Apart from tickling our worldly curiosities, learning geography can enrich our lives in some form. This is why veteran educator Chris Hefferman is an advocate for it.
In a column he wrote for PBS, Hefferman says geography matters more than ever in this digital age. Since people can easily Google where countries are, he advocates focusing on human geography and the relationships between cultures.
"They need to know that the other people they work with, whether in a cubicle down the hall or on a screen halfway around the world, all have ideas and value," Hefferman wrote.
For Hefferman, geography helps us better understand the world. These posts give us a glimpse of life in these regions but on a much deeper level than a map's surface.
Since this list is all about fascinating factoids about the world, here are a few more. Let’s begin with North Korea and Cuba, the last two countries that choose not to sell Coca-Cola.
The ban on the famous soda brand in North Korea began in 2000. This forced citizens to resort to knockoffs from China, and many have pointed out the distinct differences from the original product.
Cuba, on the other hand, began its embargo on Coke in 1962 when its then-president, Fidel Castro, halted its production. Since then, the company has simply chosen to never return.
If you recall your elementary school science, you likely remember learning about Pangea. This theory states that the world was once a supercontinent where you could traverse the entire planet via land travel.
That hypothesis may still be true today. Apparently, you could walk 2.5 miles from Alaska and Russia and vice versa via the Bering Strait. It freezes during wintertime, giving easier access from mainland Alaska to northeastern Siberia. Now you know.
In theory, time travel is impossible. But if you’re in Ethiopia, you’ll be seven years behind the rest of the world.
That’s because they don’t follow the Gregorian calendar like the rest of the world. Instead, they move according to the Ge’ez calendar, which began counting dates after the birth of Jesus Christ.
Reports say Ethiopians continue to follow the Ge’ez calendar because they consider it a source of pride. It’s their way of resisting globalization and any form of colonial influence.
Some people love the grit and grime of New York City. But if you’re more about purity and sanitization, you’re better off in a country like Denmark. According to surveys, it is the cleanest country in 2024.
The Scandinavian territory is known for its sustainable living, self-sufficient wastewater treatment, and keeping the emission levels of greenhouse gases in check. It also helps that most of its people constantly think about climate change and how to prevent more consequences.
