WorldAtlas Latest Articles

Lakes

The Great Lakes Ranked By Summer Water Temperature

The Great Lakes Ranked By Summer Water Temperature, from shallow Lake Erie's bathtub-warm shallows to Lake Superior's cold, deep, open northern water.

Cities

Croatia's 9 Best Retirement Towns Ranked

Croatia's best retirement towns ranked, from Opatija and Rovinj in Istria to Šibenik, Hvar and Korčula on the Dalmatian coast, for a calmer later life.

Stories

Bournemouth, Home to the UK’s Best Beach, Is a Classic Seaside Getaway

Bournemouth, home to the UK's best beach, is a classic seaside getaway, with seven miles of sand, a Victorian pier, and Jurassic Coast cruises from Poole.

Space

Could Saturn's Rings Eventually Disappear?

Discover why Saturn’s iconic rings may eventually disappear, how ring rain works, and what scientists think could happen next.

Animals

Yellow Anaconda

Meet the yellow anaconda, the green anaconda's smaller golden cousin. A guide to this South American water boa's size, habitat, diet, and behavior.

Ancient World

Who Were The Sea Peoples And Why Did They Terrify The Ancient World?

The Sea Peoples struck terror in the Bronze Age Mediterranean because they orchestrated relentless attacks on port cities, toppling empires.

Cities

8 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In Australia

Discover eight affordable Australian towns where retirees can enjoy festivals, gardens, museums, wineries, golf, and relaxed small-town living.

Lakes

The Lakes Most Threatened by Asian Carp Right Now

The lakes most threatened by Asian carp right now, including Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Erie, and Lake Texoma, plus how experts fight back.

Stories

Offbeat Ways to See Florida by Boat

Skip the packed party boats and see Florida by water, from an electric cruise off Amelia Island to a sunset schooner and a drive-in Amphicar in Orlando.

Cities

Towns That Were Almost Capitals

Nine American towns once served as state or territorial capitals before losing the title, leaving behind courthouses and statehouses frozen in time.

Cities

These 11 Towns In Arizona Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2026

Arizona’s fan-favorite small towns pair red rock scenery, mining history, Route 66 charm, art districts, and desert-to-forest adventures.

Lakes

The Largest Ports On The Great Lakes

Duluth-Superior, Two Harbors, Hamilton, and more: the largest individual ports on the Great Lakes, ranked by the tonnage of bulk cargo they move.

Lakes

The 10 Largest Man-Made Lakes in the World

Ranked by surface area, the world's ten largest man-made lakes span from Ghana's Lake Volta to Guri in Venezuela. See how each reservoir reshaped its region.

Space

Could a Planet Exist Without a Star?

Rogue planets drift through space without stars, raising questions about darkness, hidden heat, liquid water, and life beyond solar systems.

History

The Kurdish Quest for a State

The Kurds have experienced great challenges in securing an independent and internationally recognized state. The quest continues.

Ancient World

How The Ottoman Janissaries Became The World's Most Feared Soldiers

The Janissaries were an Ottoman army loyal to the Sultan, who played a major role in Ottoman expansion but were ultimately disbanded due to corruption.

Economics

Which US States Trade The Most With China?

California dominates China trade, but state-by-state data reveal tariffs create uneven winners and losers across logistics, manufacturing, and energy.

Landforms

10 Famous Landforms In The U.S.

There are not many countries in the world that contain the same amount of beautiful landforms as the U.S. does. Their beauty is unmatched and will leave you breathless!

Ancient World

10 Greastest Inventions Made By The Soviet Union

Below are ten Soviet inventions that have had a particular impact on health sciences, space exploration, and technology in everyday life. 

Sports

Top 10 Most Dangerous Sports In The World

Competition in different types of sports, even if you are not directly facing your opponents, is always accompanied by a risk of injury - sport can be a dangerous thing.

Nature

The 10 Most Poisonous Fruits In The World

While some of these fruits are safe to consume, overconsumption can lead to some serious health risks. It's important to inform yourself about the food you're eating.

Geography

Eastern European Countries

The 10 countries considered to be Eastern Europe were all once part of the eastern, communist bloc of countries led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Space

Why Can't We See the Edge of the Universe?

Current cosmology indicates that the universe has no edge. Learn why the observable horizon, expanding space, and dark energy limit what can be seen.

History

South Sudan's Struggle for Stability

South Sudan is the world's newest country, but the road to stability independence has been a struggle, marred by war and famine.

Climate

10 US Cities Most Prone To Sea-Level Rise

Here are the top ten cities in the US that were predicted to be the most vulnerable to coastal flooding by 2050, by ClimateCentral.org, in 2017.

Industries

10 US States With The Highest Number Of Farms

Texas has more than twice as many farms as any other state. Discover the 10 US states with the most farms and the regions feeding the nation.

Animals

Tasmanian Tiger

The Tasmanian tiger is an extinct carnivorous marsupial species native to Australia. It lived in Tasmania until European settlement.

Stories

Walking In Jefferson’s Footsteps At The University of Virginia

Wander Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village, climb the Rotunda dome, and see Edgar Allan Poe's room on a day exploring the University of Virginia.

Natural Disasters

The Worst Fires in US History

Terrible fires have been responsible for large losses of life in American history.

Society

How Much Waste Does US Produce Compared To The Rest Of The World?

The US makes up about 4% of the world’s population but produces 12% of its trash. The average American throws away 4.4 pounds of trash each day.

Society

US States With The Highest Marriage Rates

Las Vegas chapels put Nevada far ahead of every other state. Discover the US states with the highest marriage rates and the surprising reasons behind them

Animals

Carpet Python

Carpet pythons are among the most variable pythons, with six recognized subspecies, diverse color patterns, and adaptations to a wide range of habitats.

Stories

The Most Adventurous White-Water Rafting Destinations In The US

The United States offers an array of adventurous white-water rafting destinations, read below to uncover the country's best.

Volcanoes

When Did The Last Major Volcanic Eruption In The US Happen?

The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 was the last major volcanic eruption in the United States. Learn more about the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.

Society

Countries With the Highest Public Transit Use

Hong Kong has the highest use of public transport with 80% of the population preferring the mode. However, Kenya and Russia are the countries that rely the most on public transit.

Mountains

The 10 Highest Mountains In The United States

The 10 Highest Mountains in the United States are all located in Alaska and are noted for their glacial settings and icy summits.

GDP

The World's Top Tea-Producing Countries

Tea originated in Southeast Asia and is a major player in social life and economic value. Many countries are known for their distinctive teas and high production.

Canyons

How Are Canyons Formed?

A canyon is a deep cleft between escarpments or cliffs, often formed by rivers, weathering, erosion or tectonic activity.

Stories

Exploring the Waterfalls and Wineries of Ontario’s Niagara Region

Niagara Falls, Ontario, from top and base, plus the wineries and British colonial history of nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Mountains

Oldest Mountain Ranges Of The World

It takes a very long time to form a mountain. Small volcanoes can grow up in just a few months, but a big mountain typically takes thousands of years to take shape.