Introduction

Applied Geography: A World Perspective makes geography’s utility as an applied science explicit. It has been argued that geographic applications in corporations, government agencies and in non-governmental organizations “just happen.” Many geographers, however, are less trusting. Geography’s position as an academic discipline has been challenged frequently over the years. Further, geographic approaches have often been adopted by those with little or no formal training in geography per se. The authors who have contributed to this book feel that there is real value to having a strong and readily recognizable discipline of geography. We want geography to get full credit for its contributions to policy and practice and we want graduates of our university-based programs get full consideration when they apply for positions in industry, government, and in NGO’s.