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Geography fun facts and oddities: Difference between revisions
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* page organization t.b.d. | * page organization t.b.d. | ||
= Physical geography fun facts = | |||
* Pitcaren Islands in Polynesia, are the least populated political entity in the world (67 residents) | * Pitcaren Islands in Polynesia, are the least populated political entity in the world (67 residents) | ||
** Vatican City, for example, has 825 residents | ** Vatican City, for example, has 825 residents | ||
* Rio de la Plata is the widest river in the world (max width: 140 mi) | * Rio de la Plata is the widest river in the world (max width: 140 mi) | ||
** the Rio de la Plata is considered a river, estuary, gulf or "marginal sea" | ** the Rio de la Plata is considered a river, estuary, gulf or "marginal sea" | ||
** it is fed by the Uruguay and Parana rivers at Punta Gorda ("fat point" | ** it is fed by the Uruguay and Parana rivers at Punta Gorda ("fat point") | ||
== | === Ice Age geography === | ||
=== Earthquakes | [[File:Global sea levels during the last Ice Age.jpg|thumb|Global sea levels during the last Ice Age]] | ||
==== Doggerland ==== | |||
= Physical geography oddities = | |||
== Caves == | |||
[[File:Lanzarote 5 Luc Viatour.jpg|thumb|Lanzarote 5 Luc Viatour|alt=Lanzarote 5 Luc Viatour.jpg|World's longest "lava tube" in Cueva de los Verdes (wikipedia)]] | |||
* '''Cueva de los Verdes ("the cave of Verdes")''' | |||
** world's longest "lava tube" was created 3,000 years ago by the eruption of Monte Corona, Canary Islands | |||
** lava tubes are formed when a lava stream cools and solidifies at the top, while lava below continues to flow, leaving a cave after full draining. | |||
** the cave is 3.7 miles long on land and extends another 0.93 miles under water | |||
** see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cueva_de_los_Verdes Cueva de los Verdes (wikipedia)] | |||
* Kirkhelleren, Træna,Norway | |||
** an ancient cave that carved out by glaciation (glacier cycles) | |||
** was inhabited at least 9,000 years ago | |||
** has a large rock in the center which may have been used as an alter or for some form of worship | |||
*** thus the cave is known as the "Nature's Cathedral" | |||
** see: | |||
*** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr%C3%A6na | |||
*** [https://partner.sciencenorway.no/cathedral-fram-centre/natures-cathedral-people-have-gathered-in-this-cave-for-at-least-10000-years/2071325 Nature's cathedral: People have gathered in this cave for at least 10,000 years (sciencenorway.no)] | |||
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px" caption="Kirkhelleren gallery"> | |||
File:Kirkhelleren traena nordlan.jpg|thumb|Kirkhelleren cave in Norway (wikipedia) | |||
File:Kirkhelleren_Traena.jpg#/media/Fil:Kirkhelleren_Traena.jpg | |||
File:Kirkehellern.jpg|thumb|Norwegian artist Anneli Drecker playing inside the natural cave Kirkhelleren on Træna, in the cave traces of human activity dating 9000 years ago has been found (wikipedia) | |||
</gallery> | |||
== Earthquakes == | |||
* 5-largest recorded earthquakes by magnitude: | * 5-largest recorded earthquakes by magnitude: | ||
# [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_Valdivia_earthquake 9.4-9.5 1960 Valdivia earthquake, Chile]] | # [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_Valdivia_earthquake 9.4-9.5 1960 Valdivia earthquake, Chile]] | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== Mountains | == Geysers == | ||
* Yellowstone, Wyoming is the largest geyser field in the world | |||
** has 1,283 geysers that have erupted with 465 active per year | |||
** Old Faithful geyser | |||
*** "Old Faithful" erupts regularly between 44 minutes and two hours | |||
** Steamboat geyser, Yellowstone | |||
*** currently the tallest geyser in the world, reaching over 300ft | |||
*** Steamboat does not erupt regularly, with intermittences of 3 days to 50 years | |||
* Dolina Geizerov or "Valley of Geysers" | |||
** second largest geyser field in the world | |||
** located on Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia | |||
** has about 90 geysers | |||
** it is very remote, reachable only by helicopter | |||
* El Tatio, Chile | |||
** "El Tatio" means "grandfather" or "oven" | |||
** located on a volcanic belt that spans across the Chilean and Bolivian border | |||
** it is the third largest in the world | |||
** at 14,170 ft in altitude it is likely the highest large geyser field in the world | |||
* Waimangu Geyser, New Zealand (extinct) | |||
** was the most powerful geyser in the world between 1900 and 1904, its 1st and last observations of major eruptions | |||
** its plume reached 1500 ft | |||
** now extinct due to a landslide that changed the water table | |||
*** it went fully extinct in 1908 | |||
<gallery widths=300px heights=200px caption="Geysers gallery"> | |||
File:OldFaithful1948.jpg|thumb|OldFaithful1948 at Yellowstone National Park (1948) | |||
File:Steamboatgeyser1.jpg|thumb|Steamboat geyser at Yellowstone, the worlds tallest active geyser | |||
File:Dead trees at Mammoth Hot Springs.jpg|thumb|Dead trees at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone | |||
File:Valley of the Geysers.jpg|thumb|Valley of the Geysers, Kampchucka, Russia, the 2nd largest geyser field in the world | |||
File:Géiseres del Tatio, Atacama, Chile, 2016-02-01, DD 01-02 HDR.JPG|thumb|"Géiseres del Tatio," Atacama, Chile, the third largest geyser field in the world | |||
File:ElTatio-CerroSoquete-2004.jpg|thumb|The Andes rise behind El Tatio|alt=The steam plumes of the field at the feet of mountains, with higher snow-covered mountains far away | |||
File:Waimangu geyser.jpg|thumb|Waimangu geyser, New Zealand, erupting in 1903. It went fully extinct in 1908. | |||
</gallery> | |||
== Glaciers == | |||
[[File:Receding glacier-en.svg|thumb|Receding glacier-en]] | |||
* glacier = accumulated and compacted ice | |||
* glaciers accumulate when winter snowfall does not melt during the other seasons | |||
** because they accumulate from precipitation (snowfall), glaciers are made of "fresh" or non-salt water | |||
* glaciers hold about 2.1% of the earth's water | |||
* 10% of the earth is covered by glacial ice | |||
* 69% of the earth's fresh water is held in glaciers | |||
==== Hubbard Glacier ==== | |||
* located across U.S. Canada border in southeast Alaska | |||
* a long glacier with two sources in mountains 11,000 and 18,300 feet high | |||
** ice starting at the furthest source takes 400 years to reach the end point feeding into the Gulf of Alaska | |||
<gallery widths=300px heights=200px> | |||
File:Hubbard Glacier Alaska.jpg|thumb|Hubbard Glacier at the mouth, which is very dangerous for boats due to possibility of monster-sized chunks falling into the water|alt=The glacier relatively close | |||
File:Baltoro glacier from air.jpg|thumb|With 7,253 known glaciers, Pakistan contains more glacial ice than any other country on earth outside the polar regions.[1] At 62 kilometres (39 mi) in length, its Baltoro Glacier is one of the world's longest alpine glaciers. | |||
</gallery> | |||
== Islands == | |||
"island" from old English ''igland'' or ''iegland'' + French ''isle'' | |||
* '''ieg''' is from PIE '''*akwa''', thus "island" means, literally "water land" | |||
[[File:Mono Lake Tufa.JPG|thumb|right|Mono Lake's "South Tufa" area.]] | |||
[[File:17 27 022 mono lake.jpg|thumb|right|17 27 022 mono lake]] | |||
=== Mono Lake, California === | |||
An ancient desert lake on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas that has no outflow and thus is highly salinated | |||
* limestone columns, called "tufa towers," rise above the lake surface | |||
* Mono Lake has two prominent islands, Negit Island, notable for its dark, lava origin, and Paoha Island, which was formed only in the 17th century by a series of volcanic eruptions. | |||
[[File:View of Islands, Lake Cobbosseecontee, Me (67039).jpg|thumb|View of Islands, Lake Cobbosseecontee, Me (67039) Cobbosseecontee is a natural lake in the Winthrop Lakes Region, which has natural and man-made lakes along the Androscoggin River watershed region]] | |||
[[File:MonmouthME NorthMonmouthMills.jpg|thumb|TexTech Industries manufacturers tennis ball felt in North Monmouth, Maine, using power from a dam that turned Wilson Stream into [[https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/lake-survey-maps/kennebec/wilson_pond.pdf Wilson Pond (1940 Maine government survey]]]] | |||
=== Mill ponds === | |||
When small lakes or ponds are formed by dams built on a stream or river and used to power mills, the highest land points will become no longer hills above the stream but islands, as the water rises around them. | |||
=== Porthmadog, Wales, United Kingdom === | |||
Recovered lowland from an estuary that was blocked off from the sea | |||
Porthmadog presents an inverted lake, whereby the islands, which formerly protruded above the water surface became hills when the lake was drained. | |||
* see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porthmadog | |||
== Lakes == | |||
==== Recursive islands and lakes ==== | |||
[[File:1 taal volcano crater lake 2011.jpg|thumb|Taal Volcano crater lake 2011 (wikipedia) is a lake inside an island inside a lake]] | |||
* = a lake or island inside an island or lake | |||
** see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recursive_islands_and_lakes | |||
* '''Vulcan Point''' in the Philippines has an island inside a lake inside of an island inside a lake | |||
== Mountains == | |||
* Kirkjufell, Iceland | * Kirkjufell, Iceland | ||
** a mountain formed of volcanic rock, but not itself a volcano | ** a mountain formed of volcanic rock, but not itself a volcano | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== | == Rocks == | ||
=== Famous U.S. rocks === | |||
== | ===== Devil's Tower ===== | ||
==== | * a butte formation in Wyoming that abruptly juts out of the landscape 1,267 ft high | ||
* the name comes from an English misinterpretation of the Native American name for it | |||
** the native name is "bear's house" (among others) and was understood in English by a US Army expedition leader as "Bad God's Tower," thus "Devil's Tower" | |||
** a Native American legend of its origin is that young girls where chased by bears, and their prayers for salvation were answered by the "Great Spirit" by lifting the rock they sat upon into the air, out of reach from the bears, whose claws scratched marks into the sides of the rock while trying to reach them. | |||
* See [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devils_Tower Devil's Tower (wiki)]] | |||
===== Independence Rock ===== | |||
* famous for unique formation and 19th century graffiti | |||
* a 130 ft high granite rock in Wyoming that sticks up out of the prairie | |||
* located at the southeast end of the Granite Mountains | |||
* served as a landmark for 19th century western settlers, some of whom carved their names on the rock and some of which are still visible | |||
===== Pompy's Tower" (Pompey's Pillar National Monument) ===== | |||
* famous for inscription by William Clark from 1806 | |||
* rock formation rising from the Montana plain | |||
* 150 ft tall, located near the Yellowstone River | |||
* one of the smallest National Monuments in the US (21 acre site) | |||
* famous for its graffiti, | |||
** including an inscription by William ** William Clark, of the Lewis & Clark Expedition (1803-06) inscribed his name on the rock on July 25, 1806 | |||
* click EXPAND for Clark's journal entry of that day regarding the rock: | * click EXPAND for Clark's journal entry of that day regarding the rock: | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | ||
<pre>“This rock which I shall Call Pompy's Tower is 200 feet high and 400 paces in secumphrance… The nativs have ingraved on the face of this rock the figures of animals &c. near which I marked my name and the day of the month & year.” | |||
* he named it "Pompy's Tower" after his nickname for the son of his translators, Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau</pre> | |||
* sources | * sources | ||
** [[https://www.nps.gov/places/pompeys-pillar-national-monument.htm Pompey's Pillar National Monument (National Park Service)]] | ** [[https://www.nps.gov/places/pompeys-pillar-national-monument.htm Pompey's Pillar National Monument (National Park Service)]] | ||
[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeys_Pillar_National_Monument Pompey's Pillar National Monument (wiki)]] | [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeys_Pillar_National_Monument Pompey's Pillar National Monument (wiki)]] | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
===== Three Sisters''' or '''Three Sisters Islands ===== | |||
* three rocky islands in the Potomac River in Washington, DC | |||
** three Native American sisters who died crossing the river there while trying to rescue their brothers who had been kidnapped by another tribe | |||
** three Native American sisters who were banished to the islands after refusing the husbands selected for them by their father; the sisters cursed the spot, which is said to make an eerie sound whenever the River is about to take a life | |||
** a 1925 novel included a story about three nuns who drowned at the spot | |||
See: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(District_of_Columbia) Three Sisters (wiki)]] | See: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(District_of_Columbia) Three Sisters (wiki)]] | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==== Glacial erratic rocks | === Famous rocks around the world === | ||
[[File:Qasr al Farid.JPG|thumb|Qaṣr Al-Farīd (Arabic: قَصْر ٱلْفَرِيْد), meaning ‘the Lonely Castle’ is largest tomb at the archaeological site]] | |||
===== Qaṣr Al-Farīd===== | |||
* basalt rocks in northwestern Saudi Arabia that are exposed as large outcrops due to erosion around them | |||
* this one was turned into a temple by the Nabataeans | |||
** = same people who built the fabulous ancient city of Petra, in which many structures were carved into and out of canyon walls | |||
** see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegra_(Mada%27in_Salih) | |||
[[File:Al Farafrah, New Valley Governorate, Egypt - panoramio (21).jpg|thumb|Al Farafrah, New Valley Governorate, Egypt. Sandstone or "chalk ]] | |||
===== White Desert National Park, Egypt ===== | |||
* located in the Farafra Depression | |||
** contained an oasis called "farafra" for "fuzzy spring" | |||
** the Ancient Egyptians called it "tꜣ jḥw" for ""the land of the cattle" | |||
* White Desert is named for the white color of a type of limestone rocks called "chalk rock" | |||
* contains protruding limestone rocks called "ventifacts," rocks shaped by windblown sand or ice crystals | |||
[[File:White-desert-egypt.jpg|600px|center|Panorama of the White Desert of Egypt|alt=Panorama of the White Desert in Egypt]] | |||
=== Glacial erratic rocks === | |||
* rocks that are moved to one place from another by glaciers | * rocks that are moved to one place from another by glaciers | ||
** and that are dissimilar (not like) the rocks where they are found | ** and that are dissimilar (not like) the rocks where they are found | ||
===== Madison Boulder ===== | |||
** 83 ft long, 23 ft high and 37 feet wide | ** 83 ft long, 23 ft high and 37 feet wide | ||
** the largest "glacial erratic" rock in North America | ** the largest "glacial erratic" rock in North America | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== | === Sailing Stones === | ||
* | |||
* [[File:Racetrack_Playa_(Pirate_Scott).jpg|thumb|Sailing stone in Racetrack Playa, Death Valley, California (wikipedia)]]also called "sliding rocks" or "walking rocks" | |||
* the phenomenon usually occurs in dry lake beds | |||
* "sailing stones" move locations when water around them freezes, then starts melting, leaving mud and ice fragments that allow for the rock to slides on the slippery ground when propelled by the wind or gravity. | |||
* | |||
* | |||
* | * sliding rocks leave a trail, so when they stop their transit, they leave a trail that makes it look as if the rock had moved itself along the desert floor. | ||
[[File:Racetrack_Playa_in_Death_Valley_National_Park.jpg|thumb|A sailing stone in Racetrack Playa (wikipedia)]] | |||
=== Racetrack Playa === | |||
* probably the most famous sailing stones are found at "Racetrack Playa" in Death Valley, California. | |||
* the ground there is dried clay and while limited, there is enough precipitation, 3-inches per year, for water to collect in the basin and freeze, creating the conditions for the rocks to seemingly move by themselves, leavning a track behind them. | |||
== Sinkholes == | |||
* sinkholes are holes or caves in the ground caused by erosion or a collapse of a lower, below-ground surface, usually because of water drainage | * sinkholes are holes or caves in the ground caused by erosion or a collapse of a lower, below-ground surface, usually because of water drainage | ||
** sinkholes may also be caused by a drainage of water, such as a water table decline | ** sinkholes may also be caused by a drainage of water, such as a water table decline | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== Tsunamis == | |||
* series of large waves caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, glacier breaks, or meteorites | * series of large waves caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, glacier breaks, or meteorites | ||
** also known as "tidal waves," although tsunamis are not tides | ** also known as "tidal waves," although tsunamis are not tides | ||
** see [[File:NOAA Tsunami Animation-2016.webm||right|thumb|NOAA Tsunami Animation-2016]] for tsunami animation | ** see [[File:NOAA Tsunami Animation-2016.webm||right|thumb|NOAA Tsunami Animation-2016]] for tsunami animation | ||
*** or here [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3BDBAAAA7D4EB2DA NOAA Tsunami channel]] or [[https://nctr.pmel.noaa.gov/animate.html#most NOAA Model Animations]] | *** or here [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3BDBAAAA7D4EB2DA NOAA Tsunami channel]] or [[https://nctr.pmel.noaa.gov/animate.html#most NOAA Model Animations]] | ||
* '''Lituya Bay, Alaska, 1957''' | * '''Lituya Bay, Alaska, 1957''' | ||
** a narrow inlet, earthquake-induced tsunami waves reached 1,720 feet high | ** a narrow inlet, earthquake-induced tsunami waves reached 1,720 feet high | ||
** see [[ | ** see [<nowiki/>[[wikipedia:1958_Lituya_Bay,_Alaska_earthquake_and_megatsunami|1958 Lituya Bay, Alaska earthquake and megatsunami was the highest recorded Tsunami (wiki)]]] | ||
* '''2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami''' | * '''2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami''' | ||
** 9.1 magnitude earthquake caused a 900-mile fault line between the Indian and Burnma tectonic plates | ** 9.1 magnitude earthquake caused a 900-mile fault line between the Indian and Burnma tectonic plates | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
== Name origins (etymology) and unusual or odd names | == Volcanos == | ||
* '''Mt. Mayon, Philippines''' | |||
** a stratovolcano that has a near-perfectly symmetric, or "perfect", cone | |||
** = the most active volcano in the Philippines | |||
** traditionally worshipped | |||
** see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayon | |||
* '''Mt. St. Helens, Washington (state)''' | |||
** an active stratovolcano | |||
** part of the "Cascades Volcanic Arc" | |||
** lies 52 miles from Portland, OR | |||
** erupted on May 18, 1980 | |||
** "lateral" eruption (sideways instead of straight up) | |||
*** was triggered a 5.1 magnitude earthquake | |||
** deadliest volcano in U.S. history | |||
*** 57 people killed | |||
*** destroyed 200 homes, 47 bridges, 185 miles of highway | |||
** the eruption's thermal explosion equivalent was 24 megatons (1600 times the power of the Hiroshima atomic bomb) | |||
** as a result of the eruption: | |||
*** mountain summit elevation dropped from 9,677 to 8336 | |||
*** left a 1-mile wide crater | |||
*** Yakima, WA received 4-5 inches of ash | |||
**** Portland, OR, only received about 1/2-inch of ash, as the winds blew the ash northeastward from the explosion | |||
** researcher David Johnston and photographer Robert Landsburg were killed during the eruption | |||
*** Landsburg had protected his camera and film with his body, which were recovered | |||
*** another photographer, Gary Rosenquist and his companions were 11 miles away and survived the blast due to the land topography, which protected them | |||
*** Rosenquist's photos have been compiled into a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTIyBsPagro | |||
** Mt. St. Helens was remained active until 2008, when a new lava dome emerged | |||
* Volcano pranks | |||
** '''Mt. Edgecumbe, Sitka, Alaska''', 1974 April Fools Volcano Prank | |||
** '''Great Blue Hill, Milton, MA''' 1980 eruption prank | |||
** see https://school4schools.com/wiki/index.php?title=Famous_hoaxes#Geographic_hoaxes | |||
<gallery widths=300px heights=200px caption="Volcanos gallery"> | |||
File:Mt.Mayon tam3rd.jpg|thumb|Mt.Mayon, Philippines, with a "perfect" cone (wikipedia) | |||
File:MSH80 eruption mount st helens 05-18-80-dramatic-edit.jpg|thumb|MSH80 eruption mount st helens 05-18-80 (wikipedia) | |||
File:Mount St. Helens, one day before the devastating eruption.jpg|thumb|Mount St. Helens pictured the day before the 1980 eruption (wikipedia) | |||
File:MSH80 st helens from johnston ridge 09-10-80.jpg|thumb|Mount St. Helens four months after the eruption (wikipedia) | |||
</gallery> | |||
= Physical geography extremes = | |||
== Highest, lowest extremes == | |||
* the deepest spot on earth is 7,169.3 ft lower than Mt. Everest is high | |||
* Lowest spot on surface of the earth | |||
** underwater: | |||
*** Mariana Trench | |||
[[File:Marianatrenchmap.png|right|200px|thumb|Location of the Mariana Trench (wiki)]] | |||
**** located in the South Pacific Ocean, deepest landform on earth | |||
**** 1,580 mi long, 43 mi wide, max. depth 36,201 ft | |||
* click EXPAND for more on the Mariana Trench and other trenches | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
**** the lowest point is called "Challenger Deep" | |||
**** it has been reached by humans six times | |||
*** the 2nd deepest trench is the Tonga Trench in the Pacific with has max. depth of 35702 ft | |||
*** other trenches in the Pacific Ocean are nearly as deep, including the Philippine Trench and the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench | |||
[[File:Atlantic-trench.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Atlantic-trench (wiki)]] | |||
*** the deepest trench in the Atlantic Ocean is the Puerto Rico Trench, which is 28,900 ft at its max. deep point | |||
</div> | |||
* lowest point on the land surface: | |||
** the Dead Sea (Israel, Palestine & Jordan), 1419 ft below sea level | |||
** 2nd lowest point on earth: Turfan Depression (China), 505 ft. below sea level | |||
*** this 2nd lowest point excludes other areas in the Dead Sea | |||
** 3rd lowest point on earth: Lake Assal (Djibouti, part of the Afar Depression), 502 ft below sea level | |||
** lowest point in US: Death Valley, 282 ft below sea level | |||
** 2nd lowest point in US: Bombay Beach (California, along the Salton Sea, 226 ft below sea level | |||
* click EXPAND for more on the Salton Sea | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
*** the Salton Sea is a salt-water lake in Southern California at the Mexico border | |||
**** the Salton Sea has been fed by the Colorado River, which currently flows to the east of the lake, but in its modern form was created by diverter water from the river in 1900, which created the lake on dry lake bed. | |||
**** The Salton Sea is known as the fastest water for speedboat racing water in the world (see [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea#Powerboat_racing Salton Sea#Powerboat racing (wiki)]] | |||
</div> | |||
** continent with the "highest lowest point": Europe | |||
*** the Caspian Depression, location of the Caspian Sea is 92 ft below sea level | |||
*** the lowest point in Europe is in the coastal area, Zuidplaspolder, in the Netherlands, which is 23 ft below sea level | |||
* deepest cave: Krubera Cave (Georgia - the nation): 7,188 ft deep | |||
* highest mountain on earth: Mt Everest: 29,031.7 ft | |||
* highest mountain outside of the Himalaya-Karakoram range: Mt. Tirich Mir (Pakistan), in the Hindu Kush | |||
* highest mountain outside of Asia: Mt. Aconcagua (Argentina) 22,835 ft | |||
* highest volcano: Mt. Ojos del Salado (Argentina & Chile), 22,615 ft | |||
* tallest mountain from its base: Mt. Mauna Kea, Hawaii, has combined elevation of 33,480 from its base on the ocean floor | |||
* lake | |||
** highest lake: a water-filled crater on Mt. Ojos del Salado (Argentina & Chile), 22,615 ft | |||
** highest "navigable" lake: Lake Titicaca (Bolivia & Peru), 12,507 ft | |||
= Name origins (etymology) and unusual or odd names = | |||
* etymology is the study of the origin of words | * etymology is the study of the origin of words | ||
== Country names == | |||
* Literal Meanings of Country Names map | * Literal Meanings of Country Names map | ||
** a credit card travel service in Australia created a world map showing the "literal translation" of names of every country | ** a credit card travel service in Australia created a world map showing the "literal translation" of names of every country | ||
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** the apocryphal origin is that, due to the treacherous mountains, miners warned those who wanted to strike gold there, "To Hell You Ride!" | ** the apocryphal origin is that, due to the treacherous mountains, miners warned those who wanted to strike gold there, "To Hell You Ride!" | ||
= Political geography fun facts = | |||
* countries that have no capital | * countries that have no capital | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | ||
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** Faroe Islands | ** Faroe Islands | ||
= Political geography oddities = | |||
>> to do: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vennbahn | |||
== Enclaves & exclaves == | |||
[[File:Baarle-Nassau frontière café.jpg|thumb|Border in Baarle between Belgium and Netherlands]] | |||
* see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enclave_and_exclave | * see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enclave_and_exclave | ||
* enclave = a country or territory that is entirely surrounded by another country or territory | * enclave = a country or territory that is entirely surrounded by another country or territory | ||
** "enclave" is derived from the Latin ''inclavare'' for "to close with a key," meaning one property that is entirely surrounded by another property | ** "enclave" is derived from the Latin ''inclavare'' for "to close with a key," meaning one property that is entirely surrounded by another property | ||
** nation state enclaves: | ** nation state enclaves: | ||
* '''Vatican City''' (within Italy) | * '''Vatican City''' (within Italy) | ||
* '''San Marino''' (within Italy) | * '''San Marino''' (within Italy) | ||
* '''Losotho''' (within South Africa) | * '''Losotho''' (within South Africa) | ||
** note: these nations are not exclaves since they are not separated from a mainland territory | ** note: these nations are not exclaves since they are not separated from a mainland territory | ||
==== semi-enclave states ==== | |||
* are surrounded by another state by land but also have a water border, such as: | |||
* | |||
** '''Monaco''' (surrounded by France and the Mediterranean Sea) | ** '''Monaco''' (surrounded by France and the Mediterranean Sea) | ||
** '''The Gambia''' (surrounded by Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean) | ** '''The Gambia''' (surrounded by Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean) | ||
** '''Brunei''' (surrounded by the Malaysian state, Sarawak and the South China Sea) | ** '''Brunei''' (surrounded by the Malaysian state, Sarawak and the South China Sea) | ||
** '''Singapore''' (surrounded by Malaysia and the Strait of Singapore | ** '''Singapore''' (surrounded by Malaysia and the Strait of Singapore | ||
** Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, Spain (a disputed semi-exclave that is on a rocky isthmus/ island in Morrocco and whose residents are all Spanish military personnel) | |||
** several other enclave states exist politically independent but are not recognized officially as independent nations | ** several other enclave states exist politically independent but are not recognized officially as independent nations | ||
* | === exclave === | ||
* | * = a territory or part of a country that is separated from the main country or territory and surrounded by one other country | ||
* '''Madha''' (or "Wadi Madha"), territory of Oman, is located entirely within by Nahwa, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) | |||
** '''Nahwa''', territory of the Emirate of Sharjah (part of UAE), is itself an enclave within Oman | |||
** Nahwa, territory of the Emirate of Sharjah (part of UAE), is itself an enclave within Oman | ** '''Musandam''' is an associated exclave of Oman with Madha | ||
** Musandam is an associated exclave of Oman with Madha | * '''Llívia''' is territory of Spain that is within France. | ||
* Llívia is territory of Spain that is within France. | * '''Campione d'Italia''', territory of Italy is within Switzerland. | ||
* Campione d'Italia, territory of Italy is within Switzerland. | * '''Büsingen am Hochrhein''', territory of Germany is within Switzerland. | ||
* Büsingen am Hochrhein, territory of Germany is within Switzerland. | |||
* Likoma and Chizumulu Islands in Lake Malawi are Malawi territory surrounded by Mozambique territorial waters. | * Likoma and Chizumulu Islands in Lake Malawi are Malawi territory surrounded by Mozambique territorial waters. | ||
====exclave within multiple nations==== | |||
** Nakhchivan, separated territory of Azerbaijan, is surrounded by Armenia, Turkey and Iran | ** Nakhchivan, separated territory of Azerbaijan, is surrounded by Armenia, Turkey and Iran | ||
* United Arab Emirates (UAE) | * United Arab Emirates (UAE) | ||
| Line 431: | Line 602: | ||
** of these, Dubai (exclave: Hatta), Ajman (exclaves: Masfout & Manama), Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah have exclaves that are surrounded by another nation: | ** of these, Dubai (exclave: Hatta), Ajman (exclaves: Masfout & Manama), Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah have exclaves that are surrounded by another nation: | ||
*** Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah (and Nahwa which is also an enclave) | *** Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah (and Nahwa which is also an enclave) | ||
==== semi-exclave ==== | |||
* = territory or part of a country that is separated from the main country or territory and surrounded by another country and a large body of water | |||
* Kaliningrad Oblast: Russian exclave territory 200 miles from mainland Russia that is surrounded by Poland and the Baltic Sea | * Kaliningrad Oblast: Russian exclave territory 200 miles from mainland Russia that is surrounded by Poland and the Baltic Sea | ||
** Kaliningrad was allocated to the Soviet Union at the Potsdam Conference in 1945, which divided Europe between the allied powers at the end of World War II | ** Kaliningrad was allocated to the Soviet Union at the Potsdam Conference in 1945, which divided Europe between the allied powers at the end of World War II | ||
* Crimea: "de jure" (legally) Ukraine territory that is occupied by Russia and is therefore a de facto (in fact) Russian semi-exclave surrounded by Ukraine and the Black Sea. | * Crimea: "de jure" (legally) Ukraine territory that is occupied by Russia and is therefore a de facto (in fact) Russian semi-exclave surrounded by Ukraine and the Black Sea. | ||
==== U.S. state semi-exclaves==== | |||
* Alaska is a semi-exclave in that it is separated from the main country and surrounded by another country (Canada) and by a large body of water (Bering Sea and the Pacific and Arctic Oceans) | * Alaska is a semi-exclave in that it is separated from the main country and surrounded by another country (Canada) and by a large body of water (Bering Sea and the Pacific and Arctic Oceans) | ||
* Alburgh, VT is on the Alburgh Tongue on the tip of a peninsula from Canada that extends into Lake Champlain | * Alburgh, VT is on the Alburgh Tongue on the tip of a peninsula from Canada that extends into Lake Champlain | ||
* Hyder, AK is located | * Hyder, AK is located | ||
** Hyder is Alaska's easternmost town and can only be reached by road by passing through Canada. Hyder is not technically an exclave, in that it is connected to Alaska, although it lies at the tip of a | ** Hyder is Alaska's easternmost town and can only be reached by road by passing through Canada. Hyder is not technically an exclave, in that it is connected to Alaska, although it lies at the tip of a peninsula created by the Salmon River | ||
* Point Roberts, WA is located at the southern tip of the Tsawwassen peninsula, Vancouver, Canada and can only be reached by land from the U.S. by going through Canada | * Point Roberts, WA is located at the southern tip of the Tsawwassen peninsula, Vancouver, Canada and can only be reached by land from the U.S. by going through Canada | ||
* note: Hawaii is not technically an exclave, as it has no borders with another nation, although, as an island, it is separated from teh mainland U.S. | * note: Hawaii is not technically an exclave, as it has no borders with another nation, although, as an island, it is separated from teh mainland U.S. | ||
==== places that are both enclaves and exclaves ==== | |||
** not independent countries, but part of one country that are surrounded by another | ** not independent countries, but part of one country that are surrounded by another | ||
* Artsvashen, territory of Armenia, is within Azerbaijan | * Artsvashen, territory of Armenia, is within Azerbaijan | ||
* Dahagram-Angarpota, territory of Bangladesh that is within India | * Dahagram-Angarpota, territory of Bangladesh that is within India | ||
* Baarle-Hertog, small territories of Belgium that are within the Netherlands | * Baarle-Hertog, small territories of Belgium that are within the Netherlands | ||
* Nahwa, territory of the Emirate of Sharjah (part of UAE), is itself an enclave within Oman | * Nahwa, territory of the Emirate of Sharjah (part of UAE), is itself an enclave within Oman | ||
==== India & Bangladesh: enclaves and counter-enclaves ===== | |||
** Bangladesh contains: | |||
*** 102 enclaves of Indian territory | |||
**** which have 21 counter-enclaves (enclaves within an enclave) of Bangladesh territory | |||
**** and 1 counter-counter enclave of Indian territory | |||
** India contains: | |||
*** 71 enclaves of Bangladesh territory | |||
*** which have 7 counter-enclaves | |||
* until 2015, Bangladesh contained world's only counter-counter-counter enclave | |||
** Dahala Khagrabari was Indian territory inside Bangladesh inside India inside Bangladesh | |||
*** Dahala Khagrabari was extremely poor and lacked basic services due to the complicated territorial arrangements | |||
click EXPAND for more on the India-Bangladesh enclaves | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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** a story of the origin of this complicated border is that it resulted from a bet on a card or chess game between a Raja and a Maharaja | |||
*** this is likely not historical; more likely the enclaves were the result of arrangements and settled disputes between local kings and lords over time | |||
*** the first historical treaty defining this border was in 1713 during the Mughal Empire | |||
**** the 1947 "partition of India" further complicated the border | |||
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</div> | |||
* See | |||
** For full list see: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_enclaves_and_exclaves#Enclaves_that_are_also_exclaves Enclaves that are also exclaves (wiki)]] | ** For full list see: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_enclaves_and_exclaves#Enclaves_that_are_also_exclaves Enclaves that are also exclaves (wiki)]] | ||
== Landlocked countries == | |||
* = countries that have no coastal borders | * = countries that have no coastal borders | ||
* click EXPAND to see a list of some prominent landlocked countries: | * click EXPAND to see a list of some prominent landlocked countries: | ||
| Line 481: | Line 665: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
=== Largest | = Political geography extremes = | ||
=== countries with most islands === | |||
# Sweden (267,570) | |||
# Norway (239,057) | |||
# Finland (178,947) | |||
# Japan (120,729) | |||
# Canada (52,455 | |||
* followed by Chile, U.S., Indonesia, Australia and Philippines | |||
=== countries with most inhabited islands === | |||
# United States (10,000) | |||
# Indonesia (6,000) | |||
# South Korea (2,876) | |||
# Philippines (2,000) | |||
# Sweden (984) | |||
=== largest archipelagic states === | |||
* archipelagic = made up of islands | |||
** so, archipelagic states = countries that are island-based | |||
# Indonesia (1,904,569 sq km) | |||
# Papua New Guinea (462,840 sq km) | |||
# Philippines (300,000 sq km) | |||
=== largest nations by size === | |||
[[File:Fuller projection with largest countries.svg|thumb|Dymaxion map of the world with the 30 largest countries and territories by total area according to the table below, roughly to scale]] | |||
* worldwide: 10 largest countries by size | |||
# Russia | |||
# Canada | |||
# United States | |||
# China | |||
# Brazil | |||
# Australia | |||
# India | |||
# Argentina | |||
# Kazakhstand | |||
# Algeria | |||
* note | |||
** if it were a country, Antarctica would be the 2nd largest | |||
** if Greenland is included as part of Denmark, it would be the 12th largest country in the world | |||
=== smallest nations by size === | |||
* worldwide: 5 smallest countries by size | |||
# Vatican City (enclave in Italy; 0.19 sq mi) | |||
# Monaco (enclave in France ; 0.77 sq mi) | |||
# Nauru (Polynesia; 8.1 sq mi) | |||
# Tuvalu (Polynesia; 10 sq mi) | |||
# San Marino (enclave in Italy; 24 sq mi) | |||
=== largest nations by population === | |||
* worldwide: 10 largest countries by population | |||
# China | |||
# India | |||
# United States | |||
# Indonesia | |||
# Pakistan | |||
# Nigeria | |||
# Brazil | |||
# Bangladesh | |||
# Russia | |||
# Mexico | |||
=== smallest nations by population === | |||
* worldwide: 5 smallest countries by population | |||
# Vatican City | |||
# Tuvalu | |||
# Nauru | |||
# Pauau | |||
# San Marino | |||
=== Largest /small nations by size & population per continent === | |||
* click EXPAND for the answers | * click EXPAND for the answers | ||
'''Africa''' | '''Africa''' | ||
| Line 543: | Line 755: | ||
** it is also a semi-enclave surrounded by Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean | ** it is also a semi-enclave surrounded by Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
* | * smallest country in Africa, including islands: | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | ||
* '''Seychelles''' | * '''Seychelles''' | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
highest population in Africa: | country with highest population in Africa: | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | ||
* '''Nigeria''' | * '''Nigeria''' | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
2nd highest population in Africa: | country with 2nd highest population in Africa: | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | ||
** '''Ethiopia''' | ** '''Ethiopia''' | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
lowest population in mainland Africa: | country with lowest population in mainland Africa: | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | ||
* '''Djibouti''' | * '''Djibouti''' | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
lowest population in Africa among independent nations (territories excluded) and including island states: | country with lowest population in Africa among independent nations (territories excluded) and including island states: | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | ||
* '''Seychelles''' | * '''Seychelles''' | ||
| Line 589: | Line 801: | ||
* largest countries in Europe by population | * largest countries in Europe by population | ||
* Smallest countries in Europe by population | * Smallest countries in Europe by population | ||
=== International border extremes === | |||
* longest border: U.S. and Canada | |||
** includes the Great Lakes, so not a continuous land border | |||
* longest continuous land border: Russia and Kazakhstan | |||
* most crossed border: U.S. and Mexico | |||
* longest border without military defense: U.S. and Canada | |||
* shortest border: at Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, a Spanish exclave on coast of Morrocco, has a border 264 ft long | |||
* most militarized border: North and South Korea | |||
* highest border (hint: it's also the highest point on earth): China and Nepal at Mt. Everest | |||
** the border crosses the summit | |||
| Line 625: | Line 850: | ||
Regional extremes | === Regional extremes=== | ||
= Resources & websites = | |||
* [https://www.atlasobscura.com/categories/geographic-oddities atlasobscura.com Geographic Oddities] | * [https://www.atlasobscura.com/categories/geographic-oddities atlasobscura.com Geographic Oddities] | ||
* [https://www.joelstrait.com/geographical_oddities_of_the_united_states/#:~:text=%20Geographical%20Oddities%20of%20the%20United%20States%20,a%20portion%20of%20the%20border%20between...%20More%20 joelstrait.com Geography Oddities of the United States ] | * [https://www.joelstrait.com/geographical_oddities_of_the_united_states/#:~:text=%20Geographical%20Oddities%20of%20the%20United%20States%20,a%20portion%20of%20the%20border%20between...%20More%20 joelstrait.com Geography Oddities of the United States ] | ||
* Guess the Google Street View location at www.GeoGuesser.com | |||
= Geography jokes = | |||
* see also [https://school4schools.com/wiki/index.php?title=Social_Studies_skills#History_jokes_.26_jokes_from_history history jokes (s4s wiki)] | * see also [https://school4schools.com/wiki/index.php?title=Social_Studies_skills#History_jokes_.26_jokes_from_history history jokes (s4s wiki)] | ||
* What'd the volcano have for dessert? | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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Baklava! | |||
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</div> | |||
=== U.S. states names === | === U.S. states names === | ||
* What did Tennessee? | * What did Tennessee? | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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** The same thing as Arkansas | ** The same thing as Arkansas | ||
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</div> | |||
* How did Florida? | * How did Florida? | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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** She died of Missouri | ** She died of Missouri | ||
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</div> | |||
* What did Delaware? | * What did Delaware? | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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** She wore a New Jersey" | ** She wore a New Jersey" | ||
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</div> | |||
* What's the newest state? | * What's the newest state? | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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** Not sure, but Alaska! | ** Not sure, but Alaska! | ||
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</div> | |||
* How did Wiscon-sin? | * How did Wiscon-sin? | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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** He stole a Nebrask-y | ** He stole a Nebrask-y | ||
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</div> | |||
=== Canada === | |||
* How'd they pick the name Canada? | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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* they decided to pick letters from a hat, and spell it whatever letters came up | |||
** the first letter was C, "eh?" | |||
** the next letter was N, "eh?" | |||
** the last letter was D, "ehy" | |||
** "So that spells C"eh"N"eh"D'eh" | |||
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</div> | |||
=== Europe === | === Europe === | ||
* I had a cousin named Lorraine. And another named Alsace. | * I had a cousin named Lorraine. And another named Alsace. | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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** They never did get along. | ** They never did get along. | ||
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</div> | |||
* Cry me a river | * Cry me a river | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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** Sorry, Crimea is a peninsula, not a river! | ** Sorry, Crimea is a peninsula, not a river! | ||
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</div> | |||
=== Africa === | |||
* What are going to do about it? | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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** I don't know, what are you Uganda do about it? | |||
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</div> | |||
=== Asia === | |||
* Do you know the worst soccer team in the Philippines? | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
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** The Manila Folders | |||
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</div> | |||