Using the 18 National Geography Standards outlined in the book as a guide, how would you explain to a 6th grade student the importance of geography in his or her life?
Think about the concept of relative location. What businesses in your community are most reliant on their location? What types of businesses are less dependent on their location? Why?
Look up the "geography" entry of an encyclopedia and find the names of two geographers listed in the entry. Write a short biography of each person and explain his or her contribution to the history of geography.
Under the "exploration, geographic" entry of an encyclopedia, look up additional information on any two explorers listed. Write a short biography of each person, focusing on the contribution made to increasing our knowledge of the earth.
The text introduces the concept of the "friction of distance". Is there a friction of distance on your campus? In other words, do you or your friends use or avoid certain places because of their distance from your residence? Explain.
Is your home region of the country best described as a formal or functional region? Why?
