An overview of “Atlas of the World”

The Living Atlas of the World (by Esri) is a powerful, up-to-date, and interactive geographic resource that can be used in a variety of educational settings. It includes maps, data layers, and applications that are ideal for teaching and learning across subjects—particularly geography, environmental science, STEM, and social studies. Below are several practical ideas for how it can be used in education, organized by themes and learning goals:

1. Geography & Spatial Thinking

• Map interpretation & analysis: Students can explore thematic maps (e.g., population density, land use, biomes) and practice interpreting legends, scales, and spatial patterns.

• Comparing regions: Use layers to compare climate, land cover, or urban development between countries or continents.

• Topographic skills: Combine Living Atlas data with elevation layers for topographic map reading or landform identification exercises.

2. Environmental Education & Sustainability

• Climate change investigations: Analyze layers showing CO₂ emissions, sea level rise, or temperature anomalies to discuss global warming impacts.

• Water resources: Use data on river basins, precipitation, or drought to examine regional water availability or conflicts over water use.

• Green space mapping: Students can explore or create maps showing urban green spaces, forest cover, or conservation areas to assess local sustainability.

3. Globalization & Critical Thinking

• Food miles / trade routes: Combine data on agricultural production and transport networks to explore where food comes from and its carbon footprint.

• Disaster impact mapping: Visualize recent earthquakes, wildfires, or hurricanes using real-time feeds to evaluate responses and vulnerabilities.

• Inequality and development: Use socioeconomic layers (like HDI, literacy, income) to investigate global inequalities and critical issues.

4. STEM & Data Literacy

• Real-world data exploration: Let students interact with live data (e.g., air quality, biodiversity, energy use) to ask and answer scientific questions.

• Problem-solving tasks: Students can propose solutions to local or global issues (e.g., flood risk management) based on spatial data.

• Working with GIS tools: Integrate with ArcGIS Online to teach students how to filter, layer, and analyze geospatial data.

5. Local Community & Citizenship Projects

• Mapping local assets: Use base maps and Living Atlas layers to create maps of school surroundings, identifying areas for improvement (e.g., walkability, tree cover).

• Participatory mapping: Students can gather their own data (e.g., noise levels, trash hotspots) and combine it with Living Atlas content to advocate for change.

• Sustainable city planning: Use datasets on infrastructure, transport, and green zones to design “future cities” based on sustainability goals.

6. Interdisciplinary Projects

• History & Geography: Use historical map layers and settlement data to study colonization, migration, or urban growth over time.

• Languages & Culture: Explore cultural layers (languages, religions, heritage sites) to enrich language or cultural studies.

• Math & Statistics: Analyze patterns and make calculations (e.g., population density, percentages) using map data and graphs.

💡 Tips for Teachers

• Start with ready-made Story Maps in the Living Atlas to introduce a topic visually.

• Encourage student-led inquiry by having them choose a theme and explore layers independently.

• Use dashboard apps or swipe maps (accessible via ArcGIS Online) to compare “before and after” scenarios, like urban growth or deforestation.

Website: https://livingatlas.arcgis.com/en/home/