the american geographical society

This past Monday I began work at the American Geographical Society. AGS was established in 1851 and is the oldest geographical society in America. I am not sure as of yet what exactly this non-profit does, but as I gathered thus far, it archives journals of explorers past and present, has a library of any and all books on geography (at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee), as well has provides trips with an accompanying lecturer to various locations throughout the year (Cuba is one of the upcoming trip). AGS also publishes two journals-Focus on Geography and The Geographical Review, as well as a newsletter called UBIQUE, which in Latin means "everywhere"-Get it?? I am not sure how great the circulation is on these publications, especially with National Geographic monopolizing the mass market, but I do believe they still have weight in the academic world.

The first project I gave myself is updating their ancient website. This website was created in 1998 and looks like it has not been updated since. The website seems to me to be a testament to AGS as an entity: a society that was important during the age of exploration, but since then has failed to stay relevant in the 21st Century. I am making it my mission to make this place relevant because geography should always be relevant.

Now I just need to learn how to design a website from scratch...

The AGS's  Fliers and Explorers Globe on which pioneers of exploration
  signed their name alongside the route he/she traveled. 

lighthouse at the end of the world

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Augusta, Western Australia

Cape Leeuwin is at the end of the world: it is where two oceans meet-the Southern and the Indian-it is one of the closest geographical point to Antarctica from Australia, and it lies directly on the opposite point of the globe as New York City. Located on the most southwesterly tip of Australia in Augusta, Western Australia, it is the perfect place to look out onto the infinite blue waters and think you are truly at the end of the Earth.

I travelled here one summer (winter in Australia) while on a break from my job in Margaret River (another incredible region on this continentcountry). A local told my companions and me to stop at a fish and chips shop in Augusta on the way to the cape-‘best fish and chips in all of Australia’. We were worried we wouldn’t be able to find it, but he laughed and assured us it would be the only shop around.

When we finally saw the restaurant we understood why he had laughed: it was the only establishment we had seen for the hour-long drive to the cape and had a massive sign boasting that it was “the last eating house before the Antarctic”. The Restaurant, called The Colourpatch, is located a mere 5439 kilometers from the South Pole. The place was a proper fish and chips shop-not exactly suitable for sit down customers, loads of different varieties of fish for your choosing to fry, and your meal was served in newspaper to absorb the excess grease. The shop also served as a very mini mart, selling ice cream, crisps, and anything else you might need for the road down.

The lighthouse at cape Leeuwin is a shining white tower among pristine azure waters. Plaques in and around the lighthouse tell interesting tidbits about its history and facts about the surrounding area. Worn-out wood pathways lead up to wild brush and massive boulders that make up the beach, which give way to water all the way to South Africa. You can spend hours here watching the water crash up on the rocks, soaking up the brilliant Australian sun (even in the middle of Winter). It is a truly magnificent place with truly magnificent views. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is a place where you can feel you are at the end of the world, if only for a few hours.

For more information on Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse go to: http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Pages/Attraction.aspx?pid=9000830

The Colourpatch Eating House

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

View from Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse