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Yemen
US Military Strikes Houthi Sites
The US military has sent B-2 bombers to carry out “precision strikes” against Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen. Houthi-run media from Yemen acknowledged the strikes, placing six around the capital of Sanaa, and another two near the city of Saada. By using the high-tech bombers, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called the attacks a “unique demonstration” of American military capabilities to reach enemy military sites located deep underground, while also avoiding civilian casualties. The Houthis are a militant group supported by Iran who have taken control of a large part of Yemen’s territory, including the capital. Since the beginning of the war in Gaza last year, the Houthis have attacked Israel and international shipping passing through the Red Sea, prompting an international coalition led by the United States to keep the vital shipping lanes safe.
This map depicts the territory of Yemen currently under the control of the Iran-backed militant Houthis, whose weapons storage sites were attacked by US bombers last night. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Bloomberg
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United States
Back-to-Back Hurricane Costs
As major insurers pull back from areas at high risk of any climate-related disaster—in states like Florida, California, and Colorado—finding affordable home-insurance policies is becoming more difficult. The average home insurance premium in Florida is $3,242 more expensive than the national average of $2,285. In Florida, where hurricanes are frequent, and in many coastal areas that are threatened by rising sea levels, more than four out of five homeowners don’t have flood insurance. Hurricane Milton hit Florida last week just two weeks after Hurricane Helene rolled through, causing as much as $55 billion in property damage throughout the state. Even for those with insurance, insurance ratings company Weiss Ratings released a report in June that found nearly half of all damage claims made by Florida homeowners with three of the state’s large providers last year did not result in a payment.
This map depicts the percentage of properties built from 2019-23 in high-risk flood areas, by census tract. Click on the map to learn more.
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World
Water Scarcity Affects Cropland
A recent report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) shows that one-fourth of crops are grown in areas with stressed or unreliable water supplies, making food production vulnerable. Key staples like rice, wheat, and corn, which provide over half the world’s calories, are particularly affected, with 33% grown in areas facing water stress. Both irrigated and rainfed crops face challenges: irrigated crops compete for dwindling shared water resources, while rainfed crops suffer from erratic rainfall patterns due to climate change. Countries like India overdraw groundwater to maintain food production, while others face drought and instability, compounding food insecurity. The report recommends that to meet growing food demands sustainably, the world must prioritize water-efficient agriculture and conservation strategies.
This map depicts the world’s crop areas at high risk of hydric stress and/or variability. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What is the highest mountain range outside of Asia?
A: Andes Mountains
The Andes are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America, extending a distance of some 5,500 miles (8,900 kilometers) to the continent’s northernmost coast on the Caribbean. The Andes extend from South to North through seven countries: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. The Andes are the world’s highest mountain range outside of Asia, with the highest peaks in the Western Hemisphere. The highest of them is Mount Aconcagua (22,831 feet [6,959 meters]) on the border of Argentina and Chile.
Source
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Q: What country controls the only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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