26 Oct

India: Tallest Statue Worldwide Inaugurated

<!doctype html>




 


 
India
Tallest Statue Worldwide Inaugurated
A 600-ft (182 m) tall “Statue of Unity” was unveiled yesterday in India and is now the tallest statue in the world – replacing the Spring Temple Buddha in Lushan, China, measuring 420 ft (128 m). The statue depicts Vallabhbhai Patel, the first deputy prime minister of India – also known as the Iron Man. He was one of the main figures leading the country to independence from British rule. The inauguration coincided with the nationwide celebration of Patel’s birthday named “National Unity Day.” The bronze and iron sculpture is located on the banks of the Narmada River in the western Gujarat state, the birth state of Patel. The statue took 33 months to complete.

This map depicts the location of the newly unveiled Statue of Unity in the Gujarat state in India. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source: Maps of India
__________________________________________

 
Nigeria
Shiite Protest, Scores Killed
The minority Shiite group, Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), confirmed on Wednesday that Nigerian security forces had opened fire and killed at least 45 IMN members over two days as they held a procession and protest in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. The police also arrested 400 protesters. Followers of jailed IMN leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky, say they have been repeatedly targeted by authorities. According to Amnesty International, security forces used excessive force with machine guns without warning – a “violation of Nigerian and International law.” Over 250 IMN members were killed by security forces in 2015, when Ibrahim Zakzaky was imprisoned. Human rights critics raised concerns that the repression of IMN and detention of its leader could push the group to become more radicalized. 

This map depicts the location of Abuja, Nigeria where the attacks happened. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source:  VOA News
__________________________________________

 
World
Disappearing Wilderness 
A new study reveals that about 70% of remaining wilderness on Earth lies in just five countries; Russia, Canada, Australia, the U.S., and Brazil. The study defines wilderness as “territory free of human pressures — including settlements, farmland, and transportation infrastructure — over an uninterrupted range of 10,000 sq. km.” Researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) confirm that 77% of land and 87% of oceans have been modified by direct effects of human activities. The article recommends the five countries take leadership and develop international policy to protect what is left of Earth’s wilderness.

This map depicts the Earth’s remaining wilderness. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source: The Guardian

Yesterday’s Answer

Q:What body of water does the world’s longest, newly opened sea-bridge cross? 

A: Pearl River Estuary
The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge is 55 km long and connects Hong Kong to Zhuhai in mainland China.  It crosses the Pearl River Estuary and spans the Lingding and Jiuzhou channels

Source 

Today’s Question

 

Q:  What country holds the largest geothermal power plant in the wolrd?

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

Learn more about the future of energy at Geography 2050: Powering Our Future Planet!

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 staff in our Headquarters for our community of Affiliates to digest on business days. Feel free to share and encourage others to become part of the community too!
Copyright © 2018 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.

Share

Tweet

Forward