GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION

THE longest recession in a century; the biggest bribery scandal in history; the most unpopular leader in living memory. These are not the sort of records Brazil was hoping to set in 2016, the year in which Rio de Janeiro hosts South America’s first-ever Olympic games.

Source: www.economist.com

Brazil’s economy has gone through a rougher stretch than most in the recent global economic downturn and some see more hard times in the near future for the South American giant.  BRIC countries aren’t immune to economic crisis. 

Tags: economic, Brazil, South America.

“All Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to do is make the world a better place for his new daughter. While he’s technically on paternity leave, he couldn’t sit idly by as India attempts to halt Internet.org, Facebook’s initiative to provide free but limited internet to the developing world.”

Source: qz.com

India is a country with amazing economic potential, but hampered but uneven levels of social development.  The so-called ‘digital divide’ can exacebate problems for the poor and their ability to join the emerging industries.  In this situation Facebook is offering free (partial) internet access to India’s poor and the discussions about net neutrality and the potential ulterior motives are underway.

Questions to Ponder: Do you favor Zuckerberg’s proposal or do you think that India should reject this offer?  

Tags: development, India, South Asia, infrastructure, technology.

The death tolls change, the places change. But the weapons are the common denominator.

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

A national trend has reversed.

When the U.S. economy slowed during the recession, so did one of the major demographic shifts of the last several decades. For a brief respite, the Northeast and Midwest stopped shedding quite so many residents to the burgeoning Sun Belt. That trend, though — which has big consequences for politics, among other things — has been picking back up.  New census data shows the trend accelerating back to its pre-recession pace.

Tags: migration, economic, USA.

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Where did your favorite books happen?

Tags: mapping, English.

Source: www.techinsider.io

The Islamic State has lost 14 percent of the territory it held in January, according to a new analysis.

Tags:  political, terrorism, conflict.

Source: www.nytimes.com

The beauty and artistry of nature is truly shown in the phenomenon of ice circles!

Tags: physical, weather and climate, fluvial.

Source: www.youtube.com

“Every year I create a filtered tab with some of the best scoops here on Geography Education for that given calendar year.  If you disagree with the committee of one, I’d be glad to hear which one’s were your favorites.”

Source: www.scoop.it

“On November 5, 2015, two dams collapsed at an iron ore mine in southeastern Brazil. The dam is owned by Samarco, a joint-venture between the mining companies Vale and BHP Billiton. News outlets estimate that more than 62 million cubic meters of wastewater have been unleashed so far with catastrophic consequences. The immediate release of sludge wiped out numerous villages including Bento Rodrigues (shown in greater detail above), causing the death of twelve people. Eleven others are still missing. Because of this pollution, more than half a million people do not have access to clean water for drinking or irrigating their crops. By November 23, the contaminated waters covered a 400 mile stretch of the Rio Doce River and entered into the sea, killing significant amounts of planet and animal life along the way. Officials are concerned that the toxins will threaten the Comboios Nature Reserve, a protected area for the endangered leatherback turtle.”

Tags: dam, environment, land use, sustainability, landscape, images, environment modify, pollution.

Source: www.dailyoverview.com