Bowling Green, Ky. - After traveling 36,000 miles across six continents, visiting 10 countries and circumnavigating the globe in 23 days, Dr. David Keeling, head of Western Kentucky University's Department of Geography and Geology, returned to the Hill last week.

The Around the World expedition was sponsored by the American Geographical Society (www.amergeog.org) and included an educational program that focused on several key issues facing our planet today.

Dr. Keeling lectured in Peru on the collapse of the Inca empire, in Samoa on the impacts of El Niño and global climate change, in Bhutan on challenges stemming from nationalism and ethnic identity crises, and in Tanzania on sustainability issues in Africa.

Throughout the 23-day expedition, the 85 participants were introduced to new ideas about the changing geography of our planet and participated in discussions on global development challenges facing both Americans and others.

Countries visited included Peru, Chile (Easter Island), Samoa, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Bhutan, India, Tanzania, and Portugal (Madeira Island).

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For information, contact David Keeling at (270) 745-4555.