Contents
Overview
The American Geographical Society (AGS) and the American Association of Geographers (AAG) have been instrumental in promoting geographical knowledge and education in the United States, with the AGS having a long history dating back to 1851, similar to the Royal Geographical Society, which was founded in 1830, and the AAG, which was established in 1904, with both organizations having been influenced by the work of geographers such as Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Ritter, and more recently, by the development of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies, as discussed by experts like Jack Dangermond, the founder of Esri, and Michael Goodchild, a prominent geographer and GIS expert, who have also been involved with organizations like the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
📊 Side-by-Side Comparison
A side-by-side comparison of the AGS and AAG reveals distinct differences in their mission, membership, and activities, with the AGS focusing on exploration, mapping, and geographical education, and the AAG emphasizing academic research, education, and professional development, similar to the differences between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which also support geographical research and education, and have been influenced by the work of geographers like Yi-Fu Tuan and Doreen Massey, who have written extensively on the importance of geographical knowledge and its applications in fields like urban planning and environmental studies, as featured in publications like the Journal of Urban Planning and Development and the Journal of Environmental Studies
✅ American Geographical Society Pros & Cons
The AGS has a strong track record of promoting geographical exploration and mapping, with notable expeditions and projects like the Lewis and Clark expedition and the USGS's Mapping the Nation program, which have been supported by organizations like the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Institution, and have involved collaborations with geographers like Gilbert Grosvenor and Isaiah Bowman, who have also been involved with the development of geographical education programs like the AP Human Geography course and the GeoGebra project, which have been influenced by the work of educators like Daniel Edelson and Joseph Kerski, who have written extensively on the importance of geographical education and its applications in fields like sustainability and social justice
✅ American Association of Geographers Pros & Cons
The AAG, on the other hand, has a strong focus on academic research and education, with a large and diverse membership of geographers from around the world, and a wide range of programs and activities like the AAG Annual Meeting and the Journal of the American Association of Geographers, which have been influenced by the work of geographers like David Harvey and Neil Smith, who have written extensively on the importance of critical geographical thinking and its applications in fields like urban studies and environmental justice, as featured in publications like the Journal of Urban Studies and the Journal of Environmental Justice
🎯 When to Choose Each
When choosing between the AGS and AAG, consider your interests and goals, with the AGS being a better fit for those interested in exploration, mapping, and geographical education, and the AAG being more suitable for those focused on academic research, education, and professional development, similar to the differences between the American Museum of Natural History and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which also support geographical research and education, and have been influenced by the work of geographers like Carl Sauer and Yi-Fu Tuan, who have written extensively on the importance of geographical knowledge and its applications in fields like conservation and sustainability
💡 Final Recommendation
In conclusion, both the AGS and AAG are vital organizations that have contributed significantly to the field of geography in the United States, with the AGS focusing on exploration and mapping, and the AAG emphasizing academic research and education, and both organizations having been influenced by the work of notable geographers like Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Ritter, and more recently, by the development of GIS and remote sensing technologies, as discussed by experts like Jack Dangermond and Michael Goodchild, and featured in publications like the Journal of Geography and the Geographical Review, which are also referenced by organizations like the USGS and NOAA
Key Facts
- Year
- 2022
- Origin
- United States
- Category
- comparisons
- Type
- organization
- Format
- comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the AGS and AAG?
The AGS focuses on exploration, mapping, and geographical education, while the AAG emphasizes academic research, education, and professional development, similar to the differences between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which also support geographical research and education, and have been influenced by the work of geographers like Yi-Fu Tuan and Doreen Massey, who have written extensively on the importance of geographical knowledge and its applications in fields like urban planning and environmental studies
Which organization is better for geographical education?
The AGS is a better fit for those interested in geographical education, with a strong track record of promoting geographical exploration and mapping, and a wide range of educational programs and resources, similar to the National Geographic Society's educational programs, which have been influenced by the work of geographers like Gilbert Grosvenor and Isaiah Bowman, who have also been involved with the development of geographical education programs like the AP Human Geography course and the GeoGebra project
What are the benefits of joining the AAG?
Joining the AAG provides access to a wide range of programs and activities, including the AAG Annual Meeting and the Journal of the American Association of Geographers, as well as opportunities for professional development and networking with other geographers, similar to the benefits of joining the American Museum of Natural History or the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which also support geographical research and education, and have been influenced by the work of geographers like Carl Sauer and Yi-Fu Tuan, who have written extensively on the importance of geographical knowledge and its applications in fields like conservation and sustainability
How do the AGS and AAG support geographical research?
Both organizations support geographical research through various programs and activities, including grants, fellowships, and publications, similar to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which also support geographical research, and have been influenced by the work of geographers like David Harvey and Neil Smith, who have written extensively on the importance of critical geographical thinking and its applications in fields like urban studies and environmental justice
What are the similarities between the AGS and AAG?
Both organizations have a strong commitment to promoting geographical knowledge and education, and have been influenced by the work of notable geographers like Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Ritter, and more recently, by the development of GIS and remote sensing technologies, as discussed by experts like Jack Dangermond and Michael Goodchild, and featured in publications like the Journal of Geography and the Geographical Review, which are also referenced by organizations like the USGS and NOAA