|
|
|
United States
Response to Unemployment
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks monthly employment and unemployment rates at the state level. According to Business Insider, almost all states still had fewer jobs than before the pandemic at the end of last year, but just how far these states are from reaching previous employment levels vary. For instance, states that rely heavily on harder-hit industries such as tourism have suffered more compared to those states that have more jobs in tech and finance. Hawaii, Michigan, and New York had the highest percent declines, ranging from -10.7% in New York to -13.6% in Hawaii whereas Idaho and Utah were slightly above, at 0.2% and 0.3% respectively. To provide aid, the Senate passed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that includes direct payments of up to $1,400 to most Americans, a $300 weekly boost to jobless benefits into September, and an expansion of the child tax credit for one year as reported by CNBC News. It also puts new funding into COVID-19 vaccine distribution and testing, rental assistance for struggling households, and K-12 schools for reopening costs.
This map depicts the percent change in nonfarm employment from February to December 2020. Click on map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________
|
|
Equatorial Guinea
Fires Trigger Massive Explosions
Fires purposely set to clear stubble from farmland have been blamed for igniting a store of munitions at the Nkoa Ntoma military camp on the outskirts of Bata, causing a series of massive explosions that rocked the city on March 7. The Health Ministry confirmed at least 20 dead and over 600 injured by the blasts. A statement from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema blamed the explosions on “negligence” by military personnel responsible for handling and storing explosives. The President’s statement said “the impact of the explosion caused damage in almost all the houses and buildings in Bata.” Bata is the largest city and former capital of Equatorial Guinea, a small country of 1.3 million people on Africa’s Atlantic Coast.
These maps depict the location of Equatorial Guinea and the location of the military barracks in the main city of Bata. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
Graphic Source: BBC
__________________________________________
|
|
Iraq
Pope Francis Visits
Pope Francis began his historic trip to Iraq on Friday, marking the first papal visit to the country. Iraqi Christians have a legacy dating nearly 2,000 years, but have faced systematic oppression and violence from militant groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS, causing a wide-scale diaspora threatening the community’s survival. Pope Francis met with Christian communities in Baghdad, Mosul, Ebril, and Qaraqosh before returning to Rome this morning. He hopes to bring attention to the tragedy Christians have faced in the region and inspire them to stay in their communities.
This map depicts the areas Pope Francis visited while in Iraq. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
 |
Q: Spanning approximately 3,450 square miles (8,940 km2), which UNESCO World Heritage Site contains the world’s oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforests?
A: Wet Tropics of Queensland
Declared a World Heritage Site in 1988, the Wet Tropics of Queensland are located in northeastern Australia, near the Great Barrier Reef. The site contains 16 different types of rainforest, spans 13 river systems, and is home to Australia’s highest waterfall, Wallaman Falls. The rainforests are believed to contain relics of the great Gondwanan forest that covered Australia and part of Antarctica 50 to 100 million years ago.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: In 2020, which country was ranked the closest in the world toward achieving gender parity by the World Economic Forum for the eleventh year in a row?
|
|
|
|
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 © 2021 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. |
|
|
|
|
