Topic

Geography & Places

A collection of 99 issues

When Ice Burns: Inside the World's Coldest Fire Department

In one of the Earth's most hostile environments, a team combats an unexpected threat: fire. Antarctica's professional fire department at McMurdo Station protects residents and vital science from heightened fire risk in the extremely dry, windy conditions.

Mapping Marx: How East Germany Wrote an Ideology Onto Its Landscape

To cement its ideology, East Germany held 'Karl Marx Years,' state-sponsored events that went beyond ceremony. Entire cities, like Chemnitz which became Karl-Marx-Stadt, and universities were renamed, tangibly weaving the philosopher's legacy into the very fabric of daily life.

A Cup of Coffee in Two Countries: The Cartographical Chaos of Baarle

On the border of Belgium and the Netherlands, the town of Baarle exists as a geopolitical puzzle. Resulting from medieval treaties, its international boundary runs through homes and businesses, creating a place where residents navigate the laws of two countries simply by walking across a room.

Beyond Today's Maps: The Slow, Unstoppable Collision Forming Pangaea Proxima

Plate tectonics are slowly rearranging our world. In 250 million years, the Atlantic may vanish, merging the Americas with a fused Afro-Eurasian landmass. This theorized supercontinent, Pangaea Proxima, offers a profound look at the dynamic, ever-changing nature of Earth's surface.

Around a Continent on One Road: The Story of Australia's 'Big Lap' and Highway 1

Australia's Highway 1, the world's longest national highway at 14,500km, encircles the continent. It's more than just a road; it's a rite of passage known as the 'Big Lap,' offering an unparalleled journey through the nation's vast deserts, lush rainforests, and vibrant cities.

The Legally Protected Gypsy Chickens of Key West: How Feral Fowl Became a Cultural Treasure

In the quirky island city of Key West, Florida, a feral chicken population, descended from birds brought by immigrants for food and sport, enjoys unique legal protection. These 'gypsy chickens' are considered a historical treasure, making it illegal to harm them as they roam the streets freely.

A Tale of Two Poles: The Only Place on Earth Where Reindeer and Penguins Meet

On the remote Kerguelen Islands in the southern Indian Ocean, a unique ecological anomaly exists. Introduced in the 1950s, a thriving population of reindeer now coexists with native penguins, creating the only place on Earth where these iconic polar opposites share a habitat.

The Tidal Puzzle: How England's Smallest County Changes Four Times a Day

England's smallest county isn't a fixed place. Depending on the time of day, the title shifts between the Isle of Wight and Rutland. This fascinating geographic quirk is all thanks to the immense area of coastal land revealed and then hidden by the ocean's ebb and flow twice each day.