Representing Our Country to the World
Can you guess how many countries President Obama visited during his first year in office? Would you say 6, 10, or 21? If you answered 21, you are correct. Of those 21 countries, he visited France, Germany, Mexico, and Denmark twice this year.
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One of the President’s jobs is to set foreign policy. Foreign policy refers to the plans that a government follows with other countries. Soon after the President is sworn into office, he begins to meet with leaders from other nations. Together they make agreements about issues that affect both the United States and the rest of the world.
President Obama with Prime Minister Maliki of Iraq in Baghdad
President Obama’s foreign policy includes energy and global warming issues, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the economy, and nuclear weapons.
 One of the highlights of President Obama’s travels this year was his meeting with China’s President Hu Jintao. The two leaders met to discuss ways to help the economy and ways to consume, or use, less energy. China is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world. It is one of the leading trade partners of the Unites States. For this reason, it is very important that President Obama creates a positive relationship with Chinese leaders.
President Obama meets with China ’s President Hu Jintao
 So how does President Obama travel to these countries? He does not use public air transportation like the rest of us. The President has his own private plane called Air Force One. The plane is equipped with a suite that includes a bedroom, bathroom, and an office. It even comes with a workout room!
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Air Force One has been called “a flying White House” because it is like the President’s second office. The President can meet with his staff in one of the large meeting rooms on the plane. The plane also has an area for reporters covering the President’s travels. In all, Air Force One can carry about 100 people, including the crew.
The President exits Air Force One.
TLX News Journal – Geography Activity:
If you could travel anywhere around the world, where would you go? Draw a picture of the country or place you’d like to visit. Then explain why you’d like to travel there.
