Professor Harm de Blij explained world geography, definitions, and misconceptions. The information is from his new book, Why Geography Matters: Three Challenges Facing America -- Climate Change, the Rise of China, and Global Terrorism, published by Oxford University Press. He argued that geographic illiteracy is a direct risk to America’s national security. He also explained that in the event of an abrupt climate change, China would arise as a superpower that would make it easier for terrorist groups to threaten American interests. Professor de Blij asserted that the only way for America to protect itself from these challenges is to understand the world’s geography. After his presentation he answered audience members' questions.