WorldAtlas Latest Articles
Amazon River Dolphin
Amazon River Dolphin turns pink with age, and much of that color is scar tissue from years of fighting, so the brightest males are usually the oldest ones.
Devil Scorpionfish
Devil Scorpionfish sits so still on the reef that algae grows over its skin, and it breaks cover only to flash the hidden orange and black beneath its fins.
Who Were The Most Overrated Ancient Generals?
Not all famous generals actually deserved the reputation that they have benefitted from. Here are some of history's most overrated commanders.
8 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In New Zealand This Year
New Zealand's 8 best natural wonders, including Milford Sound, Aoraki, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Tongariro's volcanoes, and Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks.
The 250 Million Desalting Plant America Built And Never Turned On
A $250 million desalting plant in Arizona has run three times in thirty years. Turning it on would destroy a wetland that exists only because it stayed off.
11 Best Places To Call Home On The Pacific Coast In 2026
These 11 Pacific Coast towns in Washington, Oregon, and California pair working harbors and ocean access with home prices below their state medians.
The Towns In Wisconsin Where Retirees Are Actually Moving To
Wisconsin added more 65-plus households than any other age group in a year, and they headed for water, from the St. Croix valley to the Door peninsula.
9 Best Downtowns In Southern California
They fit a whole town into a few walkable blocks. Meet nine of Southern California's best small downtowns, from a gold-rush Main Street to a mission plaza.
The Lakes America Built And Then Regretted
From Hetch Hetchy and Glen Canyon to flooded tribal homelands and dams now torn down, these are the lakes America built and came to regret.
The Colorado River Tributary That No Longer Reaches It
The Colorado River's largest tributary, the Gila, is so heavily dammed and diverted that it no longer reaches the Colorado, except during rare desert floods.
One Day, 10 Hours, 17 Bands at the Borderland Festival
Ten hours at Borderland's eighth year in East Aurora, from a video-called grandpa mid-set to Jack White closing on "Seven Nation Army."
Neotropical Rattlesnake
Neotropical Rattlesnake, the most widespread rattlesnake in South America, has an unusually neurotoxic venom that can paralyze and prove fatal to people.
Central American Bushmaster
Central American Bushmaster, a large, reclusive rainforest pit viper, ranks among the world's longest venomous snakes and, unlike most, lays eggs.
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.
9 Small Towns in the Southern United States with the Best Downtowns
Pay a theater in produce, browse a bookstore older than you, walk a brick riverfront. Nine small Southern towns with downtowns worth the afternoon.
How The Great Lakes Compare To The World's Largest Lakes
One landlocked lake dwarfs all five Great Lakes put together. Here's how North America's giants measure up against the world's largest lakes.
What Happens If The Ohio River Floods Louisville Again
The wall holds the river back; the aging pumps behind it are the weak point. Here is what a major Ohio River flood would actually do to Louisville today.
The Deepest Underground Labs Hunting Dark Matter
Deep in subterranean labs, some of the most advanced technology in human history is being used to study the origins of dark matter.
How Rome Lost Its African Provinces
Rome, for a time, commanded one of the largest empires the world has seen. Over time, they would lose certain territories, including their African provinces.
This Illinois River Town Is Made for Strolling
Take a stroll through a charming river valley situated in Saint Charles, Illinois, one of the state's most walkable towns.
Which Planet Has the Most Moons?
Saturn now holds 293 confirmed moons, more than any other planet. See how it overtook Jupiter, and meet Titan and Enceladus.
The African Emperor Who Ruled Rome
Septimius Severus has a complicated legacy. As the first emperor from Africa, he helped establish the Roman Empire as a truly multi-continental power.
Which Planet Has The Most Eccentric Orbit?
Mercury holds the record among the eight planets orbiting the Sun, while HD 20782 b is among the most eccentric confirmed exoplanets known.
Who Were The Roman Empire’s Secret Police?
Rome ran on informers. Inside the frumentarii, agentes in rebus, speculatores, and the Praetorian Guard who policed the empire.
6 Underrated New Jersey Towns Worth the Drive in 2026
New Jersey is often written off as a hotbed of East Coast stereotypes, but there are many underrated towns worth exploring.
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.
9 Small Towns in The Adirondack Mountains with the Best Downtowns
These small Adirondack Mountain towns, from Lake Placid to Speculator, pair mountain views with walkable downtowns, local shops, and museums.
The Rainiest Mountain In America
The Rainiest Mountain In America is Mount Waialeale on Kauai, where the summit averages about 450 inches of rain a year and once recorded 683 in 1982.
Why Some Mountains Are Flat On Top
Grand Mesa, Table Mountain, Mount Roraima, and Herðubreið are all flat-topped, but four entirely different geologic processes made them that way.
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.