This Week in Geographic History, January 9 – 15

Here’s an advance look at some of the “This Day in Geographic History” (TDIGH) events coming up this week. For each date, we’ve matched it with a map or visual, background information, and a classroom activity so you can plan ahead. Tuesday, January 10 TDIGH: London Underground Opens The London Underground opened in 1863, making it the oldest underground railway in the world. Map: London … Continue reading This Week in Geographic History, January 9 – 15

Cold War Transport Rolls into Berlin

WORLD The newest trains on the U-Bahn, Berlin’s busy subway system, first rolled out before the Berlin Wall was constructed. (The Atlantic CityLab) How does the U-Bahn serve Berlin? Take a look through our GeoStory on public transportation for some guidance. Discussion Ideas Why has the city of Berlin decided to dust off its classic Cold War-era subway cars, nicknamed ‘Doras’? According to CityLab, “Berlin … Continue reading Cold War Transport Rolls into Berlin

12 Things We Learned This Week!

What did you learn this week? Let us know in the comments or at education@ngs.org. This week, we learned … … the surprising story of the Muslim tamale king of the Old West.   … it’s Sami v. Somaliland in a World Cup for the stateless.   … that Maori ’emotiki’ will soon join the emoji crowd with emoticons to express cultural concepts like the … Continue reading 12 Things We Learned This Week!

Mapping Matatus

GEOGRAPHY Just as New York commuters can plot their subway routes, residents of Nairobi can now jack into the city’s informal bus system on their smartphones. (Wired) Use our GeoStory to navigate other transit systems around the world. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources, including pocket-sized and wall-sized versions of the new Nairobi transit map. Discussion Ideas The terrific new mapping … Continue reading Mapping Matatus

Getting on Board with Amtrak

UNITED STATES Trains are different than planes. Yet at some high-traffic stations, the boarding process is strangely, mysteriously, similar. (Vox) Use our resources to engineer better access to public transportation. Discussion Ideas Read through the fun Vox article. (Keep in mind that a “queue” is a line of people waiting their turn, and “queuing” simply means “lining up.”) Why is the boarding process for a … Continue reading Getting on Board with Amtrak