It’s Map Week on Cool Weird Awesome
This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography.
You Can Only Drive To Michigan’s “Lost Peninsula” Through Ohio
This week in 1837, Michigan became the 26th state in the Union. Michigan is famous for having an upper peninsula and a lower peninsula, but it also has a Lost Peninsula.
Bir Tawil Is Land Between Egypt And Sudan That Neither Country Wants
Egypt and Sudan dispute two stretches of land along their border. Both countries want one stretch, and neither wants the other.
When France And Spain Had A “War Of The Stop Signs”
It wasn't an actual war, but in the 1980s France and Spain were in a pretty serious dispute over stop signs placed on a road between a little Spanish enclave in southwestern France and the rest of Spain.
Oklahoma’s Panhandle Was Once Known As “No Man’s Land”
Today in 1907 Oklahoma became the 46th state in the Union. Oklahoma's panhandle has a complicated history that includes a time when it was known as “No Man’s Land.”
To Drive To Minnesota’s Northwest Angle, You Have To Go Through Canada
Today in 1858 Minnesota became the 32nd state in the Union. There's a part of the state that's on the other side of a lake from the rest, which means anyone who wants to drive from the Northwest Angle to the rest of Minnesota has to drive through Canada.
How A Farmer In Belgium Accidentally Changed The Country’s Borders
Today in 2021, the BBC reported on a very unusual happening: a farmer in Belgium accidentally redrew the country’s border with France.
Could We Replace Concrete Walls With Ones Made Of 3D-Printed Soil?
The new 3D printing project called To Grow A Building is working on a method to 3D print the components of structures out of dirt, with the goal of reducing the significant amount of emissions that come from using standard building materials.
How Two Deaf Mountaineers Plan To Climb The Seven Summits
For mountaineers, success and safety can depend on good communication. These climbers have their own communication system, which they plan to use in climbing the highest peaks on each continent.
Instead Of West Virginia, The US Could Have Had The State Of Westsylvania
Today in 1863, West Virginia became a state - though back in the 18th Century, there were several efforts to meld this land with parts of Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Maryland and create an entirely different entity called Vandalia or Westsylvania.