Species Named After Peru

Located at the western fringe of the mighty Amazon Rainforest, PERU boasts a wide range of species a biodiversity typically rivaling that of neighboring Brazil. West Peruvian Dove, and West Peruvian Screech Owl. Well over fifty species are named after this country. They include the following: Peru Andes Frog, Peru Blind Snake, Peru Coast Toad, Peru Cochran Frog, Peru Forest Pit Viper, Peru Gracile Mouse Opossum, Peru Leaf-Toed Gecko, Peru Pacific Iguana, Peru Poison Frog, Peru Slender Snake, Peru Snail-Eater snake, Peru Stubfoot Toad, Peru Water Frog, Peruvian Antpitta bird, Peruvian Bamboo Rat, Peruvian Beaked Whale, Peruvian Blenny fish, Peruvian Booby bird, Peruvian Codling fish, Peruvian Cotton Rat, Peruvian Diving Petrel bird, Peruvian Eagle Ray, Peruvian Fish-Eating Rat, Peruvian Flyingfish, Peruvian Horn Shark, Peruvian Laucha vesper mouse, Peruvian Martin, Peruvian Meadowlark, Peruvian Moonfish, Peruvian Night Monkey, Peruvian Oldfield Mouse, Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Penguin, Peruvian Piedtail bird, Peruvian Plantcutter bird, Peruvian Pufferfish, Peruvian Recurvebill bird, Peruvian Rice Rat, Peruvian Sea Bass, Peruvian Seaside Cinclodes bird, Peruvian Selema fish, Peruvian Sheartail bird, Peruvian Sierra Finch, Peruvian Skate, Peruvian Small-Eared Shrew, Peruvian Tern bird, Peruvian Tyrannulet bird, Peruvian Warbling Antbird, Peruvian Weakfish, and Peruvian Wren.

Peru Extinct and Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for PERU in South America lists 3 extinct species, 3 extinct-in-the-wild species, 66 critically endangered species, and 119 endangered species. Cuscomys oblativa rodents, Lagostomus crassus rodents, and Pradosia argentea plants are extinct, while the following flowery plants are extinct in the wild: Brugmansia arborea, Brugmansia insignis, and Brugmansia sanguinea. Peru's critically endangered species include the Chilean Woodstar bird, Marañón Spinetail bird, Peters' Andes Frog, Royal Cinclodes bird, Short-Tailed Chinchilla, Upper Amazon Stubfoot Toad, Waved Albatross bird, and Zuniga's Dark Rice Rat. Endangered species include the Andean Mountain Cat, Andean Tapir mammal, Chamek Spider Monkey, Colan Water Frog, Gray-Cheeked Parakeet, Huahachuco Water Frog, Isidor's Eagle, Junín Rail bird, Long-Whiskered Owlet, Purple-Backed Sunbeam bird, Queen of the Puna bromeliad plant, Sea Cat otter, Summers' Poison Frog, and Wattled Curassow bird.

Paraguay Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for PARAGUAY in South America lists 3 extinct-in-the-wild species (Aylacostoma chloroticum, Aylacostoma guaraniticum, and Aylacostoma stigmaticum*), 7 critically endangered species, and 14 endangered species. Critically endangered species are as follows: Brazilian Merganser duck, Candelabra Tree, Discocactus hartmannii tropical cactus, Eskimo Curlew bird, Glaucous Macaw (pretty blue color!), Mimosa morongii plant, and Purple-Barred Ground Dove. Black-Fronted Piping Guan birds, Crowned Solitary Eagles, Giant Brazilian Otters, Marsh Seedeater birds, Pilar Tuco-Tuco rodent, Taguas (Chacoan Peccaries), Vinaceous Parrots, and White-Winged Nightjar birds are endangered in Paraguay.

* These freshwater snail species are believed to be extinct due to Yacyretá Dam construction on the Paraná River.

Papua New Guinea Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for PAPUA NEW GUINEA in Oceania lists 1 extinct species (Rhantus papuantus beetle), 37 critically endangered species, and 64 endangered species. Papua New Guinea's critically endangered species include Beck's Petrel, Black Forest-Wallaby, Black Mogurnda fish, Bougainville Paphiopedilum orchid (endemic to Bougainville island), Bulmer's Fruit Bat, Eastern Long-beaked Echidna, Glass Blue-Eye fish, Longcomb Sawfish, New Guinea Big-Eared Bat, Northern Glider marsupial, and Tenkile Tree Kangaroo. Endangered species include the Alpine Wallaby, Black-Backed Pitta bird, Bougainville Naked-Tailed Rat, David's Echymipera (David's Spiny Bandicoot) marsupial, Fergusson Island Striped Possum (Tate's Triok), Giant Bandicoot, Gressitt's Paramelomys rodent, Mountain Pademelon marsupial, Moustached Kingfisher, Northern Water Rat, Ornate Tree Kangaroo, Van Deusen's Rat, and White-Eyed Starling. Species named after the country include the Papua New Guinea Montane Keelback snake and Papua New Guinea Rat.

Grand Isle, Vermont

Nestled in the northwest corner of Vermont state (part of the UNITED STATES), Grand Isle (South Hero Island) is the largest island in Lake Champlain and is about 1 mile east of New York's Cumberland Head peninsula. Despite having a relatively small population of 4,000 (2016 estimate), Grand Isle and surrounding areas boast plenty of amenities for visitors and residents to enjoy. Communities include Adams Landing, Gordon Landing, Grand Isle (most-populated town), Keeler Bay (intersection of Vermont St. Route 314 and US 2), Pearl, and South Hero. These places are connected to farmland, forests, and general rural areas throughout the island via major routes such as SR 214, US 2, and South Street. Other roads are not shown on the map above, and the number of these routes is arguably enough to connect all parts of Grand Isle while preserving natural areas. Sites of interest below...



Visitors have several pleasant choices for lodging: Apple Island Resort (south), Cozy Cottages (north), and Grand Isle Lake Resort (north). Natural, historic, and shopping attractions on Grand Isle — some of which are nearby and far away from the Lake Champlain Scenic Byway road — include Allenholm Farm, Allen Point Access Area, Arnold Zlotoff Tool Museum, Ed Weed Fishing Access Area, Grand Isle Art Works (café and gallery), Grand Isle State Park, Health Hero Farm, Pomykala Farm, Round Pond State Park & Natural Area (southeast), South Hero Marsh Wildlife Area (south), and Vallee's Den of Antiquity. Offering free admission, the Arnold Zlotoff Tool Museum is situated near Apple Island Resort and features over 3,000 colonial tools. Added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on March 11th, 1971, the Hyde (Pioneer) Log Cabin was built by Jedediah Hyde, Jr. in 1783 and is believed to be one of America's oldest log cabins! Generations of the Hyde family lived here for over 150 years. In addition to the vehicle-carrying ferry connecting Gordon Landing to Cumberland Head, NY, Grand Isle offers the Local Motion Bike Ferry and Island Line Trail to connect cyclists in the southern part of Grand Isle to Burlington and beyond. For the most part, Island Line Trail is basically a thin isthmus for cyclists, pedestrians, skateboarders, etc. only (no cars).


Above: An interesting camera effect appears to warp the Grand Isle Lake Resort, a popular facility for weddings and lodging.

GeoFact of the Day Endorses Jill Stein

The GeoFact of the Day's creator and publisher endorses Jill Stein for President of the United States. Stein may not statistically be a viable choice for president, compared to the support Trump and Clinton likely will receive. Regardless, Americans should vote based on their conscience — not for the lesser of two evils, nor to vote so that the other person won't become president. I plan to vote based on my conscience and who I believe will be an ideal president to help us solve issues related to climate change and local, national, and global conundrums. Americans, please feel free to vote for who you feel will best serve the United States — I respect your vote regardless.

Thank you for your loyal readership on GeoFact of the Day's Facebook page and blog!

Panama Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for PANAMA in Central America lists 55 critically endangered species and 124 endangered species. Panama's critically endangered species include the Almirante Trail Toad, American Cinchona Plantation Treefrog, Black-Headed Spider Monkey, Continental Divide Treefrog, Dark-Rumped Petrel, Elkhorn Coral, Fin-Joined Goby, Golfito Robber Frog, Lemur Leaf Frog (big eyes like a lemur!), Maritime Worm Salamander, Narrow-Lined Treefrog, Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth, Rabb's Fringe-Limbed Treefrog, Townsend's Shearwater bird, and Waved Albatross bird. The American Eel, Azuero Parakeet, Bare-Necked Umbrellabird, Boulder Star Coral, Cerro Pando Salamander, Costa Rica Brook Frog, Galápagos Penguin, Glow-Throated Hummingbird, Golden-Cheeked Warbler, Great Green Macaw, Isthmian Goby, Nassau Grouper, Polkadot Poison Frog, Yellow-Billed Cotinga, and Zanthoxylum panamense plant are some endangered species.

Species Named After Panama

Thanks to its rainforests, isolated islands, and coral reefs, PANAMA is a hotspot for species biodiversity — including well over 1,000 endemic species living only in this country. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that about thirty species are named after Panama. Some Panama-named species include the False Panama Anchovy, Panama Croaker fish, Panama Cross-banded Treefrog, Panama Goby fish, Panama Graysby fish, Panama Hat Plant, Panama Humming Frog, Panama Least Gecko, Panama Silverside fish, Panama Anchovy, Panama Hake fish, Panama Kingfish, Panama Longfin Herring, Panama Sand Eel, Panama Sergeant Major damselfish, Panama Spadefish, Panama Triplefin fish, Panamanian Climbing Rat, Panamanian Dwarf Boa, Panamanian Flycatcher, Panamanian Night Monkey, Panamanian Spiny Pocket Mouse, Panamanian (Yellow-Green) Tyrannulet bird, Panamanian Worm Blenny fish, and Panamanian Jawfish.

Palau Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for PALAU in Oceania lists 27 critically endangered species and 29 endangered species. Except for the Hawksbill Turtle, the IUCN-listed critically endangered species are snails — including Aaadonta angaurana, Aaadonta irregularis, Aaadonta kinlochi, Coneuplecta turrita, Diplommatina crassilabris, Kubaryia pilikia, Palaina moussoni, Palline notera, and Partula calypso. Endangered species include the Black Teatfish sea cucumber, Chinese Pond Turtle, Eastern Curlew bird, Golden Sandfish sea cucumber, Great Knot bird, Green Turtle, Hammerhead Shark, Humphead (Undulate) Wrasse fish (Napoleonfish), Japanese Night Heron, Micronesian Waterfowl, Polynesian Sheath-Tailed Bat, Prickly Redfish sea cucumber, and Pygmy Blue Whale.

Species Named After Palau

Described by the WWF as the most biodiverse region of Micronesia, PALAU — a country comprised of over 500 islands and situated in the North Pacific Ocean, east of The Philippines — has dozens of endemic species (only living in Palau) and about thirty species named after the Oceanic country. The following species are some aquatic and land-based organisms named after Palau: Goniastrea palauensis coral, Palau Bevel-Nosed Boa, Palau Bush Warbler, Palau Fantail bird, Palau Flycatcher bird, Palau Flying Fox, Palau Frog, Palau Fruit Dove, Palau Ground Dove, Palau Ground Skink, Palau Island Dtella (Gecko), Palau Kingfisher bird, Palau Nightjar bird, Palau Owl, Palau Slender Gecko, Palau Snake-Eyed Skink, Palau Swiftlet bird, Palaua babelthuapi land snail, and Palaua minor land snail.

10 Smallest Asian Countries

Have you ever wondered what are Asia's ten smallest countries? Even if you didn't, this post will answer that question! The following list is comprised of sovereign countries in Asia — these are not territories (like Hong Kong and Macau) that are possessed by larger countries. Click on the countries' names to access their respective posts.

     1. The MALDIVES — 298 sq. kilometers, 115 sq. miles

     2. SINGAPORE — 719 km², 278 mi²

     3. BAHRAIN — 770 km², 297 mi²

     4. BRUNEI — 5,765 km², 2,226 mi²

     5. CYPRUS — 9,251 km², 3,572 mi²

     6. LEBANON — 10,453 km², 4,036 mi²

     7. QATAR — 11,607 km², 4,481 mi²

     8. EAST TIMOR (Timor-Leste) — 14,954 km², 5,773 mi²

     9. KUWAIT — 17,818 km², 6,880 mi²

     10. ISRAEL — 21,643 km², 8,357 mi²

Area statistics are mostly derived from Encyclopedia Britannica, which routinely verifies and updates its information for accuracy and to reflect recent geographic changes. In fact, Singapore (as mentioned in the Singapore post) has been recently growing due to a project of building and connecting islands.

Vanern Lake

Situated in southwestern SWEDEN among thousands of smaller lakes, Vänern is the largest lake in Sweden with a surface area of 5,650 square kilometers and 2,181 square miles and maximum depth of almost 107 meters (350 feet). It is also the third-largest lake in all of Europe, behind Ladoga and Onega lakes in Russia. Located in southern Värmlands län (county) and northern Västra Götalands län, Vänern is about three times larger than Sweden's second-largest lake: Vättern (1,912 sq. km, 738 sq. mi). Proving Vänern to be a useful mode of transportation, the Göta Kanal (canal) connects the lake's eastern shoreline to communities and fellow lakes to the east. Åmal, Hällekis, Karlstad, Kristinehamn, Lidköping, Mariestad, Mellerud, Säffle, Sjötorp, Stigsberget, and Vänersborg are some small and large communities where residents can live, work, and play right by Vänern. Rivers and streams connected to Vänern include Dalbergsån, Friaån, Gullspångsälven, Holmsån, Klarälven, Lidan, and Sjöråsån. The lake holds hundreds of tiny offshore islands, and Torsö (nicknamed Thor's Island) is by far the largest with an area of about 62 sq. kilometers and 24 sq. miles. Other islands include Åsundaön, Brommö, Djurö, Kållandsö, Kalvön, Lurö Skärgård islands, Nötön, Rammholmen islands, Spåron, and Vålön.

Kinnekulle — Bunch of Stones and Biodiversity

Kinnekulle is a major limestone plateau straddling the shoreline, in between the communities of Götene and Lidköping. Quarry leftovers recall a time when Kinnekulle supported a thriving mining industry decades ago. Manor houses (like Hönsäter in the photo and illustration above), cottages, villages, and centuries-old churches still exist in the area. Various nature reserves are scattered across Kinnekulle, the largest of which is Österplana Hed och Vall (Heath and Pasture) nature reserve. Västerplana Storäng is a large meadow adjacent to the lake. Bestorp, Blomberg, Gamleriket, Råbäcks Sjöskog (lake woodland), Såten and other nature reserves boast healthy deciduous and coniferous forests. Various rare and endangered fungi, flowers, insects, and animals thrive in the Kinnekulle area. The Rand McNally map to the top-left shows the boundaries of Kinnekulle. To enlarge this map to its original size, you can right-click and select Open link in new tab (Internet Explorer), or click on the image and then right-click to select Open image in new tab (Google Chrome).

What is Sweden's Largest Lake?

About three times larger than SWEDEN's second-largest lake (Lake Vättern), Lake Vänern is the Scandinavian country's largest lake. More info will be posted in a forthcoming post!

Hué Monuments

Once serving as the capital of VIETNAM starting in 1802, Hué in central Vietnam now serves as the picturesque home of about 350,000 residents (2016 estimate). Until 1945, Hué boasted its designation as a cultural, political, and religious center of the Nguyen Dynasty. Despite destructive wars and the typical forces of building deterioration, plenty of architectural amazement remains visible in the city of Hué today. The Sông Huong (Perfume River) and Ngu Bình mountain both straddle the city and various places belonging in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a site which was designated as a place of cultural importance in 1993. Some sites within the Heritage Site area include Điện Voi Ré (Temple of the Roaring Elephant), Hoàng Thành (Imperial City) palace, the Imperial Palace, Trai Bình Dài and Trai Bìn Thành fortresses, Tu Cam Thành (Forbidden Purple City) palace, and Van Mieu (Temple of Literature). Tombs of the dynasty's emperors are housed upstream along the Perfume River. To view more photos of this Heritage Site, access this UNESCO Image Gallery.

Air Quality Alerts in Indiana and Kentucky on Sept. 20th

(National Weather Service, GeoFact of the Day Blog) For Tuesday, September 20th, the National Weather Service is cautioning residents in southern Indiana, the Indianapolis, IN area, and the Louisville, KY area that higher-than-normal ozone levels from carbon emissions may cause negative health effects for children, the elderly, and people with the following conditions: asthma, breathing issues, heart disease, and lung disease. They should ideally "limit their outdoor activities to reduce their exposure to ozone and particulate pollution." The following text lists Indiana and Kentucky counties with Code Orange air quality alerts in alphabetical order:

Indiana: Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clark, Daviess, Floyd, Grant, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Jackson, Johnson, Knox, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Shelby, and Vanderburgh

Kentucky: Bullitt, Jefferson, and Oldham

Pakistan Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for PAKISTAN in South Asia lists 15 critically endangered species and 32 endangered species. There are no extinct species listed on IUCN's website. Pakistan's critically endangered species include the Baer's Pochard duck, Gentiana kurroo flowers, Glyptothorax kashmirensis catfish, Indian Bustard bird, Largetooth Sawfish, Long-Billed Vulture, Long-Nosed Crocodile, Oriental White-Backed Vulture, Pondicherry Shark, Pondicherry Vulture, Snow Crane, and Sociable Plover. Its habitat being altered by river damming, the Glyptothorax kashmirensis catfish resides only in the Jhelum River in northern Pakistan (Kashmir). Endangered species include the Black-Bellied Tern bird, Broadfin Shark, Golden Mahaseer fish, Himalayan Yew tree, Indian Elephant, Indian Hog Deer, Kashmir Musk-Deer, Longheaded Eagle Ray, Narrow-Headed Softshell Turtle, South Asian River Dolphin, Thick-Tailed Pangolin, and Woolly Flying Squirrel. Up until the late 20th century, biologists thought the aforementioned squirrel species became extinct. At least one species — Pakistan Calomyscus, also known as the Baluchi Brush-tailed Mouse — is named after Pakistan.

Oman Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for OMAN in Southwestern Asia lists 3 critically endangered species and 21 endangered species. There are no extinct species listed on IUCN's website. Oman's critically endangered species are the Hawksbill Turtle, Pondicherry Shark, and Sociable Plover bird. Endangered species in Oman include the Arabian Tahr, Black Teatfish, Eastern Curlew bird, Prickly Redfish, Sandfish, Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, and Tawi Atair Garra fish. With a population of 200, Tawi Atair Garra fish are only found in a deep sinkhole's pool — located in southwestern Oman's Dhofar Governorate near the city of Salalah. Species named after Oman include the Oman Blenny fish, Oman Bullhead Shark, Oman Butterflyfish, Oman Cuttlefish, Oman Electric Ray, Oman Garra fish, Oman Gurnard fish, Oman Porgy Fish, Oman Saw-Scaled Viper, Oman Sea Longsnout Goby, and Omani Owl (discovered in 2013).

Norway Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for NORWAY in Northern Europe lists 7 critically endangered species and 14 endangered species. There are no extinct species listed on IUCN's website. Norway's critically endangered species are the Balearic Shearwater, Baltic Sturgeon, Blue Skate, Blunt-Nose Rattail (Black Grenadier) fish, Boreal Felt Lichen, European Eel, and Starry Breck Lichen. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Black Right Whales, Common Rorquals, Cortinarius osloensis mushrooms (Oslofjord area, southeastern Norway), Egyptian Eagles, Freshwater Pearl Mussels, Great Knot birds, Halibut fish, Pollack (Sei) Whales, Pygmy Blue Whales, Sandy Skates, Steppe Eagles, Violinfish, and Yellow-Breasted Bunting birds are endangered in Norway. Species named after Norway include the Norway Bullhead fish, Norway Lemming, Norway Lobster, Norway Pine, Norway Pout fish, Norwegian Goby fish, Norwegian Skate, and Norwegian Topknot fish.

North Korea Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for NORTH KOREA (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) in East Asia lists 5 critically endangered species and 19 endangered species. North Korea recently had 17 endangered species listed by IUCN, as evident on the GeoFact of the Day Blog's original North Korea Extinct and Endangered Species post.

North Korea's critically endangered species are the Baer's Pochard duck, Bekko Tombo (Libellula angelina) dragonfly, Chinese Pufferfish, Chinese Sturgeon (possibly extinct in North Korea, Japan, and South Korea), and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Endangered species include the Black-Faced Spoonbill bird, Chinese Merganser duck, Chinese Pond Turtle, Crested Ibis, Jankowski's Bunting bird, Japanese White Stork (Oriental Stork), Manchurian Crane (Red-Crowned Crane), Nordmann's Greenshank (Spotted Greenshank) bird, North Pacific Right Whale, and Pollack Whale.

Nigeria Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for NIGERIA in West Africa lists one extinct-in-the-wild species (Scimitar-Horned Oryx), 34 critically endangered species, and 73 endangered species. Nigeria's critically endangered species include the Bouvier's Red Colobus, Gambles' Relic dragonfly (possibly extinct), Lowland Gorilla, Napoleonaea reptans plant, Preuss' Red Colobus, Saxicolella marginalis plant (recorded alive in northwestern Cameroon and southeastern Nigeria), and Wide Sawfish. African Wedgefish (Spikenose Wedgefish), Black Long-Fingered Frogs, Clearwing dragonflies, Common Chimpanzees, Death Trees, Drill primates, Ebony trees, Ibadan Malimbe birds, Preuss' Guenons (Preuss' Monkeys), Spearnose Skates, Thorny Freshwater Stingrays, White-Throated Mountain Babbler birds, and about sixty other species are endangered in Nigeria. Species named after Nigeria include the Nigeria Banana Frog, Nigeria Crag Gecko, Nigerian Fangtooth Pellonuline fish, Nigerian Gerbil, Nigerian Mole Rat, Nigerian Sapphire Gem Butterfly, Nigerian Shrew, Nigerian Stream Crab, Nigerian Tonguesole fish, Nigerian Wrinkle-Lipped Bat, and Perret's Nigeria Gecko.

Niger Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for NIGER in West Africa lists one extinct-in-the-wild species (Scimitar-Horned Oryx), seven critically endangered species, and eight endangered species. Niger's critically endangered species are the Addax (White Antelope), Addra Gazelle, Hooded Vulture, Monkfish, Rueppell's Griffon Vulture, White-Backed Vulture, and White-Headed Vulture. Alestes bouboni fish, Cape Hunting Dogs, Egyptian Eagles, Lappet-Faced Vultures, Philochortus zolii lizards, Rhim Gazelles, Saker Falcons, and Steppe Eagles are endangered in Niger. Philatelic fact: the Alestes bouboni fish is featured on Niger's 120 Franc stamp from the year 1984.

Nicaragua Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for NICARAGUA in Central America lists 1 extinct species (West Indian Monk Seal), 12 critically endangered species, and 39 endangered species. The Arrow Cichlid fish, Atherinella jiloaensis silverside fish, Craugastor ranoides frog, Dark-Rumped Petrel bird, Elkhorn Coral, Goliath Grouper, Hawksbill Turtle, Largetooth Sawfish, Lonchocarpus phaseolifolius legume plant, Lonchocarpus yoroensis legume plant, Mollinedia ruae plant, and Staghorn Coral are Nicaragua's critically endangered species. Endangered species include the American Eel, Boulder Star Coral, Brown Sea Cucumber, Geoffroy's Spider Monkey (Mono Colorado; Spanish: Mono Araña), Oaxacan Spiny-Tailed Iguana, Pygmy Blue Whale, Westfall Knobtail dragonfly, and Zanthoxylum belizense plant. Species named after Nicaragua include the Nicaragua Giant Glass Frog, Nicaragua Pine, Nicaraguan Grackle bird, Nicaraguan Harvest Mouse, Nicaraguan Pocket Gopher, Nicaraguan Seed Finch, and Nicaraguan Woodrat.

President Obama Visits Midway Islands

SAND ISLAND, Midway Atoll (GeoFact of the Day Blog) — On the first day of September in his last year as president, U.S. President Barack Obama traveled to the isolated Midway Atoll to commemorate an expansion of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, which includes some small islands of northwestern Hawai'i. Previously encompassing 139,797 square miles of the North Pacific Ocean, Papahānaumokuākea MNM now protects 583,000 square miles (about 1.510,000 sq. kilometers) of territory to help protect over 7,000 aquatic species and prevent fishing. UNESCO designated this marine preserve as a « World Heritage Site » in 2010. Since the arrival of President Richard Nixon in 1969, no other president has visited Midway before Obama did. Being a portmanteau word, Papahānaumokuākea refers to Papahānaumoku and Wākea, two Hawaiian ancestral spirits known for mythically creating the Hawaiian islands and its native people.