About Geography

Interview with Harm de Blij

2010-02-09T17:06:16Z

The blog Geographic Travels has a must-read interview with Geographer Harm de Blij. In the interview de Blij discusses his definition of geography, the state of geographic education, and geography at Harvard. Here on my site, I have the text of a speech by de Blij along with other resources for geographic education.

Interview with Harm de Blij originally appeared on About.com Geography on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 17:06:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Immigration Explorer

2010-02-09T16:58:02Z

The New York Times provides a fantastic map that provides county-level data on immigration from selected countries from decennial census from 1880 to 2000. It's a great way to watch immigration patterns over the course of over a century!

Immigration Explorer originally appeared on About.com Geography on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 16:58:02.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Transnistria Update

2010-02-05T09:58:33Z

Things in Transnistria, the elongated rogue state also known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic are likely to heat up. Transnistria lies along the Dniester River between Ukraine and Moldova and the two countries are about to demarcate their border early this year. However, Moldova and Ukraine are planning to enter the border demarcation process without seeking the input from the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, recognized only by Abhkhazia and South Ossetia. Russian troops have been stationed in the region since 1992. Moldova and Ukraine might want to be careful in this process...

Transnistria Update originally appeared on About.com Geography on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 09:58:33.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Mo Rocca and Capitals

2010-02-03T15:06:29Z

As previously reported, comedian Mo Rocca is an expert on the capitals of the world. See this new video of Rocca against a former geography student Claire Calzonetti.

Mo Rocca and Capitals originally appeared on About.com Geography on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 15:06:29.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Target Riles Group Over Palestine on Globe

2010-01-31T17:09:16Z

Target Stores, which sold a small decorative novelty globe for one dollar, came under fire for selling a globe that labeled Israel as Palestine. The New York Times has the story of the globe and its detractors. Notice that in the image of the globe, "Palestine" is in upper and lower case (which does not indicate countries) and there is clearly the number two over Israel.

Target Riles Group Over Palestine on Globe originally appeared on About.com Geography on Sunday, January 31st, 2010 at 17:09:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

New Geography Quiz

2010-01-31T16:58:39Z

Test your geographical skills and talents with my latest geography quiz! It's fifteen multiple-choice questions that are sure to amuse and delight you! Good luck!

New Geography Quiz originally appeared on About.com Geography on Sunday, January 31st, 2010 at 16:58:39.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Beijing to Relax One Child Policy

2010-01-28T15:07:31Z

Beijing is planning to relax the delay on couples who themselves are only children between their children. Currently, there is a waiting period of four years between children under the One Child Rule. Beijing plans to follow the lead of eleven other provinces and municipalities in eliminating the gap between first and second children for those who are eligible. According to Peng Yuhua, deputy head of the Beijing Population and Planning Commission, the Total Fertility Rate in China is 1.8 but in Beijing it is only 1.0, far below the replacement rate of 2.1.

Beijing to Relax One Child Policy originally appeared on About.com Geography on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 15:07:31.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Israel Joins UN Bloc

2010-01-27T21:34:16Z

Israel has joined the United Nations Human Rights Council's JUSCANZ block. JUSCANZ stands for the non-EU democracies of Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand but also includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Andorra, Korea, Liechtenstein, Mexico, San Marino, and Turkey. Membership in JUSCANZ will allow Israel to participate in deliberation regarding human rights issues. According to a press release from the organization UN Watch, "For this to happen in Geneva, and especially at the Arab-dominated Human Rights Council, is an historic accomplishment for Israel and for the principle of equality."

Israel Joins UN Bloc originally appeared on About.com Geography on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 21:34:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Fifty Equal States

2010-01-27T21:16:54Z

The Map Room blog presents a new addition to the ever-growing list of ways to divide the United States with fifty states of equal population. Interesting!

Previous suggestions include The Nine Nations of North America, a Russian suggestion of the U.S. coming under he control of foreign countries, another Russian solution for North America consisting of 13 independent countries, and 38 U.S. states from a geographer. How would you divide North America?

Fifty Equal States originally appeared on About.com Geography on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 21:16:54.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Worst Disasters

2010-01-20T15:04:25Z

The Map Room blog covers the disasters of 2009, as reported by the reinsurance company Munich Re. Check out the interesting map!

Update: I also want to draw your attention to a great new article and list from my Geography Intern Jessica Karpilo on worst disasters in world history. The tenth worst disaster in recorded history caused the deaths of 230,000 people. The Haiti earthquake's death toll might approach 200,000 once the counting begins.

Worst Disasters originally appeared on About.com Geography on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 15:04:25.

Permalink | Comment | Email this