“Tarsiers under existential threat in Philippines” – AlJazeera English Video

 

UN Video: Sahel Drought

While videos like the above may not be “Trending” on sites like YouTube and Twitter, for the people who experience the depicted conditions in their daily life it is significant. Often, drought is seen as something that need not concern those living in North America or more urbanized regions with the infrastructure and electricity needed to contain and manage water resources. With that said, one should always be wary when having that sense of security as we all share this planet and none of us really know if we could end up like those depicted in this seemingly far-off world in the Sahel.

 

UN Video: Bolivia: Unlocking a Nation’s Bounty

 

UN Video: Dancing for Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

 

NATO Video: NATO in Afghanistan

 

Golan Mountains

Coordinates: 34°23’45.84" N  35°36’16.38" E

Elevated terrain. Not uniformly flat.

Coordinates: 32°59’12.92" N  35°44’29.45" E

Image not very sharp but either depicts a current infrastructural network or past ruins.

 

Kenya: Water

Case Study on Kenyan farmers now saving water after implementing a new system.

 

Looking at Lake Puray in Peru via Google Earth

Google Earth is a fantastic tool enabling anyone with an internet connection to get an unprecedented view of our planet. While it may not be possible to visit every single country on Earth during a single lifetime, it is possible to visualize an environment that was photographed fairly recently.

Coordinates: 13°25’48.98" S  71°59’58.30" W

Relatively short distance from city of Cuzco measured with ruler tool at being around 8-miles SE of the lake. 

Interesting land intrusion, similar in appearance to a pier.

 

Update

A lot as happened since I last submitted a post. I do not know how many will read this but for those who do, let me assure you that I continue to stay updated on world events. With the rise of many excellent news websites the intention behind my establishing this blog was, and remains, to shed light on subjects that often may not be in the mindset of the average human. It was not intended to be solely about environmental issues, although with the BP oil leak, this was hard to ignore. Lately, Twitter has been home to my updates on quirky, interesting, and worthwhile news stories. In the past, PicApp was providing images for WordPress but since their withdrawal, and despite their assurances, it appears as if those breathtaking images in earlier posts are no longer visible. This has been another hurdle as a picture often helps encapsulate a given message and while this post may have no picture per say, it does still have a message. I hope to continue submitting posts on this blog and I hope you continue to enjoy reading them. If you are interested in my other portfolio please visit: http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/member4557.html?sid=5b2b5cf3d57a095e74aacd605897820a Thank you, and have a good day.

 

Why Explore Mexico? PART I

Image via Wikipedia

Well for one it’s free, that is if you use Google Earth or similar programs like NASA World Wind, but also because Cinco de Mayo is approaching.  With that said if you do plan on exploring Mexico virtually be warned. For one, the CIA World Factbook lists the total area of Mexico at 1,964,375 sq km, that’s just under 2 million square kilometers. Additionally, while virtual exploration may not carry the same risks and costs associated with physical exploration, it does consume a lot of time so it is best to narrow in on a specific region.

Located just below the United States of America and slightly above Belize and Guatemala, Mexico, or the United Mexican States, “is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world and the second most-populous country in Latin America after Portuguese-speaking Brazil. (Source: US Department of State)” Aside from its people, food, and history as exemplified by Cinco de Mayo and this article by Suzanne Barbezat, the United Mexican States offers a lot to study geographically.

^Above. (18°36’48.05″ N  91°31’43.90″ W – Laguna de Términos)

According to Google Earth, Laguna de Términos is the ”largest estuary-lagoon in México.” Yet despite the picturesque nature of the lagoon viewed above it is difficult to see the 448 species that call this home, making it “the most species-rich of Mexico’s four large lagoons. (Source: Oceana)”

^Above. (18°13’01.21″ N  92°17’06.47″ W)

To the south-west of Laguna de Términos a pattern of diamond-shaped grid lines emerge. Usually I would assume straight lines are the product of human activity, perhaps farming, as to quote the US Department of Transportation, “Long straight lines rarely occur in nature.” Yet, the scale is still impressive and while other explanations may exist this is just another interesting highlight the appears in the geography of Mexico.

^Above. (17°36’46.66″ N  92°48’57.17″ W)

Example of a piece of land that could have been farmland based on the rectangular “strips” similar to those in European states under a feudal system and later in New France under a “seigneurial system ”. Just another reminder of how humans can shape the geography of a land.

^Above Left. (28°33’37.61″ N 106°45’06.08″ W – Laguna de Bustillos)

^Right. Apparent island within Laguna de Bustillos.

^Above. (26°17’44.84″ N 109°11’24.26″ W)

To the western part of Mexico several circular formations viewable from the sky. These appear several places throughout Mexico albeit in this photo they are quite grouped.

Mary Islands, although detached from Mexico, still affiliated. Note that despite their geographical beauty, they might not be open to the public and there is the potential that they are still being used as a penal colony.

^Above left. (20°03’14.19″ N  87°34’05.85″ W) Right (20°10’00.80″ N  87°33’08.73″ W) Slightly north of the left image.

Switching coasts to the East there are several large bodies of water. Using the ruler tool, the diameter of the water body in the right image is just under 600 meters or in terms of feet, over 2000ft. The elongated water body in the image to the left above registered at being over 7000 meters long or well over 24’000 feet. Of course, the ruler tool may not be the most reliable measurement device and hence these figures are rounded conservatively. As always, feel free to enter the coordinates and measure them yourself. Later, this section will resume with more finds available to be discovered with the click of a mouse and some patience.