Welcome to our geography links page!

Geography is one of those sadly overlooked subjects that is not taught to huge numbers of our children. I have read and seen a number of embarrassing interviews of COLLEGE students who couldn't tell you where places like Michigan or Denmark are!

We have a responsibility to teach our children WHERE things are. So many important local and world events are happening daily. How can children and adults fully understand these things without understanding where they are happening and to what people they are happening to?

This isn't about winning geography bees, it's about being good citizens of our earth and country...of caring about what is going on with others and being able to make good decisions because we are "informed".

So, geography is important but how do we teach it? There are so many instances where geography can be learned. You don't even really need a "formal" curriculum. You can quickly pull out a globe during the 6 o'clock news and point out the countries that are being talked about. When you read a book, get a map out and take a look at where the story is taking place. Put together puzzles of the world or specific countries. Have your child help chart out your vacation travel plans. Learn where friends and family are located. Cook meals related to different countries or states (and of course look each place up)!

Geography is FUN!

The Internet has plenty of geography related sites that can help you on your "virtual" journeying around the world! I hope some of the links listed will help you, as they have helped us, learn a little more about where things are. :-)

If you'd like to see links to companies that SELL geography related items please click here.

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Icon Explanation:

A favorite -they may all be good in one way or another, but this one is "special"
Most appropriate for teens and adults
Site geared mostly to young learners
Interactive materials (flash, shockwave, etc.)
Oodles of printables

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50 States of Mind
Visual Mnemonics for learning the geography of the United States. Very cool and very different! I have never come across another site quite like this. Check it out and never forget what state is what again!

ABC Teach (United) States Pages
Each state has a simple map, a coloring page of the state bird and flower, and a link to state facts plus other info.

Animated Atlas Growth of a Nation
A ten minute animated presentation with narration shows the growth of the United States. It's fun to watch and listen to! Don't miss it if you are studying American history.

Ben's Place the State
An interactive United States puzzle map.

Canon Buildings of the World Models
Lots of high quality color paper models to print and build. These models are best suited for older children because of the difficulty level.

Country Recipes
Recipes from around the world to help make your geography lessons tasty!

GeoNet Game
Choose a map (the U.S. or the world) and then answer multiple choice questions to test your knowledge.

Geography Quizzes
One of our children really loves this site and has learned a lot from it. There are interactive geography games that cover the entire world. Play one game until it's mastered and then move on! Most of the games are in a puzzle format (drag the pieces or names where they go). You start out "learning" by clicking and then you begin to apply your knowledge through subsequent levels. You don't just learn country or state names either; there are capitals to be learned as well as mountain ranges, rivers and other bodies of water! The graphics aren't beautiful and the sounds aren't "snazzy" but this is an excellent, free site to practice and hone your geography skills.

Infoplease State Maps
Simple outline maps that will do in a jiffy for state studies.

National Geographic GeoBee Challenge
"Come on out and play in the new GeoBee Quiz! Show your geography smarts right here online. Each day we'll post five new questions from the National Geographic Bee. Some of the questions are real stumpers, but it's okay if you miss a few—you can play as often as you like. Come back every day for brand-new questions and another chance to beat the Bee!"

Outline Maps
These are very nice, free PDF outline maps.

Owl and Mouse Interactive Maps
Each interactive map shows information as you move your mouse over it. There are also teaching suggestions at the bottom of the page.

Prentice Hall Social Studies Tutor
Practice and learn a variety of skills in an interactive environment. Only some of the activities are for geography specifically, others are for "social studies" in general.

Spielvogel Interactive Maps
These are beautiful interactive maps that cover some interesting subjects like ancient Italy, crusades, a typical manor, World War II and many other historical subjects / places. You don't want to miss these if you are studying history and would like to see an attractive, interactive map that corresponds with your studies. You will need Flash to be able to use these maps.

State Recipes
Recipes from all 50 United States that will help make your geography unit "tasty"!

World Sunlight Map
Want to see where the sun is currently shining on the Earth? Check this site out!
"Watch the sun rise and set all over the world on this real-time, computer-generated illustration of the earth's patterns of sunlight, darkness, and cloud cover based on current weather satellite data."

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The Internet changes daily so you never know if a site that is here today might be "gone" tomorrow. We suggest you save materials you want to use in the future to your hard drive (if it doesn't interfere with the copyright). Also, we can't predict what might change on a site or what advertising might be present. Surf at your own risk!
Please report any bad links to me (or inappropriate materials and / or advertising)!

P.S. Some of the links have stuff that is good, fun, informative, etc. for mom too, not just the kids!