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The Floating City?<\/h1>\n
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By Hans del Cid<\/p>\n
Guatemala City, Guatemala<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
This city truly defies human imagination. The floating city of Venice, Italy<\/strong>, is without a doubt one of those places you must visit. It has lavish buildings, such as Saint Mark\u2019s Basilica, as well as 118 islands connected by more than 400 bridges surrounded by about 150 canals. You can also take an inspiring gondola ride through the canals of this romantic place.<\/p>\n History<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Venice is located in the north of Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, and has a rich history. Probably one of the most common words in 2020 was \u201cquarantine,\u201d and it was in Venice where this word was used for the first time. In the 14th century, preventing the Black Death plague required new precautions.<\/p>\n Given its origins as a center of trade, large ships from various parts of the world came to Venice to market their products. And so Venice had to prevent disease outbreaks by putting them through a quarantena<\/i> (\u201cforty days\u201d) before travelers could disembark.<\/p>\n Questions<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n While visiting Venice, you are probably going to ask yourself two questions:<\/p>\n The answer to the first question is that the inhabitants of Veneto, a city on the mainland, found these marshy islands to be an excellent outpost to watch for approaching enemies. The Lombards, for example, invaded from the north and conquered the region during the late 6th century BCE. This strategic location allowed Veneto\/Venice to form an independent republic that lasted from 697 to 1797. It was known as\u00a0La Serenissima<\/i> (\u201cMost Serene\u201d).<\/p>\n After losing a battle to the French army under Napoleon Bonaparte, Venice was traded back and forth between France and Austria for several decades. It wasn’t until 1866 that Venice became part of Italy.<\/p>\n How Venice Was Built<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Now let\u2019s figure out how Venice was built. For some reason (perhaps to preserve the magic?) not many people know that the city actually rests on millions of tree trunks. Can you imagine that?<\/p>\n The original inhabitants of Venice created an ingenious way to build. Since the swampy land was not able to support the weight of the buildings, they sank. So the Venetians devised a technique where they drove long wooden logs deep into the solid clay underneath the water. These pilings formed a strong base that now supports the weight of an entire city. The logs do not rot or decay, because the airless, muddy soil protects them. In fact, over time they have turned into stone! That is why the city has been standing since 421 CE.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Floating and Sinking<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n So it is probably correct to say that Venice is a floating city, but also that it is a city on trees. Unfortunately, in the last decades another nickname has been given to Venice: the sinking city. Scientists have found that Venice sinks one to two millimeters every year. Several factors contribute to this situation:<\/p>\n Venice was built from a swamp, became a key point for trade, and then developed into one of the most powerful cities in Europe. It\u2019s incredible to think that it now struggles to survive. It faces dangers not only from natural events, but also because it depends heavily on tourism for its economy.<\/p>\n So when you visit Venice and sit down to eat a tiramisu, you will probably understand why it costs so much!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Venice-2.png” alt=”stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”Venice 2″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Venice-1.png” alt=”Goats climbing argan trees in Morocco” title_text=”Venice 1″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.5″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Learning Activity:<\/p>\n Sample Problems:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Venice\u2019s permanent residents are being driven out by high prices due to overtourism. If you were the mayor of Venice, would you create policies to preserve the city for residents? Or would you let it become a city that exists only for tourists?<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n\n
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