|
Japan
Fire at Animation Studio
A man who set the Japanese Kyoto Animation studio on fire left 33 dead and 36 injured earlier today. The fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. at the three-story building known for producing TV series like “K-On,” “Clannad,” and “Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid.” Kyoto media reported that it took firefighters approximately five hours to contain the flames. The suspect’s identity and motives have yet to be revealed.
This map depicts the location of the Kyoto Animation studio. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
Graphic Source: BBC
__________________________________________
|
|
Africa
Chinese Loans in Africa
African governments accepted $143 billion in loans from Chinese banks, contractors, and China’s government between 2000 and 2017. Many of those loans—which often carry high interest rates—have been used to fund infrastructure projects in developing regions. All told, China is owed more than $5 trillion as a result of numerous international loans since the millennium, making the Chinese government the world’s largest official creditor. Economists across the globe have raised concerns about whether borrowers will ever be able to pay back the high-interest loans. To that end, many of the deals stipulate that the borrowers give China access to minerals and raw materials in return for capital.
This map depicts the largest loans China has given to African nations between 2000 and 2017. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Graphic News
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Antarctica
Artificial Snow Could Block Sea Level Rises
A new study seeks to stave off catastrophic sea-level rises caused by the melting West Antarctic ice sheet by pumping trillions of tons of artificial snow through snow cannons. The project would require energy from over 12,000 wind turbines to power seawater pumps and the cannons. However, scientists say the project is unlikely to ever happen but note that the “absurdity” of the proposal reflects the drastic consequences of climate change. The Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers in Western Antarctica are experiencing irreversible amounts of melting which could raise global sea levels by 4 feet in the next two centuries and over 10 feet in the end. Just one meter (slightly over 3 feet) of sea-level rise could displace 190 million people and threaten major global coastal cities like New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
This map depicts the location of the proposed artificial snowstorm which could offset irreversible amounts of melting in two major West Antarctic glaciers. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
 |
Q: What are the world’s only three enclaved countries (completely surrounded by another country)?
A: Vatican City, San Marino, and Lesotho
Vatican City and San Marino are both entirely surrounded by Italy; the former is located in Rome, and the latter in the northeast, about 10 miles from the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Lesotho, meanwhile, is completely surrounded by South Africa.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: Located in southern Africa, which nation is the least densely populated in the continent?
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 © 2019 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. |
|
|
|
|
