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World
COVID-19 Variant Lineages
Three major variants of the COVID-19 virus have captured worldwide attention as they continue to spread across the globe. The Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak Lineages (PANGO) algorithm, a web application created by the Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, has compiled a visual perspective to understand the spread of these variants at a global scale. Variant B.1.1.7, believed to have originated in the U.K., has been identified in 37,000 cases across multiple continents. The United Kingdom alone accounts for about 34,000, or 92% of cases. The variant has appeared in 71 other countries. Two slightly lesser-spread variants, B.1.351 and P.1, have also had an extensive presence around the globe. B.1.351 is a South African lineage defined by the new variant 501Y.V2 that has reached 31 countries. With documentation in just nine countries, P.1 was first detected in Brazil, where it currently has 38 cases. Outside of Brazil, eight other nations total up 10 cases.
This map depicts the extent of variant B.1.1.7, the most documented COVID-19 variant in the world, with a significant presence in the U.K. Click on the map to learn more.
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Australia
Perth Wildfires
Over 50 homes have been lost to a rapidly-growing bushfire outside the Australian city of Perth. The fire started yesterday afternoon and more than doubled in size overnight, threatening dozens of residents in Western Australia. Authorities have been trying to quickly evacuate residents, particularly in the semi-rural north-west region of Perth. Over 250 firefighters have been called to battle the fires while maintaining social distance and wearing masks. The fires arrived after the discovery of a new COVID-19 case, forcing Perth into a five-day lockdown complicating evacuation methods. Authorities have advised people to flee their homes, even if it means breaking lockdown. Many residents have decided to seek shelter in other people’s homes instead of fleeing to massive evacuation centers.
This map depicts the location of the Perth bushfires in Australia. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: The Australian
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Egypt
Mummy With Golden Tongue
An Egyptian-Dominican team of archaeologists working at Alexandria’s Taposiris Magna temple have unearthed 2,000-year-old mummies in northern Egypt. They discovered 16 burials in rock-cut tombs containing poorly-preserved mummies. One of the mummies was found with a golden tongue, which experts believe was given to him after his death in an attempt to help him speak to Osiris, the Egyptian god of death. His real tongue was likely removed during the embalming process. Ancient Egyptians believed Osiris ruled the underworld and judged the souls who entered it. Having the ability to speak to the god and ask for mercy would help people successfully enter the afterlife. The other 15 burials also revealed new insights into ancient rituals including the use of stone funeral masks. One was buried with a horned crown that had a snake on the forehead, others were buried with trinkets, jewellery, and statues. Previously, a number of coins depicting Queen Cleopatra VII’s face were also found inside the temple.
This map depicts the location of the mummy with the golden tongue. Click on map to learn more.
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Q: Spanning only 109 acres with a population of less than 900, what is the smallest country in the world?
A: Vatican City
Smaller than the size of New York City’s Central Park, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. Vatican City, which is completely landlocked by Italy, measures only 0.2 square miles and is home to the Pope of the Catholic Church. The city only became an independent entity in 1929, after the Lateran Treaty. With between 800-850 residents, 75% of which are clergy members, Vatican City also has the second smallest population in the world.
Source
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Q: Swift ocean current carrying sand to depths of 2.5 miles (4,000 meters), creates the illusion of an underwater waterfall off the coast of what island nation?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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