This Digest explores the nature of geographic literacy. Part 1 discusses fundamental themes of geography, including absolute and relative location, the natural and cultural characteristics of place, the development of human-environment relationships and their consequences, human movement and interaction, and the formation and change of regions. Part 2 defines basic geography skills as suggested in "Guidelines for Geographic Education." These skills include asking geographic questions, acquiring geographic information, presenting and interpreting this information, and developing and testing geographic generalizations. Part 3 considers the likely learning outcomes expected if students are provided with skills that improve their geographic literacy. These skills include an increased awareness that absolute and relative location are significant aspects of every natural and cultural feature on earth, an understanding of the significance of place in terms of both natural and human characteristics, a greater awareness of human adaptation to natural environments, an increased appreciation of global interdependence, and greater use of the concept of region. These acquired skills should enable students to think more effectively about their world. (CBC)