Every subject has its own importance in day-to-day life. Yet, subjects like Geography are often not given their due prominence. The consequences of such neglect can be serious—both for individuals and for nations.
In ancient times, people acquired geographical knowledge through experience, largely by trial and error. But in the modern world, amid growing socio-economic challenges, people either deliberately ignore or are indirectly encouraged to overlook essential geographical understanding. This ignorance hinders peace and prosperity not just for individuals, but for entire nations.
Basic geographical awareness is crucial for common citizens—whether they are purchasing land for a home, seeking success in agriculture, or embarking on entrepreneurial ventures. Countries too face economic and environmental challenges when they neglect geographical realities.
Geographical knowledge supports the multidimensional growth of nations. It helps locate and extract valuable minerals, strengthens internal and external security, boosts commercial activity, and ensures effective use of human resources. It expands employment opportunities and encourages successful entrepreneurship. A nation’s geographical position can also save time, conserve energy, and improve fuel efficiency for its people. Cities planned using sound geographical principles offer better civic amenities and higher quality of life.
Some countries are naturally blessed with abundant resources. Such nations must plan their educational priorities and industrial development in alignment with their geography. When they fail to do so, they become dependent on other countries not only for economic growth but also for defence.
Climate and disaster vulnerability significantly influence the lifestyle of citizens and the economic fortunes of nations. Therefore, relevant geographical knowledge is essential—not only for policymakers, but for ordinary citizens as well.
This knowledge directly benefits farmers and strengthens agrarian economies. It allows nations to become more self-reliant in meeting basic needs and, in some cases, even enables them to become indispensable to other countries.
One must remember that jealousy has no reason and foolishness has no logic. These weaknesses can compel individuals—and nations—to trust blindly without caution. Yet only a few realise that they cannot change their neighbours or the realities of global interdependence.
Geographical conditions play a critical role in national security. Some countries enjoy natural defence barriers such as oceans, mountains, deserts, and forests. Their military strategies must be shaped by these geographic advantages. Naval power, for instance, is central not only to national defence but also to dominance in international trade. Some nations can restrict or “choke” the economic development of their neighbours simply due to their location. Any nation that miscalculates or ignores geography in this context will face serious consequences.
Effective use of geography strengthens internal security as well, helping curb insurgency and illegal smuggling. By overcoming geographical challenges and ensuring connectivity to every corner of a country, national integration can be reinforced.
Advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence can further enhance the commercial use of geographical data by converting spatial information into powerful business insights. This helps in selecting profitable business sites based on population density, income levels, traffic intensity and the presence of competitors—thereby improving marketing efficiency. Some countries also leverage their strategic locations for geopolitical or economic gain, acting as roadblocks to the trade routes of others. Pakistan’s attempts to hinder Afghanistan’s trade is one such example, even as India, adopting a humanitarian approach, seeks to provide Afghanistan with alternative access routes.
People may acquire a basic understanding of geography under compulsion. But when this knowledge is imparted scientifically and systematically, the world can become a happier, more prosperous place. It leads to commercial growth, enhanced security, and widespread opportunity.
There is, therefore, a pressing need for every citizen to develop relevant geographical awareness. However, literacy levels, educational curricula and economic constraints pose challenges for many individuals and nations. Deliberate neglect of this knowledge can cause multidimensional harm.
Policy-makers, teachers, philanthropists, and non-governmental organisations must work together to sensitise, motivate, and enable people to understand the importance of Geography. The media, too, can play a decisive role in this noble effort, for the benefit of all stakeholders.
