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United States
Wildfires Grow in California
The Oak Fire ignited in California’s Sierra Nevadas has quickly grown into the largest fire of the year for the state. While firefighters work to battle the flames that have already destroyed seven structures, officials have ordered the evacuations of over 3,000 people. The fire has burned over 17,000 acres, and around 7,000 people live within 5 miles of the fire. The Oak Fire is near the Washburn Fire, which has been blazing since early July. Both fires pose threats to Yosemite National Park, and the fire protection measures used in combating the Washburn Fire garnered national coverage due to its proximity to the park’s most famous Sequoia Trees. The Oak Fire remains largely uncontained, with officials cautioning local residents of future evacuations.
This map depicts the extent of the Oak and Washburn Fires near Yosemite National Park in California. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Mercury News
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Tunisia
Tunisians Back New Constitution
A new exit poll shows Tunisian voters overwhelmingly backed a new constitution giving President Kai Saied near total rule, shifting powers from the parliament to the presidency. 92 percent of voters in the referendum supported the new constitution, however voter turnout was only at some 25 percent. Regardless of the participation rate, the results of the referendum are set to become law. Critics fear the new constitution will hamper the democratic gains of the 2011 revolution. This comes exactly one year after President Saied ousted an elected parliament and established emergency rule to govern by decree. Western democracies have yet to comment on the proposed new constitution but have urged the country in the last year to return to a democratic path.
This map depicts the location of Tunisia’s capital city Tunis, where the vote on the referendum took place. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Al-Monitor
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Saudi Arabia
$1 Trillion Skyscraper Plan
Saudi Arabia is planning to build two parallel skyscrapers, reaching up to 1,600 feet high and stretching for 75 miles as part of the “Mirror Line” project in Neom, according to confidential documents accessed by the Wall Street Journal. These skyscrapers are expected to cost $1 trillion dollars, crossing mountainous and desert terrain. The two buildings will connect via walkways, and a high-speed train will run between them. They will house 5 million people, and will enable residents to travel end-to-end within 20 minutes. The futuristic, zero-carbon Neom megacity was previously announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who wanted to construct something on the scale of the pyramids of Egypt. The Mirror Line project is targeted to be completed by 2030, however engineers say completion could take up to 50 years. Human rights violations and forced removals have caused pushback against the construction of Neom.
This map depicts the new desert city of Neom, where Mirror Line will be located. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: With a length of 8.6 miles (14 km), what is the longest freshwater beach in the world?
A: Wasaga Beach, Canada
Wasaga Beach is the longest freshwater beach in the world, located in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada, around 93 miles (150 km) north of Toronto. The beach is situated within Wasaga Beach National Park, in the Town of Wasaga Beach. The freshwater beach is on the shores of Georgian Bay at the mouth of the Nottawasaga River. Georgian Bay is the northeastern arm of Lake Huron, the second largest of the Great Lakes. Because of its naturally fresh water, Wasaga Beach meets the strict standards of a ‘Blue Flag‘ beach for water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, and eco-friendliness. Wasaga Beach first made headlines in 1934 when the first overseas fight from mainland Canada to England used the beach’s long, flat sandy beach as the take off strip.
Source
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Q: What is Europe’s busiest port?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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