Bowie World Geography

In the 1930s, seismologists faced a big mystery about the inner structure of the Earth. Today, on what would have been Danish seismologist Inge Lehmann's 127th birthday, it's a good time to appreciate how - using limited data and rudimentary technology - she brilliantly arrived at the answer.

Recent article from an Indian Government official describing the lingering effects of the caste system in Indian society.

Some good articles about the spread of Boko Harem to other African countries, financing terrorism with the Internet and use of bit-coins, and a survey of captured Islamist fighters on what motivated them to join militant groups.

Monday, 105 lawmakers from both parties sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, urging him to change a relatively obscure uniform requirement for the U.S. armed forces that some argue infringes on religious beliefs. People who observe religions that require specific hair or dress traditions have to seek an accommodation from a superior to break the Defense Department's uniform requirements.

This is a good one for us as educators...

Posted: Poverty, disease and broken hearts -- can religion be the answer to these and other problems in today's world? According to a recent Gallup poll, 57% of Americans believe that religion can solve all or most of today's problems. While still a majority belief, the number is down from 82% who believed this in the 1950s, while the number of Americans who believe religion is old fashioned and out of date has grown to 30% from less than 10%.

The Big Religion Comparison Chart is a comparison chart of religions that compares the origins, beliefs, practices, and texts of world religions, small religions, ancient cults and new religious movements.

The number of Americans who do not identify with any religion continues to grow at a rapid pace. One-fifth of the U.S. public - and a third of adults under 30 - are religiously unaffiliated today, the highest percentages ever in Pew Research Center polling.

These are great for this unit. Click on the "Abrahamic" religions to show connection with diffusion of those religions. It categorizes them pretty well too.

Not exactly perfect, and very complicated but it is a good visual to show students the connections of a lot of religions.

Great visual of the hearths and diffusion patters of the Five major religions. (NO sound)

Unclassified analysis of upcoming challenges facing Saudi Arabia with the expansion of democracy in the Middle East.

Great tool! Population Pyramid of WORLD in 2010

There's a lot of good information and visuals about population and emergent technologies in this letter, and it has a cool layout. Definitely worth reading.

In 2013, just how much did the United States suffer from the government shutdown? Did India's economic slowdown affect its overall security and governance? And did the Arab Spring make any lasting progress toward genuine democracy?

This allows you to see proposed, active and finished (cleaned up) superfund sites around the country. Pretty interesting.