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Geography fun facts and oddities: Difference between revisions

Geography fun facts and oddities (view source)

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* page organization t.b.d.  
* page organization t.b.d.  


== Physical geography fun facts ==
== Physical geography fun facts ==
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== Physical geography oddities ==
== Physical geography oddities ==
=== Earthquakes ===
=== Earthquakes ===
* 5-largest recorded earthquakes by magnitude:
* 5-largest recorded earthquakes by magnitude:
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** [[https://www.history.com/news/deadliest-tsunami-2004-indian-ocean The 2004 Tsunami Wiped Away Towns With 'Mind-Boggling' Destruction (History.com)]]
** [[https://www.history.com/news/deadliest-tsunami-2004-indian-ocean The 2004 Tsunami Wiped Away Towns With 'Mind-Boggling' Destruction (History.com)]]
</div>
</div>
== 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 ==
== Name origins (etymology) and unusual or odd names ==
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* '''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:
==== 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
* ====exclave====
* Madha (or "Wadi Madha"), territory of Oman, is located entirely within by Nahwa, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
* = a territory or part of a country that is separated from the main country or territory and surrounded by one other country
** Nahwa, territory of the Emirate of Sharjah (part of UAE), is itself an enclave within Oman
* '''Madha''' (or "Wadi Madha"), territory of Oman, is located entirely within by Nahwa, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
** Musandam is an associated exclave of Oman with Madha
** '''Nahwa''', territory of the Emirate of Sharjah (part of UAE), is itself an enclave within Oman
* Llívia is territory of Spain that is within France.
** '''Musandam''' is an associated exclave of Oman with Madha
* Campione d'Italia, territory of Italy is within Switzerland.
* '''Llívia''' is territory of Spain that is within France.
* Büsingen am Hochrhein, territory of Germany is within Switzerland.  
* '''Campione d'Italia''', territory of Italy 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====
** 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)
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** 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)
* enclaves and counter-enclaves  
==== 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 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.
====  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)
* 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 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
* 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
* Artsvashen, territory of Armenia, is within Azerbaijan
* Dahagram-Angarpota, territory of Bangladesh that is within India
* 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
==== India & Bangladesh: enclaves and counter-enclaves =====
** Bangladesh contains:
** Bangladesh contains:
*** 102 enclaves of Indian territory
*** 102 enclaves of Indian territory
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-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
</div>
</div>
* 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
* See
* 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
* 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. 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)
* 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 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
* 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.
* some places that are both enclaves and exclaves
** not independent countries, but part of one country that are surrounded by another
* Artsvashen, territory of Armenia, is within Azerbaijan
* Dahagram-Angarpota, territory of Bangladesh that is within India
* 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
** 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)]]


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</div>
</div>


== 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


== Political geography extremes ==
== Political geography extremes ==
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=== International border extremes ===
=== International border extremes ===
* longest border: U.S. and Canada
* longest border: U.S. and Canada
** includes the Great Lakes, so not a continuous land border
** includes the Great Lakes, so not a continuous land border
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* most crossed border: U.S. and Mexico
* most crossed border: U.S. and Mexico
* longest border without military defense: U.S. and Canada
* 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
* most militarized border: North and South Korea
* highest border (hint: it's also the highest point on earth): China and Nepal at Mt. Everest
* highest border (hint: it's also the highest point on earth): China and Nepal at Mt. Everest
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