by Jennifer Vensel

Created on: November 25, 2008   Last Updated: December 11, 2008

Geography can be exciting and very useful in your life. Yes, geography is exciting. If you have any plans to travel, it is so important to know about the people and place you are traveling through. If you have ever traveled anywhere outside of your hometown, you know what learning about new people, places, nature, and things can do for your mind. Just looking at a world map intrigues something in everyone. Geography allows you to take a step further to understanding that world map you would love to know more about.

Geography may require reading, memorizing, and studying. Hopefully, you have a teacher that is passionate about the world, but if you don't, it doesn't mean you can not take matters into your own hands. Purchase a map of the world from the bookstore, or surf on line and purchase one that is colorful and interesting to you. Hang it on your wall and get to know it. Look at places you have heard of before, or that you associate something you know. Find China, Japan, Russia, and others. You will find yourself going oh, I didn't know that is where that was, or that that country was an island, or that is close to that.

The map is extremely important, because it helps you visualize where a country is when it is being taught in school. Geography for that matter is important. You will automatically feel more comfortable in history class, science, and humanities, when you know where the places are the instructor is talking about. If you are adventurous, it is probably very advantageous to make your own map. When you make your own map you can include all the topics that geography covers. Things like is the land mountainous, or flat? Is the main industry in this country fishing or oil? Are the people tourist friendly, or are they weary of strangers from foreign lands.

Geography invloves learning all these aspects of the different countries. You may have to do some research and be involved with a lot of reading that is unfamiliar to you. It is all worth it. Whether you travel now, or will in the future, knowing geography can really help. Traveling can be stressful if you are not comfortable among strangers, geography helps you feel much more connected to the people. When you learn about how their country was formed, and their political set-up you can strike up a conversation with a local and feel right at home.

Geography can feel a little boring at first, but if you put a little effort into it can be fun. The bottom line is that the usefulness in the long run of knowing and understanding about other people, countries, and their lands outweighs the extra effort you have to put forth to study them. Get your favorite snack, find a nice bright place to study, get out your map, and become familiar with the world we live in, it is a great place to learn about.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Vensel.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.