Navigating the World with GIS

Navigating the World with GIS: A Companion for World Regional Geography offers a clear and practical introduction to geographic thinking. It helps learners understand and interpret the world in thoughtful, ethical, and responsible ways. The exercises in this lab manual are designed to support several important learning goals. First, the exercises introduce geospatial and geoanalytical approaches using spatial data visualization and analysis software, expressed through a geographic information system (GIS). These tools are presented as core methods used by geographers to study patterns, places, and relationships across space. Second, the exercises reinforce world regional and thematic topics commonly covered in lectures, readings, and class discussion. Finally, learners build spatial reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills by working through real-world geographic questions.

The labs demonstrate how geographic perspectives, supported by mapping and spatial analysis, can be used to explore both current and historical issues in applied settings. This approach shows how geography connects with history, politics, environmental studies, and other social sciences, helping readers see geography as an interdisciplinary and practical field of study.

Navigating the World with GIS: A Companion for World Regional Geography by Emily A. Fogarty, Sean M. Crotty, and Kyle E. Walker:

• uses a web-based mapping environment, ArcGIS Online, to introduce geospatial technologies as essential tools for geographic study and to support sharing maps and analyses online.
• includes chapters that work as stand-alone exercises, giving instructors flexibility in how materials are assigned and ordered.
• engages readers with core geographic concepts, spatial thinking, and critical analysis, using mapping and spatial data visualization to prepare learners for further coursework in geography, world regional studies, history, politics, and related fields.