Geography Today provides a thoughtful and thorough introduction to the study of geography—from maps and technology to the study of different cultures, political systems, and economies, and an investigation of plate tectonics and climate systems. Geography Today: An Encyclopedia of Concepts, Issues, and Technology approaches the study of geography by concept, in contrast to most other works, which are organized by world region. Geography curriculums have been moving away from teaching the topic on a regional basis and toward teaching it through broader concepts. This is modeled by the National Geography Standards, the National Council for Geographic Education's Roadmap for 21st Century Geography Education, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Resource System, and ABC-CLIO's own geography advisory board, comprised of high school geography teachers from across the United States. By introducing geography concepts, Geography Today sets the foundation for readers to understand why certain geographies may be the way they are. It further helps high school geography students to apply concepts to different contexts with 101 geography terms, themes, and concepts for quick-reference research and study.

Web mapping technologies continue to evolve at an incredible pace. Technology is but one facet of web map creation, however. Map design, aesthetics, and user-interactivity are equally important for effective map communication. From interactivity to graphical user interface design, from symbolization choices to animation, and from layout to typeface and color selection, Web Cartography offers the first comprehensive overview and guide for designing beautiful and effective web maps for a variety of devices. Written for those with a basic understanding of mapmaking, but who may not have an in-depth knowledge of web design, this book explains how to create effective interaction, animation, and layouts for maps in online and mobile platforms. Concept-driven, this reference emphasizes cartographic principles for web and mobile map design over specific software techniques. It focuses on key design concepts that will remain true regardless of software technologies used. The book is supplemented with a website providing links to stellar web maps, video tutorials and lectures, do-it-yourself labs, map critique exercises, and links to others' tutorials. Approachable, clear, and concise, the book provides a nontechnical, approachable guide to map design for the web. It provides best practices for map communication, based on spatial data visualization and graphic design theory. By carefully avoiding overly technical jargon, it provides a solid launching pad from which students, practitioners, and innovators can begin to design aesthetically pleasing and intuitive web maps.