In this collection of essays, geographers explore ten geographic ideas that have changed the world - ideas that impose shape on the world, mould understanding of the environment, and establish relationships between people and places.

"A wonderfully engaging book for those who wish to appreciate better the contributions made by geographers toward a better understanding of our world. It describes success stories that challenge geographers to achieve more." --Edward A. Fernald, past president National Council for Geographic Education and professor of geography, Florida State University "An excellent and very readable introduction to the subject of modern geography." --Risa Palm, professor of geography and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Oregon When geographic ideas change the world in our heads, the impact can be read on the ground and in our lives. In these thought-provoking, witty essays, some of America's most distinguished geographers explore ten geographic ideas that have literally changed the world and the way we think and act. They tackle ideas that impose shape on the world, ideas that mold our understanding of the natural environment, and ideas that establish relationships between people and places. Every one of these ideas has had--and continues to have--a deep effect on the way we understand the world and our place in it. The contributors, who include several past presidents of the Association of American Geographers, members of the National Academy of Sciences, and authors of major works in the discipline, are: Elizabeth K. Burns, Patricia Gober, Anne Godlewska, Michael F. Goodchild, Susan Hanson, Robert W. Kates, John R. Mather, William B. Meyer, Mark Monmonier, Edward Relph, Edward J. Taaffe, and B. L. Turner, II. 10 Geographic Ideas That Changed the World, a compelling introduction to the discipline of geography, will change the way you look at both geography and the world! SusanHanson is a professor of geography, Clark University, and a past president of the Association of American Geographers.