17 May

Democratic Republic of Congo: Ebola Outbreak

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Democratic Republic of Congo
Ebola Outbreak
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has traveled 80 miles from the rural countryside into the city of Mbandaka, a city of about a million people.  While only one case is confirmed in Mbandaka, epidemiologists worry that a larger Ebola outbreak is imminent as the city is a major transport hub to the capital city, Kinshasa. So far, the virus has infected 44 people and 23 others are confirmed dead.  The World Health Organization has deployed a new vaccine in the area in hopes of containing the spread.  This map depicts the number of Ebola cases in DR Congo. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source:  BBC
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Venezuela
Inmates Take Control of Prison
Inmates have revolted and taken control of the Helicoide prison in Caracas, Venezuela, as the country prepares for its upcoming presidential election. Imprisoned men have uploaded videos to various social media sites stating that they are fighting back against violations of their human rights. The videos show them breaking their cell locks and screaming for their release. An American political prisoner, Joshua Holt, posted a video saying he feared for his life as other prisoners threatened to kill him. Officials released statements that the situation is now under control, but prisoners rejected these claims online. This map depicts the area around the Helicoide prison. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source: Google Maps
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World
Return of the CFC
On Wednesday, a group of scientists reported that emissions of a banned ozone-depleting industrial gas, CFC-11, are on the rise. Scientists suggest that company(s), probably in East Asia, may secretly be manufacturing the pollutant – a violation of an international accord. Despite being phased out under an environmental pact, the Montreal Protocol, emissions of CFC-11 have risen 25 percent since 2012. CFC-11 and other chlorofluorocarbons deplete the atmospheric ozone that helps filter ultraviolet radiation.The map in this video depicts ozone concentrations over the Antarctic over the past four decades. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source: Washington Post

Yesterday’s Answer

Q: Which spot in the ocean is known as the “Oceanic Point of Inaccessibility” (the point of the ocean that is furthest away from any landmass)?

A: Point Nemo
Point Nemo means “no-one” in Latin, which is fitting for a place so rarely visited by people. The point is located over 1,000 miles from Ducie Island, the closest landmass. 

Source 

Today’s Question

 

Q:  The Aswan High Dam controls the flooding of which major river?

Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in Tomorrow’s DailyGeo.

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