|
Nigeria
Seasonal Flooding Disaster
Since the rainy season began in June, Nigeria has been struggling with the worst floods to hit West Africa in a decade. Around 600 people have lost their lives, more than 2,000 people have been injured, and about 1.3 million have been displaced. Large areas of farmland and critical infrastructure have also been destroyed, making the coordination of disaster management response even more challenging. Concerns over the spread of disease and supply of food and power remain top priorities. While seasonal flooding is not new to Nigeria, this year’s volume of water increased significantly by heavy rainfall in Cameroon, resulting in more water streaming down from Lagdo Dam. Flooding is expected to continue until the end of November in the southern part of Nigeria.
This map depicts the flood extent at different points throughout northern Nigeria. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: HumAngle Media
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Iran
Prison Death Toll Rises to Eight
The official death toll from a fire over the weekend at Evin, an Iranian prison in the capital city Tehran, has risen to eight. Hundreds of people have been sent to the prison for taking part in anti-government protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, constituting the largest public opposition to the Islamic Republic leadership since the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The prison is known for holding political prisoners and has been previously accused of human rights abuses by the United States government. Iranian authorities state the fire began due to a fight amongst inmates in a prison workshop, but it is uncertain if the fire is connected to the national unrest. Human rights groups report at least 240 people have been killed during to the protests along with over 8,000 arrested throughout 111 cities and towns across the country.
This map depicts the location of Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran, where at least eight inmates were killed in a fire over the weekend. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Yahoo News UK
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Space
Lucy’s First Earth Gravity Assist
A year after its launch, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft has managed to complete the first of many Earth gravity assists on its journey to explore nine of the Trojan Asteroids in Jupiter’s orbit. In order to guarantee a close flyby of Earth, Lucy completed multiple correction maneuvers and minor burns to place the spacecraft on a trajectory as close to Earth as possible. The purpose of a gravity assist is to use a planetary body’s gravitational force to alter a spacecraft’s trajectory. Lucy used Earth’s gravity to gain speed and increase its orbital period by two years. At its closest approach, Lucy came just 218 miles (351 km) from Earth’s surface, which is closer than most orbiting spacecrafts – including the ISS. Lucy’s second gravity assist with Earth is set to occur on December 13, 2024, and will begin the spacecraft’s multi-year journey to visit multiple asteroids.
This map depicts the planned orbital path of Lucy, a NASA spacecraft designed to explore Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: Sometimes referred to as “Africa in miniature,” which West African country features diverse geographic regions of mountains, desert, savanna, rainforest, and coastal plain?
A: Cameroon
Cameroon sits just above the Equator in West Africa and is bordered by six countries – Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. Its southwest border hugs the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Cameroon’s rainforests in the southern region are home to red and green monkeys, chimps, gorillas, bats, and a large diversity of birds. Some elephants can be found within the forest and in the grassy woodlands, also home to baboons and antelopes. Waza National Park in the northern region was originally established to protect Cameroon’s wild elephants, giraffes, and forest and savanna animals, including lions and leopards. Germany’s defeat in World War I played a huge role in the making of Cameroon’s borders. Between 1884 and 1916, Germany had managed to unite Cameroon’s southern and northern areas, however after WWI, the French held tightly to the east from the capital city of Yaoundé, while the western British area was more loosely ruled from Nigeria. Cameroon’s current borders were established when it officially gained independence in 1960.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: There are 63 National Parks in the United States, congressionally designated protected areas by the National Park Service. How many are located in the west?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
|
|
|
|
|
AGS is accepting DailyGeo GeoQuestion suggestions.
Write to ags@americangeo.org with any ideas!
Please include GeoQuestions in the subject line, along with your answer and source.
|
|
|
|
DailyGeo is a daily digital communication created by AGS for the geography community. Feel free to share and encourage others to become part of the community too!
Copyright © 2022 American Geographical Society, All rights reserved.
We understand this might not be for everyone. Although we would hate to see you go, you can unsubscribe here.
How are we doing? We want to hear your feedback on the DailyGeo – what are we doing right and what should we be doing differently. Talk to us by emailing ags@americangeo.org.
|
|
|
|
|
