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Contemporary Human Geography, 5th edition

Published by Pearson (January 30, 2022) © 2023

  • James M. Rubenstein Miami University of Ohio

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For courses in human geography.

Human geography for today's students

Contemporary Human Geography provides a bold, highly visual exploration of physical and cultural landscapes across the globe. The modular organization and vibrant presentations focus and engage students. Rubenstein describes past and current events and issues to show their influence on diversity and globalization phenomena at the core of contemporary human geography.

The  5th Edition presents the latest geographical science and statistics, including current data on recent events. This edition incorporates applied examples of human geography, guiding students to understand the world on local, regional and global scales.

Hallmark features of this title

  • A structured learning path guides students through visually engaging content.
  • Chapter Openers provide a succinct preview of the entire chapter.
  • 4 Key Questions open each chapter to give students a strong foundation for understanding chapter content.
  • The Modular Approach explores each main concept within a contained 2-page spread.
  • Learning Outcomes in every main section focus on the knowledge and skills students will acquire as they engage with the content.
  • Review, Analyze & Apply revisit and connect key issues to main concepts in the chapter and include Key Terms and interactive Mastering activities.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW and UPDATED: Geographical science, statistics, and associated imagery reflect the current data on recent events related to human geography, including but not limited to:
    • COVID-19; The Black Lives Matter movement; Gender and LGBTQ distribution; Social media discussions of cyberattacks and cyber espionage; China's abandonment of its one-child policy; e-commerce (Amazon) and sharing services (Airbnb and Uber); China's industrial situation.
  • NEW: Case studies on London explain urban patterns, and case studies on Luxembourg and Timor-Leste compare place, region, scale, space and connection.
  • UPDATED: Resource issues provide expanded coverage on solar energy and the challenges of plastic waste disposal.
  • NEW and UPDATED: Cartography provides maps optimized for maximum accuracy and clear presentation of current data. New projections reduce distortions. New cartograms and other graphic devices have been added.

Features of Mastering Geography for the 5th Edition

  • NEW: Interactive Student Engagement activities for select key concepts are powered by Social Explorer. Students can apply the patterns and processes of Earth's human landscapes with maps, predictive graphs, interactive charts and interactive media.
  • MapMaster 2.0, inspired by GIS, enables students to layer and explore thematic map data at global and regional scales. Students can enhance spatial reasoning skills and geographic literacy, using hundreds of map layers with a multitude of data points and current data.
  • Video Activities from the BBC, Financial Times, and Television for the Environment's Life  and  Earth Report series provide real-world examples of human geography in action and a sense of place.
  • Google Earth Virtual Tour videos give students brief narrated spatial explorations of places and people around the world, covering critical themes such as globalization and sustainability.
  • GeoTutor Activities help students master challenging geography concepts with highly visual, kinesthetic activities focused on critical thinking, data analysis and the application of concepts.
  • Encounter Human Geography Google Earth Activities provide interactive Google Earth explorations to help students visualize and explore human landscapes around the world.

Features of Pearson eText for the 5th Edition

  • NEW: Interactive Student Engagement activities for select key concepts are powered by Social Explorer. These allow students to apply the patterns and processes of Earth's human landscapes with maps, predictive graphs, interactive charts and other interactive media.
  1. This is Geography
  2. Population & Health
  3. Migration
  4. Culture & Social Media
  5. Languages
  6. Religions
  7. Ethnicity & Race
  8. Political Geography
  9. Food & Agriculture
  10. Development
  11. Industry
  12. Services & Settlements
  13. Urban Patterns
  14. Resource Issues

About our author

Dr. James M. Rubenstein received his B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1970, M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1971, and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1975. He was a Professor of Geography at Miami University for 37 years, where he taught urban and human geography. Dr. Rubenstein is now a full-time writer. In addition to this book, Dr. Rubenstein is the author of The Cultural Landscape (13th edition) as well as co-author of Introduction to Contemporary Geography, both published by Pearson Education.

Dr. Rubenstein also conducts research in the automotive industry and has published four books on the subject: The Changing U.S. Auto Industry: A Geographical Analysis (Routledge); Making and Selling Cars: Innovation and Change in the U.S. Auto Industry (The Johns Hopkins University Press); A Profile of the Automobile and Motor Vehicle Industry: Innovation, Transformation, Globalization (Business Expert Press); and Who Really Made Your Car? Restructuring and Geographic Change in the Auto Industry (W.E. Upjohn Institute, with Thomas Klier). He also writes a weekly column about local food for The Oxford Press. Winston, a lab-husky mix with one brown eye and one blue eye, takes Dr. Rubenstein for long walks in the woods most days, when he is up to it.

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