Maintains that misperceptions or incorrect mental images about relative location and size are common in geography. Reports on a study of 708 students ranging in age from junior high school through undergraduate school. Finds that misperceptions are widespread and exist across grade levels. (CFR)

Presents a historical overview of the educational reform movement that produced the "Guidelines for Geographic Education: Elementary and Secondary Schools" and the "Fundamental Themes of Geography." Describes the efforts that led to the identification of the five fundamental themes and their translation into ordinary language.…