The olive was originally planted seven thousand years ago in Mediterranean countries. The olive has coexisted with people for approximately five thousand years.

Although it is one of the oldest and most widespread plants on Earth, it is hard to pinpoint its origin as a cultivated plant accurately. It is considered to have first been planted in ancient times by indigenous Middle Eastern people. It was probably indigenous to Syria, between 4000 and 1400 BC. It spread to Egypt, Crete, and Attica and thence to the rest of the Mediterranean basin with the help of the Greeks, Phoenicians, and Carthaginians, where its cultivation was favored by particularly suitable climate and soils.

Diffusion of the olive tree in the Mediterranean Basin

As a native to the dry subtropical Mediterranean region, it acclimates very well to extreme environmental and agricultural conditions, often living for centuries.

Currently, in the Mediterranean region, many olive trees have survived, whose age significantly exceeds 1000 years. These oldest olive trees were over forest wildfires, natural catastrophes and the development of human civilization. Most of them still produce olives.

The oldest olive trees

1. Noah’s sisters (Lebanon): 6,000 years old
2. Olive Tree of Vouves (Greece): 3,000-5,000 years old
3. Olivastro di Luras (Italy): 4,000 years old
4. Al-Badawi tree (Palestine): 3,000-4,000 years old
5. Stara Maslina (Montenegro): 2,000-3,000 years old
6. Olive tree in Algarve (Portugal): 2,000-2,500 years old
7. Bidni olive trees (Malta): 2,000 years old
8. An olive tree close to the Via Augusta (Spain): 1,700 years old
9. Maslina Kastils (Croatia): 1,500 years old

Olives are the most important crop in many Mediterranean countries. It is one of the main elements in the Mediterranean menu. There are above two thousand varieties of olives. Approximately 160 of them are usually grown for table olives or for producing olive oil. While some olives are explicitly grown to eat as table olives, others are valued for their distinguishing use of extra virgin olive oil.

Nowadays, the species is planted in various regions and recognized adopted in all the nations of the Mediterranean shoreline, as well as in Saudi Arabia, Java, Norfolk Island, Bermuda, Argentina, California. In South Australia, the olive has become a dominant woody plant that replaces natural trees.

The map of distribution and expansion of olive trees over the Mediterranean Basin

Spanish colonials brought the olive to the Americas, where its horticulture flourished nowadays in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Later Spanish missionaries planted the tree in the eighteenth century in California.

Today, approximately 9.7 million hectares were covered with olive trees, which is more than twice the area of land dedicated to apples, bananas, or mangoes. Just oil palms and coconut trees require more space.

Leading olive producing nations

1. Spain – 6.6 million tones (2.6 million hectares cultivated area)
2. Greece – 2.3 mln tones (0.9 mln ha)
3. Italy – 2.1 mln tones (1.2 mln ha)
4. Turkey – 1.7 mln tones (0.8 mln ha)
5. Morocco – 1.4 mln tones (1.0 mln ha)
6. Syria – 0.9 mln tones (0.8 mln ha)
7. Tunisia – 0.7 mln tones (1.6 mln ha)
8. Algeria – 0.7 mln tones (0.4 mln ha)
9. Egypt – 0.7 mln tones (0.07 mln ha)
10. Portugal – 0.6 mln tones (0.4 mln ha)

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an approximated 867 million olive trees are on the planet today, and the considerable bulk of these are found in Mediterranean nations. The ten biggest producing Mediterranean states grow 95 percent of the world’s olives. These countries are also significant producers of olive oil.

The maps below shows World production and consumption of olive oil, by nation.

Olive oil production and consumption

The largest consumers of olive oil are Portugal, Italy and Greece. Residents of these countries prefer olive oil to sunflower oil and butter. The map below, created by TheWorldMaps, shows which oil is consumed the most in Europe: sunflower, olive or butter.

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Climbing higher into the mountains, you can visit different climatic zones and biomes of the Earth, from tropical forests to arctic deserts. This fact has struck the imagination of many explorers in the past.

Below are unique images of mountain vegetation created by the German geographer Humboldt in the 19th century.

Compare mountain vegetation on the Himalaya, Andes, Alps, and Lappland, Teneriffa, Chimborazo, Mont Blanc, and Sulitjelma (Norway).

Himalaya

Andes

Alps, and Lappland

Teneriffa

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Giraffes live primarily in savanna areas in the sub-Saharan region of Africa.

The chief distinguishing characteristic of giraffes besides long neck and legs are distinctive coat patterns. Below is presented great visualization of the distinguishing characteristic of giraffes created by Reddit use: ivanesas.

The genetics of giraffes using mitochondrial DNA and analyses of the morphology of giraffes suggested multiple species of giraffes exist.

1. Masai giraffe (current population: 31611)
2. African giraffe (population: 21387)
3. Angolan giraffe (population: 17551)
4. Reticulated giraffe (population: 8661)
5. Kordofan giraffe (population: 2000)
6. Rothchild’s (population: 1671)
7. Nubian giraffe (population: 650)
8. Thornicroft’s giraffe (population: 600)
9. West African giraffe (population: 400)

Interesting facts about giraffes

1. Giraffes are the tallest land animals on earth, with males standing up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) tall and females reaching up to 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall.
2. Giraffes have incredibly long necks, but they actually have the same number of vertebrae in their necks as humans do – seven. However, each of their vertebrae can be over 10 inches (25 centimeters) long!
3. Giraffes have very unique skin patterns that are like human fingerprints – no two giraffes have the same pattern.
4. Giraffes are herbivores and primarily eat leaves, flowers, and fruit from trees. Their long necks allow them to reach food that other animals can’t.
5. Despite their height, giraffes are actually very fast runners and can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour).
6. Giraffes are social animals and live in groups called towers or herds. These groups can include both males and females.
7. Baby giraffes, called calves, can stand and walk within an hour of being born. They are also born with horns called ossicones, which are made of bone and covered in skin.
8. Giraffes have a unique way of drinking water – they have to spread their front legs wide and bend down to reach the water with their long necks. They also only need to drink water once every few days, as they get most of their water from the plants they eat.
9. Giraffes are endangered in the wild, with only around 100,000 left in the world. Their biggest threats include habitat loss, poaching, and civil unrest in some African countries.

The post Regional map of giraffes’ patterns in Africa appeared first on Vivid Maps.

Animated map: Average first leaf appearance

The timing of these first leaves, known as the “First Leaf Index,” is based on observations of early-season plants like lilacs and honeysuckles. These species are among the first to show their leaves as temperatures rise, making them reliable indicators of spring’s onset. The USA-NPN collects and analyzes data on these events, allowing us to understand and predict patterns in plant behavior.

Climate change has significantly influenced these patterns. Studies have shown that spring is arriving earlier than it did in the past. For instance, research indicates that plant species in the U.S. are flowering three to four weeks earlier than they did 150 years ago.

This shift can disrupt ecosystems, as plants, animals, and insects that have co-evolved may become out of sync with each other’s life cycles.

Looking ahead, if current greenhouse gas emission rates continue, projections suggest that the first leaf appearance could occur up to 21 days earlier by the year 2100.

This acceleration may lead to longer growing seasons, but it also poses challenges. For example, earlier springs can result in mismatches between plants and their pollinators, increased vulnerability to late frosts, and extended periods for pests and diseases to affect crops and natural vegetation.

Understanding these changes is crucial for farmers, gardeners, and conservationists. By monitoring the shifting patterns of spring’s arrival, we can adapt our practices to support ecological balance and agricultural productivity.

Have you observed changes in the timing of spring in your area? Share your experiences in the comments below!

The post Spring’s Early Whisper: Tracking the First Leaves Across America appeared first on Vivid Maps.

Not surprisingly, this diversity inspired each state to adopt a bird as a symbol of its natural heritage. Some states selected birds that are widespread and familiar—such as the Northern Cardinal, chosen by seven states. Others went with something unique to their region, such as Hawaii’s endangered Nene or Oklahoma’s elegant Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher.

Official birds of the US:

• Alabama: Northern Flicker (Yellowhammer)
• Alaska: Willow Ptarmigan
• Arizona: Cactus Wren
• Arkansas: Northern Mockingbird
• California: California Quail
• Colorado: Lark Bunting
• Connecticut: American Robin
• Delaware: Delaware Blue Hen Chicken
• Florida: Northern Mockingbird
• Georgia: Brown Thrasher
• Hawaii: Nene (Hawaiian Goose)
• Idaho: Mountain Bluebird
• Illinois: Northern Cardinal
• Indiana: Northern Cardinal
• Iowa: American Goldfinch
• Kansas: Western Meadowlark
• Kentucky: Northern Cardinal
• Louisiana: Brown Pelican
• Maine: Black-Capped Chickadee
• Maryland: Baltimore Oriole
• Massachusetts: Black-Capped Chickadee
• Michigan: American Robin
• Minnesota: Common Loon
• Mississippi: Northern Mockingbird
• Missouri: Eastern Bluebird
• Montana: Western Meadowlark
• Nebraska: Western Meadowlark
• Nevada: Mountain Bluebird
• New Hampshire: Purple Finch
• New Jersey: American Goldfinch
• New Mexico: Greater Roadrunner
• New York: Eastern Bluebird
• North Carolina: Northern Cardinal
• North Dakota: Western Meadowlark
• Ohio: Northern Cardinal
• Oklahoma: Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher
• Oregon: Western Meadowlark
• Pennsylvania: Ruffed Grouse
• Rhode Island: Rhode Island Red Chicken
• South Carolina: Carolina Wren
• South Dakota: Ring-Necked Pheasant
• Tennessee: Northern Mockingbird
• Texas: Northern Mockingbird
• Utah: California Gull
• Vermont: Hermit Thrush
• Virginia: Northern Cardinal
• Washington: Willow Goldfinch (American Goldfinch)
• West Virginia: Northern Cardinal
• Wisconsin: American Robin
• Wyoming: Western Meadowlark

Looking at the list, you can see how a handful of birds dominate across regions: the Northern Cardinal (7 states), the Western Meadowlark (6 states), and the Northern Mockingbird (5 states). Some states went with birds that nobody else picked. Minnesota chose the Common Loon, and South Dakota picked the Ring-Necked Pheasant.

You’ll also notice that common birds-like the cardinal or the meadowlark, show up in several states, while more unique choices usually point to a special local connection or habitat.

Do you agree with your state’s choice of bird, or do you think another species would represent it better?

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Source: dancarlin.com

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Reddit user: Epicallytossed

Alabama – Northern Flicker
Alabama – Eastern Wild Turkey
Alaska – Willow Ptarmigan
Arizona – Cactus Wren
Arkansas – Mockingbird
California – California Valley Quail
Colorado – Lark Bunting
Connecticut – American Robin
Delaware – Blue Hen Chicken
Florida – Mockingbird
Georgia – Brown Thrasher
Georgia – Bobwhite Quail
Hawaii – Nene
Idaho – Mountain Bluebird
Idaho – Peregrine Falcon
Illinois – Northern Cardinal
Indiana – Northern Cardinal
Iowa – Eastern Goldfinch
Kansas – Western Meadowlark
Kentucky – Northern Cardinal
Louisiana – Brown Pelican
Maine – Black-capped Chickadee
Maryland – Baltimore Oriole
Massachusetts – Black-Capped Chickadee
Massachusetts – Wild Turkey
Michigan – Robin Redbreast
Minnesota – Common Loon
Mississippi – Wood Duck
Mississippi – Mockingbird
Missouri – Bobwhite Quail
Missouri – Eastern Bluebird
Montana – Western Meadowlark
National (United States) – Bald Eagle
Nebraska – Western Meadowlark
Nevada – Mountain Bluebird
New Hampshire – Purple Finch
New Jersey – Eastern Goldfinch
New Mexico – Greater Roadrunner
New York – Eastern Bluebird
North Carolina – Northern Cardinal
North Dakota – Western Meadowlark
Ohio – Northern Cardinal
Oklahoma – Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Oklahoma – Wild Turkey
Oregon – Western Meadowlark
Pennsylvania – Ruffed Grouse
Rhode Island – Rhode Island Red
South Carolina – Wild Turkey
South Carolina – Carolina Wren
South Dakota – Ring-Necked Pheasant
Tennessee – Bobwhite Quail
Tennessee – Mockingbird
Texas – Mockingbird
Utah – California Gull
Vermont – Hermit Thrush
Virginia – Northern Cardinal
Washington – Willow Goldfinch
West Virginia – Northern Cardinal
Wisconsin – American Robin
Wisconsin – Mourning Dove
Wyoming – Western Meadowlark

The post State Birds of the Contiguous U.S. appeared first on Vivid Maps.

Reddit user: WhoIsWardLarson

Alabama – Oak-Leaf Hydrangea
Alabama – Camellia
Alaska – Alpine Forget-me-not
Arizona – Saguaro Cactus Blossom
Arkansas – Apple Blossom
California – California Poppy
Colorado – Rocky Mountain Columbine
Connecticut – Mountain Laurel
Delaware – Peach Blossom
Florida – Orange Blossom
Florida – Coreopsis
Georgia – Cherokee Rose
Georgia – Native Azalea
Hawaii – Pua Aloalo
Hawaii – ‘Ohi’a Blossom
Hawaii – Lokelani
Hawaii – Pua ‘Ilima
Hawaii – Hinahina
Hawaii – Pua Kukui
Idaho – Syringa
Illinois – Violet
Indiana – Peony
Iowa – Wild Rose
Kansas – Wild Native Sunflower
Kentucky – Goldenrod
Louisiana – Louisiana Iris
Louisiana – Magnolia
Maine – White Pine Cone and Tassel
Maryland – Black-Eyed Susan
Massachusetts – Mayflower
Michigan – Apple Blossom
Michigan – Dwarf Lake Iris
Minnesota – Pink & White Lady Slipper
Mississippi – Coreopsis
Mississippi – Magnolia
Missouri – White Hawthorn Blossom
Montana – Bitterroot
National (United States) – The Rose
Nebraska – Goldenrod
Nevada – Sagebrush
New Hampshire – Pink Lady’s Slipper
New Hampshire – Purple Lilac
New Jersey – Violet
Yucca flowers
New Mexico – Yucca
New York – Rose
New York – Lilac
North Carolina – Dogwood
North Carolina – Carolina Lily
North Dakota – Wild Prairie Rose
Ohio – White Trillium
Ohio – Red Carnation
Oklahoma – Mistletoe
Oklahoma – Oklahoma Rose
Oklahoma – Indian Blanket
Oregon – Oregon Grape
Pennsylvania – Mountain Laurel
Pennsylvania – Penngift Crownvetch
Rhode Island – Violet
South Carolina – Yellow Jessamine
South Carolina – Goldenrod
South Dakota – American Pasque
Tennessee – Passion Flower
Tennessee – Iris
Tennessee – Tennessee Coneflower
Texas – Ennis
Texas – Nymphaea Texas Dawn
Texas – Bluebonnet
Utah – Sego Lily
Vermont – Red Clover
Virginia – American Dogwood
Washington – Coast Rhododendron
West Virginia – Rhododendron
Wisconsin – Wood Violet
Wyoming – Indian Paintbrush

Data: statesymbolsusa.org

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Via researchgate.net

Related post:
– Find cities with a similar climate

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