Visit an Island in the Clouds
Journey to Borneo, where you'll meet the orangutans and explore exotic island habitats. You can also download a tropical Borneo screen saver.
Subject
Geography
Geography is the subject that makes every other subject make more sense. History without it is a list of dates; economics without it is abstract; ecology without it is impossible.
The original site leaned hard on expeditions — Antarctica, Borneo, Egypt, the Arctic — because following a real journey is the fastest way to make a place stop being a shape on a map.
What sits under geography
Physical geography and landforms, climate and weather, human and cultural geography, countries and regions, maps and cartography, exploration, and population.
On virtual expeditions
The 1999 idea of an online expedition — a researcher posting from the field while classes followed along — was ahead of its time and is far easier to do now. The archives are a good source of destinations that worked.
45 entries from the archive
May 1999
Explore the Amistad
You've probably seen the movie, but now you can explore the history of the real ship! Read the story of the revolt, meet the people involved or visit places the Amistad traveled. The Mystic Seaport Amistad site also contains curriculum resources for teachers.
Realms of Ice
Learn about Arctic tribes and visit the tomb of an ancient Siberian shaman. The gallery of masks reveals the colorful traditions of the Yup'ik people.
Explore Distant Lands
Relive the daring life of explorer Captain James Cook and learn about the dangers of life at sea. Retrace his route to exotic lands using interactive maps.
Ain't I A Woman?
Learn about the extraordinary life of Sojourner Truth, the abolitionist and orator -- and explore her world through words and pictures.
Climb Mount Fuji!
Take a virtual hike up Japan's famous mountain and learn cool facts about the country's culture. You can even color pictures drawn by Japanese kids or learn how to speak and write in Japanese.
July 1999
Discovery Adventures
July 6, 1999
Explore the 4,500 miles of the Great Wall of China and become an expert on the dynasties that built this physical and cultural phenomenon.
Quick Facts
July 19, 1999
Why is the Bible called the Bible? Because of the paper on which it was written. Before deciding to build the capital city in Washington, D.C., in which state did people suggest it be built? New York.
Quick Facts
July 21, 1999
What do you call the skin that hangs under a turkey's bill? The wattle. Through what continent does the Amazon River flow? South America.
Hot News
July 21, 1999
Alarming the world community, Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui looks poised to spark war with China if he moves on his plan to declare Taiwan an independent country free from Chinese rule.
July 1999
Go for the Gold!
Sydney, Australia will host the 2000 Summer Olympics. Keep track of all the latest Olympics news and follow your favorite athletes on the road to glory. Then, relive the medal moments of Atlanta and Nagano.
Desert Dynasty
Uncover the mysteries of the Pyramid Age and the dynasty that ruled Egypt 5,000 years ago. Then learn the secrets of hieroglyphs, puzzling picture symbols used by ancient Egyptians.
Twelve Who Mattered
Whom do you think were the most influential people of the 20th century? Peruse one journalist's choices for the 12 biggest pop culture icons of the 1900s; then see how many other ways the world might change with the millennium.
Tour de France
The world's most famous bike race is underway with an American in the lead. Learn why Lance Armstrong is lucky to be in this year's race, and check out the course, a 21-day monster that winds its way through the French mountains and countryside.
August 1999
Quick Facts
August 4, 1999
Southeast Asia is home to Borneo, the third largest island in the world, and many other island groups or " archipelagoes " such as the 5-country conglomerate known as the Malay Archipelago. Every night while you sleep, your brain takes a mini-vacation, using the rest and relaxation to sort out information, replenish chemicals, and solve problems so you're set to start when the alarm sounds.
Hot News
August 4, 1999
To evade the bureaucracy that divides a leader from his people, young King Abdullah II of Jordan has twice adopted the unorthodox practice of playing "king-in-disguise," masking himself as a cab driver and a TV reporter in order to hear what his citizens have to say.
Hot News
August 6, 1999
Battling against an estimated 78 fires sparked Wednesday by extensive lightning, firefighters will work through the weekend to douse the blazes burning across 500 miles of Nevada range, an area one-third the size of Rhode Island.
August 1999
Time Travel Triptych
Visit ancient Alexandria, Cordoba at A.D. 1000, and contemporary New York, in this amazing three-city tour. Hear from experts, and compare cultural and historical changes such as the shift from papyrus scrolls to books to computers.
What Do You Do with a Didgeridoo?
Used for over 40,000 years by the aboriginal peoples of Australia, this trumpet-like instrument can be easily made in your home.
Island Nations
Southeast Asia is home to Borneo, the third largest island in the world, and many other island groups or "archipelagoes" such as the 5-country conglomerate known as the Malay Archipelago.
Sydney Bound
At 17, Vanessa Atler aspires to be the next Mary Lou Retton. Chris Ahrens hopes to win the rowing gold medal. Marion Jones dreams of capturing a record four track and field golds. Follow each sport's contenders as they aim for Australia.
Cross Country Challenge
As you travel across this unexplored land, you'll need to make tough decisions about supplies, safety, and skirmishes with Native American tribes. Can you make the choices that bring you back home successfully four years later?
September 1999
Hot News
September 22, 1999
U.N. peacekeeping forces managed to quell the violence between Indonesian militia men and pro-democracy citizens in East Timor. However, refugees who returned home to Dili Tuesday found little left of the capital city besides wreckage and rubble.
Hot News
September 24, 1999
Once again Bill Gates is at the top of the Forbes 400 Richest Men list, a directory of America's biggest earners whose combined net worth equals $1 trillion, more than the gross domestic product of China.
October 1999
Hot News
October 18, 1999
Residents of eastern North Carolina had no sooner begun recovering from last month's Hurricane Floyd when they were visited this weekend by Hurricane Irene, which dumped a half-foot of rain on the area and renewed the threat of flooding rivers.
October 1999
The Great Escape
On Wednesday, October 6, at 7:00 p.m., join in the Great Escape and map a fire escape route for your family. Then, take tips from
A Brave New World
Columbus might have used several navigation methods when he sailed the seas in the fifteenth century. View a map of the islands on which he is thought to have landed, and read about his ships and crew on board for the discovery.
Family Fun in the Sun
Get through the winter with visions of an island vacation dancing in your head. Read up on the family-friendly activities of the cool Caribbean and unbelievable Bahamas, all topped off with a slice of key lime pie.
See You in Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia is a country made up of tiny Pacific islands. Used by the Japanese as a strategically located base during World War II, Micronesia has a rich history and an underwater museum of sunken ships.
Smaller than a Breadbox?
Micronesia means "tiny islands." But what Micronesia lacks in size, it makes up for in quantity. The Federated States of Micronesia includes over 600 islands scattered over an area the size of France.
November 1999
Hot News
November 1, 1999
This weekend two scientists turned history on its head by proposing that the first people to arrive in North America crossed the Iberian Peninsula -- the area that is now Spain, Portugal, and France -- rather than a land bridge from Asia. Click here for the full story.
Hot News
November 8, 1999
When Joseph Chebet of Kenya won the New York City Marathon yesterday, he also won the honor of holding two first place marathon titles in one year. Last April, Chebet won the Boston Marathon. Click here for the full story.
Hot News
November 29, 1999
A panel assigned to find ways to make sure the world has enough water for the next century discovered that more than half of the world's rivers are either polluted or going dry. Click here for the full story. Stay informed of current events in the U.S. and around the world with Hot News.
November 1999
Help for Homebodies
You don't have to leave your room to take a trip across the world. How about visiting Malaysia? Iceland? Point and click your way around the globe to explore some of the world's most stunning places.
Step inside this House
Anthropologists believe that the Anasazi were the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians living in New Mexico today. Take a virtual field trip, complete with animation and sound, through an Anasazi underground hut called a "great kiva."
Dragon Land
Print out and color lots of fun dragon pictures. Then, help Zak and Wheezie make a dragonberry surprise. Later, with your parents, you can try to bake a dragonberry cake at home. There is a lot to explore in this magical land.
Be a Map Maker
It's Geography Awareness Week, so take a virtual tour of our big, blue planet. Enter the name of any place in the world you can think of and find it fast. You can learn how to read a map, and also get fun facts on flags.
The Underground Railroad
From 1830 through 1865, freedom took many names for African slaves: the trackless train, the emancipation car, the mysterious track. Take a trip through U.S. history and follow the path many runaway slaves made from the South to Canada.
O Canada
Despite the geographical proximity, most Americans know very little about Canada. Read about Canada's history, check out its national symbols, listen to the national anthem, and, when you know it all, test yourself with a quiz about Canada.
A Magical African Adventure
Travel around the continent of Africa and meet new people and animals. To move from one place to the next, you'll need to answer trivia questions. Be careful how you respond, though, because a wrong answer could mean trouble for your guide, Anansi the Spider.
How Did It Get So High?
How high is Mount Everest? At 29,028 feet Mount Everest is higher than any mountain in the world. In fact, it is almost as high as the cruising altitude of a 747 airplane. If you're not scared of heights, take the virtual tour up this massive mountain.
The Immigration Station
Invite your class on a virtual field trip to New York's Ellis Island, circa 1907. Students can view maps and photos of the island, create a profile to see whether they would have been admitted to the U.S., and build their family trees online.
December 1999
Not Only Origami
Explore the Far East by examining five types of Japanese art. Enjoy browsing virtual photo galleries and test your art-ti-tude using interactive puzzles and quizzes.
Cold Continent
With all the attention the North Pole gets this season, don't forget about the South Pole. You won't find Santa there, but you might bump into penguins. Learn about other things you'll find in Antarctica, besides snow!
Explorers of the Millennium
Do you recognize the name Amerigo Vespucci? Both North and South America are named after this Italian explorer. Learn other cool facts, read about more explorers, take a quiz, or browse the Hall of Fame on this super site.
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