The Daily Geographer

The extinct species of hominids, Homo neanderthalensis, are believed to have lived in much of Europe and the Middle East. Neanderthals lived between 175 to 35 thousand years ago (although some suggest as recently as 24 thousand years ago). This means that they most likely interacted with early Homo sapiens (modern humans). The extent of this interaction is highly debated but more and more research is showing that small amounts of interbreeding likely occurred. Archaeologists originally thought that Neanderthals were much simpler than modern humans but science is proving that they were more similar to us than we ever thought. “Neanderthal culture” is something that is highly debated amongst archaeologists but it is likely that they did have a fairly complex culture (possible regional variations as well). Recently archaeologists have discovered shells containing pigments which were likely used for decoration and a means to carry body paint. 

Another significant Neanderthal discovery is an excavated area (the Shanidar Cave) in modern day Kurdistan. Archaeologists found one skeleton of a Neanderthal that likely lived to be around 40-50 years old. This particular individual showed signs of severe injury (or disease) at a young age. The individual was likely severely disabled and blind for much of his life yet he lived to an old age (Neanderthal wise). The man would not have been able to survive without the care and compassion of others. The Shanidar site is also home to a few burials that were organized and similar to one another (a sign of religious and spiritual belief). 

Neanderthals lived primarily off of large extinct mammals, such as Wooly Rhinos and Wooly Mammoths. The Neanderthal diet was almost entirely meat (96% meat) which is similar to the diet of many modern Arctic peoples. The Neanderthals likely hunted by spear ambushing and cliff-fall hunting (chasing a stampede to a cliff). Some Neanderthals also practiced cannibalism or ritual defleshing. It is unclear if this is a sign of religious belief as some modern humans have been known to practice, or a lack of respect for the dead. The Neanderthal culture is much more complex than previously thought and more evidence each day is suggesting that is was fairly close to our ancient ancestors. 

Meteorologist rely on the mapping standards that Geographers have made in order to display warnings, watches, advisories, and other notices. Here is a map of the United States from last night when a blizzard paralyzed much of the Midwest. Color choice is always an important factor when geographers display information on maps. Do you think the colors used on this map make it clear where the epicenter of this storms is? Does the bright coloring in Texas and Louisiana distract from what is happening in the Midwest? There are many factors sites like the NOAA have to consider when choosing the right colors for various notices and advisories. One difficulty that weather sites have to deal with is keeping colors consistent with the same advisories throughout the year. They want to make it clear where bad weather is but also notify the public where other weather related issues are occurring. Visit the NOAA’s national active weather alerts page here.

Andorra is a landlocked nation on the Iberian Peninsula directly between France and Spain, situated in the Pyreneese Mountains. From 1278 until 1993 Andorra was a joint principality between Spain and France. Andorra’s official language is Catalan; Castilian, French, and Portuguese are also recognized languages. Andorra is just 2 and a half times bigger than Washington D.C. and relies almost entirely on tourism. Learn other facts about Andorra here. 

Today (January 9th, 2011) the autonomous region of Southern Sudan will vote for either independence from Sudan and become it’s own nation, or to remain a part of Sudan. Just northwest of Southern Sudan is the region of Darfur, infamous for the genocide of non-Arab indigenous peoples. The majority of Northern Sudan is compromised of Muslim Arabs, while the south is mostly black Christians and animists (tribal beliefs). Sudan has faced Africa’s longest civil war and Southern Sudan has seen its villages and families destroyed and raped by armed Northern Arabs. Although the air is filled with excitement due to the prospect of independence, Southern Sudan will face many challenges as an independent nation (specifically tribal tensions). To learn more about Sudan click here, and to learn more about Southern Sudan’s vote for independence click here. 

The Western Sahara is a sparsely populated disputed territory located south of Morocco, west of Mauritania, and southwest of Algeria. Morocco currently claims the land and has offered to give the Western Sahara the option of becoming an autonomous region, however the resistance party in the Western Sahara wants to option of complete independence. This group is known as the Polisario Front and is largely backed by Algeria, while Morocco’s claim of the land is largely supported by France. The U.S. and Russia have remained neutral on the issue and ask for a peaceful resolution between both parties. Despite the Western Sahara’s low population (around 490,000) they have one of the highest population growth rates in the world (3.17%, ranked 9 in the world). Find out more here.

Sápmi is a an area home to the indigenous Sami people in northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. The Sami are famous for their nomadic lifestyles in which they follow reindeer for sustenance. 40,000 Sami live in Norway, 20,000 live in Sweden, 6,000 in Finland, and 2,000 in Russia. The Sami have had a long history of problems with the four countries that have tried to gain control of the area in which the Sami have lived for centuries. They have faced colonization, forced religious conversions, heavy taxation and have still kept a separate identity and culture. Learn more about Sapmi and the Sami here. 

Lesotho is an enclave kingdom (country within a country) literally located inside South Africa. Lesotho is one of the few “true enclave” countries in the world. The kingdom has the third highest rate of HIV/AIDs in the world, around 23% of the population. Most of Lesotho’s economy is based on raw materials, especially water and diamonds. The country also exports electricity to the surrounding South Africa. 99% of the population is from the ethnic group “Basotho” and speak Sesotho, where the country gets its name. Click here to learn more about Lesotho.

The Gaeltacht is a geographic region in Ireland in which the collective language amongst various community is Irish (as opposed to English). The Gaeltacht is primarily composed of counties on the Western coast such as Donegal, Mayo, Galway, and Kerry. However, parts of the Gaeltacht is located in small areas in non-coastal communities in counties Cork and Meath (as well as the south eastern county, Waterford). Great efforts have been made to preserve the Irish language due to the fact that it preserves Irish cultural behaviors and beliefs. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis states that language shapes our reality and that language is the way in which culture expresses itself. To learn more about the Gaeltacht click here, and to learn more about the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis click here.

This map displays the various Ethnic groups that make up post USSR Central Asia. The ethnic Germans of northern Kazakhstan are descendants of “Volga Germans” and have been citizens of Russia and the USSR for centuries. The majority of these Germans speak Russian. The reason for them being in Kazakhstan is because the Volga Germans were native to the River Volga in southern European Russia but after the Nazi German invasion, Stalin feared a connection between the Volga Germans and Germany and deported them to what is now the nation of Kazakhstan. You can learn more about the Volga Germans here.

This map shows a lot about religious diversity in Lebanon. Whats most interesting is that there are pockets of different religions scattered throughout the country not just in general regions as with most countries. The CIA’s world factbook states that Lebanon has 17 recognized religious sects (unusual for the middle east). These include: “Muslim 59.7% (Shia, Sunni, Druze, Isma’ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt, Protestant), other 1.3%”. However, I personally would not count the Druze as Muslims as they consider themselves a separate and distinct religion.