This encyclopedia is the most current and exhaustive reference available on international education. It provides thorough, up-to-date coverage of key topics, concepts, and issues, as well as in-depth studies of approximately 180 national educational systems throughout the world. Articles examine education broadly and at all levels--from primary grades through higher education, formal to informal education, country studies to global organizations.

In a globalized market where the emerging workforce will increasingly travel within their nations and abroad for work opportunities, it is valuable to learn about the international education system and practices, to assess the competition. For example, annual comparison of student performance is measured across math and science subjects globally. What is not well known is how geography educational systems compare around the world and how student success in this subject translates to learning in other courses or employment after graduation. The importance of geography in our personal, professional, and civic lives is transparent when one considers how finding one’s way with a map, understanding of world cultures, or identifying spatial patterns of disease spread might influence the decisions we make. Written for a global audience, this is the first English publication on geography education in Japan, addressing some fundamental questions. What is the nature of the geography educational systems in Japan? How does the focus on content and skills in Japanese schools differ from that in other countries? This book includes 25 authors from diverse geography instruction and research experiences, making it an authoritative publication on Japan’s geography education system. The contribution of this book to the larger geography educational community is sharing the key strengths, concerns, and future of this school subject in English, where previously most publications were in Japanese. It will be a useful source for researchers and teachers to understand Japan’s evolving geography instruction in the past, present, and future. The 21 chapters are organized into themes, beginning with an overview of the geography education system in Japan, followed by chapters that deal with regional geography and fieldwork, teacher training, geography education’s contributions to society, and a comparative study of geography education across multiple countries. The book ends with a vision of geography education in the future.

Taiwan is a small island located in Eastern Asia, between the South China Sea and the East China Sea. It is officially known as the Republic of China and has a population of over 23 million people. Taiwan is known for its beautiful landscapes, friendly people, and vibrant culture. The economy is largely based on manufacturing and exports, with electronics being the largest sector. Taiwan is also known for its food, with a variety of dishes influenced by the cultures of China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. While Taiwan is a small island, it has a rich and complex history. Originally inhabited by Austronesian tribes, it was colonized by the Dutch in the 17th century and later ruled by the Qing Dynasty of China. In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan, who controlled the island until the end of World War II. After the war, Taiwan was returned to China, but in 1949, the communist party won the Chinese Civil War and established the People's Republic of China on the mainland. The Nationalist government fled to Taiwan and established the Republic of China, which continues to govern the island today. While Taiwan has faced challenges related to its political status and relationship with China, it has emerged as a prosperous and democratic nation with a unique identity and culture.