About.com Geography

A Quiet Hurricane Season

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:30:44 +0000

National Geographic reports on the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, which was the most tranquil hurricane season in quite some time. Although the Atlantic hurricane season doesn't end until December 1, with such a quiet year it is safe to say a major hurricane in the next week is unlikely. There were a mere nine named storms of the season, while the average is fifteen. There were three hurricanes and two of those became major hurricanes. National Geographic says, "Totals were well below yearly averages since 1995, when meteorologists think an ongoing period of increased hurricane activity began in the Atlantic. Hurricane seasons since 1995 have averaged 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes."

A Quiet Hurricane Season originally appeared on About.com Geography on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 08:30:44.

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New Sea - The Salish Sea in Pacific Northwest

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:02:02 +0000

The U.S .Board on Geographic Names and Province of British Columbia Geographic Names Office have defined a new sea - the Salish Sea. The Salish Sea in the Pacific Northwest and is connected to the Pacific Ocean. The new sea consists of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound, and the inland waterways in the region. The name, proposed in 1988, is a tribute to the native Coast Salish people who inhabited the region.

New Sea - The Salish Sea in Pacific Northwest originally appeared on About.com Geography on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 08:02:02.

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GIS Job Skills

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:20:52 +0000

Geography graduate student Michalis Avraam at the University of Washington has compiled a fantastic listing of skills needed to obtain a job in GIS or career in GIS. He includes key aspects of GIS skills, programming skills, database skills, project management skills, and more. Check it out, you'll be glad you did!

GIS Job Skills originally appeared on About.com Geography on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 15:20:52.

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The New President of Europe

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:50:14 +0000

Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy was unanimously elected the first President of the European Union by the twenty-seven member states today in Brussels. The New York Times reports, "The Belgian prime minister, an economist who likes bowling duckpins and writing haiku, has earned respect for calming down ethnic tensions in Belgium in his 11 months as prime minister" The position of president is expected to begin January 1, 2010. Prime Minister van Rompuy beat former British Prime Minister Tony Blair for the new post.

The New President of Europe originally appeared on About.com Geography on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 18:50:14.

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Leading Countries for Scientific Publications

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:37:27 +0000

A new study on the number of scientific publications per capita found that European countries led the world in research and innovation. The seven most productive countries in terms of scientific research articles published per citizen are: 1) Switzerland, 2) Sweden, 3) Denmark, 4) Israel, 5) Finland, 6), the Netherlands, and 7) Canada. The U.S. ranked twelfth while Germany ranked fifteenth in the study based on scientific articles from 2005.

Leading Countries for Scientific Publications originally appeared on About.com Geography on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 09:37:27.

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Television Series Seeks Young Geographers

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:43:14 +0000

Mark Burnett Productions, the creative force behind Survivor, The Apprentice and Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? is searching for young people (ages 6-12) who are geography experts for a new television network series set to air in early 2010. If you think your child fits that description, contact Joshua Robinson at jdrcasting@gmail.com or (310) 903-5438. The casting deadline is Friday, November 20.

Television Series Seeks Young Geographers originally appeared on About.com Geography on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 21:43:14.

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Palestine Seeks UN Declaration of Statehood

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:04:50 +0000

Palestinian diplomats have requested the European Union to ask the United Nations Security Council to declare the West Bank and Gaza Strip as an independent state. American, Israeli, and even EU officials balked at the idea. As the United States is a permanent member of the Security Council, the U.S. has veto power, so the idea likely would not get far. Palestine also unilaterally declared independence in November 1988, which did not gain widespread recognition.

Palestine Seeks UN Declaration of Statehood originally appeared on About.com Geography on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 00:04:50.

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Mo Rocca and World Capital Cities

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:23:53 +0000

This funny video posted on the great Geographile blog it worth watching. It shows comedian Mo Rocca dealing with "harassment" from various individuals regarding his knowledge of all of the capitals of the world. Enjoy!

Mo Rocca and World Capital Cities originally appeared on About.com Geography on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 09:23:53.

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Happy Geography Awareness Week

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:03:12 +0000

Happy Geography Awareness Week! November 15-21 is Geography Awareness Week! This year's theme is "Get Lost in Mapping: Find Your Place in the World" and there's no better place to start thinking about Geography Awareness Week than my site here at geography.about.com and on the official My Wonderful World Geography Awareness Week website, where you can download free wall maps from National Geography and get involved in supporting geographic education! Have a wonderful week!

Happy Geography Awareness Week originally appeared on About.com Geography on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 22:03:12.

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Where Does Route 66 End?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:34:18 +0000

The now-defunct U.S. Route 66 that once extended from Chicago to Los Angeles officially ended on the West Coast at the corner of 7th Street and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. Nonetheless, Santa Monica officials have decided to imagine that Route 66 ended at the Santa Monica Pier in an effort to boost the popular Route 66 tourism of those who follow the old highway route. What do you think about this fictitious end of Route 66?

Where Does Route 66 End? originally appeared on About.com Geography on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 15:34:18.

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