Creative Play: Geography

Note: This is an ongoing project. Check back for new stuff.

Geography actually covers two different fields: Physical Geography (geology, hydrology, and all the other cool ologies that define the earth and all of the features we normally associate with the art of map-making) and Cultural Geography (what we usually think of when someone mentions geography). Over the last couple of decades, with the growth of computer-based mapping, we also need to add Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the mix.

Google Earth. We'll start with the coolest bit of geography since the introduction of National Geographic....Google Earth. If you haven't added this nifty program to your computer, take a few minutes, download, and install. While not the same as walking the streets of Paris or exploring the Faroe Islands, it is as close as you can come to "being there" without spending a fortune on tickets. For kids, it is a great way to explore the world, and for the rest of us, it is a very cheap vacation.

National Geographic. How most of us learned about the world outside of our known universe(s).

The United States Geologic Survey (USGS). For anyone interested in all things geographic and geologic... These folks are amazing. Be sure to check out their "Science in Your Backyard" pages, including the list of resources for Virginia. They also have an excellent collection of "educational resources" for K-6 and 7-12.

Kids Geo.Com: Geography Games for Kids, Games About Our Earth.

Map Collections (Very cool historical maps for all occassions and geographies)

• David Rumsey Map Collection (Start here!)
• The Perry-Castaneda Map Collection (University of Texas)
• American Memory Map Collection (Library of Congress)