Geographical articles from October 2007

Geographical archives from October 2007

Faith healing.(FROM THE EDITOR)(religions and the protection of the environment)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Back in 2005, I travelled to Quilalea Island in northeastern Mozambique to interview a man by the name of Peter Bechtel, who had been instrumental in setting up an extensive new national park. Peter told me about how he had had to convince...

Where in the world?(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Identify this country using the following clues: * Its administrative capital is its fifth most populous city * It's home to ten per cent of the world's plant species * English is an official language but...

Latest Norwegian export to Spain: health tourists.(WORLDWATCH)(elderly Norwegians to migrate to Spain to be cared for)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Norway's regular shipment to Spain of bacalao has been a staple on the Iberian Peninsula for the past 200 years. But dried salted cod is now being joined by a new export--elderly Norwegians. In a new scheme set to revolutionise care for the...

Pilgrims cause holy ice stalagmite to recede.(WORLDWATCH)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An ice stalagmite that is believed to be the incarnation of a Hindu deity has melted early for the second year running, much to the disappointment of the nearly half a million Hindus who make an annual pilgrimage to...

Dossier update: Angkor Wat was centre of medieval urban sprawl.(WORLDWATCH)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... An international team of archaeologists has identified the remains of an extensive urban settlement surrounding the medieval temple of Angkor Wat, which extend beyond the current boundaries of the UNESCO World Heritage site. The newly...

Dams plan leads to hunger protests.(WORLDWATCH)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Villagers in the tiny northeast Indian state of Sikkim have gone on hunger strike over plans to build six hydro-electric dams in the region. According to campaigners, the dams will be built either in the Khangchendzonga National Park or the...

Top 10 prisoners (total prison population).(WORLDWATCH)(Table)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... TOP 10 PRISONERS (TOTAL PRISON POPULATION) 1 USA 2,135,901 2 CHINA 1,548,498 3 RUSSIA 828,900 4 BRAZIL 336,358 5 INDIA 322,357 6 MEXICO...

Giant lake discovery brings hope to Darfur.(WORLDWATCH)(water shortages)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The outline of an ancient lake has been identified in the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan, raising hopes that underground reserves could help to ease water shortages. Using satellite radar imagery, scientists...

Limit family sizes to protect planet, says report.(WORLDWATCH)(Report)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Over-population is harming the environment to the point that governments must limit family sizes, warns a report by UK think-tank the Optimum Population Trust. The Youthquake report said that humanity is outstripping the biological...

Officials in the Vatican City, the world's smallest sovereign state, have announced plans to launch charter flights to enable Catholic pilgrims to travel from Rome to some of the most popular religious sites.(VATICAN CITY)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Officials in the Vatican City, the world's smallest sovereign state, have announced plans to launch charter flights to enable Catholic pilgrims to travel from Rome to some of the most popular religious sites. Planned destinations include...

Conservationists have identified Lake Como, in the region of Lombardy, as one of the most polluted bodies of water in Italy.(ITALY)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Conservationists have identified Lake Como, in the region of Lombardy, as one of the most polluted bodies of water in Italy. A survey conducted by environmental organisation Legambiente found one of the lake's beaches to be 'heavily polluted'...

The governments of Greece, Italy and Turkey have agreed to the construction of a pipeline to transport natural gas from the Caspian Sea and Middle East into Europe.(EUROPE)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... The governments of Greece, Italy and Turkey have agreed to the construction of a pipeline to transport natural gas from the Caspian Sea and Middle East into Europe. The pipeline, which will include a 300million [euro] (203million [pounds...

A man-made bathing beach complete with golden sand and capacity for 10,000 bathers has opened in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan province.(CHINA)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... A man-made bathing beach complete with golden sand and capacity for 10,000 bathers has opened in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan province. The ten-hectare Huanghegu Malawan surf park also features three-metre artificial waves, so...

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has issued a new $200,000 bank note in an attempt to tackle inflation, which has reached almost 5,000 per cent a year.(ZIMBABWE)
October 1, 2007... The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has issued a new $200,000 bank note in an attempt to tackle inflation, which has reached almost 5,000 per cent a year. At the official exchange rate, the new note is worth US$13 (7.50 [pounds sterling]), or US$1 on...

Urbanisation blamed for dengue fever outbreaks in Southeast Asia.(WORLDWATCH)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cases of dengue fever have hit a ten-year high in parts of Southeast Asia, with experts citing urbanisation as a major factor behind the rising infection rates. in Malaysia, there was a 50 per cent rise in cases...

'Megaflood' divided Britain from Europe.(WORLDWATCH)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... A huge flood made Britain an island by breaching a narrow strip of land that linked it to mainland Europe, according to research from Imperial College London. Using high-resolution sonar waves, a team of geographers led by sedimentologist...

Greenland approaches tipping point.(CLIMATEWATCH)(melting icecaps)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Greenland icecap will melt during the next three centuries, flooding coastal regions, if one of eight crucial tipping points, identified by a group of scientists, is passed. Speaking at a British Antarctic...

Irrigation keeping California cool.(CLIMATEWATCH)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... A new study in the USA has shown that intensive irrigation in rural areas lowers local air temperatures. Using data collected over an 85-year period, scientists from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, USA, compared...

UK's wetland birds feeling the heat.(CLIMATEWATCH)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Overall numbers of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds spending winter in the UK have doubled since the 1970s, according to a new report, but the winter numbers of seven other species are in decline. The report, The State of the UK's Birds...

Rural rejection forcing turbines into town.(CLIMATEWATCH)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... One of Britain's largest independent renewable energy developers, Ecotricity, warned that wind turbines will increasingly start to sprout up in urban areas due to difficulties gaining planning permission in the countryside. Turbine projects are...

Ozone hinders carbon absorption in plants.(CLIMATEWATCH)(Report)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Ozone in the lower atmosphere is hindering the ability of plants to absorb carbon dioxide, helping to speed up global warming, according to a new study published in the journal Nature. According to the report, ozone enters the plants through...

Atlantic cyclones doubled over past century.(CLIMATEWATCH)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Warmer sea-surface temperatures and altered wind patterns associated with global climate change have dramatically increased the frequency of Atlantic tropical cyclones during the past century, according to a new study published in Philosophical...

Climate change laid bare.(CLIMATEWATCH)(naked people and the issue on global warming)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... If it were human, the Aletsch glacier in Switzerland would surely have blushed at the sight of 600 people disrobing on its slopes in August, potentially accelerating the alarming rate at which its ice is receding. The volunteers had come...

Estonia.(HOTSPOT)(Bronze Soldier)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] IN APRIL AND MAY, rioting and protests broke out in the Estonian capital, Tallinn. The source of the dispute was a war memorial, the Bronze Soldier, which commemorated the achievements of the Soviet Army in...

Non-believers: more than ten per cent of people claim no allegiance to a religion. Many of these are undecided, but some are atheists, who deny the existence of God.(STATE OF THE WORLD)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... The reasons why people profess to have no religious affiliation can be diverse, and include lack of interest, a commitment to free-thinking, agnosticism (being undecided), or simply not wishing to be labelled with any mainstream religion. Most...

Chichester Harbour: with nearly half of its designated area covered by water, Chichester Harbour is perhaps England's most aquatic AONB. Jo Sargent investigates this haven for wildlife, which sits among some of the country's most popular sailing waters.(AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As we switch off the engine of our inflatable boat, leaving it to bob unchecked on the gentle swell, I hold my breath so as not to disturb the animals stretched out on the shore. Basking in the early afternoon...

Put your geographical career on the map.(IN SOCIETY)(Public notice)
October 1, 2007... Do you use geographical knowledge and skills on a daily basis? Would you like a professional accreditation that recognises your work as a geographer? Then the Chartered Geographer scheme--the professional development initiative run by the Royal...

Event of the month.(IN SOCIETY)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 23 October, 7pm Africa in the 21st century with Sir Bob Geldof and Kofi Annan (21ST-CENTURY CHALLENGES SERIES, LONDON) Join Sir Bob Geldof and Kofi Annan for the first of the Society's 21st-Century...

A selection of October's events.(IN SOCIETY)(Calendar)
October 1, 2007... For details, please contact the Events Office on 020 7591 3100 8 October, 6.30pm New Europe: Michael Palin (LECTURE, LONDON) Palin talks about his new BBC series, in which he travels through Eastern Europe and finds it going...

Dr Hamilton-Rice's wireless set: during his final expedition to the Amazon, the American became the first explorer to employ short-wave radio and aircraft in the field.(FROM THE COLLECTION)(Alexander Hamilton-Rice)
October 1, 2007... Born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA in 1875, Alexander Hamilton-Rice led seven expeditions into South America's vast rainforests and along its mighty rivers during the early 20th century. He surveyed and mapped more than 1.3 million square...

Sel of the centuries.(Salt farming)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Renowned for producing some of the world's finest sea salt, the salt farms of southern Brittany owe their reputation to a system of harvesting introduced by Benedictine monks more than 1,000 years ago. Threatened by...

Is this all set to change? The Lake District is at a crossroads. With pollution, invasive species and climate change all taking their toll, the lakes themselves are badly in need of restoration. But the proposed conservation measures threaten to destroy the unique character of its landscape. So what is to become of England's most precious natural asset?(Lake District)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cat Bells' position as one of the most popular fells in the Lake District is certainly justified. At just 451 metres, its summit is low enough to be shared by wiry fell runners, families and Japanese tourists. All...

Can God save the world?(Geographical dossier: SPECIAL REPORT)(religions and the environment)
October 1, 2007... In the past two years, a growing number of faith leaders and organisations have spoken out about climate change and the state of the environment. By calling for a reduction in carbon emissions and criticising consumerism and the Western...

Oil and watercolour, but mostly ice: Sir Wally Herbert's last book--a posthumous collection of paintings entitled The Polar World--is a fitting memorial to one of the 20th century's greatest explorers. Nick Smith talks to Sir Wally's daughter Kari, who edited the book and saw it through to publication.(Sir Wally Herbert)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 'My father had a passionate link with history" says Kari Herbert. 'His whole life was coloured by the history of the explorers who went before him, and so, in a way, it was only natural that he should paint the polar...

Hanging by a thread: Bangkok's oldest Muslim community made its fortune weaving Thai silk for a legendary American entrepreneur during the post-war boom. But today, only one of the original weaving families is keeping the tradition alive.(Thai silk weavers)(Ban Khrua, James Thompson and the Manuthas)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are many ways to get to Ban Khrua, a dense thicket of low-rise houses in the heart of the Thai capital, Bangkok. But none is as satisfying, or as steeped in the city's lore, as walking the back alleys from...

One of the tribe: Bruce Parry has travelled the world living, sleeping, eating and working with some of the its remote indigenous peoples. His encounters have been made into an award-winning documentary TV series and a new book. Natalie Hoare caught up with him during a fleeting visit to London.(Geopeople: Bruce Parry)(Interview)(Cover story)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 'Let's get out of here,' suggests Bruce Parry a few moments after his agent has introduced us in the ornately decorated lobby of a hotel off London's Bayswater Road. I'm not surprised by his reluctance to stay...

A flower in the desert: the nomadic Touareg roamed the Sahara for a millennium, fiercely protecting their way of life until 20th-century colonisation. Now, with their culture struggling to survive against the influence of globalisation, an annual festival in northern Niger is helping to rejuvenate their ancient customs.(Festival de l'Air)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Thwack! Arahli Watterene gives an authoritative slap to his camel's behind and moves off to where a group of nomadic camel-riders are circling a huddle of women chanting and playing tinde drums. They are performing...

Out of Africa.(Geographical archivel)(Bombay Africans 1850-1910, images of men that helped in the exploration of Africa)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The names of Burton and Speke, Stanley and Livingstone have been etched indelibly into the annals of British history. But less known are those of the men who led the explorers' entourages, acted as diplomats and even...

The rise of the East.(The Dragon and the Elephant: China, India and the New World Order)(Book review)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Dragon and the Elephant: China, India and the New World Order by David Smith Profile Books, pb, pp266, 15 [pounds sterling] When David Smith visited Shenzhen, China, in 1998, he thought its new, gleaming...

We Cannot Fail: The Dark Psychology of Heroic Adventure.(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We Cannot Fail: The Dark Psychology of Heroic Adventure by Geoff Powter Constable and Robinson pb, pp245, 8.99 [pounds sterling] This thought provoking book begins with the tragic story of Claudine Juedel, who...

Pantanal: South America's Wetland Jewel.(Book review)
October 1, 2007... Pantanal: South America's Wetland Jewel by Theo Allofs New Holland, hb, pp176, 24.99 [pounds sterling] Twenty times the size of the Florida Everglades, the Pantanal wetlands are home to a staggering variety of plants and wildlife. Seasonal...

Dr Livingstone, I Presume?(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dr Livingstone, I Presume? by Claire Pettitt Profile, hb, pp250, 15.99 [pounds sterling] It takes a brave author to take on the commission of writing a potted account of the story behind the most enduring...

The Rash Adventurer.(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Rash Adventurer by Imogen Grundon Libri, hb, pp383, 25 [pounds sterling] It's difficult to believe, but The, Rash Adventurer is the first published biography of John Pendlebury, the brilliant archaeologist,...

Top 10 writer's reads.(Brief article)(Recommended readings)
October 1, 2007... 1. Another Day of Life by Ryszard Kapuscinski (Penguin, 8.99 [pounds sterling]) How modern Africa stumbled into decay, conveyed with elegance and humanity 2. Younghusband: The Last Great Imperial Adventurer by Patrick French...

Inside North Korea.(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Inside North Korea by Mark Edward Harris Chronicle, hb, pp192, 25.00 [pound sterling] You can tell when a country isn't often visited by photographers because even the airports seem interesting. And as if to...

Travels with Herodotus.(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Travels with Herodotus by Ryszard Kapuscinski (translated from the Polish by Klara Glowczewska) Allen Lane, hb, pp276, 20 [pounds sterling] Ryszard Kapuscinski, who died earlier this year, was Poland's most...

Inside the Red Mansion: On the Trail of China's Bandit King.(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Inside the Red Mansion: On the Trail of China's Bandit King by Oliver August John Murray, hb, pp268, 20 [pounds sterling] When Oliver August went to China for The Times during the late 1990s, he found a country...

Travel: Where to Go When.(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Travel: Where to Go When edited by Craig Doyle Eyewitness Travel Guides, hb, pp336, 25 [pounds sterling] 'Free your mind, clear your diary and get ready to travel/says Craig Doyle in his foreword to a book that...

Ceylon Beaten Track.(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ceylon Beaten Track by WT Keble First published in 1940. Currently out of print Ceylon Beaten Track is one of the great travelogues about the pear-shaped island we now call Sri Lanka. Written during the late...

Higher gear: wind, rain, snow and heart: you can expect to encounter them all during a trek in the Himalaya. Paul Deegan highlights what's required for a successful mountain trip.(ESSENTIAL GEAR)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Apparently, the secret to trekking is local knowledge. So when I went trekking in the Indian Himalaya for the first time a decade ago, I contacted a knowledgeable friend for his advice on what I should--and...

Ten of the best: trekking at high altitude requires gear that doesn't weigh you down, while your clothes must protect you in the varied climes. These products should keep you comfortable and healthy on the trail.(ESSENTIAL GEAR)(Buyers guide)
October 1, 2007... [1] Water container MSR 2.5L. Hydromedary [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 33 [pounds sterling]/190 grams The latest incarnation of the durable Dromedary range, the Hydromedary is a dedicated hose based hydration system It's easy to...

One versatile lamp, three power options.(Led Lenser's Moppel)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Magnetic feet, suction pads and wraparound extremities are three features that make Led Lenser's Moppel range of lamps mighty handy for campers. The lamps come in ten designs that can all be powered from batteries, USB or a car cigarette...

Doggy paddlers to save lives in Italy.(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... In an attempt to reduce the number of drowning deaths off the Italian coast--which can exceed 400 people a year--the Guardia Costiera (Italian coast guard) has taken the unorthodox step of recruiting 25 dogs. The dogs--Labradors and...

Sir Ran is greatest British sportsperson.(Ranulph Twisleton Wykeham Fiennes)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Sir Ranulph Twisleton Wykeham Fiennes, third Baronet OBE, aged 63, has been bestowed with the impressive title of ITV1 Greatest Briton 2007--sportsman of the year. Sir Ran fought off competition from the likes of Formula One driver Lewis...

Swiss Army knife to be made in China?(OUT AND ABOUT)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As the Swiss Army knife celebrates its 120th birthday, a cloud of uncertainty looms over some 950 staff at its Victorinox production centre in Schwyz, following the news that the contract to produce the next batch of...

Big on warmth, small in size.(OUT AND ABOUT)(jacket and gilet)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... When it comes to clothing, warmth typically means bulk, but the latest offerings from Mountain Equipment turn that notion on its head. The new Compressor jacket and gilet are super-lightweight, very compressible--the gilet packs down to the...

To infinity and beyond.(OUT AND ABOUT)(Berghaus' The Infinity and Infinity Light)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Glowing after being awarded 'Superbrand' status this year (following a consumer survey and selection by a panel of branding experts), Berghaus has announced its new ranges for next spring and summer. Included among...

Taking care when it's hot out there: medical advice on heat illness by Dr Peter Hale of Wilderness Medical Training.(Expedition health)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The human body is designed to operate at around 37[degrees]C. Heat illness results when the body can't maintain this temperature within a few degrees and is provoked by dehydration. If recognised early and treated...

Explorer's essentials: Neil Laughton, ex-Royal Marine and SAS soldier, mountaineer, pilot and adventurer.(OUT AND ABOUT)(Special Air Service)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Rab Active Down jacket. Goes absolutely everywhere with me but excels in cold and dry conditions. It's ultra lightweight, toasty warm and packs away to nothing. * www.rab.uk.com 2. Berghaus Accelerator 3...

Odyssey Books & Guides.(The Geographical Good Guide Guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] WHAT ARE THEY LIKE? One of the only English-language publishers in China, Odyssey Books & Guides has been producing guides to some of the world's lesser known destinations for the past 25 years. Titles on...

The lure of the ancients geophoto: Egypt has attracted and challenged photographers for as long as the technology has existed.(PHOTOGRAPHY)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Egypt is the only country in the world to lend its name to a branch of science. Egyptology is the study of the civilisation of the ancient Egyptians, and much of what we know today of their life and culture is drawn...

Striving for relevance.(LETTER OF THE MONTH)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... When a discipline finds it necessary to study its navel then conclude by patting itself on the back (More than just maps and mountains, August 2007) you wonder what is amiss. Certainly the big issues mentioned were very relevant: climate change...

Not so many cars.(MAILBAG)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... Where in the world was the USA in September's Top Ten (Worldwatch)? Surely car ownership in the land of the automobile is up there somewhere. Andy Mack, Hove Ed replies: it surprised us too, but on a per capita basis, tire USA is...

Disappointing definitions.(MAILBAG)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... I was disappointed by the various attempts to define geography in your August issue (More than just maps and mountains), which I feel weren't specific enough, in spite of the difficulties that you rightly pointed out. Unfortunately, vagueness...

Plastic irony.(MAILBAG)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What a marvellous article about Rebecca Hosking in the September edition of Geographical (In conversation). How inspirational her campaign is to get people to stop using plastic bags and how sad it was to see what...

Ancient roots.(MAILBAG)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Incredible that a village in China continues to hold on to its Mongolian heritage 750 years after Kublai Khan deposited a garrison there (Little Mongolia). What a shame it would be if--as seems likely--that cultural...

Reigniting an appreciation for Britain.(MAILBAG)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... Has anyone else noticed the sudden increase of TV documentaries about the British Isles? Media executives seem to have gone Britain crazy. Having moved on from Coast, which continues with Neil Oliver at the helm, RGS Fellow Nicholas Crane is...

In conversation.(David Nussbaum )(Interview)
October 1, 2007... David Nussbaum joined WWF UK as its new chief executive in May, taking charge of all of the conservation organisation's activities in the UK.WWF operates in around 90 countries worldwide and has several hundred thousand members and supporters...