Constructed genetic map of Europe showing the degree of relatedness between its populations

Constructed genetic map of Europe showing the degree of relatedness between its populations

“Basques are genetically distinctive, but they aren’t all that different from other Iberian people. Most notably, they seem to lack the minor Near Eastern admixture that came to the peninsula in both the Bronze Age and later periods. FWIW, no one would’ve ever guessed based on language affinities—but Sardinians are way more genetically distinctive than Basques in the scheme of Europe, and way more divergent from mainland Italians than Basques are from Iberians”–ben-canaan

Japanese Empire at its territorial peak (1942)

Japanese Empire at its territorial peak (1942)

“What was Thailand’s position at this time? Be like Sweden, and let the big boys duke it out and hope no one comes after you? … They did hope the big boys would duke it out without them but their hopes were crushed, Thailand was initially neutral but they were forced by Japan to become an ally in 1941 which they remained until the end of the war. Japan used weapons to force them, so it was probably quite a reluctant ally. Bangkok was bombed by both Japanese and Allied forces”

Dialects of Austria

Dialects of Austria

“Bavaria was kind of isolated from the rest of german mini states. So their relations with other catholic countries of German confederation (Austria, Czechia) were pretty close. If you were in in Bohemia in first half of 1800s you would see that Czechs speak very similar accent of German as Bavarians and Austrians. Then Czech uprising happened. All those common things are very noticeable in culture and cuisine. Look at all those sausages, schnitzels, Knödels and beer you can buy in Munich, Vienna and Prague”–piranhakiler