Published in the Sunday Indian Express Magazine - Eye on 21 July, 2024
Who Owns the Land in Antarctica? Why Did Queen Elizabeth II Have Two Birthdays? Does India Have a Volcano?
Travel has always been a passion for me because you learn something new every single day. During the pandemic, when travel was restricted, I decided to channel my curiosity into a daily podcast called ‘Know The Unknown’. These bite-sized episodes (less than 3 minutes) were designed to leave listeners thinking and curious. We produced a total of 417 episodes before other work commitments caught up with me. But recording and publishing all 417 episodes was super fun! You can find all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, and YouTube. Just scan the QR code below:
So today, I want to share three Know The Unknown stories that sparked my interest and, hopefully, will ignite your curiosity too. We'll delve into the mysteries of who owns Antarctica, why Queen Elizabeth II had two birthdays, and the fascinating fact that India has an active volcano.
Who Owns the Land in Antarctica?
Antarctica, the farthest continent from most places on earth, is often referred to as the coldest continent. I visited Antarctica exactly 10 years ago, and I can tell you from experience that if you ever have the chance to visit this icy land, you might get asked if you saw polar bears. Contrary to popular belief, polar bears reside in the Arctic. Antarctica, on the other hand, is the realm of penguins, killer whales, seals, and many shipwrecks. But more than its wildlife, Antarctica is known for its towering mountains and extreme cold.
So, how does one get to this remote continent? There are three primary ways to reach Antarctica:
- From South America: The most common route for tourists is to sail through the Drake Passage (if you ask me, this is like a fun roller coaster), known for its choppy waters, towards the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica.
- From Australia and New Zealand: This journey can be quite long but offers a different perspective on reaching the continent.
- From Africa: The fastest way is to take a flight into Antarctica from Africa, although this option is usually reserved for scientists and governmental research expeditions.
The history of human exploration in Antarctica dates back to 1820. Since then, various nations have laid claims to different parts of the continent, leading to a tense situation with multiple countries vying for a slice of this icy land. To resolve these conflicts, on December 1, 1959, twelve countries, including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, signed the Antarctic Treaty in Washington. This treaty declared Antarctica a continent devoted to peace and science, ensuring that it would not become the scene of international discord.
Today, many nations, including India, have established research laboratories in the region. And while flights to Antarctica from Africa are mostly for scientific purposes, the world, through the Antarctic Treaty, collectively owns this vast, icy continent. This agreement has preserved Antarctica as a place for scientific discovery and international co-operation.
Why Did Queen Elizabeth II Have Two Birthdays?
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, had the unique privilege of celebrating two birthdays. She was born on April 21, 1926, and celebrated her actual birthday privately with her family. This day was marked by a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21-gun salute in Windsor Great Park, and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.
In addition to her actual birthday, Queen Elizabeth II also had an official birthday celebration on the second Saturday of June each year. This day, known as ‘Trooping the Colour’, involved a grand parade featuring 1,400 military officials, 200 horses, and 400 musicians, starting from Buckingham Palace and parading through the streets of London.
The tradition of having an official birthday in June began with King Edward VII, Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandfather. His actual birthday was in November, a month typically marked by cold and gloomy weather in the UK, which was not suitable for public celebrations. To ensure a more festive atmosphere, he decided to combine his birthday celebrations with the military’s summer birthday parade.
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the question arises whether King Charles III will also have two birthdays. The answer is yes. Like his predecessors, King Charles III will celebrate his actual birthday in November and his official birthday in June, continuing this unique royal tradition.
Does India Have a Volcano?
Volcanoes are fascinating natural phenomena, and many of us have dreamed of witnessing an eruption firsthand. There are currently 1,350 active volcanoes in the world, and India is home to one of them. Yes, India does have an active volcano.
Barren Island, located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is the site of India’s only active volcano. To reach Barren Island, you can take a flight to Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. From there, it’s a four-hour sail to Barren Island.
This small, 3-kilometer-wide island has a 2-kilometer-wide caldera surrounded by walls up to 350 meters high. The Indian Ocean covers about 99% of the volcano’s surface. The volcano was formed 1.8 million years ago due to tectonic activity at the boundary between the Indo-Australian plate and the Eurasian plate.
The first recorded eruption of Barren Island took place between 1787 and 1832. After a century of dormancy, the volcano erupted again in 1991. Since then, it has erupted every two to three years. The most recent eruption was reported in 2022, featuring lava flows and lava fountains.
India once had six active volcanoes, but five of them have since gone dormant or extinct. Barren Island remains our country’s only active volcano, a testament to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our planet. Have you ever witnessed this great wonder? Or are you planning to do so? I would love to know what it feels like!
To sum up, these three stories from the ‘Know The Unknown’ podcast series highlight the fascinating and often surprising aspects of our world. From the shared ownership of Antarctica, the unique royal traditions of Queen Elizabeth II, to the fiery heart of India’s only active volcano, there’s always something new to learn and discover. And I think travel is the best way to find out about these amazing stories.
It opens our eyes to the wonders of our planet and fuels our curiosity. What are some of the intriguing stories you’ve come across in your travels? Share them with me at neil@veenaworld.com, so we can spread the wonder and excitement of travel with our entire community. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and never stop being curious.
Listen to more travel stories like this on our podcast Travel. Explore. Celebrate Life.
on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Youtube
Toll-Free: 1800 22 7979
Email: travel@veenaworld.com
18 videos
Post your Comment
Please let us know your thoughts on this story by leaving a comment.