Hello Everyone,
As promised, we added locations to the MTP list on Christmas Day - 19 in all - and removed one item (Sapmi). Some of you have asked whether the voting system we had in place prior to 2010 would be reinstated, and the answer is 'no' for now. That system was quite difficult to construct and maintain, so we are following the path that the late, great Alan Hogenauer once requested in the midst of our voting frenzy. "I think we would all just prefer a Benevolent Dictator", said Alan. So that's what we've got for now.
The locations which were added came about from two categories:
- Locations which had been tracking high on the list when voting was last suspended
- Locations which made geographic sense as I set about redrawing the entire land area of the Earth in polygons earlier this year (for the red/green map)
The total list of additions is as follows (in alphabetical order):
- Baarle Hertog (and Baarle Nassau)
- Brcko District
- Isla Salas y Gomez
- Izu Islands
- Jervis Bay Territory
- Kinmen (Quemoy) Islands
- Madha
- Matsu Islands
- Matthew & Hunter Islands (and Walpole)
- Nahwa
- Northwest Angle
- Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
- Nukumanu Islands
- Outer Hebrides
- Point Roberts
- St. Kilda
- Tudjuh Archipelago
- Vojvodina
- Wuqui Islands
Sapmi was removed for a few reasons:
- It was a reference only from John Todd's book Race for the World, which was one of the original lists used in the construction of MTP. No other organization has recognized it as a separate entity.
- It's borders are indistinct and it is a geographic overlay, so it's difficult to represent on our maps.
- Less than 10% of the population within the general area identify as Sapmi, so it is not even very culturally distinctive.
This is not the first set of changes to the MTP list, and it certainly won't be the last. Our great world is constantly changing, and MTP will evolve as necessary to best reflect the accomplishments of extreme travelers like you.
Thanks as always for your support, and a very happy, healthy 2019 to each and every one of you as you continue on the Road to Everywhere!
Charles Veley | Founder & CEO