Geography Book Used In Hope Schools In The 1920's

PREFACE

In this series Book One has introduced the child to the study of geography in a most delightful and effective way. After visiting homes in various parts of the world an introductory study is made of the different nations of the earth. Book Two follows a wholly new method of treatment, avoids repetition of matter presented in Book One, and guides the pupil to a much fuller knowledge and understanding of geography.

Human geography is the keynote of the series. Emphasis is given to the study of those factors that have a controlling influence upon the life and activities of people. The" New Geography" becomes an applied science of fundamental significance to all American citizens.

The natural regions of the world, differing as they do in surface features, climate, and resources, have produced widely different occupations and modes of life. They serve, therefore, as the best units for study.

Regional geography is not a new idea; it is the goal toward which the best scientific thought and the best pedagogy have long been progressing. The simplicity and the logic of this approach have each year won new supporters. The one thing lacking has been a textbook constructed on this principle.

Regional maps. The division of the United States into natural regions as shown in this book is the work of the geographers of the Association of American Geographers and of the United States Geological Survey. For the other countries of the world the leading authorities of several nations have been studied. The consistent use of one simple color scheme on the maps enables the pupil to gain most easily a picture of the different physical settings in which the scenes of human life are enacted.

Other maps. A new and very useful series of political and economic maps shows graphically the chief exports and imports. The routes of inland transportation are also clearly shown. From these maps the essential facts of commercial geography can be readily comprehended and easily remembered.
The relief and vegetation maps are also entirely new. By a skillful use of color they show the relief, drainage, and distribution of vegetation. The series of colored rainfall maps indicates effectively the periods of heavy or of light rainfall that are of such great importance in agriculture.

Comparative map studies are introduced as a new feature. With maps in the hands of each pupil, showing the relief, drainage, vegetation, rainfall, and distbution of population, the data are available for the solution of many excellent problems.

Problem method. The understanding of the geographic conditions in a natural region is the fundamental basis for the discussion of problems relative to the life and occupations of the people living in that region. Numerousous concrete problems and topics for discussion have been formulated, and many practical exercises that may be assigned for library or home study have been prepared.

Picture study. The illustrations are accompanied by very full legends; each view teaches some important fact. A remarkable series of aeroplane drawings great cities and their surroundings assists in a proper
emphasis on urban geography.

Mathematical geography. While all necessary information has been given as needed, mathematical geography in general has been postponed until the pupil has become familiar with the details that should serve as the basis for such world-wide or universal conceptions.

The United States-a world power. At the close of the book the pupil is brought back to his own country. Against the background of world conditions he now examines our natural resources, the role they p;ay in our industrial life, and the care that should be taken to conserve them. This leads to the treatment of our inland and foreign commerce and the development of our international relations and responsibilities.

Acknowledgments. In the preparation of this Mr. Frye, Mrs. Atwood, Mr. William T. Oliver, several map experts, many government departments, railroads and chambers of commerce, the Pan American Union, and members of the author's staff and that of Ginn and Company have given most valuable assistnce/ The proof sheets were criticized by Miss Nellie B. Allen of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, by Mrs. Jane Perry Cook of the Chicago Normal College, and by Mr. Grant E. Finch of the Montana Normal School.

To all the author expresses his sincere thanks.

WALLACE W. ATWOOD

CLARK UNIVERSITY

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