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Asia
Widespread Energy Disruptions
South and Southeast Asia are facing growing energy disruptions as demand rises while Asia remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, particularly from the Persian Gulf. Roughly 90 percent of crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passing through the Strait of Hormuz is bound for Asia, leaving major economies vulnerable to disruptions, price spikes, and shortages. While East Asian nations have significant stockpiles, South and Southeast Asian countries face more immediate supply constraints. Countries across the region have responded with fuel conservation measures, including price caps, alternate driving days, and work-from-home mandates. Rising fuel prices are increasing living costs across the region, highlighting the need for greater energy security and diversified supplies. South Korea and the International Energy Agency are working to strengthen regional cooperation through early-warning systems, coordinated stockpiling, and investments in more resilient and flexible power infrastructure.
This map depicts South Asia’s dependence on Gulf oil before the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis, focusing on Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Al Jazeera
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Japan
120,000 Centenarians
As of September 2026, Japan is the first country in the world to have more than 100,000 residents aged 100 and older. Current estimates put its centenarian population at about 120,000 people. The United States has the second-largest centenarian population, at just over half of Japan’s total. World Population Review estimates the US has 64,000 centenarians, while China ranks third with 39,000. The significant gap between Japan and every other country is linked to the country’s long-standing values of health and longevity. Cultural factors help explain why Japan consistently ranks among the world’s healthiest countries, including active lifestyles, a clean diet, and a strong emphasis on education. Together, these habits contribute significantly to life expectancy for Japanese families. As a result, many older adults in Japan are able to remain independent, active, and engaged well past 100.
This map depicts centenarian population by country. Click on the map to learn more.
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Bolivia
A New Cat on the Map
Scientists have identified a new species of wild cat in the Bolivian Yungas, marking the first newly discovered living cat species in more than a century. Named Leopardus tilcayo, or the tilcayo, the small spotted feline measures just 17-20 inches (42-51 centimeters) from head to rump and weighs about 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms) – making it smaller than an average domestic cat. Researchers confirmed the species by analyzing whole genomes from a broader group referred to as tiger cats living across South America, finding that the tilcayo represents a distinct evolutionary lineage that diverged from its closest relatives about 1.4 million years ago. This discovery began in 2016, when a Bolivian biologist noticed an unusual tiger cat at a wildlife sanctuary. Genomic research subsequently showed the group called “tiger cat” actually is composed of five distinct species. The identification of tilcayo and other distinct lineages provides a clearer picture of South American biodiversity, and helps researchers determine which populations may require targeted conservation efforts.
This map depicts the geographic ranges of tiger cats across South America, including the newly identified tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo) in the Bolivian Yungas, shown in blue. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: Between which two countries has the tiny Pheasant Island changed sovereignty every six months for over 350 years?
A: France and Spain
Pheasant Island, a tiny island in the Bidasoa River between Spain and France, is one of Europe’s most unusual territories, switching nationalities twice a year. For six months, it belongs to Spain, and for the other six, it is French. The island’s unusual history dates back to the aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), one of Europe’s most devastating conflicts. While the Peace of Westphalia ended much of the fighting in 1648, France and Spain continued their struggle for power. Between 1648 and 1659, diplomats met on Pheasant Island for 24 conferences, eventually negotiating the Treaty of the Pyrenees, which ended the conflict between the two powers. The treaty established the Pyrenees as the permanent border between France and Spain, transferred Spanish territories to France, and arranged a royal marriage between the two countries. Because of the island’s role in securing peace, France and Spain ultimately agreed to share it, with the arrangement formalized by the 1856 Treaty of Bayonne. Today, Spain governs Pheasant Island from February 1 to July 31, while France takes over from August 1 to January 31, with the biannual handovers still marked by diplomatic ceremony.
Source
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Q: The Strait of Hormuz was seized by which country in 1515, which institutionalized a licensing system to control and tax maritime trade until the country was expelled in 1622?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in Monday’s DailyGeo.
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