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The Largest Lakes In The Desert Southwest
Salton Sea, Lake Powell, and Lake Mead lead the Desert Southwest's biggest lakes by surface area. Ten lakes and reservoirs ranked by federal figures.
The American Mountains With Roads To The Summit
Six US mountains, from Colorado's Pikes Peak to New Hampshire's Mt Washington, where a paved road and a toll booth replace the multi-day hike to the summit.
12 Most Charming Towns On The Pacific Coast
Tide pools, lighthouses, and walkable seaside downtowns. Discover 12 of the most charming towns on the Pacific Coast, made for a slow weekend by the water.
How Much Lithium Is Under The Salton Sea
The Salton Sea holds 4.1 million metric tons of measured lithium and possibly 18 million. Why the two figures differ, and whether any of it comes out.
These 7 California Towns Have The Best Historic Districts
California towns, from Yreka to San Juan Capistrano, keep historic districts shaped by the Gold Rush, the Spanish missions, and the railroad era.
The Most Venomous Creatures In The Sea
Some of the sea’s most dangerous creatures hide their worst weapon in plain sight, delivering venom through spines, stingers, and bites.
The Steepest Mountain In The United States
A sheer 3,000-foot granite wall, an unclimbed 6,500-foot face, and a desert cliff second only to El Cap. See which peak is truly the steepest in the US.
10 Best Ozarks Towns For A Weekend Trip
Pack your bags and get ready to explore ten Ozark towns where natural beauty and small-town spirit come together for an unforgettable weekend getaway.
The US Highways That Flood Most Often
Some roads flood so often that engineers have given up patching them and started lifting the pavement above the water. Here are the worst repeat offenders.
The Only City Outside The Great Lakes Basin Allowed To Drink Its Water
Waukesha, Wisconsin is the only city entirely outside the Great Lakes Basin allowed to drink the lakes' water. How it won a rare exception, and why Chicago differs.
The Busiest Cargo Ports
Cargo ports allow for mass transportation of goods by sea. Here are the largest and busiest cargo ports in various states.
The American Mountains With The Most Black Bears
The Cascades hold the most black bears, the southern Appalachians hold the densest, and Alaska has a third of them all. Where American mountain bears concentrate.
You Don’t Have to Go to the Highlands to Meet Scotland’s Famous Cows
You Don't Have to Go to the Highlands to Meet Scotland's Famous Cows. In Dumfries and Galloway, Kitchen Coos & Ewes lets visitors brush and feed Highlands.
Why There Are No Wolves Left In The Southeast
Why There Are No Wolves Left In The Southeast, or almost none. Bounties, logging, and coyotes erased the red wolf, and a few dozen survive in North Carolina.
The Eastern Edge Of Rattlesnake Country
The Eastern Edge Of Rattlesnake Country. Bounties drove timber rattlesnakes from much of New England, and the massasauga is Ontario's only venomous snake.
Ancient Kingdoms History Nearly Forgot
Human civilization is built on the shoulders of giants, namely, ancient empires which made advances in culture and science. Here are some we almost forgot.
9 Small Towns in New Zealand with the Best Downtowns
These 9 New Zealand small towns have distinct downtowns, from Oamaru's limestone Victorian Precinct to Arrowtown's gold-rush street to Russell's waterfront.
10 Small Towns in Southern California with the Best Downtowns
Ten Southern California small towns with distinctive downtowns, from Solvang's Danish windmills and Julian's Gold Rush boardwalks to Avalon's Art Deco casino.
12 Overlooked Towns In North Carolina Worth Visiting
North Carolina may be home to destinations that stand out, but these overlooked small towns are worth visiting, including Washington, Morganton, and more.
Why Bison No Longer Roam The Great Plains
Why Bison No Longer Roam The Great Plains. Drought, hide trade, railroads, and policy nearly wiped them out, and fences and farms keep survivors penned in.
Golden Poison Frog
Golden Poison Frog holds enough toxin to kill about ten adults, yet it makes none of it itself. Captive frogs fed on crickets grow up entirely harmless.
What Enceladus's Plumes Are Made Of
Enceladus fires water 6,000 miles into space, twenty times its own width. What Cassini found in those plumes, and why it matters for the hunt for life.
Who Were The Greatest Generals Of The Late Roman Empire?
The late Western Roman Empire produced Arbogast, Stilicho, and Aetius, generals who held the line as the state around them failed.
11 Small Towns in Tasmania with the Best Downtowns
Convict-built bridges, a weathered mining outpost, and a village beneath a volcanic plug reveal the unexpected character of Tasmania’s small towns.
Why The Upper Midwest Has No Native Earthworms
Why The Upper Midwest Has No Native Earthworms explains how the ice age erased them and why nightcrawlers and jumping worms now strip the north woods floor.
Why Dragonfly Will Fly Instead Of Drive On Titan
Titan’s thick atmosphere and low gravity let Dragonfly fly across its surface to study varied terrain and clues to the moon’s prebiotic chemistry too.
How Roman Doctors Treated Battle Wounds
Ancient Roman battles necessitated medics, much like today, and these medics had their own surgical tools and skill sets.
Why The Appalachians Are Older Than The Rockies
Collision built one range and a sinking ocean plate built the other, and that difference is why the Appalachians are far older than the younger Rockies.
The Places On Earth Most Like Europa
Few moons have captured the imagination of scientists more than Europa, which has displayed qualities that indicate it may support life.
Who Were The Most Underrated Ancient Generals?
Epaminondas, Philip II, Quintus Fabius Maximus, and Gaius Marius changed ancient warfare more than their reputations suggest.
What Falls To Earth From Space Every Year
Stuff is constantly falling from space. We call it space junk. Here's what exactly is falling to Earth from space each year.
Who Were The Most Underrated Roman Generals?
Fabius Maximus, Marcellus, Gaius Marius, and Flavius Aetius won Rome's hardest wars, yet history remembers their rivals instead.
The US Dams That Power Entire States
Six US hydroelectric plants each out-produced a full state's yearly electricity in 2025, with Grand Coulee on top and The Dalles new to the list.
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.