The world in
What happened in 1997?
15 events across 7 world regions, each with its sources.
Sub-Saharan Africa
- First Congo War
From 1996 to 1997, a civil war in Zaire resulted in the overthrow of President Mobutu by rebels backed by Rwanda and Uganda, with rebel leader Kabila declaring himself president and restoring the country's name to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Establishment of Masoala National ParkMadagascar established its largest protected area, Masoala National Park, on the northeastern Masoala Peninsula in 1997, safeguarding tropical rainforests, coastal forests, and marine ecosystems. The site was later inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Establishment of Andohahela National ParkMadagascar established Andohahela National Park in the southeastern Anosy region. Covering 760 km², the park encompasses extreme habitats from humid rainforest to arid spiny thicket, playing a vital role in conserving the unique biodiversity of southern Madagascar.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: No machine-readable author provided. Masindrano~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
Establishment of Zahamena National ParkZahamena National Park was established in 1997 in eastern Madagascar, covering a protected area of 423 square kilometres. It is part of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana World Heritage Site and hosts numerous endemic species.
West Asia
South Lebanon conflict eruptsThe South Lebanon conflict erupted in 1985, with Israel and its allied South Lebanon Army fighting Hezbollah-led forces in Israeli-occupied southern Lebanon. Seen as an extension of the Lebanese Civil War, the conflict persisted until Israel's withdrawal in 2000.
- 1997 Qayen earthquake
On May 10, 1997, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck northern Khorasan Province, Iran, centered about 270 km south of Mashhad on the village of Ardekul. The largest in the area since 1990, it killed 1,567, injured over 2,300, and left 50,000 homeless, with more than 15,000 homes damaged. Some 155 aftershocks followed, causing further destruction.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Establishment of Aqaba Marine Reserve
The Aqaba Marine Reserve was established in Jordan's Aqaba Governorate around the late 20th century. Covering approximately 2.8 km², it is a significant habitat for marine life, known for fish and coral diversity, and hosts many recorded waterbirds.
North America
- Ottawa Treaty
The Ottawa Treaty is a 1997 international convention that bans the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines, aiming to eliminate them worldwide. As of August 2022, 164 states had joined, but the United States, China, and Russia were not parties; India and Pakistan had not signed.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Montreal Screwjob
On November 9, 1997, at WWF’s Survivor Series in Montreal, Vince McMahon and a small group, including referee Earl Hebner, covertly altered the match finish, declaring Shawn Michaels the winner. Champion Bret Hart, uninformed of the change, lost the title. The move occurred amid Hart’s bitter conflict with McMahon and was seen as an attempt to “screw over” Hart.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Central & South America
Foundation of the Mosque of Omar Ibn Al-KhattabThe Mosque of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab was founded on September 17, 1997, in Maicao, Colombia, becoming the third largest mosque in Latin America.
Establishment of Talampaya National ParkIn 1997, the Talampaya area in Argentina's La Rioja Province was officially designated a national park. It had been a provincial reserve since 1975, valued for its rich paleontological fossils and distinctive landscapes. The park's creation aimed to protect important archaeological and paleontological sites, later inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Ischigualasto.
Europe
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1997 Central European FloodIn July 1997, severe flooding in the Oder and Morava river basins affected Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany, killing 114 people and causing material damages estimated at $4.5 billion. It was named the Millennium Flood in Poland.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Mistrz69 at Polish Wikipedia / Public domain ↗
Establishment of Hainich National ParkOn December 31, 1997, Hainich National Park was established in Thuringia, Germany, becoming the country's 13th national park. Covering 75 square kilometers, its main objective is protecting ancient beech forests.
North Africa
Building of the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque in GibraltarThe Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, located at Europa Point in Gibraltar and facing the Strait of Gibraltar and Morocco, was built. It is also known as the King Fahd Mosque or the Mosque of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Atiemann at English Wikipedia / Public domain ↗
Oceania
Establishment of Lorentz National ParkLorentz National Park was established in 1997 in the Indonesian province of Papua, covering 25,056 km², making it the largest national park in Southeast Asia. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Ganjarmustika1904 / CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Around 1997
These are known only to the century, not to the year. They are listed separately so a rough date is never mistaken for an exact one.
- Beginning of the Digital Revolution
- Completion of the Taipei Grand Mosque
- Establishment of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
- Construction of Grimeton Longwave Radio Station
- Construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway begins
- Construction of the 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright Begins
- Construction of the Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in 'The Centre of Heaven and Earth'
- Establishment of the Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains