Russia & Ukraine
Attackers Hit Border Towns
The Russian military claims to have repelled a cross-border raid from Ukraine in the Belgorod region, killing over 70 attackers in a 24-hour battle. Moscow blamed Ukrainian military saboteurs, while Kyiv portrayed it as an uprising by Russian partisans against the Kremlin. The Russian Volunteer Corps and the “Freedom of Russia” Legion, comprised of Russian citizens opposing President Putin, have claimed responsibility for the operation. The Russian government has initiated an investigation into alleged terrorism and attempted murder. Elsewhere in the conflict, the leader of the Russian mercenary army, Wagner, claimed to have taken the whole of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, while Ukrainian authorities claim progress in pushing back Russian forces on the city’s outskirts.
This map depicts the area of Russia’s Belgorod region where Russian forces claim to have repelled an attack from Ukraine. Click on the map to learn more.
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Sudan
Food Additive Supply Risk
Sudan’s ongoing civil war has become a threat to the global market for gum arabic, an ingredient used in numerous food and beverage products around the world, especially in soft drinks. Gum arabic comes from the resin produced by the Acacia tree which grows across northern Africa. Sudan is the world’s leader in producing gum arabic, exporting 70 percent of the global raw gum supplies. The market and infrastructure for moving and processing the gum is all located in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, which has also been the center of clashes between Sudan’s military factions. Truckers are unwilling to risk their safety to transport products to Khartoum, and fuel is prohibitively expensive, as well, meaning farmers in areas of the country with no fighting still have few to no options for selling and shipping their product. European gum traders say there is sufficient supply warehoused to absorb shocks to the supply chain, however that could change depending on the length of the conflict in Sudan.
This map depicts the regions of Sudan and northern Africa where gum arabic, a global commodity food additive, is produced. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Barron’s
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Vietnam
Southeast Asia Heatwave
Vietnam recorded its highest-ever temperature on Saturday at 111.4°F (44.1°C) in the city of Thanh Hoa, as Southeast Asia experiences a record-breaking heatwave, spanning urban areas to rural provinces. On May 13th, Singapore experienced its highest daily temperature since 1983 at 98.6°F (37°C). Other cities such as Luang Prabang, Laos; Manila, Philippines; and Taipei, Taiwan, have also been experiencing average temperatures over 99°F. Many researchers point to anthropogenic activities for the cause of the heatwave in the region. The World Meteorological Organization predicts an upcoming El Niño, meaning a lighter rain season, higher temperatures, and regional haze, which will have compounding effects across Southeast Asia.
This map depicts temperature anomalies in Southeast Asia during April 2023 and uses 1990-2020 temperature data as a baseline. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: Which of the four geographic regions in Costa Rica is the cultural, political, and economic core of the country?
A: The Highlands
Costa Rica is the third smallest country in Central America, bounded in the north by Nicaragua and in the south by Panama. On the east is the Caribbean Sea and on the west and south is the Pacific Ocean. A central massif runs across the country from north to south, separating the coastal plains. Although Costa Rica lies within the tropics, its higher altitudinal range creates a varied climate throughout the country. The four distinct geographic regions are the Caribbean Lowlands, the Highlands, the Guanacaste Plains, and Southern Costa Rica. The Highlands include the Central and Talamanca mountain ranges, which almost completely surround Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose, located in the Meseta Central. The Meseta is home to around 60 percent of the country’s population and is characterized by elevations ranging from 3,000 – 4,000 ft, rolling hills with rich soils, and a pleasant climate. The central highlands have the majority of the country’s improved roads, and offers direct access to both coasts by paved highway and air.
Source
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Q: The popular Monstera tropical house plant is native to what region?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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