Why Geography Matters by Harm de Blij

Book Report Why Geography Matters by Harm de Blij
De Blij Harm, author of Why Geography Matters provides a penetrating approach into the interconnections that mark our decreasing world. In his characteristic approach the author proceeds to invoke a desire for the readers to be informed geographically. Published by oxford University Press in 2005, it shows how and why the author considers the U.S. to be illiterate as far as geography is concerned.
Security issues are of great significance to the US and, de Blij Harm points at the consequences of security risks that geographical illiteracy has caused the country. This monographic masterpiece of artwork provides substantial and compelling reasons for the need to increase geographic literacy and professional expertise. At the core of achieving this are the American universities, citizens and particularly leaders who should be equipped with tools for understanding the physical and cultural climate of the world. This will help arm Americans with the important guidance on borders, people’s, nations and regions for the good of society which in turn will be the source of security in the globe.
Terrorism has become a global concern and Blij provides a rather unique approach to dealing with it. In this book, the author cites the need for a geographical understanding to challenge rising problems of terrorism. This is well covered by de Blij when advising for neighborhoods without suspicions. He gives an example geographically of a Russian rebelling territory, Chechnya. The physical and natural features make this place unique politically. This uniqueness commands for instance, the use of it as a hideout. Chechnya is small and has three distinct topographic zones. They are the south, north and the urban which is at the center of north and south. The mountainous sides of the south provide secure hideouts for Muslim rebels. To the northern plains it enjoys farming activities by ethnic Russians, and in between is the growing urban settlement basically employed in the oil-rich zone.
Climate change has also been dealt with...