WorldAtlas Latest Articles
Why The Great Lakes Almost Never Freeze Over Completely
The Great Lakes, so large that they are often mistaken for inland oceans, almost never completely freeze over. Here's why.
8 Most Neighborly Towns In The Southern United States
These 8 Southern towns, from Granbury, Texas, to Lexington, Virginia, pair historic squares, storytelling, and riverside trails with real community spirit.
10 North Carolina Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
The list below spans the most friendly small towns in North Carolina, including places like Beaufort, where festivals and events keep people connected.
The Longest Escalator In America
At 230 feet with a 115-foot rise, the escalator at Wheaton Metro station in Maryland is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. Here is how it was built.
The Highest Mountain Range In The Lower 48
The Sierra Nevada runs about 400 miles through eastern California, climbing more than two miles above the Owens Valley and topping the Rockies and Cascades.
10 Of The Most Adorable Small Towns In Virginia
These ten Virginia towns stand out for their inviting streets, distinctive architecture, and the little details that make exploring them a pleasure.
Why Great Lakes Freighters Stop Sailing In January
Each January, Great Lakes freighters tie up for the winter as the Soo Locks close for repairs, ice spreads on the lakes, and shipyards take over the fleet.
How Snapping Turtles Survive Under A Frozen Lake
Beneath a frozen lake, snapping turtles go months without breathing. Metabolic shutdown and shell chemistry are what keep them alive until spring.
Where Leeches Go In The Winter
When lakes freeze, leeches survive beneath the ice. Learn where they shelter, how they endure winter, and when they become active again.
Where Black Bears Are Spreading Back In The East
Where Black Bears Are Spreading Back In The East traces a comeback from Arkansas releases to new sightings in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois as forests regrow.
Giant Freshwater Stingray
Giant Freshwater Stingray can grow wider than a dinner table, and one caught in the Mekong set the record as the largest freshwater fish ever documented.
Why Space Is So Cold If The Sun Is So Hot
Sunlight crosses the near-vacuum of space without warming it, since so little matter is there to absorb it. Planets heat up, but the space between stays cold.
The Story Of The Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire ruled from Constantinople for a thousand years after Rome fell, shaping law, faith, and trade until the Ottoman conquest of 1453.
The Top Nuclear Power States In America
There are many states in America which have active nuclear power plants. These are the top twelve nuclear power producers.
The 10 Tallest Mountains In New Mexico
New Mexico's 10 tallest major mountains include Wheeler Peak, Truchas Peak, and remote summits with restricted hiking access.
The American Mountains With The Most Venomous Snakes
Rattlesnakes and copperheads live in the mountains of New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Arizona, denning on rocky slopes and even along hiking trails.
The Best Places To Visit On Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula
These 7 destinations along the Door Peninsula each have a distinct character, shaped by Great Lakes scenery, maritime heritage, and charming waterfronts.
The Largest Valley In The United States
California’s Central Valley is the largest US valley ringed by mountains. It grows a quarter of US food, and pumping sank land near Mendota nearly 30 feet.
Wisconsin’s Newport Of The West Is Ringed By Gilded Age Mansions
After the 1871 fire, Chicago's brewers and meatpackers built summer houses on Geneva Lake yet most are still private except for one thats open to visitors
7 Underrated Connecticut Towns Worth the Drive in 2026
Travel from the northwestern hills to the state’s quiet eastern corner, and these towns give you a reason to get up and go explore Connecticut.
The Last American Shipyards Still Building Ships
Destroyers are built in Bath, Maine, carriers in Newport News, Virginia, and the first US-built heavy icebreaker in about 50 years in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Where Bald Eagles Gather In The Winter
Where Bald Eagles Gather In The Winter depends on open water, easy food, and sheltered trees, which draw thousands of eagles to Alaska’s Chilkat River.
The American Rivers With The Most River Otters
The American rivers with the most river otters, from the Upper Mississippi and Louisiana’s Atchafalaya to the Columbia, Snake, Suwannee, and Yellowstone.
Exploring Japans Ancient Capital Where Deer Roam Freely
Nara was Japan's first permanent capital, and 1,400 deer still roam its temple park. A week there buys early mornings at Todaiji before the tour groups arrive
The Most Ruthless Roman Generals
Roman commanders razed Carthage, crucified 6,000 rebel slaves on the Appian Way, massacred Gallic tribes, and purged rivals with public death lists.
The States That Import The Most Electricity
The states importing the most electricty, like New York, Vermont, and Minnesota, reveal how closely America's energy needs are tied together.
How Much Of The US Is Federal Land Compared To Other Countries
Some countries allow for much more private ownership of land than others. Here's how much federal land the US owns versus other countries.
9 Small Towns in The Rockies with the Best Downtowns
Watch taffy wrapped on a 1918 machine in Philipsburg, get a jackalope hunting license in Douglas, and soak for free in Thermopolis on nine Rockies main streets.
What Rain Looks Like On Other Planets
As interesting as weather on Earth can be, other planets also undergo meteorological events, and they can be quite extreme.
Was The Ottoman Empire Inspired By The Roman Empire?
The Ottoman Empire's ties to Rome ran from Mehmed II's claim to the title Caesar of Rome to its choice of Constantinople as the new imperial capital.
The Top Solar Power States In America
Texas and California lead US solar generation, while Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina add utility-scale projects, storage, and grid upgrades.
The Largest Asteroids That Will Pass Earth This Century
Certain asteroids, were they to hit Earth, would potentially cause an extinction event. These are the largest we expect to pass near Earth this century.
The Worst People In Ancient History
Sennacherib, Phalaris, Julius Caesar, and Commodus are accused of torture, mass killing, and misrule, though the ancient sources on them are often unreliable.
The US States That Export The Most Electricity
Pennsylvania leads US states in net electricity exports, followed by Alabama and Illinois, as nuclear, gas, and wind plants feed grids across state lines.
What Happens If An Astronaut Gets Sick In Space
There is no emergency room 250 miles above Earth. Astronauts rely on trained crewmates, doctors on the ground, and sometimes an early ride home.
US States With the Most Snake Species
The states with the most snake species line the country's southern edge, and eight of the top 10 touch either the Mexican border or the Gulf Coast.
Every Place In America That Averages Over 200 Inches Of Snow
At just 95 feet above sea level, Valdez averages more snow than some mountain stations, showing why America's 200-inch snow zones aren't all peaks.
How Big Yellowstone Is Compared To Small Countries
Of the many wonderful aspects of Yellowstone National Park is its sheer size, equaling or surpassing that of many small countries.
How Far The Appalachians Run Compared To The Alps
The Appalachians run about 2,000 miles to the Alps' 750, but the Alps are far taller and much younger, formed long after Pangea built the ancient Appalachians
How Far Apart America's Extremes Actually Are
America is a large country, and when its territories are factored in, its geographic extremes become even more prominent.