|
Greece
Migrant Boat Capsized
A fishing boat carrying refugees and migrants capsized off the coast of Greece, leading to the deaths of at least 78 people, with many others still missing. The boat was believed to be heading to Italy and had departed from Libya when it sank in international waters near Pylos. Around 100 people have been rescued so far, and survivors were taken to Kalamata for medical attention. The search for the missing is ongoing, involving coastguard vessels, a navy frigate, and other resources. This incident highlights the dangers of migration routes in the Mediterranean. Last year, the International Organization for Migration recorded 3,789 deaths on migration routes within and from the Middle East and North Africa.
This map depicts the location of Pylos, Greece, near where a migrant vessel that had launched from Tobruk, Libya sank. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Al Jazeera
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
China
Influence in Latin America
Recent events illustrating China’s growing influence in Latin America and the Caribbean are causing increasing concern for American leadership. In recent days, the Central American country of Honduras cut political ties with Taiwan and opened an embassy in Beijing. US military intelligence also revealed an apparent Chinese plan to build a spy base in Cuba, only 100 miles (161 km) from the United States. From that position, the proposed facility could intercept United States military communications and monitor other military activity. Since 2005, Chinese state banks have loaned $136 billion to Latin American countries for major projects such as energy, infrastructure, stadiums, and COVID vaccine rollouts. Collectively, China’s diplomatic, military, and financial efforts in the region could be viewed as an attempt to roll back American influence.
This map depicts major infrastructure projects in Latin American and the Caribbean funded by China. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Daily Mail
__________________________________________
|
|
Scotland
Record Breaking Heatwave
According to the UK Met Office, several areas of Scotland have officially entered a heatwave. Defined as three or more consecutive days of temperatures above 77°F (25°C), heatwave conditions have been reported across the UK and Ireland this week. Due to an area of high pressure above Scotland, temperatures have been higher than average across May and June, with Threave recording its warmest day ever in over 60 years. Slow-moving high pressure air pockets can stay over an area for days or even weeks at a time. Scottish officials are urging people to take extra care in the sun and prepare for possible summer thunderstorms in the coming days.
This map depicts regions within the UK that have experienced consecutive days with temperatures above 77°F (25°C). Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: In January of 2022, where did a volcanic eruption take place that was so loud it was heard some 6,000 miles away?
A: Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Volcano, Tonga
The volcanic island of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’pai was created by undersea Surtseyan eruptions. In a 2015 eruption, the two separate islands of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’pai were joined into a single island landmass. Beginning in late December of 2021, the submarine volcano began erupting until its climactic violent eruption on January 15th, which obliterated the island. By January 17th, all that remained were two small landmasses, once again separated by the sea. The Kingdom of Tonga is located in Polynesia in the South Pacific, and the blast could be heard as far as 6,000 miles (9,660 km) away in Alaska. The eruption was so intense, estimates from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center put the blast at a 100 times that of the Hiroshima nuclear explosion. It was also so powerful it generated plasma bubbles that disrupted satellite signals in space.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What is the world’s largest and most populous continent?
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 the American Geographical Society (AGS) for the geography community. If you are receiving this email, it is because you are an affiliate of AGS or a participant in one of our programs. Feel free to share and encourage others to become part of the community too!
Copyright © 2023 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.
|
|
|
|
|
