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Geography Awareness Week

Explore the world without leaving home; it's Geography Awareness Week! Dive into the diversity of our planet and expand your horizons.

Monday

16–20

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEThird Monday in November (5-day)

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYSchool

SUBCATEGORYLiteracy

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Grab your virtual passports and prepare for a thrilling journey as we celebrate Geography Awareness Week kicking off on November 11! Established by president Ronald Reagan in 1987, this exhilarating week is meticulously designed to promote geographic literacy in schools and among the general public. It's the perfect time to learn more about the world around us, understanding how diverse and interconnected our planet really is. From city landscapes to natural phenomena, this week is your ticket to discover the fascinating aspects of geography. So gear up, it's time to explore the incredible terrains without stepping out of your door!

TIMELINE

Geography Awareness Week Timeline

Establishment of the Week

President Ronald Reagan officially established Geography Awareness Week to promote geographic literacy.

Global Participation

By the early 1990s, the event gained global participation with numerous countries taking active part.

Inclusion of GIS Day

Geographic Information System (GIS) Day was included in Geography Awareness Week during 2001, further broadening the event's scope and impact.

Digital Innovations

With technology advancements, digital platforms contribute to engage people and share geographic knowledge to much larger audiences.

Focus on Sustainability

Geography Awareness Week increasingly focuses on sustainability education, factoring in geography's role in understanding and combating climate change.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Geography Awareness Week

Plan a virtual travel night

Pick a country or location that you're unfamiliar with and spend an evening learning all about it. You could even make a meal from that area and try to immerse yourself as much as you can in its culture and geography.

CREATE

Create a world map puzzle

A great family-friendly activity is to print out a large world map and turn it into a jigsaw puzzle. As you piece together the world, you can discuss different countries and geographical features.

READ

Read geographical books

There are many books that can help broaden your geographical knowledge. This might be a fictional book set in an interesting location, or a non-fiction book about geographical features, climate, or biodiversity.

PARTICIPATE

Participate in an online geography quiz

There are many online quizzes available that test your knowledge of world geography. This can be a fun and competitive way to learn more about the world.

EXPLORE

Explore virtual tours

Many museums and educational institutions offer virtual tours of different parts of the world. You could virtually visit a rainforest, a desert, or even a glacier! This is a fun and interactive way to learn more about geography.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Geography Awareness Week is Important

Encourages interactive learning

From virtual tours of museums and landmarks to online quizzes, Geography Awareness Week provides many interactive learning opportunities. These activities are not only educational but are also fun and engaging, making learning geography an enjoyable experience.

Increases our understanding of the world

Geography Awareness Week provides an opportunity to explore and learn about various geographical locations, climates, and cultures without leaving our homes. A deeper understanding of geography allows us to appreciate the complexity and diversity of our world.

Promotes geographic literacy

Understanding geography is crucial in today's interconnected world. Geographic literacy extends beyond knowing state capitals or countries; it's about understanding how geographical features impact ecosystems, economies, and lives around the globe. Geography Awareness Week encourages us to expand our geographic literacy.

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