Only those who have been there themselves can tell you
A romantic humanities travelogue

"I Almost Traveled the World Without Knowing Geography" is a romantic, humanistic travelogue written by a geography teacher who spent his 20s traveling the world for teenagers and aspiring backpackers.
The book vividly tells the stories of 16 cities around the world, including geography, economy, history, and culture, mixed with firsthand experiences, and plants the dream of travel in the hearts of readers along with rich background knowledge.

Why are there so many people in Lhasa, Tibet, prancing around in shabby attire? Harry Potter fans flock to the bathroom of a cafe in Edinburgh, Scotland? Why are there so many sushi and ramen restaurants in Honolulu, Hawaii? Only when you delve deep into unfamiliar landscapes and listen to the stories you encounter do the city's colors come alive.
This book, filled with anecdotes about encountering history on quiet streets, discovering cultural roots in unique climates, and mingling with people from diverse yet similar countries, will allow you to experience the cities of the world you will one day visit in person more vividly and richly.
In addition, maps that highlight travel destinations at a glance, abundant photo data, and QR codes listing key sites in each city help you follow in the author's footsteps and immerse yourself in the charm of cities around the world.

When traveling around the world, it is more common to refer to your destination by city name rather than country name.
People say, “I’m going to travel to the US this summer,” but it’s more common to say, “I’m going to travel to New York, USA.”
Actually, that's a natural thing to say.
Just as Seoul and Busan in South Korea are completely different cities, Seattle and New York in the United States are completely different places.
So, in a way, traveling the world can be said to be visiting various cities around the world.
--- "Entering.
From "I almost left without knowing"

The first time I rode the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, I was filled with anxiety.
I didn't know that the police might deport me, a foreigner visiting without a guide or travel permit.
But as I started talking intimately with the people in the same car, I slowly started to relax.
On the train, there were friends from various ethnic minorities, including Han Chinese.
Although I, a Korean, couldn't communicate well with my Han Chinese, Uyghur, and Tibetan friends, we shared each other's food and talked about our respective cultures.
Among them, I also discussed the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and the changes in Tibet with a Han Chinese friend who majored in geography like me.

--- 「GATE 1.
From "The Waves of Change Sweeping Through the 'Hermit Kingdom' - Lhasa, China"

Although it is a key axis of the Spanish economy, Catalonia does not have a strong sense of belonging to the country.
The region has its roots in the medieval kingdom of Aragon.
On the other hand, most of Spain, including the capital Madrid, has its roots in the Kingdom of Castile.
The two kingdoms were united through a marriage alliance in the 15th century, creating the modern-day Spain we know today.
In other words, Catalonia has existed as an independent country for a long time.
Because the region inherited the history of the Kingdom of Castile, and the language and culture it uses are different, it is inevitable that it will have little sense of belonging to Spain.
--- 「GATE 4.
Football Clubs Aren't Everything ─ Barcelona, ​​Spain

As the sun was setting, I took in the view of London from a viewing point near the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
The City of London came into view, and Big Ben could be seen in the distance.
London was once the center of the world.
It was a city where politics, economics, art, and science flourished.
The entire Earth's time also revolved around this place.
Although it has now given up its place to some other cities, London will always remain the number one city in my heart.
It's like the standard of time, the prime meridian, doesn't change no matter when or what happens!
--- 「GATE 7.
From "The Heart of the Empire Where the Sun Never Sets - London, England"

But these days, Myeongdong Street is crowded with people during the day, but at night, it becomes deserted as if it had never been like that.
In other busy areas, there are many chicken restaurants that close at 10 PM, which is when there are the most people.
The Myeong-dong and Chungmuro ​​areas in Jung-gu have developed commercial functions rather than residential functions since the past.
So, during the day, when many people flock to the offices and shops, the area is bustling with people, but when the sun sets and all the office workers leave, the entire area becomes quiet as if the power has been turned off.
This is called the phenomenon of population hollowing out.

--- 「GATE 8.
'K' started here ─ Seoul, Republic of Korea"

When planning a trip to Europe, there are many advantages to staying in Munich.
First of all, since it is a place where many tourists gather, there are many accommodations available, so the cost of accommodation is relatively cheap except during the Oktoberfest period.
And Munich is located at the center of the 'Romantic Road' that runs through southern Germany, so if you stay here, you have the advantage of being able to make day trips to many beautiful cities in southern Germany, such as Nuremberg and Füssen.
With its proximity to cities like Salzburg in Austria and Prague in the Czech Republic across the border, staying in Munich makes for a truly convenient base for planning your trip.
So, from the time I first traveled to Europe, I stayed in Munich for a long time and traveled to the surrounding countries and cities.
--- 「GATE 10.
Beer, soccer, cars, everything German ─ Munich, Germany

But, putting aside these various reasons, I think the fundamental reason why Melbourne is a great city to live in is that it is a city where diverse people and cultures come together in harmony.
The modern era is an era of globalization in which societies around the world are connected as one.
That is why understanding and embracing other races and cultures is more important than anything else.
An attitude of hating and rejecting others simply because they are different from us ultimately isolates a society or a nation and hinders its development.
Looking at Melbourne, where people understand each other's differences and live in beautiful harmony, I was able to think again about what kind of city is a good place to live.
--- 「GATE 11.
What is the best city to live in? ─ Melbourne, Australia

Moreover, Tokyo is a global city where the headquarters of various multinational corporations and international organizations are located.
A global city is a large city that transcends national borders and serves as a global center.
It refers to a city that plays a pivotal role in the global economy and has the infrastructure to host international events such as the Olympics.
World cities are broadly categorized into top, upper, and lower based on factors such as the number of multinational corporation headquarters and the number of international airport users. Tokyo is considered a top world city along with New York in the United States and London in the United Kingdom.

--- 「GATE 15.
From "Tokyo, Japan: Where Imagination and Everyday Life Coexist"