Numerous economic activities have evolved in the Americas. Systems range across the technological spectrum, from nomadic activities and simple agriculture to advanced, post-industrial economies with global reach. The earliest people of the Americas engaged in hunting and gathering to extract available resources from the flora… Read More
Nearly all of us spend part of our day mapping Maine. Some of us use paper maps or online maps or even high-tech satellite maps, but most often we use our own personal mental maps to navigate and explore our everyday environments. Without even thinking about it, we… Read More
Like cars in a demolition derby, pieces of Earth’s surface are skidding around, sideswiping and smashing into each other, or ripping apart from each other. All of this movement takes place in slow motion most of the time, so you will not notice it – unless there’s an… Read More
Accurate maps do useful things and may vary from culture to culture. There is also the matter of practicality. Jorge Luis Borges’ short story “On Exactitude in Science” is set in a land where the king’s cartographers were encouraged to such accuracy that their maps grew to the… Read More
Mapping the Americas Geography Awareness Week, Tuesday-Friday, Nov. 18-21, 2008 Is happiness related to the wealth of a country? Do countries that claim to be free democracies really honor the civil rights of residents? Do counties that export large volumes of wood products practice sustainable… Read More
An overview of Latin American History The name “Latin America” conjures images of contrast: Amazon River and Andes Mountains, rich and poor, Indian and white, urban and rural, masters and slaves, young and old, stable and tumultuous, revolutionary and conservative. Many contrasts are as contemporary… Read More
With the approach of a presidential election and thoughts turning toward who will be elected on Nov. 4 to lead the nation, I’d like to take us back in time to Maine leaders who have distinguished themselves and made a difference not only for Maine, but also for… Read More
Sometimes people use the term “rocket science” to say what something is not. For example, say you are building a birdhouse. You cut into the wood with a saw slowly and carefully. You are all tensed up, afraid you will make a mistake. The adult… Read More
The Newspapers in Education program at the Bangor Daily News is ready to welcome teachers and students back to school with a bang. This year promises to be filled with fun and learning with the Bangor Daily News. We’ll continue with our classroom favorites – The Mini Page… Read More