WorldAtlas Latest Articles

National Parks

Why Alligators Don't Live In Western National Parks

Alligators rule the Southeast but vanish out West. Discover why America's western national parks have no alligators, and where their range really ends.

Cities

8 Off-The-Grid Arizona Towns To Visit In 2026

Explore Arizona’s most charming small towns, from historic mining hubs and wine country escapes to Route 66 stops, art villages, and scenic nature retreats.

Cities

7 Best Towns In North Dakota For A Two-Day Recharge

Slow down across North Dakota, from Medora's badlands to lakeside Garrison and the bridges of Valley City, on an easy two-day reset.

Cities

12 Most Welcoming Towns In Oregon's Countryside

Oregon's most welcoming small towns range from coastal towns like Astoria to desert and mountain destinations like Sisters, all with fun festivals and events.

Bodies of Water

5 Most Snake-Filled Bodies Of Water In West Virginia

Though fatalities are extremely rare, it is best to understand these creatures' habitats and features so you can safely enjoy the beautiful riverside trails.

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.

Oceans

How Cold Is The Bottom Of The Ocean?

Most of the deep ocean floor stays between 32 and 39°F, even at the equator. A look at how cold the seafloor gets, and why it never warms up.

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.

History

Yemen's Long Struggle From Kingdoms to Civil War

Yemen has seen centuries of conflict, and continues to struggle through civil war and famine. Beneath these hurdles lies a beautiful, exotic nation.

Animals

Tasmanian Tiger

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

Ancient World

The 5 Defeats That Changed the Ottoman Empire Forever

As one of the largest and longest-lasting land empires in world history, the Ottoman Empire experienced its share of military setbacks.

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.

Ancient World

The Biggest Myths About Roman Military Strategy

Were the Roman legions really invincible? Debunking the biggest myths about Rome military strategy, from endless offense to conquest by brute force alone.

Lakes

The US Reservoirs Closest To Dead Pool Status

A look at the US reservoirs closest to dead pool, from Lake Powell and Lake Mead to Elephant Butte, with the latest levels and what the risk means.

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.

Space

Why JWST Found Carbon Dioxide On An Exoplanet

JWST detected carbon dioxide on WASP-39 b, proving it can study distant exoplanet atmospheres and search for signs of life.

History

The Forgotten Colony of Western Sahara

Western Sahara remains a contested territory between Moroccan powers and the indigenous Sahrawi people, largely forgotten by the West.

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.

Ancient World

Ancient Buildings Still in Daily Use Today

Ancient structures worldwide, from India to the US deserts, remain active, showcasing enduring architecture, culture, and continuous modern use.

Lakes

The Lakes Formed by the Last Ice Age

Nine lakes across three continents, from Loch Ness to the Great Lakes, that glaciers carved during the last ice age and meltwater filled as the ice retreated.

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.

Space

What's the Brightest Object in the Sky?

The Sun outshines the Moon, Venus, Sirius, and the ISS. Learn how magnitude, luminosity, and distance reveal the sky’s brightest object.

Nature

Strange Animals That Actually Live In The US

The United States is home to several animals, including 1,154 fish species, 311 reptiles, 100,000 insect species, 295 amphibian species, 800 bird species, and 432 mammal species. Learn about some of the countries strangest wildlife in this article.

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.

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.

Space

Which Planet Has the Worst Weather?

Venus has the worst weather in the solar system with acid clouds, crushing pressure, violent winds, and heat hot enough to melt lead.

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. 

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.

Deserts

The Major Deserts Of The United States

Saguaro forests, gypsum dunes, and the hottest place on Earth. Discover the major deserts of the United States and the surprising variety within each

Society

The 10 Largest Universities In The United States

From Texas A&M's academic excellence to UT Austin's global impact, investigate the largest U.S. universities with enrollments exceeding 50,000 students.

Stories

Road Tripping Along Michigan’s Thumbcoast

A two-day road trip along Michigan's Thumbcoast, tracing the St. Clair River and Lake Huron shore through Marine City, Port Huron, Port Austin, and Caseville.

Travel

11 Amazing Kentucky Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive In 2026

Plan the perfect Kentucky day trip with this guide to caves, parks, museums, and scenic destinations just a short drive from Louisville.

Society

Largest School Districts in the United States

Get an overview of the largest school districts in the US by student enrollment, from New York City to Palm Beach, with details on diversity and size.