Topic

Geography & Places

A collection of 99 issues

The Prime Meridian's 102-Meter Secret: Why Your GPS Says You're Not at 0° Longitude

Tourists flock to Greenwich to straddle the historic Prime Meridian. But the brass line marking 0° longitude is off! Due to modern GPS technology, the true Prime Meridian is now 102.5 meters to the east, a fascinating quirk of historical astronomy and modern satellite science.

The Unlikeliest Diplomat: How a Red London Taxi Served the Falkland Islands for 34 Years

From 1976 to 2010, the Governor of the Falkland Islands' official car was a red London taxi. A symbol of British identity, it served 11 governors, survived the 1982 Argentine invasion, and is now a cherished museum piece representing the islands' unique history and resilience.

Nahwa: The UAE's Geographical Russian Doll Inside Oman

Nahwa is a village in the UAE that forms a rare geographical oddity known as a counter-enclave. It is entirely surrounded by the Omani territory of Madha, which is itself an enclave completely surrounded by the United Arab Emirates. A nation within a nation, within a nation.

The Perfect Hell: When the Philippines' Largest Volcano Erupted Inside a Typhoon

On June 15, 1991, the Philippines faced an unparalleled catastrophe as Mt. Pinatubo's massive eruption coincided with Typhoon Yunya. The storm turned volcanic ash into a deadly, concrete-like slurry, causing immense destruction, 847 deaths, and altering global temperatures.

Mud, Might, and Minangkabau: The Thrilling World of Pacu Jawi Bull Racing

Discover Pacu Jawi, West Sumatra's traditional bull race. Jockeys balance on wooden ploughs, steering two bulls by their tails through muddy rice paddies. It's a thrilling post-harvest festival celebrating culture, community, and the strength of the prized bulls.

London's Great Misnomer: The Surprising Truth About Kentish Town

Kentish Town in London isn't from Kent. Its name likely comes from 'Ken-ditch' (the Fleet River's bed) or a landowner named Le Kent, not the county. This North London area's name is a historical puzzle, fooling residents and visitors alike into thinking it has a 'Kentish' past.

Thierville: The Incredible Story of the French Village That Lost No One in Two World Wars

In a nation scarred by conflict, the tiny French village of Thierville stands alone. It is the only commune in France to have suffered zero casualties in both World War I and World War II, a remarkable story of luck memorialized by a monument to the absence of tragedy.

Frozen Assets: The Story of How Iceland's Entire Banking System Disappeared in One Week

In 2008, Iceland's recently privatized and deregulated banks, swollen to over 10 times the nation's GDP on foreign debt, collapsed within one week when global credit froze. This catastrophic failure forced the country to seek an emergency IMF bailout to survive.

Why is the Coronado Bridge Curved? The Genius Engineering Behind a San Diego Icon

The Coronado Bridge's iconic curve is a clever engineering feat. It extends the bridge's length to 2.12 miles, allowing it to reach the 200-foot height required for Navy warships to pass underneath while maintaining a safe, gradual incline over the short span of San Diego Bay.

The Vertical Time Zone: Breaking the Ramadan Fast in the Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa's immense height means residents on upper floors see the sun for longer. Due to the Earth's curvature, those above the 80th floor must wait 2 extra minutes, and those above the 150th floor wait 3 minutes, to break their daily Ramadan fast after sunset on the ground.