2022 - Data Points by Date/Period

The Cross-Harbour Tunnel (CHT or XHT) is Hong Kong's first underwater tunnel, consisting of two steel road tunnels with two lanes each, constructed using the single shell immersed tube method. Opened in 1972, it was the first of three vehicular harbour crossings in Hong Kong. Initially built under a 30-year private-sector franchise, the tunnel’s title passed to the Hong Kong government in 1999 when the franchise ended.The tunnel, one of the most congested roads in Hong Kong, saw 116,753 vehicles passing through daily in 2013. The project followed a build–operate–transfer (BOT) model, with a private company responsible for financing, construction, operation, and toll collection for 30 years. The original concession was granted to Cross-Harbour Tunnel Company Limited (now Cross-Harbour Holdings Limited), which was founded in 1965. The Hong Kong government held a 20% stake to maintain influence. Designed with two lanes in each direction, the tunnel was intended to accommodate 80,000 vehicles daily. The project was jointly engineered by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners and Freeman Fox & Partners.Linking Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, the tunnel connects Kellett Island (now part of Hong Kong Island due to reclamation) to a reclaimed area near Hung Hom Bay in Kowloon, near the former Hong Kong Technical College. The tunnel's toll plaza, located at the Hung Hom end, has 14 toll booths. Before its construction, cross-harbour vehicular traffic relied on ferries, while passengers used the Star Ferry.Construction began in September 1969 and was completed a year ahead of schedule, opening on 2 August 1972. Initially charging HK$5 per car, the operator recouped the construction costs in just three and a half years. In 1984, the Hong Kong government introduced an additional tax to address overcrowding, raising the toll to HK$10 per car.In 1993, an electronic toll collection system was installed, increasing vehicle capacity by better managing traffic flow. The tunnel was operated by Cross-Harbour Tunnel Company Ltd until 1999, after which the government took over. From November 2010, Serco managed the tunnel under contract, later replaced by Chun Wo Tunnel Management Limited in 2016. In November 2022, Serco resumed management.The tunnel gained cultural significance in 2017 when it was featured in the Hong Kong action film 'Shock Wave', starring Andy Lau. In November 2019, during the Hong Kong protests, demonstrators set up roadblocks and set fire to tollbooths, leading to the tunnel's closure for several days.In 2023, manual toll collectors were replaced by HKeToll, an electronic toll collection system. Cash and Octopus Cards are no longer accepted, and toll booths have been removed. The tunnel now generates approximately HK$700 million in annual toll revenue.

The Palais des congrès de Montréal is a convention center located in Montreal’s Quartier international at the northern edge of Old Montreal, within the Ville-Marie borough. Construction started in 1977, and the center officially opened on May 21, 1983, with the original design by Victor Prus.Place-d'Armes station, connected by an underground link, provides direct access to the Palais. Part of the land for the convention center was expropriated from Montreal’s Chinatown, along with the development of Complexe Guy-Favreau. Expansion plans were initiated in 1997, and from 1999 to 2002, the Palais underwent a major expansion, doubling its capacity from 92,000 square meters (990,000 sq ft) to 184,000 square meters (1,980,000 sq ft). The expansion was designed by a consortium of three firms: Tétrault Parent Languedoc, Saia Barbarese Topouzanov, and Aedifica, with Hal Ingberg.In 2022, the Palais hosted the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, which resulted in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Consort is a village located in eastern Alberta, Canada, at the intersection of Highway 12 and Highway 41. It lies about 250 km southeast of Edmonton, 252 km northeast of Calgary, and 283 km west of Saskatoon, with the Saskatchewan border roughly 60 km to the east.According to the 2021 Census by Statistics Canada, Consort had a population of 644, living in 262 out of its 300 private dwellings, marking an 11.7% decrease from its 2016 population of 729. The village has a land area of 3.02 km², giving it a population density of 213.2 people per km². In 2016, Consort had a population of 729, living in 280 of 310 dwellings, reflecting a 5.8% increase from the 2011 population of 689. Its 2012 municipal census reported a population of 722.The village’s economy revolves around farming, ranching, and oil production. The local newspaper, The Consort Enterprise, has been in circulation since 1912.Several notable individuals hail from Consort, including singer K.D. Lang, senior public servant Arthur Kroeger, NHL player Riley Nash, and UFC fighter Chad 'The Monster' Anheliger, who made his UFC debut in February 2022 with a knockout win.

The West Block of Grasslands National Park is a captivating section of the park located about an hour south of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and near the village of Val Marie. Established in 1981, Grasslands National Park encompasses two main parcels: the East Block and the West Block. The park is situated on the edge of the U.S. state of Montana, adjacent to the international boundary.This area of the park is renowned for its rich natural features, including the Frenchman River Valley, which is a significant highlight. The West Block is home to a thriving population of over 300 plains bison, originally reintroduced from Elk Island National Park in Alberta in 2006. By 2015, the herd had grown substantially, demonstrating successful conservation efforts.The West Block also features prairie dog colonies and is part of an Important Bird Area of Canada, known for its diverse avian species. Visitors can enjoy the Frenchman Valley Campground, which offers serviced camping sites, teepee camping, and a cook shelter. For those seeking a more rugged experience, backcountry camping is available.In addition to its natural attractions, the park was designated a dark-sky preserve in 2009. This designation helps maintain the area's natural night environment, benefiting nocturnal wildlife and preserving the starry skies.Historical significance adds to the West Block's allure, with notable events including the discovery of Western Canada's first dinosaur remains in the Killdeer Badlands by Sir George Mercer Dawson in 1874, and Sitting Bull's refuge in the area with his Sioux followers after the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1877.The park is located in Census Division No. 4 and holds cultural importance as it is situated on Treaty 4 land, traditionally belonging to the Blackfoot people of the Canadian and American plains. In 2022, an agreement with the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan facilitated the transfer of 24 bison, further enriching the park's ecological diversity.

Cheadle is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada, situated on Highway 24, 2 kilometers south of Highway 1 and about 35 kilometers east of Calgary. The local Cheadle Airport, 7.4 kilometers northwest of the hamlet, features a 1,200-meter turf airstrip operated by G. Jackson.The Canadian Pacific Railway named the community after Dr. Walter Butler Cheadle and Lord Milton, explorers who traveled across the prairies and Rocky Mountains in the 1860s. Their book, 'The North-West Passage by Land', detailed their expedition.During railroad construction between Strathmore and Cheadle, a record was set by laying a mile of steel in one hour. In the late 1890s, Cheadle had only a small building serving as a post office, store, and boarding home. By 1906-1916, the hamlet expanded with a variety of businesses and facilities.However, the rise of automobiles and new railway lines caused Cheadle’s growth to stall. A lack of signage along Highway 1 further diminished its visibility. By 1971, the post office and grocery store closed, and the community’s commercial activity dwindled.As of the 2021 Census, Cheadle had a population of 83, down from 109 in 2016. The hamlet's land area is 0.43 km², resulting in a population density of 193.0/km². In 2016, Cheadle had a population of 91 with a density of 535.3/km².In October 2022, a 5.2-meter-tall statue of a Cheetos corn puff was temporarily displayed at 400 Railway Avenue. Commissioned by the Cheetos Brand, the statue left Cheadle on November 4, 2022, for a Canadian tour.

Daeryong Market is an alley market that replicates the appearance of Yeonbaek Market to support residents who fled from Yeonbaek-gun in Hwanghae-do to Gyodong Island during the Korean War. For over 50 years, Gyodong Island has been a hub of economic activity. However, as the original elderly market founders passed away and the population dwindled, the market's size significantly reduced. Since the opening of Gyodongdaegyo Bridge in July 2014, Daeryong Market has become a popular tourist attraction, offering a nostalgic view of a market reminiscent of the 1960s. Gyodong Giga Island, also known as Gyodong Swallow House, opened in late March 2022 and provides visitors with tour information through advanced technology, along with bicycle and smartwatch rentals. It also offers various experience programs, including VR video experiences and a 'Making Gyodong Newspaper' activity.

Despite the approach of 'chobok,' one of the hottest days of summer, Moran Market in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, saw its once-bustling dog meat restaurants nearly deserted. Historically, Koreans have turned to 'bosintang,' a stew made with dog meat, during these hot days for its purported health benefits. Moran Market, once one of Korea’s largest dog meat markets, now has only about 20 eateries still open, a sharp decline from over 50 in its heyday. The decline is largely due to a new dog meat ban effective since February, with a three-year grace period for compliance. The National Assembly passed the bill, responding to growing animal rights awareness. As a result, sales of dog meat have plummeted, and many vendors are shifting to selling black goat and duck meat instead. A 2022 survey indicated that South Korea had over 1,000 dog farms and 1,666 restaurants selling dog meat. The government plans to announce a compensation scheme for affected businesses, requiring closure or transition plans by August 5 to qualify. The ban has faced protests from the Korean Association of Edible Dog, which filed a petition claiming the ban infringes on dietary and professional freedoms. They argue that the government has not provided adequate support for transitioning away from the dog meat industry. Animal advocacy groups continue to push for a complete end to the dog meat trade, highlighting ongoing illegal activities and calling for stricter enforcement during the transition period.

Edelweiss Village, a group of Swiss-style homes near Golden, B.C., has been transformed into a resort and is set to open soon. These homes, originally built over 110 years ago for Swiss mountain guides who contributed to the early mountain tourism industry in the region, received global attention in 2022 when they were on the market for $2.3 million. The Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation (SEVF) was established to save the homes. In 2021, the 50-acre property with seven buildings was put up for sale, and in 2022, the SEVF gained support to secure the property. Eventually, Montayne, a real estate consulting firm, purchased the site. The original chalets have been renovated for public accommodation, blending history with modern amenities. The resort, now called Edelweiss Village and Resort, plans to open in phases, with future additions including a spa, thermal pools, eco pods, and a 'Swiss Guide Great Hall.' The resort aims to preserve the cultural heritage of the Swiss Guides and act as a living museum. An opening is estimated for summer or fall 2024, and the project has already received an award from Heritage BC.

The Museum of Hum Aura is situated in a medieval building in the world's smallest town, Hum, located in Istria. This historic structure served various purposes over the years, including functioning as a granary known as Fontik and as the City Lodge where significant decisions were made for the community of Grašćaks and Homjans. In line with ancient Croatian customs dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, the county prefect is still elected in the City Lodge on St. George's Day. The museum, opened in 2022, showcases almost 1500 exhibits arranged across 11 thematic units, representing different aspects of ancestral life and dominant crafts over the past 150 years. Interactive rooms allow visitors to engage in activities such as writing postcards using Glagolitic letters, making cream in the pharmacy, grinding coffee beans in an old mill, and filling bottles of brandy in an old distillery. Hum, known as the cradle of creation and the center of Glagolitic culture, offers visitors a unique experience where they can enjoy the smallest coffee in the world while exploring stories of Istria's past, local traditions, customs, and crafts.

Emirates Crown stands as a towering residential edifice in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, boasting 63 floors of luxurious living space. Developed by Bin Shafar Holding and meticulously designed by Design & Architecture Bureau, this architectural marvel reaches a staggering structural height of 296 meters (971 feet). Construction on Emirates Crown commenced in 2005, culminating in its completion in 2008. At the time of its unveiling, it proudly claimed the title of the sixth-tallest building in Dubai and ranked as the 45th-tallest globally. Fast forward to 2022, it maintains its prominence as the 26th-tallest structure in the vibrant cityscape of Dubai. Within its opulent confines, residents can choose from two to five bedroom apartments, alongside some of the most prestigious penthouses gracing Dubai's skyline. The tower offers an array of amenities catering to a lavish lifestyle, including a well-equipped gymnasium, rejuvenating sauna and Jacuzzi facilities, a kids club, inviting swimming pool, steam room, and private storage options. Strategically positioned across from the Dubai International Marine Club in the dynamic Dubai Marina district, Emirates Crown serves as a coveted residence for aficionados of yachting and marine pursuits. Since its inception, it has epitomized elegance and luxury, reflecting the vision of its developers and the creative prowess of its architectural designers.

2022 (41)

Other Dates/Periods

06-05-1923

1501

19-02-1932

0637 BC

1645

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