National Geography Awareness Week (November 17-22)

Hear the word “geography” and the following images probably come to mind: maps, dusty globes and maybe your ninth grade geography teacher who was always describing things as “arid” or “tropical.” While geography does concern the natural makeup of land, it is so much more than just memorizing the names of mountain ranges or state capitals. Geographic awareness also means learning about and understanding diverse human cultures and environmental concerns.

Spearheaded by a joint Congressional resolution in 1987, National Geography Awareness Week is celebrated each year during the third week of November. Throughout the week, special educational activities and events are conducted by the National Geographic Society and other organizations in an effort to promote geographic education. The Geography Action! project encourages young people especially to learn about different places and people in the world.

Celebrate this week by reading about a country you know nothing about or trying a foreign food. Encourage a friend or family member to brush up their geographic knowledge with a small globe or map for their desk. In today’s rapidly globalizing world, understanding of other places and cultures is vital if we want to enjoy a more tolerant and peaceful future.