Topic

Geography & Places

A collection of 107 issues

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

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.

History Geography & Places Wars, Conflict & Heroes

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.

Business & Economics History Geography & Places

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.

Technology & Innovation Geography & Places Art, Culture & Design

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.

Religion & Philosophy Science & Nature Geography & Places

Tomorrow and Yesterday: The Two Islands Where the US and Russia Are 2.4 Miles and 21 Hours Apart

Just 2.4 miles of water separate Russia's Big Diomede from the USA's Little Diomede. But the International Date Line between them creates a 21-hour time gap, placing one island in 'tomorrow' and the other in 'yesterday,' a stark symbol of political and temporal division.

Geography & Places History Wars, Conflict & Heroes

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