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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 | ||
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==== Doggerland ==== | ==== 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)]] | [[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")''' | * '''Cueva de los Verdes ("the cave of Verdes")''' | ||
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*** [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)] | *** [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"> | <gallery widths="300px" heights="200px" caption="Kirkhelleren gallery"> | ||
File:Kirkhelleren traena nordlan.jpg|thumb|Kirkhelleren cave in Norway (wikipedia) | File:Kirkhelleren traena nordlan.jpg|thumb|Kirkhelleren cave in Norway (wikipedia) | ||
File:Kirkhelleren_Traena.jpg#/media/Fil:Kirkhelleren_Traena.jpg | File:Kirkhelleren_Traena.jpg#/media/Fil:Kirkhelleren_Traena.jpg | ||
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</gallery> | </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> | ||
== Geysers == | |||
* Yellowstone, Wyoming is the largest geyser field in the world | * Yellowstone, Wyoming is the largest geyser field in the world | ||
** has 1,283 geysers that have erupted with 465 active per year | ** has 1,283 geysers that have erupted with 465 active per year | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== Glaciers == | |||
[[File:Receding glacier-en.svg|thumb|Receding glacier-en]] | [[File:Receding glacier-en.svg|thumb|Receding glacier-en]] | ||
* glacier = accumulated and compacted ice | * glacier = accumulated and compacted ice | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== Lakes == | |||
==== Recursive islands and 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]] | [[File:1 taal volcano crater lake 2011.jpg|thumb|Taal Volcano crater lake 2011 (wikipedia) is a lake inside an island inside a lake]] | ||
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* '''Vulcan Point''' in the Philippines has an island inside a lake inside of an island inside a lake | * '''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 ===== | ===== Devil's Tower ===== | ||
* a butte formation in Wyoming that abruptly juts out of the landscape 1,267 ft high | * a butte formation in Wyoming that abruptly juts out of the landscape 1,267 ft high | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== 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]] | [[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===== | ===== Qaṣr Al-Farīd===== | ||
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[[File:White-desert-egypt.jpg|600px|center|Panorama of the White Desert of Egypt|alt=Panorama of the White Desert in Egypt]] | [[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 | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== Sinkholes | === 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> | ||
== Volcanos == | |||
* '''Mt. Mayon, Philippines''' | * '''Mt. Mayon, Philippines''' | ||
** a stratovolcano that has a near-perfectly symmetric, or "perfect", cone | ** a stratovolcano that has a near-perfectly symmetric, or "perfect", cone | ||
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= Physical geography extremes = | |||
== Highest, lowest extremes == | |||
* the deepest spot on earth is 7,169.3 ft lower than Mt. Everest is high | * the deepest spot on earth is 7,169.3 ft lower than Mt. Everest is high | ||
* Lowest spot on surface of the earth | * Lowest spot on surface of the earth | ||
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= 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 | >> to do: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vennbahn | ||
== Enclaves & exclaves == | |||
[[File:Baarle-Nassau frontière café.jpg|thumb|Border in Baarle between Belgium and Netherlands]] | [[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 | ||
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** 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) | ** 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 | * = 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) | * '''Madha''' (or "Wadi Madha"), territory of Oman, is located entirely within by Nahwa, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) | ||
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* '''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==== | ====exclave within multiple nations==== | ||
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** 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: | ||
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= Political geography extremes = | |||
=== countries with most islands === | === countries with most islands === | ||
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=== 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 ] | ||
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* Guess the Google Street View location at www.GeoGuesser.com | * 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)] | ||