Why did the US gain surface area in 2008?

[AlexTG]

http://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=sp_pop_totl&idim=country:CHN&dl=en&hl=en&q=population+of+china#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=ag_srf_totl_k2&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:CHN:IND:USA:BRA&ifdim=region&tstart=-311799600000&tend=1266123600000&hl=en&dl=en

I know Obama was elected in 2008 but is his ego really nearly 200,000 Sq Km large? In 2008 the united states seems to gain nearly 200,000 sq kms of land.

I tried searching the internet and found nothing. Maybe this is a charting mistake, but then I checked diffrent websites and the land masses are correct for the new number.

Anyone have any idea?

[slickeast]

Obama said he visited 57 states, and had one more to go to. He also said he didn't go to Alaska or Hawaii. 10 extra states make up the extra sq miles.

Look up Obama 57 states on youtube.

[Thogey]

Because Mrs Thogey, once again, got fatter.

[fb101]

landfills.

[mbailey1234]

Because Mrs Thogey, once again, got fatter.

So are you having a happy V day at your house?

It happens at our house as well! Something in the water I guess???

[Tourney64]

Volcanoes.

[knibloe]

Volcanoes.

Hawaii adds land every year, but not that much. It must be the extra Obama states

[silverflake]

I am sure it has something to do with global warming. Doesn't everything?

[Engineer]

I seem to remember something about countries racing to claim area further and further out to sea to lock up energy supplies. That could have something to do with it.

[Mossy]

I seem to remember something about countries racing to claim area further and further out to sea to lock up energy supplies. That could have something to do with it.

"Surface area" includes water? Maybe, but, still...

[Engineer]

I seem to remember something about countries racing to claim area further and further out to sea to lock up energy supplies. That could have something to do with it.

"Surface area" includes water? Maybe, but, still...

If it doesn't include water, the surface gains could be explained by lakes drying up.