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The U.S. News & World Report has included geography among a list of “50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2008.” A “quick pick” in the “Your Mind” section, the feature encourages readers to “Get lost in the art of geography.”

My Wonderful World applauds U.S.News & World’s recognition of the value of learning geography! The set of skills and a body of knowledge that comes with learning geography prepares one to understand and succeed in the world. Our friend Caitlin Snaring (2007 winner of the National Geographic Bee) said it best: “Geography is not just learning something that you will forget…It will help you for the rest of your life."

Luckily, there’s plenty you can do to start thinking geographically! Matt Rosenberg of ­About.com: Geography recommends that people use an atlas like they use a dictionary. “When you read or hear a place name you don’t know, look it up!” We think this is an excellent idea, especially since the 2006 Roper Poll indicates that less than one in three households has an atlas.

There you have it: a New Year’s resolution for 2008!

Check out the following resources:

Purchase at atlas:
Oxford Atlas, 14th Edition
National Geographic atlases

Online atlas tools:
National Geographic "Map Machine"
National Geographic "Map Machine" student atlas
Google Earth
ArcGIS Explorer
National Geographic People and Places
MSN Encarta Atlas

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Comments

[Sarah Jane]

What a great use of your atlas to explore current events! Thanks for sharing this tip.

That image of the sky at night is such an iconic one. For those who may not have seen it, check out this version from NASA: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/Images/earth_lights_lrg.jpg

[eclexia]

My son and I enjoyed looking up in our atlas all the places featured in the extreme weather photo slide story on National Geographic's website several months ago.

We love maps and atlases and have them hanging in various places in our house. One of my favorites is one from NG a few years back with all the lights seen from space at night superimposed on the world map.