1. Discuss the problem that "geographic illiteracy" can present to a country such as the United States in the Twenty-First Century. Give examples of the need for a geographic knowledge in diverse areas such as international politics, domestic politics, economics, and popular culture.

The term "geographic illiteracy" is used to describe the lack of understanding, in relevance to where areas, places, groups of people, or things in general are located in the world. Taking into consideration that the United States is obviously a powerful, if not the most powerful country in the world, it’s a frightening thought, that the people of America are geographically illiterate. For instance, take the many international affairs the United States of America is involved in, a more detailed example being the . This international trade agreement, allows for America’s strong ties with Mexico and Canada, and if someone in a powerful political or even presidential position, were to arrive one of these countries unaware of where they were or the people that populate them, they’d be embarrassed, and they would most-likely offend the people of that very country. Another situation, is if one were to be in the military. As it is a well-known observation, that people in the military move, quite often, and even without expectation, it’s important for that person, and their family, to understand where they are going, the people they’ll soon be surrounded by, and even the area’s economic situation. In fact, the culture of the area the family will soon be moving too, is just as important, for maybe the family’s intent on being tenacious in keeping their own cultural traits alive. They wouldn’t want to leave to an area, where the influence is so great, they might have to relinquish their culture, which can construct their own identity, soon making them completely different people then they once were.
2. Discuss the difference between absolute and relative location. What is the absolute location of your college or university? How would you describe the relative location of the town or city where your college is located?