Book excerpt: Understanding World Regional Geography (UWRG) is designed to teach students to think geographically so they can continue to think and apply geographic concepts long after the course is over. UWRG draws from best practices in geography education and research in student learning to help students deepen their understanding of the world. Features found in every chapter help students learn to read cultural and physical landscapes, ask geographic questions, apply geographic concepts, and make connections. UWRG is the first introductory textbook to integrate Esri ArcGIS Online thematic maps, enabling students to engage with course material, see patterns, and answer geographic questions. UWRG integrates 25 threshold concepts, teaches students how geographers apply the concepts, and then asks students to apply these key geographic concepts themselves. Understanding World Regional Geography helps students begin to grasp the complexities of the world and gives them the content and thinking skills necessary to grow in their understanding of the world during the course and over their lifetimes.