Introduction
Geography, like all academic disciplines, has its own nomenclature and terminol-
ogy. Those learning about the field for the first time may be bewildered by the
many specialized terms and concepts that geographers use, a feeling frequently
compounded by the broad interests that geographers pursue and the many sub-
fields that make up the study of geography as a whole. But it is the very diversity
of geography that gives the discipline depth and strength, and allows us to think
in integrative and complex ways about the myriad spatial processes we encounter
on a daily basis. Almost everyone carries a “mental map” that allows us to organ-
ize the world into an order that we recognize and expect—we are by nature all
geographers. Geography is the science of location, and the entire world is the lab-
oratory of the geographer. To appreciate the wide body of knowledge that geogra-
phy offers, a mastery of the language of the field is essential.
Such an appreciation is vital in a globalizing world. Those who have a weak
knowledge and understanding of the world around them are destined to be at a dis-
advantage, both professionally and personally. Geography provides the fundament
for such understanding. For the past several decades, studies have shown that
American students, and the general public, lack a solid grounding in geography.
When tested about their knowledge of other peoples and countries, for example,
Americans typically rank near the bottom when compared to most Europeans.
Some have explained this as simply the result of North America’s relative isolation,
the fact that the country borders on only two other states, one of which is primarily
English-speaking and shares a similar culture, and other factors, most of which,
ironically enough, are geographic. Yet these excuses are no longer acceptable, or
even relevant. Physical distances, in the age of modern transportation systems, have
become a secondary consideration, and contact with the remainder of the world is
no longer dependent on actual travel, although visiting other locations is certainly
an excellent way to learn about them. In the era of the Internet and globalization,
we can no longer think in terms of the world being “out there somewhere.” It is here
and now, often right outside our doors, perhaps even in our homes. The things we eat
xvii