World Geography Bowl
The World Geography Bowl is a quiz bowl tournament held annually since 1993 at the Annual Meeting of the AAG, featuring teams of graduate and undergraduate geography students representing each of the AAG’s regional divisions. Contestants are selected by regional divisions via a competitive process, which in many divisions includes participation in a regional geography bowl held at the division’s annual meeting. If you are interested in participating, contact your regional division leadership for more information.
The winning team, runners-up, and high scoring individuals are awarded with prizes, provided by the generous donations of corporate benefactors. In addition, each participant in the World Geography Bowl receives a travel stipend, co-sponsored by the AAG and that student’s regional division, greatly offsetting expenses for attendance at the national meeting. Typically, approximately 50 students benefit each year from World Geography Bowl stipends.
The World Geography Bowl is fully staffed by volunteers, who write and edit questions and help run the proceedings as judges, scorekeepers and moderators. For more information on organizing a team, joining the World Geography Bowl Executive Committee, or volunteering at the national event, contact the World Geography Bowl executive director, Dr. Jamison Conley, at West Virginia University or the AAG Geography Bowl coordinator, Emily Fekete.
AAG World Geography Bowl Conduct Policy
The American Association of Geographers (AAG) World Geography Bowl is a friendly, team-oriented competition between students in the AAG Regional Divisions. General bullying, intimidation, or hostility directed toward volunteers, audience members, or student competitors (both between and within teams) at the AAG World Geography Bowl is not tolerated. Additionally, as an AAG-sponsored event, the World Geography Bowl falls under the AAG Annual Meeting conduct policy which states:
The American Association of Geographers (AAG) advocates a positive culture of inclusion and respect for the dignity of each individual. AAG opposes all forms of discrimination against and harassment on the basis of an individual’s race, age, religion, creed, color, ancestry, citizenship, national or ethnic origin, language preference, immigration status, disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, social or socioeconomic status or condition, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state or federal law. This policy applies to attendees, AAG staff, speakers, exhibitors, or event venue staff at any AAG-sponsored event, as well as AAG-sponsored meeting social events (such as the international reception, exhibit hall networking events, field trips and receptions).
Therefore, all student competitors, volunteers, and audience members at the AAG World Geography Bowl agree to comply with this policy and alert staff or security when they have knowledge of dangerous situations, violations of this policy, or individuals in distress. Those who are found to be in violation of this policy may be asked to leave, will forfeit their standing towards the MVP Award, and may forfeit their right to participate in future AAG World Geography Bowl events.
For more information about the AAG Conduct Policy visit here.
World Geography Bowl Previous Awardees
2023 Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division
2022 Southwest Division
2021 Mid-Atlantic Division
2020 Canceled
2019 Mid-Atlantic Division
2018 Mid-Atlantic Division
2017 Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division
2016 Southeast Division
2015 Association of Pacific Coast Geographers
2014 East Lakes Division
2013 Middle States Division
2012 Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division
2011 Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division
2010 Southeast Division
2009 Association of Pacific Coast Geographers
2008 Middle States Division
2007 Middle States Division
2006 Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division
2005 Mid-Atlantic Division
2004 Southeast Division of the AAG
2003 Southwest AAG
2002 Middle States Division
2001 Southeast Division of the AAG
2000 Southeast Division of the AAG
1999 East Lakes Division
1998 East Lakes Division
1997 Middle States Division
1996 Southeast Division
1995 Southeast Division
1994
1993 Southeast Division
