Record Low Temperature for Antarctica

The Earth now has a new record low temperature: -136 degrees Fahrenheit, which is colder than dry ice. Antarctica was the home of the new low, which actually occurred in 2010. One scientist described this cold day as not being an "outlier event."

Arkansas: The Razorback State

• Alternate Nicknames:
  • Land of Opportunity
  • Natural State
• Capital: Little Rock
• Major Cities:
  • Pine Bluff
  • Fort Smith
  • Fayetteville
• Major Geographical Features
  • Mississippi River
  • Arkansas River
  • Red River
  • Boston Mountains
  • Ouachita Mountains
  • Ozark Plateau
• National Park: Hot Springs National Park
• 1541: Explored by Hernando de Soto
• 1836: Arkansas becomes the 25th state
• 1861: Arkansas secedes from the Union
• Motto: "The People Rule"
• Name Meaning: "People of the South Wind" in Sioux
• Hot Springs National Park is the smallest national park by area
• Industries
  • Cotton
  • Turkey
  • Rice
• Famous People
  • Bill Clinton
  • Johnny Cash
  • Sam Walton

Agreement for Dead Sea

The leaders of Israel, Jordan, and the unrecognized nation of Palestine have reached an agreement to help replenish the shrinking Dead Sea. A 110 mile long pipeline will be built along the Jordan River to transfer water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The pipeline will also supply water to Amman, the capital of Jordan. Much of the water traveling the pipeline will be desalinated so it can be drunk by people. The Dead Sea is both the world's lowest land elevation and the saltiest body of water.

Courtesy of The Guardian

Conflict in CAR

Religious violence has broken out in the Central African Republic. Nine months ago, the mainly Christian nation was overthrown by Muslim rebels, leading the fighting that is currently taking place. French troops have already been deployed to help with the situation. United States Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, recently ordered US support and aid for the fighting nation.

Crisis In Kiev

The capital of Ukraine, Kiev, is in turmoil amidst anti-government protests. Protesters are disappointed that their president, Viktor Yanukovych, has not signed a deal for trade with the European Union. Yanukovych does not want to hinder Ukraine's ties to Russia with the deal. Protestors are blockading government buildings with whatever materials they can find. They demand that Yanukovych dismiss the Ukrainian government and hold new elections for the vacant seats and the presidency itself.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

The Grand Canyon with a roof on it

-Will Rodgers

• This limestone cave covers 8 acres on the New Mexico side of the Texas-New Mexico border
  • In the Chihuahuan Desert and underneath the Guadalupe Mountains
• Molded by water for 4-6 million years
• 1930: Established as a national park
• Known for its stalactites and stalagmites
• Bones of ice age animals have been discovered in the cave
• Still not completely explored
• Home to Brazilian bats
• Open year-round with temperatures around 56 degrees Fahrenheit
  • The spring and fall are most popular to visit

    

    Credit: NPS Photo by Peter Jones

 

30 Years' War

Like many wars after 1517 (when Martin Luther posts the 95 Theses), the 30 Year's War (1618-1648) is a religious war. To understand the circumstances surrounding the conflict, we must go back to 1555. In that year, the Holy Roman Empire (present-day Germany) passed the Peace of Augsburg which granted the various princes of the various kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire to choose which religion, Catholic or Lutheran, their subjects would be. (The Holy Roman Empire was a loose confederation of these various kingdoms.) The conflict of the 30 Years' War occurred when some princes began to choose Calvinism for their people which was not allowed in the Peace of Augsburg.

The war began with the Defenestration of Prague which was in 1618. Four Catholics were thrown out of a window in Prague, Bohemia by Protestants. (Luckily for them, the Catholics lived. They maintain that they were saved by angels, but the Protestants attribute the miracle to horse manure.) The defenestration led to a revolt in Bohemia against Catholic Hapsburg rule. After the revolt was put down, the Hapsburgs who controlled Austria were opposed by the Danish and eventually the Swedish, two Protestant nations. The most important figure of this phase of the war was Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden. He was known for his strong military strategy and defeats of Austria.

The last phase of the war was the French intervention. The French were Catholic and their leader at this time was Cardinal Richelieu. As his title suggests, Richelieu was a cardinal in the Catholic Church. So, guess which side the French helped. Catholic Austria or the Protestant Sweden? WRONG! Richelieu joined on the Protestant side in order to improve France's power in Europe by defeating a more powerful Austria.

The French intervention proved too much for Austria. In 1648, the Peace of Westphalia was signed. The Peace of Westphalia decreased Austria's size and power and made Calvinism an option for German princes. The long term effects of the war were more important. The population of the Holy Roman Empire declined as well as the power of the Catholic Church in Central Europe. The French monarchy began its climb to power that would peak with Louis XIV. Last and perhaps most importantly, the 30 Year's War makes the unification of Germany even more difficult.

Peru

• Capital: Lima
• Major Cities
  • Cuzco
  • Arequipa
• Major Geographical Features
  • Andes Mountains
  • Amazon Forest
  • Amazon River
  • Lake Titicaca
• Official Name: Republic of Peru
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Languages
  • Spanish (official)
  • Quechua (official, Incan language)
  • Aymara
• Lake Titicaca:  world's highest navigable lake
  • Peru shares control of the lake with Bolivia
• The remote Lake McIntyre is the source of the Amazon River
• Independence: 1821 from Spain
• 1980: Democratic rule established
• Government: constitutional republic
• Name Meaning: "Land of Abundance" in Quechua
• Currency: Nueva Sol
• 1/2 of Peru is the Amazon Forest
• Home to 3,700 butterfly species
• Home to the 2nd largest rodent (capybara)
• Inca Empire: largest known empire in the Americas
• Alaska is slightly larger than Peru
• Literacy: 92.9%
• The population of Lima is slightly less than 1/4 of Peru's total population

Utah: The Beehive State

• Capital: Salt Lake City
• Major Cities:
  • Provo
  • Orem
  • Ogden
• Major Geographical Features
  • Great Salt Lake
  • Colorado River
  • Green River
  • Rocky Mountains
  • Wasatch Range
  • Bonneville Salt Flats
  • Vermillion Cliffs
  • Colorado Plateau
• National Parks:
  • Arches National Park
  • Capital Reef National Park
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Zion National Park
  • Canyonlands National Park
• 1847: Brigham Young and Mormon pioneers settle in the valley of the Great Salt Lake
• 1848: United States acquires Utah at the conclusion of the Mexican-American War
• 1869: Transcontinental Railroad completed at Promontory Point, Utah
• 1896: Utah becomes the 45th state
• 2002: Salt Lake City hosts the Winter Olympics
• Motto: "Industry"
• Name Meaning: "People of the Mountains" in Ute
• The Great Salt Lake is the largest salt lake in North America
• Industries
  • Computers
  • Mining
  • Tourism
    • 17 million visitors each year
• Government owns 66% of the land
• Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a popular tourism destination in Utah
• Famous People
  • Butch Cassidy
  • Donny and Marie Osmond

A New "Tornado Alley"

The tornadoes that struck the Midwest states on November 17 might have come as a shock to many people; tornadoes only happen in Kansas! But, we're not in Kansas anymore. The Weather Channel has pointed out that more tornadoes per square mile touch down in states like Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi than in the traditional Tornado Alley states (Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota). These areas are so prone to tornadoes due to the meeting of hot, dry air from the Southwest; cool, dry air from Canada; and warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico.

Courtesy of National Geographic

New Tallest Building in America!

The Height Committee of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat announced Tuesday that the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) is no longer the tallest building in the United States. The new World Trade Center in New York (which replaces the Twin Towers after 9/11) is the new tallest building. The debate was over whether a needle was part of the World Trade Center or just a broadcaster antenna. (It was ruled to be part of the actual building.) It stands at a symbolic 1776 feet tall.

1 World Trade Center is still under construction and set to open next year.

Geography Awareness Week!

Happy Geography Awareness Week everyone! This year's theme is Geography and the New Age of Explorations. This year's Geography Awareness week coincides with National Geographic 125th anniversary. So, make sure you celebrate Geography Awareness Week this week, November 17-November 23!

For more information, visit National Geographic Education

Deadly Typhoon Strikes Philippines

This past weekend, Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines. The death toll from the typhoon is expected to be 10,000. The typhoon struck the rather poverty-stricken island of Bulusan.

The Philippines is no stranger to natural disasters. It sees volcanoes, earthquakes, and typhoons on, sadly, a regular basis. For more on why the Philippines is at risk for these phenomena, visit National Geographic.

Philippines

• Capital: Manila
• Major Cities
  • Quezon City
  • Davao
  • Cebu
  • Cagayan de Oro
• Major Geographical Features
  • Oceans and Seas
    • Pacific Ocean
    • Philippine Sea
    • South China Sea
    • Sulu Sea
    • Bohol Sea
    • Celebes Sea
    • Visuayan Sea
  • Islands
    • Luxon
    • Mindoau
    • Panay
    • Palawan
    • Negros
    • Minandao
    • Sumar
  • Mt. Pinatubo
  • Mt. Apo
• Official Name: Republic of the Philippines
• Religion: Roman Catholic (83%)
  • Only Asian nation that is primarily Roman Catholic
• Language: Filipino (based on Tagalog)
• 1521: Ferdinand Magellan murdered by native Filipinos
• 1889: Philippines ceded to the United States from Spain
• 1934: Congress allows the Philippines to become an autonomous commonwealth 
• 1986: Ferdinand Marcos exiled after losing election to Corazon Aquino
• 2013: Typhoon Haiyan strikes the Philippines, killing over 6,300 people
• Independence: 1946 from the United States
• Government: republic
• Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)
• Philippines is slightly larger than Arizona
• Literacy: 92.6%
• Climate: tropical
• Home to Europe's largest bison herd
• Exports
  • Rice
    • Philippines is the largest rice exporter
  • Car Parts
  • Electrical Equipment
  • Telecommunications
• 7.1% of islands are uninhabited (about 1,000 islands)
• Makati City, Philippines is the "Selfie Capital of the World"

Lightning Doesn't Strike Twice in The Same Place?

New research shows the prevalence of lightning related deaths in developing nations. The agricultural, uneducated society contributes to the high fatality rate due to lightning. The high number of lightning-related deaths in nations like Malaysia, South Africa, India, and Bangladesh had previously been attributed to lack of education in the poor areas. However, recent research from doctors and meteorologists points to economies dependent on hard labor, poor infrastructure systems, and the tropical climate as the culprits of the trend.

In 2012, over 130 people were killed in Nepal from lightning storms. And the number of reported lightning related deaths in South Africa each year is worse: 260 people. However, India has the worst epidemic of deaths by lightning. Scientists estimate that 3,000 people die from lightning in India alone each year. In fact, in one storm in India last October killed 32 people. For comparison, the United States Weather Service reports that 73 people die of lightning strike per year in America.

In nations like India and South Africa, there is no true safe place for people to go during storms. Homes and work places (factories) do not provide safe havens during thunderstorms. Likewise, there are few safe, public buildings where villagers can wait out a storm. In addition, very few people in these nations own cars to hide in while a storm rages outside.

Deadly Drought?

Recent pollen tests from the Sea of Galilee reveal that severe drought may have caused the fall of great empires such as the Pharaohs of Egypt. It was previously speculated that war and/or disease may have been the culprit for the vast changes in BC politics and nation-relations. For more, check out this National Geographic article.

The United States' Latino Population

The United States' Hispanic/Latino population is growing rather quickly. The US Census Bureau recently released new maps showing the distribution of 22 different Latino populations. They revealed that the largest Latino populations are in large cities, like Houston, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. Take a look for yourself!

Wisconsin: The Badger State

• Capital: Madison
• Major Cities:
  • Milwaukee
  • Green Bay
• Major Geographical Features
  • Lake Superior
  • Lake Michigan
  • Green Bay
  • St. Croix River
  • Mississippi River
  • Wisconsin River
  • Lake Winnebago
  • Lake Superior Lowlands
  • Northern Highlands
• National Parks: none
• 1783: Present-day Wisconsin becomes part of the United States
• 1848: Wisconsin becomes the 30th state
• 1854: The Republican Party is formed in Wisconsin
• Motto: "Forward"
• Name Meaning: "Gathering of the Waters" in Algonquian
• Green Bay is the smallest city with an NFL team
• Industries
  • Milk and Dairy
    • Wisconsin has the most milk and milk cows than any other state
  • Paper and Paper Products
• Home to 714,000 lakes (the most in the US) and 7,446 streams and rivers
• 47 state parks
• Summerfest in Milwaukee is the nation's largest music festival
• Famous People
  • Frank Lloyd Wright
  • George Kennan
  • Earl Lambeau
  • Joseph McCarthy
  • Georgia O'Keeffe
  • Tony Romo
  • William Rehnquist
  • Steve Stricker
  • Bud Selig
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder

Cloud Types

The following words are different types of clouds from highest altitude to lowest. But, first things first. A cloud is water moisture and ice crystals that have collected in the atmosphere.

1. Cirrus: feathery clouds; made of ice crystals
2. Cirrocumulus: small, round puffs of clouds that generally appear in long rows
3. Cirrostratus: Sheet-like clouds; usually appear 12-24 hours before a storm
4. Cumulonimbus: large, tall clouds that cause thunderstorms; produce precipitation, lightning, and thunder
5. Altostratus: gray or blue-gray clouds that cover the entire sky; appear before precipitation
6. Altocumulus: gray-white, puffy clouds
7. Nimbostratus: dark gray clouds that appear with precipitation
8. Cumulus: white, puffy clouds; signal fair weather
9. Stratus: flat, low, gray clouds that appear to be in a sheet
10. Stratocumulus: gray, lumpy clouds

Thailand

• Capital: Bangkok
• Major Geographical Features
  • Andaman Sea
  • Strait of Malacca
  • South China Sea
  • Gulf of Thailand
  • Chao River
  • Mekong River
  • Indochina Peninsula
  • Khoret Plateau
  • Chao Phraya Lowlands
  • Isthmus of Kra
• Official Name: Kingdom of Thailand
  • Formerly: Siam
• Religion: Buddhist (94.6%)
• Languages:
  • Thai
  • English
• 1767-1782: Capital at Thonburi
• 1932: Bloodless revolution results in constitutional monarchy
• 1939: Changed name to Thailand
• 1940's: Japanese ally in World War Two due to Asia for the Asians
• 2006: Military coup declares martial law and writes a new constitution
• 2014: Another military coup declares martial law
• Independence: 1238, Siam united
• Government: Constitutional monarchy
• Currency: bant (THB)
• Thailand is slightly larger than 2 Wyomings
• Literacy: 92%
• Climate: Tropical
• Only Southeast Asian nation to not be colonized
• Largest rice exporter
• World's smallest mammal (the bumblebee bat) lives in Thailand
• 8th largest US importer

Edible Flags

I bet you have never seen a nation's flag made out of food. Well, now you can. In preparation of the Sydney International Food Festival of 2009, people created flags of the participating nations out of common food from that nation. For example, Italy's flag was created using basil, spaghetti, and tomatoes.

Enjoy!

United Arab Emirates

• Formerly
  • The Trucial State
  • Trucial Oman
• Capital: Abu Dhabi
• Major City: Dubai
• Major Geographical Features
  • Persian Gulf
  • Strait of Hormuz
  • Gulf of Oman
  • Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter)
• Religion: Muslim
• Languages:
  • Arabic (official)
  • Persian
  • English
  • Hindi
  • Urdu
• 19th century: British grant the United Arab Emirates foreign affairs and defense autonomy
• 1958: Oil is discovered
• Independence: 1971-72: The 7 emirates unite to make one country; from the United Kingdom
• Government: federation
• Currency: Emirati dirham
• Maine is slightly larger than the United Arab Emirates
• Literacy: 78%
• Climate: desert
• The Strait of Hormuz sees the transport of most of the world's crude oil
• Plays a vital role in Middle Eastern political affairs
• Burj Dubai in Dubai is the tallest building in the world
• 3/4 of the United Arab Emirates' work force is foreign

Ohio: The Buckeye State

• Capital: Columbus
• Major Cities:
  • Cleveland
  • Cincinnati
  • Akron
  • Toledo
  • Youngstown
  • Dayton
• Major Geographical Features
  • Great Lakes Plains
  • Allegheny Plateau
  • Lake Erie
  • Ohio River
  • Scioto River
• National Parks: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• 1787: Became part of Northwest Territories
• 1803: Ohio became the 17th state (first west of the Alleghenies)
• 1869: Chewing Gum was invented in Ohio
• 1903: Wright Brothers develop a practical aircraft in Dayton
• Motto: "With God All Things are Possible"
• Name Meaning: "Great River" in Iroquois
• Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Canton is home to the National Football Hall of Fame
• Natural Resources: Water, Land (produces soy beans, corn)
• Known for making rubber
• Famous People
  • Neil Armstrong
  • Wright Brothers
  • Doris Day
  • Judith A. Resnik
  • Annie Oakley
  • James Garfield
  • Ulysses S. Grant
  • Warren G. Harding
  • Rutherford B. Hayes
  • William McKinley
  • William Henry Harrison

Largest (and Smallest) States in the United States

Largest States:

1. Alaska
2. Texas
3. California
4. Montana
5. New Mexico
6. Arizona
7. Nevada
8. Colorado
9. Wyoming
10. Oregon...

 ...The largest state east of the Mississippi River is Georgia, ranked at 21

Smallest States:

1. Rhode Island
2. Delaware
3. Connecticut
4. Hawaii
5. New Jersey
6. Massachusetts
7. New Hampshire
8. Vermont
9. Maryland
10. West Virginia...

...The smallest contiguous state west of the Mississippi River is Louisiana, the 18th smallest state

Finland

• Capital: Helsinki
• Major Cities
  • Turku
  • Tampere
• Major Geographical Features
  • Baltic Sea
  • Gulf of Bothnia
  • Gulf of Finland
  • Aland Islands
• Official Name: Republic of Finland
• Religion: Evangelical Lutheran (82.5%)
• Language: Finnish (95%)
• World War Two: Successfully defended itself from Germany and Soviet Union
• 1995: Joins the European Union
• Independence: 1917 from Russia (following the Russian Revolution of 1917)
• Government: republic
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
  • Only Nordic nation using the Euro
• Montana is slightly larger than Finland
• Literacy: 100%
• Climate: Subarctic
• Helsinki is the northernmost capital in Europe
  • It is also only 40 miles from Tallinn, Estonia
• Exports
  • Telecommunications
  • Paper
  • Machines

Biscayne Bay National Park

Photo: National Park Service

• Located in Southern Florida, in the northernmost Florida keys
• Only 5% land
  • The park consists of 40 barrier coral reefs
• It is the only coral reef in the contiguous United States
• 1960s The national park was threatened due to its proximity to Miami
• 1968: Biscayne Bay becomes a national monument
• Open year-round but mid-December to mid-April is the most popular time to visit
• The summer is marked by high temperatures and large amounts of mosquitoes
• Many visitors take a cruise around the park
  • Visitors also have the opportunity to walk around a mangrove

"38 Maps You Never Knew You Needed"

I stumbled upon a compilation of maps that you might find interesting. Most are intriguing, but there are some that are just unnecessary. (Don’t be alarmed, #1 is one of them. Keep reading.) My personal favorites are #30-38. Enjoy!

You can find these 38 maps by clicking this link.

Acadia National Park

• Acadia National Park is primarily located on Mount Desert Island, Maine
  • Mount Desert Island was originally park of the mainland, but glacial sheets separated it from the mainland
• 1604: Samuel de Champlain explored what is now Acadia National Park
• Acadia was rediscovered in the 19th century
• 1929: Name was changed from Lafayette National Park to Acadia National Park
• 1986: Acadia's present boundaries are set
  • But, this current size is very small
• Acadia was the 1st national park east of the Mississippi River
• Acadia is one of the most visited national parks
  • 2.5 million visitors per year
• Acadia is open year-round, but the visitor center is open from mid April to October

The Netherlands

• Capital: Amsterdam
• Major Cities
  • The Hague
  • Utrecht
  • Rotterdam
• Major Geographical Features
  • North Sea
  • Rhine River
  • Schelde River
  • Maas River
  • Waddenzee
  • West Frisian Islands
• Official Name: Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Religions:
  • Roman Catholic (30%)
  • Protestant (20%)
• Languages:
  • Dutch (official)
  • Frisian (official)
• 1815: The Kingdom of the Netherlands was recreated at the Congress of Vienna
• 1830: Belgium secedes from the Netherlands
• Independence: 1713 from Spain (in the Treaty of Utrecht)
• Government: constitutional monarchy
• Currency: euro (EUR)
• 2 New Jerseys are slightly larger than the Netherlands
• Literacy: 99%
• Climate: Marine West Coast
• Ranstad: region with Amsterdam, Hague, Utrecht, and Rotterdam
• Exports
  • Chemicals
  • Machines
  • Telecommunications
• Rotterdam is Europe's largest port

Colorado Flooding

Earlier this month President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in Colorado where extreme floods have produced multiple casualties. These floods in Colorado are unusual. They are not being caused by thunderstorms or springtime rains. Moreover, they come after a month of drought in the area. People are struggling to explain the reasons for the floods. The most common explanation seems to be "global warming." However, global warming projections are off and the true numbers showing a change in global temperatures are negligible in magnitude. So why so many floods have occurred continues to be a mystery.

Iraq

• Capital: Baghdad
• Major Cities
  • Mosul
  • Basra
• Major Geographical Features
  • Persian Gulf
  • Euphrates River
  • Tigris River
  • Shatt al-Arab
  • Syrian Desert
  • Zargos Mountains
  • Lake Tharthar
  • Lake Habbaniyah
• Official Name: Republic of Iraq
  • Formerly Mesopotamia
• Religions:
  • Shiite Muslim (65%)
  • Sunni Muslim (37%)
• Languages:
  • Arabic
  • Kurdish (official in the Kurdish regions of northern Iraq)
  • Assyrian
  • Armenian
  • Turkoman
• 1920: Becomes a British mandate after World War One
• 1932-1958: Kingdom of Iraq
• 1958: Military rule established
• 1979-2003: Saddam Hussein rules Iraq
• 1980-1988: Iran-Iraq War over the border of the two nations
• 1990-1991: US-led forces invade Iraq after Hussein invades neighboring Kuwait
• 2002: The United Nations Security Council requires Iraq to welcome weapons inspectors
• 2003: United States invades Iraq and deposes Hussein
• 2006: Hussein is executed by hanging
• 2011: The United States withdraws all of its forces from Iraq
• Independence: 1932 from the United Kingdom
• Government: Parliamentary democracy
• Currency: New Iraqi dinar
• Iraq is slightly larger than 2 Idahos
• Literacy: 74.1%
• Climate: Semi-arid
• Member of OPEC
• Exports
  • Crude Materials
  • Petroleum
• Home to the 2nd most oil reserves

Redwood National Park

Photo: National Park Service

• Located on the northern coast of California
• Established on October 2, 1968
• Covers 131,983 acres
• Contains 3 former state parks
  • Jeddiah Smith
  • Del Norte Coast
  • Prairie Creek
• 1978: Congress adds 48,000 acres to the national park
• Open Year-round
• Attractions
  • LAdy Bird Johnson Grove
  • Big Tree
  • Coastal Trail
  • Tall Trees Grove
  • Fern Canyon
  • Howland Hill
  • Gold Bluffs Reach
  • Redwood Creek

West Virginia: The Mountaineer State

• Alternate Nicknames:
• Switzerland of the United States
• Wild and Wonderful
• Capital: Charleston
• Major Cities:
  • Huntington
  • Parkersburg
  • Wheeling
• Major Geographical Features
  • Ohio River
  • Kanawha River
  • Potomac River
  • Allegheny Plateau
  • Allegheny Mountains
• National Parks: none
• 1788: Becomes part of Virginia
• 1861: Seceded from Virginia because Virginia seceded from the Union
• 1863: West Virginia becomes the 35th State
• Motto: "Mountaineers are Always Free"
• Name Meaning: Named after the state of Virginia which was named after Queen Elizabeth I, the "Virgin Queen"
• Industries
  • Natural Gas
  • Coal
• 80% forests
• 2nd largest coal producing state
• Most recent state to be formed by seceding from an existing state
• Famous People
  • Mary Lou Retton
  • Nick Saban
  • Chuck Yeager
  • Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

Aquifer Discovered Under Kenya

This week, the Kenyan government announced that large aquifers have been discovered underneath Northern Kenya's Turkana region.This region is one of the poorest and driest parts of Kenya and is inhabited by nomadic peoples. Over 40% of Kenya's population does not have access to safe water, and the Kenyan government claims that the aquifers are large enough to provide for the nation for 70 years.

A similar aquifer was also discovered in Namibia, the driest nation in sub-Saharan Africa.

The water in these aquifers must now be tested to see if it is safe to consume.

Vocabulary Sheet #4

1. Atoll: ring of coral reefs around a lagoon
2. El Nino: Movement of warm water from the South Pacific Ocean, near Peru,  to the Western Pacific Ocean, near Australia. Effects the climate of these nations and those near them
3. Hail: Frozen precipitation formed in cumulonimbus clouds
4. Latitude: Imaginary lines on the Earth that are parallel to the Equator (0 degrees). They run from the Equator to the North and South Poles (90 degrees)
5. Piedmont: Area at the feet of mountains
6. Tidal bore: wall of sea water that moves up a river during a flood tide
7. Wadi: dry steambed that fills with water after rain (similar to an arroyo or a wash; comes from an Arabic term)
8. Doldrums: calm surface winds near the Equator
9. Microclimate: climate of a small area, such as a field or forest
10. Trough: U-shaped valley formed by a glacier OR the point between two points on a wave

Washington: The Evergreen State

• Alternate Nickname: Chinook State
• Capital: Olympia
• Major Cities:
  • Seattle
  • Spokane
  • Yakima
  • Tacoma
• Major Geographical Features
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Straight of Juan de Fuca
  • Salish Sea
  • Olympic Mountians
  • Olympic Peninsula
  • Cascade Mountains
  • Columbia River
  • Snake River
  • Columbia Mountains
  • Blue Mountains
  • San Juan Islands
• National Parks:
  • Olympic National Park
  • Mount Rainier National Park
  • North Cascades National Park
• 1804-05: Lewis and Clark explore present-day Washington
• 1846: The United States acquires present-day Washington in the Oregon Treaty with Great Britain
• 1889: Washington becomes the 42nd state
• 1980: Mount St. Helens erupts
• Motto: "By and By"
• Name Meaning: Named for President George Washington
• Industries
  • Apples
    • #1 in apple production
  • Cherries
  • Lumber
  • Peas
  • Aircraft
    • Boeing, the world's largest aircraft maker, is located in Washington
• The Olympic Peninsula contains a temperate rainforest
• Seattle Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair
• Washington is home to 71,000 dams
• Famous People
  • Fred Couples
  • Bing Crosby
  • Bill Gates
  • Jimi Hendrix
  • Hope Solo

Chad

• Capital: N'Djamena
• Major Cities
  • Moundou
  • Sarh
  • Abeche
• Major Geographical Features
  • Sahara Desert
  • Sahel
  • Lake Chad
  • Chari River
• Official Name: Republic of Chad
• Religions:
  • Islam
  • Christianity
  • Indigenous beliefs
• Languages:
  • French (official)
  • Arabic (official)
  • Sarat (in south)
  • Sango (in south)
• 1990: Libyan forces leave after repeated invasions
• 1998-2000: Revolts in the northern part of the nation
• 2004: Large scale oil production
• Independence: 1960 from France
• Government: republic
• Currency: Central African franc (XAF)
• Chad is slightly larger than 3 Californias
• Literacy: 25.7%
• Climate
  • North: Desert
  • South: Tropical
• Landlocked
• Lake Chad is the most important body of water in the Sahel
• One of Africa's poorest nations

World's Largest Volcano Discovered!

Recently a new volcano was discovered about 1,000 miles east of Japan. Tamu Massif is the size of New Mexico and the biggest volcano on Earth. Its size also puts it as one of the largest volcanoes in the SOLAR SYSTEM! The volcano is made of basalt and lies on Shatsky Rise in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Scientists are still attempting to figure out how the volcano was formed.

Oklahoma: The Sooner State

• Capital: Oklahoma City
• Major Cities:
  • Tulsa
  • Lawton
• Major Geographical Features
  • Great Plains
  • Ozark Plateau
  • Ouachita Mountains
  • Wichita Mountains
  • Red River
  • Canadian River
  • Arkansas River
  • Lake Texoma
• National Parks: none
• 1803: Present-day Oklahoma is acquired in the Louisiana Purchase
• 1834: Established as a Native American territory
• 1889: Opened to non-indigenous settlers
• 1907: Oklahoma becomes the 46th state
• 1930s: Drought comes about because of the Dust Bowl
  • Many people left Oklahoma, like the Joad Family in Grapes of Wrath
• 1995: The Federal Building in Oklahoma City is bombed
  • This was the worst terrorist attack on US soil until September 11, 2001
• Motto: "Labor conquers all things"
• Name Meaning: "Red People" in Choctaw
• Industries:
  • Wheat
  • Electric Parts
  • Transportation
  • Petroleum
  • Cattle
  • Machinery
  • Natural Gas
• The westernmost county, Cimarron County, borders four states
• Home to 760 Native American tribes
  • 2nd largest Native American population
• There is an operating oil well on capital grounds
• Famous People
  • Mickey Mantle
  • Chuck Norris
  • Brad Pitt
  • Jim Thorpe
  • Dr. Phil

Everglades National Park

Great Egret, Ardea alba
National Park Service Photo by Rodney Cammauf

• Everglades National Park is located in south Florida
• Covers 1,507,850 acres
• Established in 1947
• Everglades is a UNESCO international biosphere reserve and a world heritage site
• Only place where alligators and crocodiles live side-by-side
• Nicknamed the "River of Grass"
• The Everglades area originally spanned from Lake Okeechobee to the southern tip of Florida, but it has shrunk due to industrialization. Even today, the Everglades is still shrinking because less and less water is available to maintain the ecosystem.
• 1st national park aimed at preserving an ecosystem rather than providing scenic views for visitors
• Served as a refuge for Native Americans during the Seminole Wars
• 2 Seasons
  • Dry: December to April
    • When most visitors go and when there are the most activities
  • Wet: May to November
    • Very uncomfortable to visit due to large numbers of mosquitoes and humid weather

American Crocodile, Crocodylus acutus
National Park Service Photo by Rodney Cammauf

Gabon

• Capital: Libreville
• Major City: Port Gentil
• Major Geographical Features
  • Atlatnic Ocean
  • Corisco Bay
  • Ogooue River
  • Bight of Biafra
  • Cape Lopez
• Official Name: Gabonese Republic
• Religion: Christian
• Languages:
  • French (official)
  • Fang
  • Bateke
  • Bapounou or Eschira
  • Bardjab
• Independence: 1960 from France
• Government: republic
• Currency: Central African Franc (XAF)
• Colorado is slightly larger than Gabon
• Literacy: 63.2%
• Climate: Tropical
• One of Africa's more wealthy nations

Global Warming: Fact or Fake?

Today's modern geographic debate, aside from whether Crimea should be included on Russian maps, is global warming. Many people have strong opinions one way or the other. Recently, a United Nations-affiliated group (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) leaked a report explaining its near-certain belief that climate change is caused by humans. However, there also has been data showing a minimal increase in global temperatures over the last few decades. Moreover, studies have shown that decreasing our "carbon footprint" will not affect global temperatures.

What do you make of the global warming debate and why? Share your ideas below on our current geographic controversy!

Syrian Civil War

The conflict in Syria has gained national headlines as governments around the world contemplate action. The crisis began with demonstrations in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring. These demonstrators wanted President Bashar al-Assad to resign and the Ba'ath Party to relinquish rule over the nation. (The Ba'ath Party is an Arab political party that gained support in the 1960's. Saddam Hussein was also a Ba'athist.) Assad's army responded with violence to quell the uprising.

Assad is supported by Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah (a terrorist organization according to the United States government). The rebels' cause is supported by the Western governments, though no direct military intervention has taken place so far. The governments, including France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have supplied the rebels with arms and non-lethal aid. The rebels have also received support from Al-Qaeda affiliated groups.

In 2013, reports were released that claimed that Assad has used chemical weapons against his own people. Many governments, especially those that were sympathetic to the rebels, denounced Assad's actions. President Barack Obama of the United States declared that this act crossed a "red line." As more reports of chemical weapons use, including from France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Upon the completion of the United States' investigation and an August 21, 2013, attack on a Damascus suburb, President Obama began to move United States destroyers toward Syria. On August 29, British Parliament votes down military intervention in Syria. Nonetheless, two days later President Obama decided that the United States should intervene militarily in Syria. However, basic "principles" to diplomatically end Syria's chemical weapons programs were brokered by Russia prior to any American strike.

Croatia

• Capital: Zagreb
• Major City: Split
• Major Geographical Features
  • Adriatic Sea
  • Dalmatian Coast
  • Brac Island
  • Zagorje Hilles
  • Dinaric Alps
  • Danube River
  • Piran Bay
• Official Name: Republic of Croatia
  • Formerly the People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia
• Religion: Roman Catholic (87.8%)
• Language: Croatian (96.1%)
• 1918: Yugoslavia is formed following World War One
• 1995: Yugoslav troops leave Croatia following the a civil war which began when Croatia declared independence
• 2013: Croatia joins the European Union
• Independence: 1991 from Yugoslavia
• Government: Presidential/Parliamentary Democracy
• Currency: kuna (HRK)
• West Virginia is slightly larger than Croatia
• Literacy: 98.1%
• Climate: Mediterranean
• Exports
  • Boats
  • Machines
  • Electrical Equipment

Tallest Mountains per Continent

The following list is in order of tallest to highest mountain. So, Mt. McKinley is larger than Mt. Kilimanjaro but smaller than Aconcagua.

1. Asia
   • Mt. Everest (Nepal and China)
2. South America
   • Aconcagua (Argentina)
3. North America
   • Mt. McKinley (United States)
4. Africa
   • Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
5. Europe
   • Mt. Elbrus (Russia)
6. Oceania*
   • Mt. Wilhelm (Papua New Guinea)

*I know, I know. OCEANIA IS NOT A CONTINENT, but the true continent, Australia's, tallest mountain (Mt. Kosciuszko) is nearly half the size of Mt. Wilhelm.

Ecuador

• Capital: Quito
• Major City: Guayaquil
• Major Geographical Features
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Andes Mountains
  • Gulf of Guayquil
  • Galapagos Islands
  • Rio Putumayo
  • Rio Napo
  • Amazon Rainforest
• Official Name: Republic of Ecuador
  • Formerly
    • the Republic of the Equator
    • Grand Colombia
• Religion: Roman Catholic (95%)
• Languages:
  • Spanish
  • Quechua
• 1830: Collapse of the Grand Colombia
• 1995: Border war with Peru
• 2013: Ecuador permits oil drilling in the Amazon
• Independence: 1822 from Spain
• Government: republic
• Currency: United States dollar (USD)
• Ecuador is slightly larger than Nevada
• Literacy: 91%
• Climate: Tropical
• Smallest Andean nation
• Largest exporter of the banana
• Cotopaxi: One of the highest active volcanoes in the world
• Member of OPEC
• Exports
  • Petroleum
  • Coffee
  • Cacao
  • Bananas
  • Shrimp

Alabama: The Heart of Dixie

• Alternate Nicknames:
  • Cotton State
  • Yellowhammer State
• Capital: Montgomery
• Major Cities:
  • Birmingham
  • Huntsville
  • Mobile
• Major Geographical Features
  • Gulf of Mexico
  • Mobile BAy
  • Mobile River
  • Alabama River
  • Chattahoochee River
  • Tennessee River
  • Cumberland Plateau
  • Gulf Coastal Plain
  • Piedmont
  • Appalachian Mountains
• National Parks: none
• 1540: Hernando de Soto explores modern-day Alabama
• 1819: Alabama becomes the 22nd state
• 1861: Alabama secedes from the Union
• 1955-56: The Montgomery Bus Boycott begins when Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat
• Motto: "We Dare Defend Our Rights"
• Name Meaning: named for the Alabama Indians
• Montgomery was the original capital of the Confederate States of America
• Industries
  • Peanuts
  • Cotton
• Famous People
  • Hank Aaron
  • Helen Keller
  • Coretta Scott King
  • Rosa Parks
  • Bear Bryant
  • Charles Barkley
  • Nat King Cole
  • Harper Lee
  • Carl Lewis
  • Jesse Owens
  • Condoleezza Rice

The Rim Fire in California

There is a large wildfire that is blazing through Yosemite National Park towards San Francisco. This fire is threatening a national park as well as major urban area. If the fire continues to spread, San Francisco's water and electricity may be at risk. In fact, the situation is so bad that California governor Jerry Brown has issued a state of emergency. The fire has been called the "highest priority fire" in the United States.

UPDATE: October 2013
The fire has been put out, and has affected over 30,000 acres. The cause of the fire has been determined to be a camper's campfire.

Switzerland

• Capital: Bern
• Major Cities
  • Basel
  • Zurich
  • Lausanne
• Major Geographical Features
  • Rhone River
  • Lake Geneva
  • Jura Mountains
  • Rhaetian Alps
  • Swiss Plateau
  • Lake Zurich
  • Lake Constance
  • Rhine River
• Official Name: Swiss Confederation
• Religions:
  • Roman Catholic (41.8%)
  • Protestant (35.3%)
• Languages:
  • German (official)
  • French (official)
  • Italian (official)
• Independence: 1291, Swiss Confederation formed
• Government: federal republic-like confederation
• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
• 2 New Jerseys are slightly larger than Switzerland
• Literacy: 99%
• Landlocked
• Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been recognized by European powers
• Composed of cantons
• St. Gothard Pass connected Germany and Italy in World War Two
• 3rd highest life expectancy
• Not part of the European Union

Vocabulary Sheet #3

1. Geyser: hot spring that shoots hot water or steam intermittently
2. Wetland: area of land covered in water
3. International Date Line: imaginary line near 180 degrees longitude where each day begins (this line is internationally agreed upon)
4. Deposition: air, water or ice laying down sediments
5. Cold Front: boundary between masses of cold air and warm air whereas the cold air mass pushes the warm air mass upwards, thus causing a storm
6. Fauna: animals
7. Saturation: when the air can contain no mire water vapor causing the water to condense, in the form of dew
8. Loess: Sediments of clay and silt that are deposited by the wind that generally appears yellowish
9. Beaufort Scale: scale developed by Francis Beaufort (British admiral) to measure wind speeds visually. The scale goes from 0 to 12, with with 0 being rather tranquil and 12 being of hurricane strength
10. Trade Winds: Winds that blow from high pressure zones of tropical areas toward the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) or doldrums

Kenya

• Capital: Nairobi
• Major Cities
  • Mombassa
  • Kisumu
  • Nakuru
• Major Geographical Features
  • Indian Ocean
  • Lake Victoria
  • Serengeti Plain
  • Great Rift VAlley
  • Lake Turkana
  • Tara River
  • Mount Kenya
  • Kenya Highlands
• Official Name: Republic of Kenya
  • Formerly British East Africa
• Religions:
  • Roman Catholic (33%)
  • Protestant (45%)
  • Indigenous beliefs (10%)
• Languages:
  • English (official)
  • Kiswahili (official)
• 1963-1978: Revered president Jomo Kenyatta leads Kenya
• Independence: 1963 from the United Kingdom
• Government: republic
• Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES)
• Kenya is slightly larger than 2 Nevadas
• Literacy: 85.1%
• Climate
  • Tropical
  • Semiarid
• 1 of the most successful African agricultural centers
• Mt. Kenya is the 2nd highest peak in Africa
• Exports
  • Petroleum
  • Tea
  • Fruits and Vegetables
• Home to 275 endangered species

European Union

• Economically and politically unites many nations of Europe
• Members
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• Capital: Brussels, Belgium
• 1952: The European Coal and Steel Community (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, West Germany)
• Shared resources to compete with the growing United States economy
• Proposed by Robert Schuman, foreign minister of France
• 1957: Treaty of Rome creates the European Economic Community
• 1967: Becomes the European Community
• 1973: Add Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom
• 1993: Maastricht Treaty establishes the European Union, sets framework for complete economic unity
• 2002: The Euro goes into effect
• Not used by Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom
• A economic downturn hit Europe (especially Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain) in the late 2000's
• For more on the EU economy, visit http://beleuz.wordpress.com/.

Massachusetts: The Bay State

• Other nickname: The Old Colony
• Capital: Boston
• Major Cities:
  • Springfield
  • Lowell
  • Worcester
• Major Geographical Features
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Massachusetts Bay
  • Cape Cod Bay
  • Nantucket Sound
  • Buzzards Bay
  • Cape Cod
  • Nantucket Island
  • Martha' s Vineyard (island)
  • Taconic Mountains
  • Berkshire Hills
  • Connecticut River
  • St. Charles River
  • Merrimack River
• National Parks: none
• 1620: Pilgrims establish colony at Plymouth
• 1634: Boston Common is established
  • Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States
• 1636: Harvard University established
  • Harvard is the oldest university in the United States
• 1653: 1st public library in America established
• 1775: American Revolution begins at Lexington and Concord
• 1788: Massachusetts becomes the 6th state
• 1806: The African Meeting House in Boston is built
  • It is the first church built by free African-Americans
• Motto: "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty"
• Name Meaning: "Great Mountain Place" in an unknown Native American dialect
• Industries:
  • Cranberries
    • Massachusetts yields the nation's largest cranberry crop
  • Clams, oysters, and lobsters
  • Tourism
• Salem is famous for its witch trials in the 17th century
• 1st American railroad is in Quincy, Massachusetts
• Massachusetts is home to 65 public and private colleges and univerities
• The USS Constitution in Boston is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world
• Famous People
  • John Adams
  • John Quincy Adams
  • John F. Kennedy
  • George H.W. Bush
  • Samuel Adams
  • Emily Dickenson
  • Benjamin Franklin
  • John Hancock
  • Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
  • Paul Revere

Vocabulary Sheet #2

1. Steppe: plain with a lot of short grass
2. Oxbow Lake: crescent-shaped lake formed by a meander being bypassed
3. Aquaclude: underground rock layer that groundwater cannot pass through
4. Contrail: line of condensation in the sky that follows an airplane; made of water droplets and ice particles
   • AKA condensation trail
5. Soil: portion of Earth's surface that is occupied by roots and made of minerals, organisms, gas, humus, water, and rock
6. Humus: decomposed plant and animal material in the soil
7. Karst: landscape made of underground limestone caverns formed by groundwater
8. Tundra: cold region made of low-growing plants
9. Humidity: water vapor in the air
10. Canyon: deep valley with steep sides formed by a river

Republic of the Congo

• Capital: Brazzaville
• Major Cities: Pointe-Noire
• Major Geographical Features
  • Lower Guinea
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Alima River
  • Sangha River
  • Congo River
  • Ubangi River
  • Stanley Pool
• Formerly: Middle Congo
• Religions:
  • Christian (50%)
  • Animism (48%)
• Languages:
  • French (official)
  • Lingala
  • Monokutuba
  • Local dialects
• 1965-1990: Experiments with Marxism
• 1997: Civil war restores Marxist president
• 2002: New constitution
• Independence: 1960 from France
• Government: republic
• Currency: Central African Franc (XAF)
• Montana is slightly larger than Congo
• Literacy: 83.8%
• Climate: Tropical
• 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or the railroad in between
• Exports
  • Petroleum
  • Lumber
  • Plywood
  • Sugar
  • Cacao
  • Coffee
  • Diamonds

Mexico

• Capital: Mexico City
• Major Cities
  • Monterrey
  • Guadalajara
  • Puebla
  • Tijuana
  • Cancun
• Major Geographical Features
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Bay of Campeche
  • Caribbean Sea
  • Gulf of Tehuanepec
  • Gulf of California
  • Rio Grande
  • Baja California
  • Yucutan Peninsula
  • Sierra Madre Occidenals (Mountains)
  • Sierra Madre Orientals (Mountains)
  • Sierra Madre del Sur (Mountains)
• Official Name: United Mexican States
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Languages:
  • Spanish
  • Mayan
  • Nahuatl
• 1994: Economic crisis causes the severe devaluation of the peso
• Independence: 1810 from Spain
• Government: federal republic
• Currency: Mexican peso
• 3 Texases are slightly larger than Mexico
• Literacy: 91%
• Climate: Tropical desert
• The Tropic of Cancer passes through Mexico
• Exports
  • Silver
    • Mexico produces the most silver in the world
  • Oil and Natural Gas
    • makes up 1/3 of government revenues

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in North Carolina and Tennessee
• Established 1934
• These mountains are some of the oldest on Earth, about 4,567 million years ago
• Covers 521,490 acres
• One of the busiest national parks: 9 million visitors per year
• Home to an international biosphere reserve
• Open year-round
  • Many people visit in late summer and early fall to see the leaves of the deciduous plants
• The mountains are "smoky" because of water and hydrocarbons released by leaves of the deciduous plants
• Tallest Concrete Dam east of the Rockies: Fontana Dam in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=11746&picture=great-smoky-mountains-national-park

Syria

• Capital: Damascus
• Major City: Halab (Aleppo)
• Major Geographical Features
  • Mediterranean Sea
  • Orontes River
  • Euphrates River
  • Lake al-Assad
  • Tigris River
  • Abu Rujmayn Mountains
  • Mount Hermon
  • Syrian Desert
  • Golan Heights
• Official Name: Syrian Arab Republic
• Religion: Sunni Muslim (74%)
• Language: Arabic (official)
• 1919: Becomes French mandate following World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire
• 1967: Arab-Israeli War results in Syria's loss of the Golan Heights
• 1976: Sends peacekeeping forces to Lebanon
• 2011: Civil war begins
  • Rebels include some Islamic militants and al Qaeda backed groups
    • The question of aiding the rebels has become an international issue. The United States, France, and Britain are considering becoming involved in support of the rebels, but have not provided lethal weapons yet.
  • President Bashar al-Assad is backed by Iran and Russia
  • 2013: President Assad is accused of using chemical warfare
• Formerly the United Arab Republic with Egypt in opposition of Israel
• Independence: 1946 from France
• Government: republic under an authoritarian regime
• Currency: Syrian pound (SYP)
• Syria is slightly larger than North Dakota
• Literacy: 79.6%
• Climate: Desert
• Aleppo claims to be the oldest inhabited settlement
• 80 miles of Mediterranean coastline

New York: The Empire State

• Capital: Albany
• Major Cities:
  • New York city
  • Buffalo
  • Rochester
  • Syracuse
• Major Geographical Features
  • Lake Erie
  • Lake Ontario
  • Finger Lakes
  • Niagara Falls
  • Mohawk River
  • Delaware River
  • Hudson River
  • St. Lawrence River
  • Adirondack Mountains
  • Catskill Mountains
  • Long Island
  • Long Island Sound
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Allegheny Plateau
• National Parks: none
• 1664: The British seize present-day New York from the Dutch
• 1785-1790: New York City serves as the nation's capital
• 1788: New York becomes the 11th state
• 1825: The Erie Canal makes New York City a major port
• Sept. 11, 2001: The World Trade Center is destroyed in a terrorist attack
• Motto: "Ever Upward"
• Name Meaning: Named for the English Duke of York
• The Military Academy is located in West Point, New York
• The United Nations' headquarters is in New York City
• Industries
  • Publishing
  • Financing
  • Machinery
• 1st state to preserve an historic site, establish a state park, and declare land "forever wild" (all in its state constitution)
• 1st railroad in the United States connected Albany and Schenectady
• Famous People
  • Martin van Buren
  • Millard Fillmore
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt
  • Michael Jordan
  • Norman Rockwell
  • Walt Whitman
  • Lady Gaga
  • Lou Gehrig
  • Herman Melville
  • Colin Powell
  • John D. Rockefeller
  • Elizabeth Ann Seton

Free Market America or Corporate States of America?

steve-lovelace.com

Steve Lovelace has created a map of the United States by illustrating the largest company in that state title "The Corporate States of America". Its purpose is social commentary, but its affect is up for debate. Lovelace feels that as these companies grow, the power of the state diminishes to the point where the companies rule the state. Personally, I find this claim to be unfounded. Lovelace has showcased what makes America unique. In America, businesses thrive because of a free market economy. These businesses were built with hard work and are American success stories and must be celebrated. The notion that they are taking over the government is as crazy as a fear that aliens will kill us all.

What do you think? Comment below!

Vocabulary Sheet #1

1. Aa: Hawaiian word for sharp, pointy lava flow (opposite of pahoehoe)
2. Yazoo: tributary that is parallel to the river into which it flows until the confluence (named for the Yazoo River of Mississippi)
3. Stream: small body of water similar to a river
4. Flora: plants
5. Isobar: lines used to show atmospheric pressure on a map; each line symbolizes a different level of pressure
6. Reg: rocky desert (opposite of erg)
7. Abrasion: eroding of rock by the rock being hit with sand from the wind or being carried away by a stream or river
8. Eye: calm center of a storm or hurricane; very low pressure
9. Mesa: flat-topped hill with steep sides; bigger than a butte (the Spanish word for "table" is mesa)
10. Abyssal Plain: flat area of the ocean floor

5 New World Heritage Sites

UNESCO has announced 5 new World Heritage Sites! They include Mount Etna, Xinjian Tianshan Mountain range, Namib Sand Sea, and El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere reserve. Click the link for pictures and more information!

Iowa: The Hawkeye State

• Capital: Des Moines
• Major Cities:
  • Sioux City
  • Cedar Rapids
  • Davenport
  • Waterloo
• Major Geographical Features
  • Missouri River
  • Big Sioux River
  • Des Moines River
  • Mississippi River
  • Great Plains
  • Northwest Iowa Plains
  • Southern Drift Plains
  • Des Moines Lobe
  • Paleozoic Plateau
• National Parks: none
• 1803: Present-day Iowa acquired in the Louisiana Purchase
• 1833: 1st settlement in Dubuque
• 1846: Iowa becomes the 29th state
• Name Meaning: "The Beautiful Land" in the language of the Iowa Indians
• Motto: "Our liberties we price and our rights we maintain"
• The red delicious apple was developed in East Peru, Iowa
• Capitol building dome is covered in 23 karat gold leaf
• 92% of Iowa is farm land
• Industries
  • Corn
  • Hogs
  • Soybeans
• Famous People
  • Buffalo Bill
  • Herbert Hoover
  • Johnny Carson
  • Zach Johnson
  • Lolo Jones
  • Ashton Kutcher

Portugal

• Capital: Lisbon
• Major City: Porto
• Major Geographical Features
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Gulf of Cadiz
  • Tagus River
  • Guadiana River
  • Douro River
  • Serra da Estrela
  • Algarve
  • Cape of St. Vincent
• Official Name: Portuguese Republic
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Language: Portuguese
• 1755: Earthquake destroys Lisbon
• 1807-1822: Portugal loses much of its wealth during the Napoleonic Wars and the independence of Brazil
• 1910: Revolution overthrows monarchy and establishes a republic
• 1975: Grants independence to all its African colonies
• 1985: Joins European Economic Community (later becomes the European Union)
• 2011: Negotiates a loan with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union to help with a large government debt
• Independence: 1143, the Kingdom of Portugal recognized
• Government: republic, parliamentary democracy
• Currency: euro (EUR)
• Indiana is slightly larger than Portugal
• Literacy: 93.5%
• Climate: Maritime Temperate
• Home to 1/3 of the world's cork oak trees resulting in producing 1/2 of the world's cork
• Westernmost nation on the European mainland
• 1/3 of Portugal's population lives in Lisbon or Porto

YouTube Channel

We are proud to to announce that Average Geo's has a YouTube channel! We will be posting videos periodically. The videos that we will post will have better, more in-depth maps than that on our site. Our first video is on Massachusetts. Enjoy!

Australia

• Capital: Canberra
• Major Cities
  • Sydney
  • Birsbane
  • Alice Springs
  • Perth
  • Darwin
  • Adelaide
  • Melbourne
• Major Geographical Features
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Great Australian Bight
  • Coral Sea
  • Indian Ocean
  • Lake Eyre
  • Murray River
  • Darling River
  • Tasmania
  • Uluru
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Great Dividing Range
• Official Name: Commonwealth of Australia
• Religions:
  • Anglican
  • Roman Catholic
  • Other Christian denominations
• Languages:
  • English
  • Native languages
• 1788: Penal colony established in Australia
• 1945-2000: 6 million people immigrated to Australia
• 2014: Australian police carry out the largest anti-terrorism operation in Australian history, arresting 15 ISIS-linked terrorists who planned to attack innocent civilians in Australian cities
• Independence: 1901 from the United Kingdom
• Government: federal parliamentary democracy
• Currency: Australian Dollar
• The 48 contiguous states are slightly larger than Australia
• Literacy: 99%
• Climate: arid and semi-arid
• Smallest Continent
  • 6th Largest Nation
• Population centered along east and southeast coast
  • 70% of the population lives along a coast
• "The Doctor": tropical sea breeze along the west coast that blows all summer
• Major contributor to the United Kingdom's cause in both World Wars
• over 130 species of marsupials
  • 30 million kangaroos
• Uluru: sacred to the Aborigines
• Nickname: Land Down Under
• Great Barrier Reef: largest reef in the world
• Australian Desert: 2nd largest desert in the world
• Australia has one of the highest living standards in the world
• Murray-Darling river basin occupies 14% of the land

Largest Nation per Continent

• Largest Nations in Africa
  1. Algeria
  2. Democratic Republic of the Congo
  3. Sudan
  4. Libya
  5. Chad
• Largest Nations in Asia
  1. Russia
  2. China
  3. India
  4. Kazakhstan
  5. Saudi Arabia
• Largest Nations in Europe
  1. Russia
  2. Ukraine
  3. France
  4. Spain
  5. Sweden
• Largest Nations in North America
  1. Canada
  2. United States
  3. Mexico
  4. Nicaragua
  5. Honduras
• Largest Nations in South America
  1. Brazil
  2. Argentina
  3. Peru
  4. Colombia
  5. Bolivia
• Largest Nations in Oceania*
  1. Australia
  2. Papua New Guinea
  3. New Zealand
  4. Solomon Islands
  5. Fiji

*I KNOW. I KNOW. Oceania is a REGION, NOT A CONTINENT. Australia is the true continent, but it wouldn't be any fun if there was only one nation in a continent in these lists!

Missouri: The Show Me State

• Alternate Nickname: Gateway to the West
• Capital: Jefferson City
• Major Cities:
  • St. Louis
  • Kansas City
  • Columbia
  • Springfield
  • Independence
  • Branson
• Major Geographical Features
  • Mississippi River
  • Missouri River
  • Lake of the Ozarks
  • Ozark Plateau
  • Osage Plains
  • St. Francis Mountains
• National Parks: none
• 1803: Present-day Missouri is acquired through the Louisiana Purchase
• 1820: Missouri Compromise allows slavery to be legal in Missouri Territory despite being north of the 36 degree, 30 minute north parallel because Maine would become a free state
• 1821: Missouri becomes the 24th state
• 1863: The Pony Express begins in St. Joseph, Missouri
• 2014: National attention turns to Ferguson, Missouri for the death of Michael Brown and the ensuing riots
• Motto: "The Welfare of the People Shall Be Supreme Law"
• Name Meaning: "Large Canoes" in the Missouri tribe dialect; the state's name honors this tribe
• Despite being a slave state, Missouri did not secede from the Union
• The Santa Fe and Oregon Trails began in Independence, Missouri
• The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the tallest monument in the United States
• Branson resort is a popular destination for country music fans
• Bagnell Dam crosses the Osage River. It creates one of the largest man-made lakes in the world
• Present-day Missouri has belonged to 3 nations:
  • Spain (1767-1800)
  • France (1800-1803)
  • United States (1803-present)
• Famous People
  • Harry S. Truman
  • Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain)
  • George Washington Carver
  • Maya Angelou
  • Rush Limbaugh
  • Langston Hughes
  • James C. Penny

Michigan: The Wolverine State

• Alternate Nicknames: Great Lakes State
• Capital: Lansing
• Major Cities:
  • Detroit
  • Grand Rapids
  • Flint
  • Saginaw
  • Ann Arbor
  • Sault Ste. Marie
  • Sterling Heights
• Major Geographical Features
  • Upper Peninsula
  • Lower Peninsula
  • Lake Superior
  • Lake Huron
  • Lake Michigan
  • Lake Erie
  • Grand River
  • Saginaw Bay
  • Green Bay
  • Mackinac Strait
  • Hiawatha National Forest
• National Parks: Isle Royale National Park
• 1796: Britain finally agrees to give up Michigan following the American Revolution (they had previously refused
• 1837: Michigan becomes the 26th state
• 1903: Henry Ford establishes the Ford Motor Company in Detroit
  • Michigan is the United States' leading auto producer
• 1906: Kellogg's is founded in Battle Creek, Michigan
• 1997-2003: Michigan attracts 10,229 business projects (best in the nation)
• 2013: Detroit becomes the largest city in the United States to file for bankrupcy
• Motto: "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you."
• Name Meaning: "Great Lake" in Ojibwa
• Industries
  • Automobiles
  • Dairy
  • Cereal
  • Minerals
• 2nd longest coastline (after Alaska)
• Borders all the Great Lakes except for Lake Ontario
• Mackinac Bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas and is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world
• Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake completely within the United States
• 500,000 jobs in Michigan are connected to motor vehicles
• The Upper Peninsula is primarily lakes and forests
• Famous People
  • Henry Ford
  • Magic Johnson
  • W. K. Kellogg
  • Jack Kevorkian
  • Charles Lindbergh
  • Kid Rock
  • Mitt Romney
  • Chris Van Allsburg

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

• Located in western North Dakota in the badlands
  • 130 miles from Bismarck
• Established on November 10, 1978
• 1883: Teddy Roosevelt first arrives in North Dakota
• Covers 70,447 acres
• Named after President Theodore Roosevelt
• Home to scenic cliffs, gullies, and hills formed by deposition
• The rainy spring creates bright wildflowers
• The Little Missouri River runs through the national park
• Home to various types of wildlife, including bison, elk, and eagles
• Open year-round but parts may be closed during the winter
• Other Attractions:
  • Elkhorn Ranch
  • Peaceful Valley

Climate Types

When you see a climate heading in some of the other posts, this page is the best to refer to to understand what they mean.

• Tropical Moist (rainforest): high humidity and rainfall
• Wet-Dry Tropical (savannah): characterized by a wet season and a dry season
• Tropical Monsoon: characterized by high temperatures and a lot of precipitation year-round
• Dry Tropical (desert): intense heat, arid
• Dry Mid-latitude (steppe): dry, semiarid, cold winters
• Mediterranean (chaparral): characterized by a wet winter and a dry summer
• Dry Mid-latitude (grassland): dry, characterized by cold winters and warm summers
• Marine West Coast: characterized by a lot of rain year-round and few temperature extremes
• Moist Continental (deciduous forest): characterized by large temperature changes between seasons
• Boreal Forest (taiga): characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers; rather humid
• Tundra: characterized by long, severe winters
• Highland (alpine): found in mountain ranges and generally take on the characteristics of the next-closest climate