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Somalia
Historic Regional Elections Held
Puntland, one of Somalia’s five federal states, conducted municipal council elections on Thursday. This is the first one-person, one-vote direct election in Somalia since 1969. The election in the state, which declared autonomy in 1998, has come with controversy, as some opposition parties accuse Puntland’s President, Said Abdullahi Deni, of manipulating the election. Deni, in turn, has accused the central Somalian government in Mogadishu of trying to influence the election results and undermine Puntland’s autonomy. The run-up to the vote resulted in armed confrontation on the outskirts of Garowe, killing 15 and injuring nine other.
This map depicts Puntland, Somalia, a semi-autonomous region, holding its first popular election since 1969. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: VOA News
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World
Global Lakes Shrinking
A recent study revealed over half of the world’s largest lakes and reservoirs have been shrinking since the early 1990s due to climate change and unsustainable human consumption. They found 53% of these water bodies experienced a decline in water storage, losing approximately 22 gigatonnes of water per year. This loss amounts to 17 times the volume of Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States. Both wet and dry regions have experienced shrinkage. The findings have significant implications as 25% of the global population – around two billion people – live in a lake basin and are experiencing a declining trend. The researchers believe this data underscores the urgent need for sustainable consumption strategies and climate mitigation measures.
This map depicts the shrinkage and expansion of lakes from around the world. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Daily Tribune
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Spain
Orcas Attacking Vessels
On Thursday, a group of orcas, also known as killer whales, severely damaged a boat on the Southern coast of Spain near the Cadiz province. Earlier that day, the same group of orcas destroyed parts of the Mustique, a luxury yacht, near Gibraltar. The Atlantic Orca Working Group (GTOA), an organization tracking populations of the Iberian orca sub-species, found these occurrences are increasingly common, as 15 other incidents have transpired. Some biologists researching the attacks believe an orca traumatized by a prior incident with a boat may be teaching other orcas to retaliate. The Spanish Transportation Authority has warned sea travelers to return to land if orcas begin an attack.
This map depicts recent killer whale attacks on ships around the Iberian peninsula. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia?
A: Laos
Laos lies in the center of the Southeast Asian peninsula and is bordered by Cambodia, China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Vietnam. Due to its location, Laos has often been a buffer state between economically-stronger nations, and has been at the crossroads of trade and communication. Laos’ western border is marked by the Mekong River, a critical geographic waterway for transportation, the river provides close ties and connections between Laotian and Thai society and culture. The topography of the country is largely mountainous, with multiple ranges and steep terrain in the northern region, while the southern panhandle has large flat areas, good for paddy rice cultivation and raising livestock. Deforestation continues to increase in severity in Laos as the country expands its commercial industries and a growing population increases pressure.
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Q: What is the northernmost latitudinal line that the sun reaches directly overhead?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in Monday’s DailyGeo.
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