Wakanda vs. Wauconda

Geography matters. Both in the real world and in the movies. So let's compare and contrast various geographic aspects of two important places that have recently been in the news: Wakanda and Wauconda.

Location

Wakanda is a fictional NE African country that appears in Black Panther, a movie and comic book by Marvel.

Wauconda is a small unincorporated community in Okanogan County, WA founded in 1898 by miners.

Accessibility

Wakanda is hidden amidst impassable mountains and jungles that isolate it from outsiders.

Wauconda is located on Hwy 20 a few miles east of Tonasket, which has a good pizza place & a taco wagon.

WAKANDA in NORTHEAST AFRICA

WAUCONDA in NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON STATE

Mineral Resources

Wakanda is rich in mineral resources, particularly Vibranium sourced from a large meteorite.

Wauconda is rich in mineral resources, particularly gold from veins and teeth as well as iron from rusty cars.

Economy

In 2018, Wakanda featured prominently in the movie Black Panther, earning $242 million opening weekend.

In 2008, the Waconda Store was put up for sale on Ebay and sold to a couple from Bothell, which is where Rick Steves lives. The Store is now out of business, while Rick Steves is inexplicably not.

WOOD FIRED PIZZA IN TONASKET, WHICH IS PRETTY CLOSE TO WAUCONDA

Culture

Wakanda is a technologically-advanced, post-agricultural society with highly evolved social standards.

Wauconda is a place where time seems to have stopped around 1900.

Politics

Wakanda, being devoted to isolationism and peace, does not have a official standing army.

Wauconda, being devoted to isolationism and firewood, may or may not have a well-armed militia.

Nightlife & Scene

On mainstreet in Wakanda, you might run into Sekmet the Lion Goddess or Sobek the Crocodile God.

On mainstreet in Wauconda, you might run into the only non-ski patroller on earth over 50 named Todd.

If You Go

Wakanda is not found on actual maps of Africa, because it is not a real place.

Wacaunda is where the fan belt on my 1986 Subaru GL broke. I repaired the belt with duct tape and drove the remaining 50 miles back to my home in Omak, ruining the engine.

Take Home Messages

- Don't repair a broken fan belt with duct tape.

- Visit Tonasket for the wood fired pizza and street tacos at the taco truck, usually parked near the Library.

- Rick Steves' house is not visible from the road.

- Support mining in North America.