|
|
Italy
Rising COVID-19 Cases
New COVID-19 restrictions are being put in effect across Europe amid a surge in cases and a sluggish vaccination rollout. According to this map from The Local Italy, the Italian government placed most of the country under lockdown, with every region with more than 250 cases per 100,000 inhabitants automatically placed in the highest-risk red zone. Hospitals and intensive care units are now under pressure in most Italian regions as the overall infection rate had risen nationwide for a sixth consecutive week. The regions with the highest average daily infection rate were Emilia Romagna and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. The lowest was Sardinia, which is currently Italy’s only ‘white zone’, and requires everyone arriving on the island to undergo a rapid test. Health Minister Roberto Speranza stated he hoped the measures, alongside the vaccination program, would allow restrictions to be relaxed in the second half of spring.
This map depicts Italy’s regional COVID-19 zones updated as of March 15, 2021. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________
|
|
|
Myanmar
Protests Continue
Yesterday marked Myanmar’s bloodiest day of protests since a military coup ousted the civilian government in February 2021. At least 50 people lost their lives on Sunday after police and military forces opened fire on groups of protesters in the cities of Yangon, Mandalay, and Bago, bringing the current death toll to approximately 120 people killed since demonstrations began. The protesters are demanding the release of Aung San Kyi, Myanmar’s democratically elected leader who was taken captive during February’s coup. In response, the military has now imposed martial law in several districts, including two areas of Yangon, allowing protesters to be tried in military courts. Despite the declaration of martial law, people are continuing to protest and more violence has been reported early this morning in Mandalay.
This map depicts the location of major protests in Myanmar. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
Graphic Source: BBC
__________________________________________
|
|
|
Syria
Syrian Civil War Reaches 10 Years
Today marks the ten-year anniversary of the beginning of protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad which led to a protracted civil war in the Middle Eastern nation. A few days after protests began, Assad directed soldiers to shoot at protestors and the resulting ongoing struggle features both internal and international competitors. The United States, Turkey, Russia, and Iran all materially and politically support different ethnic and religious factions who control different areas of the country. The continued fighting has killed over 590,000 Syrians and caused a widespread humanitarian crisis in the country, as the national economy has collapsed and food, fuel, and other necessities continue to prove expensive and difficult to procure.
This map depicts the current zones of control by different factions engaged in the civil war in Syria. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
Q: Which country is home to the world's largest natural deposit of asphalt?
A: Trinidad
Pitch Lake, located on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, is the world's largest deposit of natural asphalt. The lake, which appears to look like a parking lot, spans 100 acres (0.4 km2) and reaches depths of 250 feet (75 m). Scientists believe the lake was created when the Caribbean continental plate subsided beneath another plate, pushing oil deposits to the earth's surface. The surface of the lake is a mostly solid layer of asphalt that can be walked on and attracts approximately 200,000 tourists a year.
Source
|
|
|
|
Q: Stretching from northern Alabama to northern Kentucky and rising to 1400 feet (426 m) above sea level, what geological formation is also home to the greatest concentration of "dark-zone" cave paintings by pre-Columbian inhabitants of North America?
Stay tuned for the answer to today's question in tomorrow's DailyGeo.
|
|
|
|
AGS is accepting DailyGeo GeoQuestion suggestions.
Write to ags@americangeo.org with any ideas!
Please include GeoQuestions in the subject line, along with your answer and source.
|
|
|
DailyGeo is a daily digital communication created by AGS for the geography community. Feel free to share and encourage others to become part of the community too!
Copyright © 2021 American Geographical Society, All rights reserved.
We understand this might not be for everyone. Although we would hate to see you go, you can unsubscribe here.
How are we doing? We want to hear your feedback on the DailyGeo - what are we doing right and what should we be doing differently. Talk to us by emailing ags@americangeo.org.
|
|
|
|
|
