|
|
|
China-United States
Competition for Rare Earths
While progress was reportedly made in trade negotiations between China and the United States at a meeting in London last week, major export restrictions by both countries remain unaddressed. China has imposed restrictions on the exportation of rare earths that are needed for magnets in the American arms industry, while the U.S. has restricted China’s access to chips to utilize artificial intelligence. China holds just under half the world’s known rare earth elements, and controls 69% of mine production and 87% of refined rare earths production. Besides weapons systems, rare earths are vital in most high-end electronic devices used around the world. The U.S. has been making moves to secure supplies apart from China, including signing a major development deal with Ukraine and supporting new mining projects in the U.S. and friendly nations. Advancing transitions to clean energy and more efficient power infrastructure will be highly dependent on continued access to rare earth minerals.
This map depicts countries and areas of the world with known reserves of rare earth minerals, which are critical to modern electronics. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: New York Post
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
United States
Wildfires Rage in New Mexico
Two active wildfires in southwest New Mexico continue to grow, having collectively burned more than 76,000 acres as of this morning. The Trout Fire, which erupted north of Silver City on June 12 has burned nearly 18,300 acres with no containment. The Buck Fire, reported on June 11, is burning southeast of Aragon in Catron County and has scorched over 58,000 acres, with 15% containment. In yesterday’s update on the Buck Fire, officials said unpredictable winds had intensified fire activity and contributed to the blaze’s expansion, with a warning that hot and dry conditions are likely to persist in the coming days. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a red flag alert for western New Mexico today, cautioning that “critical fire weather conditions” are expected due to extremely low humidity, strong winds, and dry vegetation.
This map depicts the locations of the Buck Fire and Trout Fire in southwest New Mexico, with surrounding areas under a red flag warning. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Newsweek
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
United States
Protections for Pangolins
U.S. officials proposed Monday to protect the pangolin, a small, nocturnal mammal covered in scales, under the Endangered Species Act. The pangolin is “the most trafficked mammal in the world” in large part for its scales, used in traditional Chinese medicine, and meat, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is looking to add protections for four pangolin species native to Asia — including the Chinese, Indian, Sunda, and Philippine pangolin — and three species native to Africa, including the white-bellied, black-bellied, and giant pangolin. Seven species are in danger of extinction. The Endangered Species Act was signed into law in 1973 with bipartisan support and is key for preserving global biodiversity and keeping iconic types of plants and animals, such as the bald eagle, from dying out. The Endangered Species Act protects over 2,000 U.S. and foreign species.
This map depicts the total number of (live equivalent) pangolins seized between 2002 and 2019 in either a source and/or destination country as made available on the UNODC World WISE Database. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What country is home to Europe’s deepest river gorge?
A: Tara Canyon
Located in Montenegro, Tara Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe and the second deepest in the world, at 1,300m (4,300ft) deep. Tara River Canyon is located in the Pljevlja Municipality, in the northwestern part of the country, within Durmitor National Park, which is part of the Dinaric Alps. The Tara rises south of Kolašin and flows down for 90 miles (145 km) before joining the Drina in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In Durmitor National Park, this giant formation of water and rock forms the backbone of an ecosystem home to lynxes, brown bears, chamois, and more than 130 bird species. The primary forest that covers part of the massif is one of the best preserved in Europe. Its exceptionally clear water is so pure that you can safely drink directly from the river.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What U.S. city has been historically called the “northernmost point of the Caribbean”?
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 an outreach effort of the American Geographical Society (AGS) to highlight the importance of geography and geospatial understanding in our day-to-day lives and the pressing issues of the day. AGS intiatives advance geographical education for everyone from high school students to seasoned professionals in the geospatial world, and that work is made possible from the financial support of people like you. If you enjoy DailyGeo and want to help AGS advance geographical learning for future generations, please consider making a donation.
|
|
|
|
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 © 2025 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.
|
|
|
|
|
