Peppered Moth - North Korea

The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is the world’s largest stadium. It has the capacity to seat 150,000 people and features a field measuring 207,000 square meters. It was completed in 1989, and is used as a venue for staging sporting events, but is known best for the Arirang Festival, a gymnastic and artistic showcase.

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Biston betularia - The peppered moth is a prime example of natural selection at work. Prior to the industrial revolution, the peppered moth was primarily light colored to match the bark of the trees they sought out for shelter. The trees began to darken from the loss of lichens caused by industrial soot, The lighter colored moth populations declined through predation while the darker moths thrived. When stricter air pollution standards were set, it allowed the lighter colored moths to make a remarkable comeback.

Nebria Scaphelytra - North Korea

Nebria scaphelytra - There are almost 1,000 species and sub-species in the genus Nebria. This ground beetle can be found in the isolated Myohyang Mountain range of North Korea. They are black in color, somewhat shiny, but without a noted metallic reflection. Males are 13 millimeters in size and females slightly larger at 14 millimeters. It has ridged elytra, a feature found on most beetles. These are the hardened forewings covering the delicate hindwings used for flying.

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The Kingdom of Joseon was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye. It existed from 1392 until 1897. This state had replaced the Kingdom of Goryeo, the namesake for the modern day nation of Korea. Joseon experienced invasions by China and Japan in the 16th and 17th century, resulting in a period of isolation when Korea became known as the “Hermit Kingdom.” The Korean Empire was proclaimed in 1897 as a means of emerging from self-imposed isolation and for seeking modernization.

Historical Flags of Asia

The Seljuk Empire ruled over a vast territory stretching from the Hindu Kush to Eastern Anatolia and from Central Asia to the Persian Gulf. The empire existed from 1037 until 1194.The Mughal Empire reigned over Northern India for almost 300 years. It was established when Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the Battle of Panipat in 1526.The Mughal Empire was displaced by the British East India Company and in 1858 was placed under direct control of the British Crown. Taejo Yi Seong-gye founded the Great Joseon Kingdom in 1392. The kingdom survived several invasions from China and Japan. Despite constant struggles against more powerful neighbors, it endured until 1897.The standard of Cyrus the Great, founder of the First Persian Empire, consisted of the Derafsh-e Shahbaz-e-Talayi, a golden falcon with wings spread and holding an orb in each talon.