Palin urges geography trips to ‘broaden minds’

Geography is no longer something that is just learned from a “book and a map”, and field trips can help children understand the world around them, according to Michael Palin.

The veteran traveller said the “magic appeal” of the subject lies in exploring your surroundings and being able to “see and touch and feel” what the land is like.

Palin said geography is a vital subject in the modern world, “broadening” minds and encouraging an understanding of different countries and cultures.

He said: “The world is much more accessible, and I think it is hugely important that we understand the world and why countries are where they are, why live they how they do, what the climate is, what they produce.

“Geography is no longer just something which you learn from a book and a map and that’s it. It’s very much a collaborative thing now.

“The world is out there, you can go and see for yourself, very often now for small amounts of money, and I think that’s a great opportunity.

“I think it broadens the mind – that’s one obvious thing, but it also, I think, just helps us to understand how other countries are the way they are.

“This is really very important in just helping us to realise that we all share the same planet and we should know more about what makes us different as well as what makes us similar.”

Palin said going on field trips was what first got him interested in the subject.