A city does not just simply appear. In order for a civilization to thrive, access to water, cultivable land, an amiable climate, and a multitude of natural resources are required. Due to the gift of the Nile River, Ancient Egypt thrived. The river, a constant water source, flows north into the Mediterranean Sea, creating a fertile delta that allows for highly productive agriculture. Access to the Mediterranean also supported trade and communication with other civilizations. At the same time, the vast Sahara Desert to the west and the Eastern Desert provided natural protection from foreign invasion. Geography has been the fundamental force behind the rise of ancient civilizations for thousands of years and continues to shape the geopolitics of the modern world today. My interest in geography is shaped by my family’s military background. Both my parents served four years in the Marine Corps and My dad served another sixteen years in the Navy Reserve as an intelligence officer. As a young kindergartener when my dad was deployed to Afghanistan. My mom hung a large world map in our living room and placed a thumbtack where my dad was located and another where our family was located. I constantly studied that map, originally to understand the distance separating my family, but over time I began to notice the significance of the places in between. From there, I was hooked. I filled my room with maps, collected postcards from friends traveling abroad, and explored atlases online. I am currently an admitted freshman at East Carolina University and plan to study Geography, concentrating in Geographic Information Systems. I aspire to work in the geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) field working for a federal agency or a defense contractor as a geospatial analyst. Geographic location and terrain lays the foundation for a nation's culture, economy, military interests, and international relations. On the Arabian Peninsula, a combination of geological features and tectonic activity has created some of the world’s largest petroleum deposits. This has allowed Saudi Arabia to become one of the leading exporters of oil. Through this natural resource, Saudi Arabia has gained significant influence over global energy markets, generating enormous wealth and building strong international ties. While the geography of a country can provide great advantages, it can also impose deep constraints. A lack of warm water ports has driven Russia’s foreign policy and security concerns for the past few decades, leading to the annexation of Crimea in 2014 which allowed Russia to gain leverage over the Black Sea. These examples show that geography is not just historical but is still a relevant element in modern politics today. Geography serves as the bridge between physical landscapes and how societies develop over time. By studying geography, we can better understand global events and conflicts. Beyond maps geography, is a way to analyze how the world functions, allowing for more informed decision making by stakeholders on a global scale.

Geography first sparked my interest as a young kindergartner when my dad was deployed to Afghanistan. My mom hung a large world map in our living room and placed a thumbtack where my dad was located and another thumbtack where we were located. I constantly studied the map, originally to understand the distance separating my family, but over time this led me to notice the significance in the places in between. From there, I was hooked; I filled my room with maps, collected postcards from friends traveling abroad, and explored a multitude of atlases online. I am currently an admitted freshman attending East Carolina University in the fall of 2026 and plan on studying Geography concentrated on Geographic Information Systems. I aspire to work in the geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) field as a geospatial analyst, a career that involves geography, map making, spatial analysis, and Intelligence gathering. GEOINT is used across many government agencies, with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency serving as the primary agency in the GEOINT field. As a geospatial analyst at NGA, I would use satellite imagery and geographic data to identify physical features, patterns, and human activity in an area, turning that information into intelligence that supports national security and military operations. Geospatial analysts also work within the Central Intelligence Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation; CIA geospatial analysts use geographic intelligence to assist with covert missions on the global stage, while FBI geospatial analysts focus on using geographic data to create maps that assist in domestic investigations. I am connected to the military through my parents. My dad served four years in the Marine Corps and then went on to serve sixteen years in the Navy Reserve as an intelligence officer. My mom also served four years in the Marine Corps and currently works for a U.S. Senator as a military and veteran liaison. My parents’ work in both the intelligence and public policy sectors has helped me understand the responsibility and sacrifice that is required to work within these careers. It has also allowed me to be more aware of national and international affairs. Geography is always changing; the physical and built environments continue to shift, allowing human patterns and culture to evolve as well. Geospatial intelligence is used to continuously track these changes as they occur, analyzing patterns and understanding the impact to better interpret the world around us. From my early kindergarten days, I have always loved maps, and that passion has grown with me as I continue my education in college studying geography, focusing on geographic information systems. I am motivated to pursue a career in a field involving a subject that I am truly passionate about, while also doing meaningful work on a global scale.