Nosy Komba is a small volcanic island in Madagascar, situated between Nosy Be and the northwest coast of the main island. The lowlands of the island are divided between secondary forest and a patchwork of farmland and plantations (notably including shade-grown coffee), while the highlands are mainly scrubland, with a bamboo forest in the northern portions. Ampangorina is the main village and administrative center. The island attracts significant ecotourism, thanks in part to its black lemurs. During the early 1800s, the region was heavily settled by Sakalava refugees and their slaves fleeing the hegemony of the Merina. France gained control of the island in 1840 and converted it to a logistic center for the import of indentured servants. Although Nosy Komba hosts a traditionally protected forest and an arboretum established in the colonial era, protection for the latter is essentially unenforced, and illegal logging continues. Only small pockets of old-growth forest remain, in remote areas.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosy_Komba
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1644:
English Civil War: Royalist troops stormed and captured the Parliamentarian stronghold of Bolton, leading to a massacre of defenders and local residents. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storming_of_Bolton
1901:
Mozaffar ad-Din, Shah of Persia, granted exclusive rights to prospect for oil in the country to William Knox D'Arcy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27Arcy_Concession
1937:
The rise of Neville Chamberlain culminated with his accession as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, being summoned to Buckingham Palace to "kiss hands". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_Neville_Chamberlain
2002:
An independent commission appointed by the Football Association voted two-to-one to allow Wimbledon F.C. to relocate from London to Milton Keynes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relocation_of_Wimbledon_F.C._to_Milton_Keynes
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
shenanigan: 1. (countable, chiefly in the plural) singular of shenanigans: a deceitful confidence trick; also, an act of mischief; a prank, a trick; an act of mischievous play, especially by children. 2. (uncountable, dated, rare) Dishonest, underhanded, or unscrupulous activities or behaviour; skulduggery, trickery; also, mischievous behaviour or play; high jinks. 3. (transitive) To play a deceitful confidence trick on (someone); to swindle, to trick; also, to carry out an act of mischief, on (someone); to prank. 4. (intransitive) To play a deceitful confidence trick; also, to carry out an act of mischief. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/shenanigan
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
It has been nearly seventy years since the Sovereign first opened Parliament. In the time since, Canada has dramatically changed: repatriating its Constitution, achieving full independence, and witnessing immense growth. Canada has embraced its British, French, and Indigenous roots, and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country that is bilingual, truly multicultural, and committed to reconciliation. The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada. It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present. As it should, it stands proudly as a symbol of Canada today, in all her richness and dynamism. --Charles III https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charles_III