What we cover
The site covers how maps work and how the land got its shape: latitude and longitude, map projections, map reading, contour lines, time zones, climate zones, landforms, rivers and mountain ranges. The start-here page puts them in reading order.
Who it is for
The posts assume no background. They suit middle and high school students, people starting a college geography course, hikers learning to read a map and travelers who want to understand the places they visit. Teachers are welcome to point students to any page.
How we handle facts and figures
- We write about ideas that geographers broadly agree on, and we say so when something is disputed, such as which river is the longest.
- Numbers that vary by source or by measuring method are rounded and marked "about."
- Rules that change, such as daylight saving dates and magnetic declination, are explained in principle, with a pointer to check current official sources.
- Example places are real. The coordinates on each post card are rounded to one decimal place, enough to find the area on a map.
Units and conventions
Distances and heights are in metric units with US customary units alongside. Temperatures are in °C with °F. Coordinates are written latitude first, with N, S, E and W, and decimal degrees where noted. Times are written on the 24-hour clock with UTC offsets.
About the design
The contour patterns on the site are drawn by code from simple data, in the same way contour lines on a real map trace equal heights. They are decoration, not maps of the places named on the cards.
What we are not
We are not a school, a mapping agency or a travel company. We don't sell anything, accept payment for coverage or use partner links. For navigation in the outdoors, rely on official maps and current local information.
Spotted a mistake?
If a figure looks wrong or an explanation is unclear, write to contact@geographyblog.com with the page and the problem, and we will look into it.
About Geography Blog: FAQ
Can I use these pages for homework?
Yes, as a starting point for understanding. For anything you hand in, check your teacher's preferred sources and cite them.
Why do your numbers differ slightly from my textbook?
Many geographic figures depend on how they are measured, and surveys are updated over time. We round them and say "about" for that reason. Your textbook's figure may come from a different source or year.
Do you cover human geography?
Not at the moment. The site focuses on physical geography and map skills.