Geography Realm - Geography, Maps, and GIS

Various types and sizes of plastics collected from the Kinnickinnic River, Milwaukee, WI. Photo: S. Mason, State University of New York at Fredonia. Public domain. Source: USGS.

Tracking Plastic in the Air

Environmental Geography

Approximately 1,100 tons of microplastics are thought to be floating in the air above the Western United States

World map showing the number of heavy metal bands per 100,000 people by country.

Geography of Heavy Metal Bands

Cultural Geography

Which countries have the most heavy metal bands?

Plastic trash bag on the ocean floor.

80% of Plastic in the Ocean Comes From 1,656 Rivers

Environmental Geography

A team of researchers analyzed where geographically rivers are the biggest sources of plastic pollution entering the ocean.

Geography Basics

Lines of latitude. Image: Djexplo - Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Latitude and Longitude

Map showing the Indian Ocean, Oman Sea, and the Red Sea. Map: Epmistes, MediaWiki Commons.

What is the Difference Between a Sea and an Ocean?

The Earth can be divided into two main systems: the geosphere and the biosphere. Image: USGS, public domain.

What are the Earth System’s Four Spheres?

How Many Countries Are There?

To understand where north, south, east, and west are, first point your left arm towards the sun in the morning.

Understanding Direction Based on the Sun

Map of Texas with a locator map showing the relative location of Texas within the continental United States.

Absolute and Relative Location

What are the Branches of Geography?

This historical map created in 1843 by Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (Great Britain) shows the visualized real world river in the Rotherhithe/Isle of Dogs area of London. Map scanned by David Rumsey. Georectification by

What is Map Reading?

Map showing the standard time zones for the entire world. PDF with a higher resolution. Map: CIA, 2018, public domain.

Geography of Time Zones

Physical Geography

Tracking Plastic in the Air

May 10, 2021May 10, 2021

Various types and sizes of plastics collected from the Kinnickinnic River, Milwaukee, WI. Photo: S. Mason, State University of New York at Fredonia. Public domain. Source: USGS.

Approximately 1,100 tons of microplastics are thought to be floating in the air above the Western United States

Human Geography

Geography of Heavy Metal Bands

May 3, 2021May 4, 2021

World map showing the number of heavy metal bands per 100,000 people by country.

Which countries have the most heavy metal bands?

How the 2020 U.S. Census Shifted Congressional Seats

April 26, 2021May 12, 2021

With the 2020 Census, seven states lost seats and six states gained seats in the House of Representatives.

Maps and GIS

What Was the First Map Issued by the Ordnance Survey?

March 27, 2021March 27, 2021

A look at the detail on the 1801 Kent Map from the Ordnance Survey.

The first Ordnance Survey map was issued in 1801.

Ten Reasons Why Spatial Data Quality Matters More Now Than Ever

February 10, 2021February 23, 2021

Selected examples listed in this article illustrating why spatial data quality matters. Image: Joseph Kerski

Geographer Josephy Kerski writes about 10 key reasons why geospatial data quality matters.

Geography Books

Review | Under the Wave at Waimea

April 22, 2021April 22, 2021

Book cover for Under the Wave a Waimea

Set in Hawaii and with a champion surfer as its central character, “Under the Wave at Waimea” introduces us to the global geography of surfing.

Review | Lure of the Beach: A Global History

April 12, 2021April 12, 2021

Book cover for "Lure of the Beach"

Robert C. Ritchie guides readers through a comprehensive history of mankind’s love affair with the beach.