WorldAtlas Latest Articles

Space

What's the Loudest Sound in Space?

Learn why pressure waves from a black hole 250 million light-years away became known as the loudest sound in space, despite there being no confirmed record.

Ancient World

Ancient Tunnels Still Functioning

Ancient tunnels in Rome, Jerusalem, Iran, Oman, and China still carry water by gravity more than 2,000 years after they were dug.

Cities

11 Best Downtowns In New South Wales

Gold-rush main streets, wine-country town centers, and revived harbor CBDs: 11 of the best downtowns across New South Wales, from the coast to the Central West.

Lakes

The Fastest-Rising Lake Levels in North America

Why some lakes creep up centimeters a year while others surge meters in weeks, from Arctic satellite trends to flood-driven records.

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.

Lakes

The US Lakes Where River Otters Thrive

The US Lakes Where River Otters Thrive span the country, from Minnesota's Boundary Waters and Isle Royale to Reelfoot, Deep Creek, and Yellowstone Lake.

Cities

7 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In Wyoming

Seven small Wyoming towns with fairy-tale scenery, from Jackson beneath the Tetons to Meeteetse, Saratoga's hot springs, and Afton's antler arch.

Cities

9 Most Breathtaking Towns In New Mexico

See breathtaking New Mexico towns filled with volcanic valleys, ancient pueblos, red-rock scenery, and historic Southwestern charm.

Cities

8 Nicest Small Towns In Utah

Utah’s small towns pair red rock scenery, mountain escapes, historic streets, ski slopes, lakeside fun, and quirky local attractions.

Oceans

The Ocean Animals That Can Regrow Body Parts

Oceans are natural wonders, with immense biodiversity. However, only a select few species have the power to regrow body parts.

Animals

Russell's Viper

Russell's Viper, one of India's Big Four snakes, lurks in farm fields with potent venom, causing more snakebite deaths than almost any snake in Asia.

Space

Which Planet Rains Diamonds?

Could it really rain diamonds? Discover why scientists think Neptune and Uranus may produce diamond rain deep within their interiors.

Ancient World

Major Turning Points In Roman History

Rome's rise and fall in five turning points, from the Republic's founding and Hannibal's war to Caesar's Rubicon and the Western Empire's collapse.

Lakes

The US Lakes Where Snapping Turtles Live Past A Hundred Years

From Louisiana bayous to a chilly Minnesota lake, these are the US waters where snapping turtles grow into 200-pound, century-old giants.

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.

Animals

Indigo Snake

Hunted rattlesnakes, gopher tortoise burrows, and a comeback underway in Florida and Alabama. Inside the life of the Indigo Snake.

Animals

Tarsier

Tarsiers, the tiny nocturnal primates of Southeast Asia, have eyes bigger than their brains, swivel their heads like owls, and eat nothing but live prey.

Space

Which Planet Has The Longest Night?

Discover why Uranus and Venus experience extraordinary periods of darkness and what makes their day-night cycles so different from Earth's.

Stories

Riding the Sunrise Coast Pure Michigan Byway

Michigan's Sunrise Coast Scenic Byway is a 200-mile Lake Huron road trip of sunrise piers, historic lighthouses, state park beaches, and shipwreck lore.

Animals

Spitting Cobra

Spitting cobras spray venom several feet into a predator's eyes. Learn where these snakes live, what they eat, and how their aim stays so accurate.

Animals

Pygmy Rattlesnake

The pygmy rattlesnake's venom became a life-saving heart drug, and this tiny southeastern pit viper would far rather flee than bite. Meet a misfit rattler.

Ancient World

Why The Fall Of Troy Is Still Relevant Today

Archaeology puts the burning of Troy near 1180 BCE. The horse, the ten-year siege, and what the story still explains about power.

Religion

African Countries With Islam As The Religion Of The Majority

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

Space

Is There More Than One Universe?

Scientists cannot yet say for sure whether there are multiple universes out there, but string theory and quantum physics suggest there may be.

Ancient World

The Civil War That Doomed The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic effectively died in 49 BCE. Even though it existed on paper for the next two decades, that year marked the beginning of a civil war.

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!

Stories

Hiking Amongst The Black Bears And Rattlesnakes Of Beausoleil Island

Hiking Amongst The Black Bears And Rattlesnakes Of Beausoleil Island, a solo trek across Georgian Bay, the world's largest freshwater archipelago.

Travel

7 Overlooked Towns In England Worth Visiting

Smugglers' tunnels, a wizard's well, and England's largest lake. These are seven overlooked English towns, each well worth the trip.

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.

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.

Society

Countries That Use Their Own Calendar

In Ethiopia, it's not the year you think, and there are 13 months. Discover the countries that still run on their own calendars instead of the Gregorian one.

Society

Deepest Metro Stations in the World

Some metro stations plunge over a hundred meters underground, driven by challenging terrain, leading to engineering marvels with grand designs.

Forests

European Countries With The Most Forest Cover

Sweden has the most forest cover of any European country.