Topic

Geography & Places

A collection of 113 issues

An Act of Camel: The Thirsty Beast Who Cancelled an Irish Christmas Party

In 2006, an Irish Christmas party was cancelled due to an 'act of camel.' Gus, a star of the holiday show, escaped his enclosure, drank six cans of Guinness, and devoured 200 mince pies, leading to a legendary and hilarious festive fiasco at Mullingar Equestrian Centre.

Animals in Culture Food & Lifestyle Geography & Places

Swallowed Whole: The Chilling, Fully Documented Story of the Man Eaten by a Python

In 2017, the body of Akbar Salubiro was cut from the belly of a 23-foot reticulated python in Indonesia. Disturbing videos of the extraction made his death the world's only fully documented case of a human being eaten by a snake, a chilling reminder of nature's primal power.

Science & Nature Geography & Places

A Town, Not a Village: The Legal Loophole That Created a Spanish Exclave in France

How did a Spanish town get stranded in France? The 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees ceded 33 'villages' to France. But Llívia, an ancient capital, held the official status of a 'town,' not a village. This clever legal distinction allowed it to remain Spanish, creating a unique European exclave.

Geography & Places History

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.

Geography & Places History Technology & Innovation

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.

History Geography & Places Wars, Conflict & Heroes

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.

Geography & Places History

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.

Science & Nature History Geography & Places

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.

Art, Culture & Design Sports & Games Geography & Places

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.

Geography & Places History

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