Month: April 2017

Updated to 2017 imagery:

During my reading about walls being constructed for various reasons, I came across mention of the Moroccan Wall of Western Sahara – the longest in the world at around 2700 km. It is also one of the most heavily mined parts of the world. It is also known as “The Berm” because of the construction.

It separates the Moroccan occupied, and controlled, areas (Southern Provinces) and the Polisario-controlled areas (Free Zone, nominally Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) that lies along its eastern and southern border.

A map showing the extent of the wall

And an image of the wall itself

This contest proved to be a tricky one, as it was in two parts: what was it, and where was this particular location.

The few who found it, despite its size:

• Garfield
• hhgygy
• Lighthouse
• Phil Ower

After the hint:

• Glenmorren
• donaaronio

Longest in the world, but be careful where you step.

Built around 1900, this building is both a National Historic Site of Canada and is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. The main entrance is on the US side, but there is a Canadian entrance as well to negate most customs/immigration hassles of citizens of either country visiting the location. The opera house stage is on the Canadian side and most of the seats are on the US side. Similarly, the checkout desk of the library is on the US side, but most of the library collection is on the Canadian side.

Those who stamped their passport included:

• hhgygy
• Garfield
• Lelie
• Lighthouse
• Eloy Cano
• Phil Ower
• mehmet durmus
• David Kozina
• Rob de Wolff

and those who got turned back at the border until the hint:

• Glenmorren
• Gillian B
• Ashwini Agrawal
• Ben S
• donaaronio
• Jesus Rodriguez
• Robin

You’ll need your passport to go on stage.

This image with the rings stood out to me as an interesting location – what resulted in the rings? Natural, man-made?

After some investigation, it turned out to be the site of a refinery built to serve the small oilfield discovered just southwest of the town of Sunburst, Montana in the USA.

Built in 1924, it operated until 1961, after it was discovered that oil was leaking from pipes and getting into houses in the town.

Link to toxipedia page

Found before the oil ran dry (or in this case underground):

• Glenmorren
• Garfield
• Phil Ower
• Lighthouse
• Lelie

After the hint:

• no one

Like a leaky bucket led to its closure?