Geography teacher draws world map in four minutes

A video screenshot shows Wang Boming, a geography teacher, drawing a complete world map within a few minutes. China Daily

A geography teacher from the Ningxia Hui autonomous region has gained fame for being able to draw a complete map of the world on a blackboard in just four minutes.

Wang Boming is a geography teacher at Yingcai Junior High School in Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia. The native of Shaanxi province teaches a class of about 60 students.

At the beginning of class, he draws a map of the world on the blackboard. While working on his map, Wang speaks to his students about the different countries.

Four minutes later, a complete map of the world is on the blackboard, followed by a big round of applause from his class.

"I see drawing as a more direct and engaging way to expose students to geography. They also like teachers who can draw interesting things, which makes them like the class even more," said Wang, whose college major was art education.

However, Wang's feat is not an overnight miracle. In his office, there is a globe on the table. He spends most of the spare time studying it and fine-tuning his drawing skills.

"I cannot even count how many times I spin the globe every day," Wang said.

Wang got the inspiration from his own middle school teacher, who insisted on drawing maps in class.

Li Yedan, one of Wang's students, praised the teaching technique.

"I used to think that geography was boring. But Mr Wang's lessons are like traveling around the world," Li said.