeper understanding of geography can also help you understand various cultures better. For example, if you know what the climate is like in Lithuania, you’ll understand why the traditional cuisine heavily relies on meat, potatoes, and beets. Understanding a region’s climate can also help explain why certain cultures are more outgoing, while others are more quiet and reserved.
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As citizens on this planet, we have a responsibility to be well-educated. You may not think that issues occurring an ocean away impact you, but you’d be surprised. Plus, if you happen to meet someone from another continent, wouldn’t it be nice to know something about their nation? Even if all you know is where the country is, that they have plenty of beaches, and what the name of their capital is, that’s more than enough to strike up a conversation. And it saves you the embarrassment of having to admit that you’ve never heard of their country.
#16 Open Your Mind, “But Not So Open That Your Brains Fall Out.” -Walter Kotschnig
Open Geography Education notes that geography is often referred to as the “mother of all sciences.” This is because it was one of the earliest known scientific disciplines.
“In fact, some would argue that spatial awareness and early mapping were more significant to the development and migration of humans out of Africa than language,” Open Geography Education explains. “There is no single, linear or historic pathway through the cultural development of geography because the discipline is inherently human. Humans have always had a need and desire to explore their surroundings, expand their influence and sometimes dominance over new lands.”
