WorldAtlas Latest Articles

Cities

8 Quirkiest Northern California Towns To Visit In 2026

No matter what kind of offbeat trip you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it at one of these eight quirkiest Northern California towns.

Places

9 Ideal Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in the Rockies

These are the most idyllic places deep within the Rockies to stay for three days of excitement, adventure, and relaxation from the hustle and bustle.

Cities

The Cheapest Beautiful Towns To Live In Michigan

Own a walkable Great Lakes home for under $200,000 in Michigan's cheaper coastal towns, with real downtowns, beaches, and year-round life.

State Parks

How Many People Visit State Parks Every Year?

US state parks see more than 800 million visits a year across roughly 10,000 parks. A look at the number, why it's fuzzy, and why it's so big.

Bodies of Water

5 Most Snake-Filled Bodies Of Water In Nebraska

Discover Nebraska’s snake-filled rivers and reservoirs, from the Missouri and Platte to Calamus Reservoir and the Snake River, plus the species found there.

Lakes

How Much Of The World's Freshwater Is In The Great Lakes?

How Much Of The World's Freshwater Is In The Great Lakes? Just over 24% of surface freshwater, and only Lake Baikal holds more than all five combined.

Stories

Charles Dickens Is Still Everywhere in England, From His Birthplace to His Grave

Following Charles Dickens Across England, a first-person trail through his birthplace, island retreat, London homes, and the seaside towns he loved.

History

Nagorno-Karabakh and the Conflict That Never Ended

Few regions in the world have seen such sustained conflict as Nagorno-Karabakh, long disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Ancient World

Ancient Industries That Made Empires Rich

Grain, silk, gold, and metalworking filled ancient treasuries, supplied armies, and helped powerful empires build lasting wealth before 500 AD.

Climate

The 10 Most Hurricane-Prone States in the US

A look at the 10 U.S. states most often hit by hurricanes, with context on storm history, coastal risk, and conditions behind landfall today.

Lakes

The Deepest Man-Made Lakes In The United States

The deepest man-made lakes in the United States, ranked by the maximum depth each reservoir reaches at full pool, led by Lake Oroville at 690 feet.

Lakes

The Great Lakes Ranked By Water Clarity

The Great Lakes ranked by water clarity using average offshore Secchi depth, from clearest (Lake Huron) to least transparent (Lake Erie).

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Space

What's the Emptiest Place in Space?

Cosmic voids are the universe’s emptiest regions. Learn how the Boötes Void formed and why these vast spaces matter to science.

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.

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

GDP

US States That Produce the Most Wheat

Kansas is the top wheat producing state in the US.

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.

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. 

Geography

10 Largest Lake Islands In The World

Lake islands are islands that are situated within a lake. Some of the world’s largest lake islands are discussed in this article.