The State of the Earth

The focus of this text is topical. It brings geography to life in treating actual problems and critises in the contemporary world. Foreword.

Preface.

1. Geographical Thought Through the Ages: Prof. Horacio Capel, Barcelona.

2. Geographical Perspectives: Dr. Peter Gould.

3. Geographical Theories: Reginald G. Golledge.

4. Geographical Methodology: Prof. Alan M. Hay, Sheffield.

5. Human Transformation of the Earth's Surface and the Use (and Misuse) of Natural Resources: Prof. Neil Roberts.

6. Climatic Changes and the Future of the Human Environment: Dr. Vladimir M. Kotlyakov.

7. Environmental Hazards, Natural Disasters and Societal Responses: Prof. Susan Cutter.

8. The Global Challenge of Migrations and Rising Population Densities: Dr. H. Ramachandran, Mussoorie.

9. Market Forces, Cultural Factors and Locational Processes: Prof. David M. Smith.

10. Modes of Production and Areal Differentiation: Prof. Milton Santos.

11. Transportation, Trade, Tourism and the World Economy System: Prof Gabriel Wachermann.

12. Spatial Financial Flows and the Growth of the Modern Industrial City: Dr. Nigel Thrift.

13. The Information Revolution and Future Global Geography: Prof. Vladimir Tikunov.

14. Exploration, Mapping and the Modernization of State Power: Dr. Marcelo Escolar.

15. Spatial Planning and National Development: Dr. Maurice Daly, Australia.

16. Core-periphery Relations in the Era of Globalization: Bertha Becker, Rio De Janeiro.

17. Multinational Corporations and the Possible Demise of the Nation-state: Prof. Peter Dicken.

18. Geography in the Age of Megacities: Yeu-man Yeung.

Akin Mabogunje is a Nigerian geographer. He was the first African president of the International Geographical Union. In 1999, he was the first African to be elected as a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences.

This book is simultaneously a comprehensive presentation of contemporary geography and an application of the distinctive framework of geography to more than a dozen of the most critical problems facing contemporary civilization. The focus of this text is topical. It brings geography to life in treating actual problems and crises in the contemporary world. The book has an international focus. It is based on contributions from 16 scholars from 11 nations and 5 continents. It investigates problems that are seen throughout the world, for example, the challenge of managing urban space; the human use of natural resources, multinational corporations and spatial planning; and national development.