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Guess That Geographical Location—29 June 2009

This one has the potential to be very tough.  Or at least a good test of your Google/Wikipedia skills.

Click to enlarge

Photo via Google Maps.

Congrats to gelt.

See extended entry for details.

This is Fort James, James Island, The Gambia.

The fort was built in 1651 by settlers from Courland, who named it Jacob Fort.  The Dutch held the fort from 1659-1661, until its capture by the British.  The British renamed the island James Island and the fort Fort James. 

The fort changed hands numerous times over the next 200 years, with the British holding it the majority of the time.

The fort gained additional importance following the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.  The Gambia River was a main corridor into the interior of Africa, and Fort James served to prevent the passage of slave traders into the interior.  It served this role until being abandoned in 1870.

James Island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Posted by Jed at 0638 hrs
Off-Duty + Fun With Maps

1. No guesses?  I kinda figured that would happen.

   Here’s a pretty big clue—it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site

   Posted by Jed on June 29, 2009 at 1135 hrs
   
   
   

2. Fort James, gambia.

   (thanks for the hint)

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 29, 2009 at 1230 hrs
   
   
   

3. ..Actually Fort James Island.  I suspected something to do with the slave trade but was thinking this side of the Atlantic.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 29, 2009 at 1231 hrs
   
   
   

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