Geography of Puerto Rico
Saturday December 31, 2005
Gain a better understanding of the history and geography of this island territory of the Caribbean in my latest revised and updated article about Puerto Rico.
Tropical Storm Zeta
Friday December 30, 2005
No, it's not a New Year's joke; Tropical Storm Zeta has formed as the 27th named storm of the season in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a full month ... Read More
Highest, Lowest, and Deepest Points
Friday December 30, 2005
Did you know that the world's lowest point is getting lower? The Dead Sea was 400 meters below sea level when I first compiled my list of the Highest, ... Read More
Countries With Multiple Capital Cities
Thursday December 29, 2005
Were you aware that there are twelve countries around the world with multiple capital cities? Most choose to split their administrative, legislative, and judicial functions up between cities ... Read More
Holland, the Netherlands, Nederland, and the Dutch
Thursday December 29, 2005
While the word Holland is often used to refer to the country known as the Netherlands, that use is not accurate. Learn about Holland, the Netherlands, and the Dutch from ... Read More
Missing Countries
Wednesday December 28, 2005
Since many countries merge, split, or just decide to change their name, there are many "missing" countries that no longer exist. Check out my guide to some of the ... Read More
Review of "World of Where"
Wednesday December 28, 2005
Take a look at my review of World of Where, a piece of fun and educational geography software that allows the user to test their knowledge of countries, states, and ... Read More
European Space Agency Launches GPS Test Satellite
Wednesday December 28, 2005
Europe is attempting to break the U.S. monopoly on the Global Positioning System through the launch of a test satellite on Wednesday. The satellite will test the ability of ... Read More
World Languages
Wednesday December 28, 2005
Here's a great new list on my site! I've created a list of the top ten languages of the world. Enjoy!
World Religions
Wednesday December 28, 2005
I've created a short list of the world's most popular religions, based on the number of adherents. Check it out!
Tilly Smith, Geography Student Hero
Tuesday December 27, 2005
Tilly Smith, the 11 year-old geography student who recognized the signs of impending tsunami in Thailand last year, warning others and saving lives, has been recognized as the child ... Read More
Best Geographic Websites of 2005!
Tuesday December 27, 2005
It's the list you've all been waiting for! It's been a glorious year for geography on the Internet and that glory is reflected in my list of the Top ... Read More
Nevada is Fastest Growing State 19 Years in a Row
Tuesday December 27, 2005
For the 19th consecutive year, Nevada is the fastest growing state in the United States, with a 3.5% increase in population between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2005. ... Read More
Pattison's Four Traditions
Monday December 26, 2005
Get an overview of William D. Pattison's Four Traditions of Geography (spatial tradition, area studies tradition, man-land tradition, and earth science tradition) from my latest article on the topic.
How Digital Mapmakers Update Their Maps
Monday December 26, 2005
This Associated Press article describes how digital data companies Tele Atlas and Navteq collect geographic data for use with online mapping sites, such as MapQuest and Google Local. It's ... Read More
Leap Second Added to New Year's Eve
Monday December 26, 2005
For the first time in seven years, an extra second is being added to the year to match the slowing of the earth's rotation. The extra second will be ... Read More
Earthquake and Tsunami Anniversary
Monday December 26, 2005
It's the first anniversary of the horrific Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004. Learn more about tsunamis and how to prepare for them through my five-page ... Read More
Geographic Education
Sunday December 25, 2005
I've compiled two new handy references for you here on my site! You can now enjoy the Five Themes of Geography and the eighteen National Geography Standards here on ... Read More
Oldest Western Map Found
Saturday December 24, 2005
The oldest western map, dating from approximately 500 BCE, was discovered in southern Italy. The tiny map, known as the Soleto Map, was inscribed into black terracotta and ... Read More
New Town Propaganda
Saturday December 24, 2005
Enjoy this 1948 animated film designed to spark interest in "New Towns" in the United Kingdom following the Second World War. Twenty-nine new towns were built in the UK ... Read More
Group Wants to Warm Milwaukee by Moving Thermometer
Friday December 23, 2005
A Milwaukee booster group wants to increase the average temperature by moving the official thermometer farther inland than the airport, located near the shore of Lake Michigan. The group ... Read More
New 2006 Statistical Abstract Released
Friday December 23, 2005
The latest edition of the Statistical Abstract of the United States has just be released in full-text online by the U.S. Census Bureau. It's an incredible reference book.
Typical Requirements for a Degree in Geography
Friday December 23, 2005
Earning your college degree in geography shows prospective employers that you can solve problems, research solutions, utilize technology, and see the "big picture." A typical degree involves a wide variety ... Read More
Atlas of the United States
Friday December 23, 2005
My Atlas of U.S. States and Territories is now fully updated and renovated. If you need maps or geographical information about any country, state, ocean, or territory, you can ... Read More
Nauru Cut Off From World
Thursday December 22, 2005
The tiny Pacific island country of Nauru (the world's smallest independent republic) has been cut off from the rest of the world because Air Nauru's sole airplane, a Boeing 737, ... Read More
Pedestrian Map of NYC
Wednesday December 21, 2005
Due to New York City's extensive transit strike, the New York Times has produced a map (PDF) that provides pedestrian commuters detailed information about accessing the urban area. It's ... Read More
Winter Solstice Today
Wednesday December 21, 2005
At exactly 1:35 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (18:35 UTC) today winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere and summer begins in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn more from my article about the ... Read More
Nearly Two Billion Christmas Cards
Wednesday December 21, 2005
The U.S. Census Bureau reports some interesting facts about the holiday period in the United States. In addition to 1.9 billion Christmas cards, this holiday season also means 20.8 ... Read More
GeoPuzzle Europe
Tuesday December 20, 2005
I love geography puzzles! I just received the GeoPuzzle Europe, which has puzzle pieces shaped like the countries of Europe (OK, so, the Vatican City, San Marino, and Liechtenstein ... Read More
Belarus Bans Foreign Models
Tuesday December 20, 2005
A law that went into effect last April in Belarus requires that, "Models who appear in public advertisements - whether on billboards, on television, in newspapers or magazines - must ... Read More
New Geography Quiz
Tuesday December 20, 2005
Take my latest geography quiz to test your geographic knowledge. It's only five questions and multiple-choice so see how well you do. Good luck! Don't forget, there ... Read More
Another List of the Largest Cities in the World
Monday December 19, 2005
Talk about controversy! I received a ton of email about my list of the world's largest cities. Many felt the numbers were wrong and argued their points. ... Read More
You Can't Send Shoes to Italy or Soap to Paraguay
Monday December 19, 2005
Today is the busiest mailing day of the year for the United States Postal Service, which reminds me that You Can't Send Shoes to Italy or Soap to Paraguay! ... Read More
Olympic Country Abbreviations
Sunday December 18, 2005
Just in time for the XX Olympic Winter Games in Torino (Turin), Italy next February is my listing of the 202 National Olympic Committee members recognized by the International Olympic ... Read More
Koppen Climate Classification System
Saturday December 17, 2005
If you're not familiar with the Koppen Climate Classification System, you should be! It's a fantastic system that defines the general climatic conditions for areas across the planet. ... Read More
NPR Stories on Oxford Atlas of the World
Saturday December 17, 2005
Ben Keene, editor of the Oxford University Press' Atlas program, was interviewed on National Public Radio's Marketplace and Weekend Edition programs about the brand-new Atlas of the World, Deluxe Edition. ... Read More
E-Stonia Becomes Technology Center
Friday December 16, 2005
The Eastern European country of Estonia has become a center of high-tech innovation and usage. The capital city of Tallinn boasts hundreds of wi-fi access points, even at gas ... Read More
Winter Solstice
Thursday December 15, 2005
At precisely 1:35 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (18:35 UTC) next Wednesday, December 21 winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere and summer begins in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn more from ... Read More
Largest Cities in the World
Wednesday December 14, 2005
Wendell Cox of the fantastic Demographia website has published a comprehensive report on population, urban land area and urban population density for 673 world urban areas. Look for the ... Read More
AAA Travel Challenge for U.S. High School Students
Tuesday December 13, 2005
The fourth annual AAA Travel High School Challenge begins January 9-17 with an online 40-question geographical quiz. U.S. students in grades nine through twelve can compete for state finals ... Read More
No Life Found at Tsunami Epicenter
Tuesday December 13, 2005
Five months after last year's catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami, scientists found no signs of life at the epicenter of the magnitude 9.3 earthquake. The Sydney Morning Herald reports ... Read More
Fissure Forming New Ocean?
Saturday December 10, 2005
A 13-foot wide fissure in Ethiopia may be the beginning of a new ocean and scientists plan to observe the ocean's creation over the next one million years. ... Read More
Atacama Desert is Really Dry
Friday December 9, 2005
We knew that the Atacama Desert in South America is dry but it wasn't until Dr. Tibor Dunai started studying the sediments that we learned how long it has been ... Read More
Magnetic Pole Moving Toward Siberia
Friday December 9, 2005
North America may loose its claim on the Magnetic North Pole over the next few decades as scientists have discovered the pole may start heading toward Siberia.
New Geography Quiz
Thursday December 8, 2005
Take this week's challenging geography quiz to test your geographic knowledge.
Largest Countries of 2005
Wednesday December 7, 2005
Everyone has their lists of the year, so why not a population list? I present you with the list of the 23 most populous countries of 2005, including all ... Read More
Updated CIA World Factbook
Wednesday December 7, 2005
The CIA World Factbook, one of the best geographic resources on the Internet, resides here on my site. The Factbook includes 271 detailed entries for every country, ocean, and ... Read More
Wacky Signs
Monday December 5, 2005
Lonely Planet has published a book, Signspotting: Absurd & Amusing Signs from Around the World, that includes a plethora of interesting and strange signs. Follow this link to ... Read More
Tallest Building Causing Earthquakes?
Sunday December 4, 2005
A geologist at Taiwan's Institute of Earth Sciences says that construction of the world's tallest building, Taipei 101, has created earthquakes due to pressure imposed by the 101 story ... Read More