|
|
|
Brazil
Crisis in the Amazon
With more than 250,000 reported cases, Brazil has become the country with the third-highest number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in the world. Some analysts say the exact figure could be up to fifteen times higher than the confirmed figure, as there is insufficient testing in the large South American nation. Many isolated and impoverished indigenous groups in Brazil’s Amazon region are at a higher risk, as their community settlements are located far from medical service providers, surrounded by many of miles of rainforest. This map by the Financial Times shows the officially recognized indigenous territories in Brazil, which are amongst the poorest in South America. In Amazonas, home to many of Brazil’s indigenous territories, more than 1,200 people have already died of COVID-19. Scientists and indigenous chiefs believe the spread of infection can be traced to gold miners and loggers in the region, who have increased illegal activities in the Amazon while national attention has been diverted from environmental protection during the pandemic.
This map depicts the location of the indigenous communities in Brazil under threat from coronavirus. All COVID-19 updates will be displayed in a red box.
|
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________
|
|
Libya
Airbase Captured
UN backed forces have captured the Al-Watiya air base south of Libya’s capital, Tripoli. Al-Watiya is an important defense airbase and supply chain for the National Libyan Army under General Khalifa Hifter. The internationally recognized Government of the National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli, has been launching attacks against Hifter’s forces to capture the al-Watiya base. This is the biggest advance for the GNA, as the imbalance of power is shifting in their favor. Hifter has no further control of airbases in western Libya and UN backed forces are narrowing in. The nation has been divided between the GNA and Hifter and his army since the 2011 uprising.
This map depicts al-Watiya airbase in North-Western Libya. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Guardian
__________________________________________
|
|
Afghanistan
Taliban Attacks on the Rise
At least seven Afghan intelligence personnel were killed by a car bomb in an attack claimed by the Taliban on Monday. At least forty people were wounded in the targeted attack on the National Directorate of Security Unit in Ghazni city. The bomber reportedly used a stolen military Humvee armed with explosives. This comes only a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah formally announced a power sharing agreement after both declared victory in September’s presidential election. The United Nations reports that Afghan civilian casualties reached 380 in April, rising even after the United States’ agreement with the Taliban to remove American forces from the country in return for guaranteed security.
This map depicts the location of the Taliban car bomb attack. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: In which body of water do the Equator and the Prime Meridian intersect?
A: Gulf of Guinea
The intersection of zero degrees latitude (Equator) and zero degrees longitude (Prime Meridian) falls about 380 miles south of Ghana and 670 miles west of Gabon in an area called the Gulf of Guinea located in the Atlantic Ocean. In 2011, Natural Earth GIS Data added an imaginary island at the intersect called Null Island. Since its creation, the island has been given its own geography, flag, and history.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: With drainage basins extending approximately 100,000 square miles, which two rivers are the largest stemming from the Himalayan mountain range?
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 © 2020 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.
|
|
|
|
|
