Ask Mapman[TM]."Maps are like milk," says U.S. geographer Mark Monmonier Mark Stephen Monmonier (born 2 February 1943) is an author with expertise in toponymy, geography, and geographic information systems. The published works show a combination of serious study and a sense of humor. Most of his work is published by University of Chicago Press. . "Their information is perishable, and it is wise to check the date." Over the years, as new nations have formed and old ones crumbled, a parade of place-names has fallen off the map. Ceylon, East Germany East Germany: see Germany. , Siam, and the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R. on maps) now exist only on out-of-date maps or as obscure clues for crossword puzzles. But did you know that Antarctica takes the "maps are like milk" description one step further? Although the continent's name remains the same, its coastline changes yearly. That is because massive icebergs regularly calve calve act of parturition by a cow or other mammal producing a calf as offspring. (break off) from Antarctica's glaciers and ice shelves, knocking Rhode Island-size chunks from the outline of the continent (see first question). The following students will each win a Mapman T-shirt Congratulations! Rachel S., from Pennsylvania, wonders about changing coastlines. Q: Does Antarctica's coastline change over time? A: Oh, does it! As soon as an outline map is drawn of the icy continent, it is likely to have changed. Remember that less than half of Antarctica's shoreline is rock. The remaining 60 percent is made up of floating ice shelves and advancing and retreating glaciers. Because the calving calving act of parturition in a bovine female, and presumably in any animal that bears a calf as its newborn. See also block calving, ease of calving. calving-to-conception interval icebergs vary in size, shape, and symmetry, the coast of Antarctica will remain a giant ice sculpture bay ice broken small by the wind or waves; sludge. See also: Ice for quite some time. David B., from Chicago, Illinois, is interested in cold places. Q: What was the coldest temperature ever recorded? A: The lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth was taken in 1983 near Russia's Vostok Station Vostok Station (Russian: Станция Восток) is a Russian (formerly Soviet) research station located near the South Geomagnetic Pole, at the center of the East Antarctic in East Antarctica: 129[degrees] below zero. Brrr! Derek N., from Washington State, ponders geopolitics geopolitics, method of political analysis, popular in Central Europe during the first half of the 20th cent., that emphasized the role played by geography in international relations. . Q: Does Greenland belong to Europe or North America? A: Greenland is part of North America. In 1979, Denmark granted home-rule status to its island territory. Now, when you see the Inuit place-name Kalaallit Nunaat (Land of the People) printed on maps, you will know that the Inuit of Greenland have gained some political independence. |
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