WorldAtlas Latest Articles

Cities

5 Best Lakeside Towns in Australia

5 Best Lakeside Towns in Australia are Jindabyne, Daylesford, Barmera, Metung, and Merimbula, spread across New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

County

The Counties Made Almost Entirely Of Mountains

See how mountains dominate these rugged US counties through steep ridges, deep valleys, and dramatic elevation changes nationwide.

National Parks

The Three Washington National Parks

One morning on a foggy Pacific beach, one afternoon under a giant volcano: meet Washington's three wildly different national parks and how to see them.

Lakes

The Next Great Lakes Invader Scientists Fear Most

A filter-feeding fish sits about 47 miles from Lake Michigan, and a $1.15 billion barrier near Chicago is meant to keep it out of the Great Lakes.

Lakes

How Lake Michigan Compares To The Biggest Lake On Every Other Continent

How Lake Michigan Compares To The Biggest Lake On Every Other Continent, larger than four of them and smaller than only the Caspian Sea and Lake Victoria.

Cities

9 Off-The-Beaten-Path Towns In Wyoming

For travelers seeking small towns with plenty of nature, these Wyoming destinations offer an unforgettable look at the quieter side of the West.

Lakes

How Long Would It Take To Refill Lake Powell?

Lake Powell just hit a record low, 180 feet below full. How long would it take to refill? The sobering answer has less to do with time than with the river.

Lakes

The Lakes Where Smallmouth Bass Grow Largest

From record-setting Dale Hollow to the goby-fueled giants of Lake Erie, these are the lakes where smallmouth bass grow largest, and where records fall.

Animals

Spectacled Caiman

The spectacled caiman is the most widespread crocodilian in the Americas, a small, adaptable predator named for the bony ridge that bridges its eyes.

Animals

Cape Buffalo

Cape Buffalo, the African bovid that hunters nicknamed Black Death, is also unusually social. Herds mob lions and appear to vote before moving on.

Space

Which World Has The Tallest Mountain In The Solar System?

Learn why Olympus Mons on Mars is the Solar System’s tallest known mountain and how it compares with Everest and Vesta’s giant peak.

Ancient World

Why Did Roman Military Strategy Shift From Expansion To Defense?

Roman strategy shifted toward defense because a vast empire demanded more soldiers, money, and attention than acquiring additional territory could justify.

Animals

Black Caiman

The black caiman is the Amazon's apex predator and the largest member of the alligator family, a night hunter that can stretch well past 16 feet.

Animals

Sperm Whale

Few creatures hold the mythological clout as the sperm whale, known for diving huge distances and emitting some of the loudest sounds on Earth.

Space

What's the Coldest Place in Space?

The coldest spot in the universe isn't empty space. It's a nebula one degree above absolute zero, colder than the void around it. Here's why.

Ancient World

The Brutal Side Of The Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire's brutal history includes the widespread capture of Christian boys, slavery, and the Armenian Genocide.

Travel

10 Small Towns in Texas with the Best Downtowns

Ten Texas towns with the best downtowns, from Port Isabel's fish mural to Fredericksburg's Magic Mile and Bandera's cowboy saloons.

Industries

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.

Animals

Bengal Tiger

Learn about Bengal tiger biology, habitat, behavior, and conservation while uncovering the threats facing this iconic South Asian predator.

Ancient World

How Many People Lived In The Roman Empire?

The Roman Empire held between 59 and 76 million inhabitants at its peak, but exact numbers are difficult for historians to calculate.

Stories

A Driving Tour of River Road National Scenic Byway

A Driving Tour of River Road National Scenic Byway winds along Michigan's AuSable River, past sand dunes, high bluffs, and the Lumberman's Monument.

Space

Which Planet Is The Brightest In Our Sky?

Venus is the brightest planet in our sky, reflecting most of the sunlight that reaches it. Find out when it peaks and why.

Ancient World

The Worst Decisions Made By Roman Generals

Rome lost armies at Cannae, Carrhae, Teutoburg Forest, and Adrianople. A look at the commanders whose choices cost the empire dearly.

Travel

8 Underrated Illinois Towns Worth the Drive in 2026

Beyond the bright lights of Chicago, there are many smaller, underrated towns in Illinois worth making the drive for in 2026.

Space

Which Planet Has Days Longer Than Its Years?

Venus takes 243 Earth days to spin once but only 225 to orbit the Sun. Here is why its day outlasts its year, and how Mercury complicates it.

Ancient World

The Biggest Scandals In Ancient Rome

From Caesar's affair with Cleopatra to a throne sold at auction, these are the scandals that shaped how Rome is remembered today.

Stories

An Afternoon Or More in Creemore, Ontario

An Afternoon Or More in Creemore, Ontario reveals a walkable Mill Street of cafes, a Michelin-starred restaurant, lavender farms, and craft beer.

Travel

8 Overlooked Towns In Wales Worth Visiting

8 Overlooked Towns In Wales Worth Visiting, from coastal Holyhead and Tywyn to castle-rich Kidwelly, Llandovery, and grand Powis Castle in Welshpool.

Religion

African Countries With Islam As The Religion Of The Majority

In 19 African countries, Islam serves as the religion of the majority.

Geography

Country Names With 10 Letters

18 countries have names that contain 10 letters, from Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan. Discover what other countries make the list!

Society

Life Expectancy in Asia

Japan has the highest average life expectancy in Asia, as well as the world.

Geography

What Continent Is Hawaii In?

Although politically Hawaii is considered part of North America, geographically Hawaii is not part of any continent.

Geography

Landlocked Countries In Asia

Twelve countries in Asia are considered landlocked, although some of them, like Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, are along the Caspian Sea.

Geography

What Are The Contiguous United States?

Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia share a boundary with at least one other state and jointly make up the contiguous United States.

Mountains

The Longest Mountain Ranges in Asia

The Kunlun Mountains, in China, is the longest mountain range in Asia.

Geography

Which Countries Border Italy?

Italy borders France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, plus the two microstates it completely encloses: San Marino and Vatican City.

Sports

The Largest Stadiums In Asia

The biggest stadium on Earth isn't in America or Europe. It's in Asia, alongside 14 more giants. See the largest stadiums in Asia, ranked by capacity.

Nature

What Is A Cloud Forest?

How cloud forests drink from the clouds, and why Kilimanjaro, Monteverde, Yakushima and the Appalachians all depend on the mist.

Climate

The Driest States In The United States

The driest states in the US aren't all deserts. Some are famous for snow. Ranked by NOAA precipitation data, with the geography that keeps each one dry.

Climate

The Cities With the Lowest Annual Rainfall in the US

The Cities With the Lowest Annual Rainfall in the US are led by Yuma, Arizona, where barely three inches fall in a year, followed by Las Vegas and Phoenix.