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United States
Tri-State Quarantine Update
With over 152,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the United States and the continuing increase in cases across the country, there are now 34 states as well as Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. on the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut’s Quarantine List. The governors of the three states implemented a joint quarantine restriction last month for any travelers coming into the area from states averaging daily positive test rates of 10% or 10 new cases per 100,000 residents. Travelers into the tri-state region from any of the restricted states must self-isolate for 14 days. This map by NBC New York uses data from NY.gov and shows that the states of New England, as well as, Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming are the only states not on the quarantine list. The tri-state area was the initial epicenter of the pandemic in the United States but strict lockdown measures since March have allowed for a reduction in COVID-19 infections in the area.
This map depicts the states from where travelers to the tri-state region must self-isolate for 14 days. All COVID-19 updates will be displayed in a red box.
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Afghanistan
Eid al-Adha Ceasefire
Following a month of violence in Afghanistan, the Taliban has called a ceasefire for the duration of Eid al-Adha, an Islamic holiday beginning tomorrow and lasting three days and nights. The Afghan government announced it will be observing the ceasefire, the third in two years, and will soon be releasing hundreds of Taliban prisoners in accordance with February’s US-Taliban deal. Since February, 3,560 Afghan troops and 775 civilians have been killed. As a part of the deal, the United States has had a reduced military presence in the region. Experts say the ceasefire could lead to renewed peace talks starting as early as next week after being delayed for several months.
This map depicts a series of Taliban attacks in Afghanistan during July. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: AFP
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Saudi Arabia
Downsized Hajj Pilgrimage
As one of the five pillars of Islam, the annual Hajj pilgrimage was scaled back this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly 2.5 million pilgrims made the journey to the holy city last year, but only about 10,000 Muslims were able to begin the Hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday. Banning international visitors, only those who reside in the kingdom are able to attend which will make this year’s pilgrimage the smallest recorded in modern history. The city prepared for the pilgrims’ arrival by sanitizing the area, setting up health facilities and mobile clinics, and limiting the number of people, including the press. Those attending are required to be tested and must quarantine before and after the trip to prevent the spread of the virus. Wearing masks and remaining socially distant, the pilgrims are able to continue their five-day journey of circling the Kaaba, praying in Mina, and traveling through Mecca.
This map depicts the route of the Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What promontories at the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar marked the western end of the Classical world?
A: Pillars of Heracles
The Pillars of Heracles are fabled to have been set there by Heracles (Hercules) to mark the western edge of the inhabited world, as a memorial to one of his Twelve Labours in which he had to seize the cattle of the three-bodied giant Geryon. The northern pillar is the Rock of Gibraltar located at Gibraltar – a narrow peninsula of Spain’s southern Mediterranean coast. The southern pillar has been disputed throughout history and has been identified as one of two peaks: Jebel Moussa (Musa), in Morocco, or Mount Hacho near the Spanish exclave of Ceuta located on the Moroccan coast.
Source
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Q: At a maximum depth of 19,714 feet, which canyon holds the title of being the world’s deepest?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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