WorldAtlas Latest Articles
The Largest Cathedrals In The United States
From a 36,000-square-foot Gothic landmark in San Francisco to the world's largest Gothic church in New York, these are America's nine biggest cathedrals.
Which County Has The Most Miles Of Coastline In America?
Dorchester County, Maryland, logs 1,539 miles of shoreline. The number says more about how agencies measure a coast than about how far the county stretches.
8 Safest Towns In Croatia For Senior Living
Croatia's picturesque coastline and crystal clear waters make for a stunning retirement locale. Here are the absolute safest towns in Croatia.
Binturong
Binturong, also called the bearcat, is neither bear nor cat. It smells of popcorn, grips branches with a prehensile tail, and climbs down trees headfirst.
European Adder
European Adder is Britain's only venomous snake and the only serpent on Earth that lives north of the Arctic Circle, surviving winters no other snake can.
What Europa Clipper Will Find When It Arrives
With a mission en route to Europa, we may soon discover just what is hidden deep beneath the moon's icy surface layers.
Why the Bronze Age Suddenly Collapsed
Drought, famine, war, and the Sea Peoples brought down the Bronze Age world. A look at what caused the collapse and how quickly it unfolded.
8 Great Road Trips to Take in Alaska
Alaska's road system reaches only part of the state, but these eight drives run from the rainforests of the Inside Passage to the tundra of the Interior.
Why The Rockies Are Still Rising
Long after the mountains finished forming, the Rockies keep climbing. Hot mantle, a slow-tearing rift, and steady erosion are quietly lifting them.
Why King Tides Flood Coastal Towns Every Fall
King tides are not getting bigger. The baseline under them is rising, so a tide that cleared the seawall fifty years ago now arrives in the street.
9 Small Towns in The Finger Lakes with the Best Downtowns
9 Finger Lakes towns in New York with walkable downtowns, from the It's a Wonderful Life Museum in Seneca Falls to Pulteney Square in Hammondsport.
10 Small Towns on Florida's Emerald Coast With the Best Downtowns
Florida's Emerald Coast is home to small towns whose downtowns range from Seaside's planned square to Destin's working harbor and Panama City's mural walls.
The First Lake To Freeze Each Year In The Lower 48
Nobody knows, because nobody is checking. The first lake to freeze in the Lower 48 is an unnamed alpine pond, and here is how we narrow down where it is.
How Much Water Sits Behind America's 10 Biggest Dams
See which 10 American dams hold back the largest reservoirs by total storage capacity, including Lake Mead and Lake Powell.
Marabou Stork
Marabou Stork is called the undertaker bird for its bald head and hunched stance, yet each grim feature is an adaptation for feeding inside a carcass.
Malayan Pit Viper
Malayan Pit Viper is among Southeast Asia's most dangerous snakes largely because it will not flee, and most bites happen when someone steps too close.
Who Were The Most Overrated Roman Generals?
Not all famous Roman generals deserve their praise. There were several of them who, when you really look at their track record, were somewhat overrated
What Happens If Lake Mead Drops Below Its Power Intakes
Hoover Dam has already lost half its output since 2000 without anyone noticing. What happens if Lake Mead falls below the turbines, and why it is a slope not a cliff.
The Tallest Mountain In America From Base To Summit
Measured from its deep-sea base, one American peak beats Everest by thousands of feet. See how nine giants rank when height starts at the bottom.
This Great Lakes Town Dives Into Maritime Heritage
This Great Lakes Town Dives Into Maritime Heritage in Alpena, Michigan, where Thunder Bay's Shipwreck Alley hides scores of wrecks beneath Lake Huron.
12 Overlooked Towns In Michigan Worth Visiting
The 11 towns are some of the most overlooked destinations in Michigan and are worth visiting. From coastal views to historic museums, they have it all.
15 Animals Only Found In The United States
Explore and learn about the 15 most interesting animals that are endemic to the United States, from the Red Wolf to the tiny Bobtail Squid.
Why The Aurora Reached Florida
A fierce solar storm sent the northern lights spilling into Florida, painting subtropical skies with an Arctic glow in a rare show of the Sun’s power.
How Many Emperors Did The Roman Empire Have?
Rome counted roughly 70 emperors through 395 CE and closer to 90 by 476. Here is why no single number ever settles the question.
Five Days at Four mph on an English Canal Boat Is Pure Relaxation
Five days and 53 miles on the Shropshire Union Canal with two complete beginners aboard. No license needed, four miles an hour, and nowhere you have to be.
What The Psyche Mission Could Tell Us About Planetary Cores
NASA's Psyche spacecraft arrives at a metal-rich asteroid in 2029, where its readings could sharpen scientists' understanding of the cores of rocky planets.
What Happens When A Satellite Burns Up In The Atmosphere
A satellite re-entry begins near 17,000 mph; learn what burns up, which dense parts reach Earth, and what the vaporized metal leaves behind.
The Best Leaders In Ancient Greece
Exploring these figures, and several more, is crucial to comprehending one of the most important civilizations in history.
The Youngest Mountain Range In The United States
Grand Teton, despite its impressive appearance, is actually the youngest mountain range in the entirety of the United States.
The American Mountains You Can Reach By Train
These six American mountain railways climb steep grades into the high country, ending at summit buildings, mountain towns, and breathtaking overlooks.
The Widest Mountain In The United States
One American mountain spreads so far across the landscape that its width rivals its height for sheer scale, giving it a footprint unlike any other.
What Is The Thailand-Cambodia Border Dispute
A border drawn more than a century ago still divides Thailand and Cambodia, with disputed temples and territory keeping tensions alive today.
How Big Alaska Is Compared To The Lower 48
Alaska is one fifth the size of the Lower 48 and bigger than Texas, California and Montana combined. Why the maps you grew up with got it wrong twice.
The 10 US Cities With the Longest Summers
Some US cities barely see winter at all. Ranked by NOAA normals, here are the ten with the longest thermal summers, from Honolulu to Fort Lauderdale.
10 Countries with the Largest Uranium Reserves
Australia holds 1.67 million tonnes of recoverable uranium, but Kazakhstan mines the most. How the ten largest resource holders compare.
African Countries With Islam As The Religion Of The Majority
In 19 African countries, Islam serves as the religion of the majority.
Country Names With 10 Letters
18 countries have names that contain 10 letters, from Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan. Discover what other countries make the list!
Life Expectancy in Asia
Japan has the highest average life expectancy in Asia, as well as the world.
What Continent Is Hawaii In?
Although politically Hawaii is considered part of North America, geographically Hawaii is not part of any continent.
Landlocked Countries In Asia
Twelve countries in Asia are considered landlocked, although some of them, like Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, are along the Caspian Sea.