1) Census 2010
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Despite the protests of anti-government fanatics, Census 2010 took place and was the largest count of the United States population. After determining that there were 308,745,538 people living in the United States on April 1, 2010, the decennial count is going to continue providing a plethora of data about the U.S. population.
This year also saw the first complete release of American Community Survey data, which replaced the long census form. Not to be outdone, the world's two largest countries also counter their populations in 2010.
2) Global Disasters
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Last January, Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake that led to an outbreak of cholera in the fall.
April's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico became the world's largest. Another April disaster was the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which impacted air transportation throughout Europe.
August's flood in Pakistan was one of the world's worst.
3) The Netherlands Antilles Disappears
Source: CIA World Factbook, 2007
4) The World's Tallest Building Opens
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5) Latest Daylight Saving Time Causes Confusion
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Other Top Stories
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Three other news stories are going to continue making geographic news into 2011.
South Sudan: Barring any complications, a referendum on the independence for South Sudan is scheduled to be held on January 9, 2011. If voters pass the referendum then the non-Muslim South Sudan will become the world's newest country.
Kosovo: In July, the International Court of Justice ruled Kosovo's declaration independence on February 17, 2008 was legal. Kosovo's status with regards to Serbia and Russia has yet to be fully decided.
Koreas: Tensions are running high between South Korea and North Korea. The future of the Korean Peninsula remains to be seen. Here's an overview of the history of the Korean conflict.
