Geographical facts that surprise you (swimming, races, volcano)

[jbgusa]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Looks like you had your kids 5-10 years before I did. We have so much in common!

Mine were born in 1996 and 1997. Yours?

[slowlane3]

The lowest altitude in the USA (Death Valley) is only 135 miles (217 km) from the highest point in the lower 48 states (Mount Whitney).

The furthest southwest tip of Virginia (Cumberland Gap) is closer to the capitals of 5 or 6 other states, than it is to ITS OWN state capital, Richmond.

[Tom Lennox 70]

Originally Posted by pigeonhole

The southernmost point of the Federation of Russia, Derbent, Daghestan, is exactly at the same Latitude (42° N) as the southernmost point of Canada (Pelee island on Lake Erié) and nearly at the same Latitude as the southernmost point of France (overseas territories excepted), Bonnifacio in Corsica (41° 20' N)!

This really is surprising. I didn't know France was that far north to the point where even its southernmost point is the same as Canada. I always though the South of France was pretty far south with its warm climate, maybe around the same latitude as San Francisco at least.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by jbgusa

Mine were born in 1996 and 1997. Yours?

That's too much information for me to reveal on a public forum, but let's just say I have teenagers. The eldest is fairly recently out of high school here.

[easthome]

Originally Posted by Tom Lennox 70

This really is surprising. I didn't know France was that far north to the point where even its southernmost point is the same as Canada. I always though the South of France was pretty far south with its warm climate, maybe around the same latitude as San Francisco at least.

Europe is quite Northerly, if it wasn't for the Gulf Stream we would be in trouble in the Winter! Glasgow is as far north as Moscow!

[mooguy]

The great 49th parallel is often viewed as the border between the US & Canada but the reality is that over 70% of all Canadians live south of it.

[MrJester]

Originally Posted by Tom Lennox 70

This really is surprising. I didn't know France was that far north to the point where even its southernmost point is the same as Canada. I always though the South of France was pretty far south with its warm climate, maybe around the same latitude as San Francisco at least.

Yes, it seems like Europe has an even milder, warmer climate than the West Coast of the US and Canada and Alaska, given the same latitude. Paris and Vancouver, BC are at almost the same latitude, but Vancouver is actually a bit colder than Paris in the winter, even though Vancouver is by the sea and Paris is further inland.

Our perception is that Europe is far colder than the West Coast, but that is true only because most of the West Coast is South of Europe. LA has the same latitude as Rabat, Morocco.

For some reason, the Europeans just had to settle so darn far North even as their descendants settled West Coast North America at much lower latitudes.

[jbgusa]

In 1875 settlers from Iceland were ceded 60-square kilometers of land near Gimli,Manitoba for an Icelandic Preserve. The settlers drafted a constitution. Within five years harsh conditions forced their re-absorption into Canada. I have been advised by a resident of this area that a republic was contemplated. (link)

[manitopiaaa]

Originally Posted by slowlane3

The lowest altitude in the USA (Death Valley) is only 135 miles (217 km) from the highest point in the lower 48 states (Mount Whitney).

The furthest southwest tip of Virginia (Cumberland Gap) is closer to the capitals of 5 or 6 other states, than it is to ITS OWN state capital, Richmond.

By driving time the distances are even more stark:

Cumberland Gap, Virginia, to...

• Frankfort, Kentucky: 2h42m
• Nashville, Tennessee: 3h57m
• Charleston, West Virginia: 4h19m
• Atlanta, Georgia: 4h22m
• Columbia, South Carolina: 4h43m
• Indianapolis, Indiana: 5h1m
• Columbus, Ohio: 5h1m
• Raleigh, North Carolina: 5h55m
• Montgomery, Alabama: 6h10m
• Richmond, Virginia: 6h42m

It's closer to 9 states!

Cumberland Gap to where I live, Alexandria, VA, is 7h34m.

Here are some places that are closer to Cumberland Gap, VA, than me:

• Chicago, Illinois
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Detroit, Michigan
• Jennings, Florida
• Meridian, Mississippi
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Saint Louis, Missouri
• West Memphis, Arkansas

[manitopiaaa]

Originally Posted by arr430

The distinctive thing about the Dalhart-Liberal road, is that it goes through a city of over 10,000 (Guymon OK) without deviating. The reason it is straight is because it runs alongside a railway, which predated motor roads in that area.

It does deviate in Guymon though: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/35.3...37.0430812!3e0