La Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the University of León It became a meeting point for some of the most promising geography students in the country. Throughout an intense day, 55 young people from different autonomous communities faced a demanding test to measure their knowledge of territory, landscape, and geographical analysis tools.
This year, the National Geography Olympiad had a distinctly innovative character, combining a classic academic competition with practical activities supported by Interactive maps for learning Geographysatellite imagery and augmented reality resources were also used. The event also served to raise the profile of Geography studies in Spain and show attendees how this discipline is applied in real-world contexts.
León debuts as the national venue for the Olympics
First, the The national phase of the Geography Olympiad was held at the University of LeónThis was a significant achievement, highlighted by both the organizers and the participating institutions. The event transformed the León campus into a hub for academic geography for a day, placing the Department of Geography and Geology at the heart of teaching and outreach activities nationwide.
This debut as a national venue has allowed to highlight the work of the Department of Geography and Geology in the preparation of high-level training activities, reinforcing its role in energizing university life. The celebration of the Olympiad in León has also helped to promote the Geography degree program, something highly valued by the participating faculty.
According to the organization, hosting the competition facilitates the creation of new collaborative networks between universities, institutions and professional entitiesThe presence of representatives from the National Geographic Institute, the Spanish Association of Geography, and the College of Geographers encourages the establishment of contacts and joint projects in the field of training and research, beyond the test itself.
The meeting also served to to bring Geography closer to future students and offer Educational resources for secondary school who are considering this discipline as an academic option. The collaborative environment, direct contact with university professors, and the use of advanced technologies offer an up-to-date view of what studying Geography in Spain entails today.
Participation and results: a very close podium
The 17th edition of the National Geography Olympiad, held in León, brought together 55 students from different parts of Spain, previously selected in their respective regional or autonomous phases. The level shown in the competition was, according to the organizers, especially high, which was reflected in the close final ranking.
The first place went to David Vasco Amigo, representative of Aragonwho emerged victorious after excelling in the theoretical exam and demonstrating a solid foundation of knowledge in all areas assessed. His performance placed him at the top of a highly competitive list of finalists.
The silver medal went to Joan Barceló Mas, from the Balearic Islands, while the third place was occupied by Gonzalo Fernández Cano, from Castilla-La ManchaThe latter's presence on the podium has been received with particular satisfaction in his community, where his dedication and the work done to prepare for the event are highlighted.
The final standings included the ten highest-scoring studentsAmong them was Marcos Centeno Bastián, representing León, who achieved a commendable sixth place. His result has been especially valued given that he competed at the host university.
Other participants from Castile and León also managed to place among the top positions, such as Héctor Marañón Ibáñez and Juan Carlos Alexandru Bucur, both from Salamanca, and Hector Mendez Lopez, from BurgosThe presence of several students from the community at the top of the table highlights the positive state of Geography in the regional educational field.
A demanding test: 100 questions and 75 minutes
The core of the Olympiad was a multiple-choice test of 100 questions which the students had to complete within a maximum time of 75 minutes. The exam covered a wide range of topics, from physical and human issues to cartographic, climatic, demographic, and territorial aspects.
Among the exercises presented, the following stood out: practical cases based on maps, graphs and geographic photographswhich required interpreting visual information and relating data quickly and accurately. This approach sought to evaluate not only theoretical memory, but also analytical skills applied to the field.
The questions included reading from thematic maps, relief profiles, statistical series and cartographic representations which the participants had to handle with ease. The objective was to test their ability to draw conclusions, identify spatial patterns, and recognize complex geographical processes.
The structure of the exam, with a large number of questions in a relatively short time, posed a test of intellectual endurance and time managementMany participants highlighted precisely this combination of speed and precision as one of the main difficulties of the competition.
Workshops, satellites and augmented reality in laboratories
After the theoretical test was completed, the activity moved to the Geography laboratories of the University of Leónwhere students were able to experiment with different technical tools related to territory analysis. These practical sessions complemented the competitive aspect with a more demonstrative and participatory approach.
One of the points that attracted the most attention was the 3D visualization of satellite imagesThis allowed participants to observe the relief, land use, and other landscape elements from a different perspective than usual. This approach offers a clear idea of how spatial data is used in professional contexts.
The participants also worked with a augmented reality sandboxAn interactive tool that combines sensors and digital projection to simulate geomorphological processes. By manually modifying the sand relief, they could observe in real time how contour lines, river courses, or floodplains changed.
In addition to these resources, the practical activities included Physical Geography exercises and applied territorial analysis in the different areas of the campus. The students had the opportunity to learn firsthand how these technologies are integrated into university teaching and research projects.
Overall, the practical part of the day showed a updated and technological image of Geographyfar removed from a purely rote-learning approach. For many of the students, it was a way to verify that the discipline has direct applications in areas such as land-use planning, risk management, and the study of climate change.
Prominent role of students from Castile and León
Beyond the overall winner, the Olympiad held in León served to highlight the good level of the students of Castilla y León in this discipline. The most striking case was that of Marcos Centeno Bastián, representing León, who managed to place himself in a remarkable sixth position.
This classification has an added symbolic component, since The host managed to be among the top ten participants at the very university that hosted the national phase. For the university community of León, this is a source of pride and an incentive to continue promoting activities of this kind.
The performances of Héctor Marañón Ibáñez and Juan Carlos Alexandru Bucur, from Salamanca, Y de Hector Mendez Lopez, from Burgoswho managed to climb to the top of the table. Their presence among the top-ranked students reinforces the idea that there is a solid base of students interested in Geography within the community.
These results are interpreted as a reflection of the work carried out in secondary and high schools in the regionwhere teachers and students have specifically prepared for the preliminary phases of the Olympiad. The effort invested has resulted in an outstanding performance in the national phase.
At the same time, the organizers emphasize that the participation of young people from very different regional backgrounds It promotes the exchange of experiences and fosters a broader vision of the Spanish territorial reality, something very valuable in a discipline like Geography.
Institutional support and tour of La Candamia
The awards ceremony featured a strong institutional support from the University of León and specialized organizations in GeographyThe event was presided over by the Vice-Rector for Inclusion, Equality and Social Projection of the ULE, Raquel Domínguez, and by the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, Javier Rodríguez.
Along with them, the Director of the Department of Geography and Geology, Javier Santos, Regional director of the National Geographic Institute, Jorge Vicente, as well as representatives of the Spanish Association of Geography and the College of Geographers, including member Olga de Cos and president Juan José Moreno.
The implication of College of Geographers and the National Geographic Institute It has been key to consolidating the scientific and professional dimension of the Olympiad. Its presence strengthens the connection between academia and professional practice, something fundamental for the future of students considering pursuing a career in this field.
After the ceremony, the participants took part in a Geographical itinerary around the La Candamia park, in the vicinity of the city of León, integrated into environmental activity programsDuring the tour, they were able to observe on the ground elements of the landscape, fluvial processes and landforms previously studied in the theoretical part and in the workshops.
This field trip brought to a close a day that combined everything in a balanced way academic knowledge, analytical technologies and direct observation of the territoryThe experience, which was highly valued by the students, showed how Geography integrates diverse approaches to better understand the world we live in.
The celebration of the National Geography Olympiad in León has ultimately been a An opportunity to showcase young talent, promote Geography degrees, and strengthen collaboration between universities and institutionsThe combination of demanding testing, workshops with advanced technology and field trips has left a clear picture of a dynamic discipline, with an educational vocation and with a relevant role in the analysis and management of the territory in Spain.
