WorldAtlas Latest Articles
How Diocletian Rebuilt The Roman Army
Few figures in the history of Ancient Rome made more sweeping and lasting changes than Diocletian after the Crisis of the Third Century.
The Greatest Roman Cities In Africa
The Roman Republic and Empire were home to some of the most amazing cities of the ancient world and many of these urban centers were in North Africa.
Where The Pacific Meets The Arctic
The Bering Strait links the Pacific and Arctic oceans between Russia and Alaska. It was once a land bridge that carried people and animals into North America.
The Largest Working Observatory In The United States
W.M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawaii, runs twin 10-meter telescopes whose adaptive optics beat Hubble on near-infrared detail, and is open to visitors.
The National Forests Where Caribou Still Range
Alaska's Chugach National Forest holds the small Kenai Mountains caribou herd, while forests in Idaho, Washington, and Montana mark the species' former range.
The Best Small Town In Northern California For Seniors
Rio Vista draws retirees with below-median home prices, the Trilogy 55+ community, a walkable Main Street, and a quiet Sacramento River waterfront.
Why Nevada Is Suing The Federal Government Over The Colorado River
Nevada faces a 71 percent cut while the Upper Basin contributes nothing. Why the state sued Interior over the Colorado River, and what it is actually asking for.
6 Underrated Oregon Towns Worth the Drive in 2026
Six underrated Oregon towns worth a trip in 2026, from Warrenton's shipwreck beach and Manzanita's surf to Newberg wineries, The Dalles, Sisters, and Ashland.
The Oldest Lake In The United States
The oldest lake in the US is a two-way fight: Clear Lake long held the title, but 2024 research says Lake Tahoe, at 2.3 million years, is older. Which one wins?
Why Baby Copperheads Show Up In Fall
Baby copperheads are born with a bright yellow tail they wiggle like a caterpillar to lure lizards. Why they appear in autumn, and why they are not more dangerous.
The US Rivers Where Bull Sharks Swim Upstream
The US Rivers Where Bull Sharks Swim Upstream include the Mississippi, Potomac, Atchafalaya, and Florida nursery rivers, where young sharks find shelter.
The Richest Countries In Africa 2025
Africa’s richest countries fall into three types: island economies, hydrocarbon exporters, and diversified markets, shaped by resources and policies
The Difference Between A Hurricane, A Typhoon, And A Cyclone
A hurricane, a typhoon and a cyclone are the same storm under three names. Which one you get depends on the ocean, and a date line crossing proves it.
Nose-Horned Viper
Nose-Horned Viper facts, from the soft snout horn and long fangs of a snake often called Europe's most dangerous to its rocky Balkan habitat and live births.
Night Adder
Night Adder is the misleading name for African vipers that are active by day, lay eggs, have round pupils, and carry venom glands that reach into the neck.
Why Lucy Is Visiting Eight Asteroids Instead Of One
NASA's Lucy spacecraft is the first mission to explore Jupiter's Trojan asteroids, ancient bodies that may reveal how the solar system's giant planets formed.
Which Roman Generals Lost Battles They Should Have Won?
Several Roman generals lost battles that they should have won and exploring such defeats helps us gain a more holistic understanding of Ancient Rome.
The Mountains That Are Still Growing
Some mountains are still rising today, pushed upward by tectonic forces even as erosion and melting ice reshape their peaks.
The Most Advanced Ancient Medical Practices
Ancient medical practices, including civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Imperial China, reveal early advances in surgery, wound care, dentistry, and more.
7 Small Towns in Pennsylvania with the Best Downtowns
In Pennsylvania, downtown Wellsboro glows under gas lamps, Lititz twists pretzels by hand, and Hershey lines Chocolate Avenue with Kisses, 7 towns in all.
How Far North Armadillos Have Reached
How Far North Armadillos Have Reached. Breeding populations hold near the fortieth parallel, but one wanderer turned up in Indiana just shy of Michigan.
Why Evidence Suggests Dark Energy Is Weakening
Although our leading minds have barely more than a theoretical grasp on what dark energy is, it appears to be weakening.
The American Power Plants Built Inside A Mountain
From Tennessee's Raccoon Mountain to Washington's Boundary Dam, several U.S. power plants run their turbines deep inside excavated mountain rock.
Which Planet Is The Coldest?
Uranus, not more distant Neptune, reaches the lowest temperature of any planet, about -372°F, while Mercury gets colder at night than anywhere on Earth.
Why Denali Is Harder To Climb Than Everest
Lower summit, harder climb. Thin polar air, 100-pound loads, and rescue that can be days away make Denali a tougher test than Everest for most climbers.
7 Underrated California Towns Worth the Drive in 2026
Seven California towns worth the detour, from Pioneertown and Solvang to Ojai, Tiburon, Sonoma, Solana Beach and Ramona in the San Diego back country.
The Island That Changed My Mind About Toronto
A ten-minute ferry from downtown Toronto reaches Center Island, with sandy Great Lakes beaches, a pier, rental bikes and the oldest lighthouse.
11 Underrated Ohio Towns Worth the Drive in 2026
11 Underrated Ohio Towns Worth the Drive in 2026. Ride a horse-drawn canal boat in Coshocton, see Sugarcreek's cuckoo clock, and find Christmas in Medina.
What New Horizons Is Still Finding In The Kuiper Belt
NASA's New Horizons probe woke from a 321-day hibernation in June 2026, some 6 billion miles from Earth, and continues to study Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.
The Most Climbed Mountain In America
Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire draws around 125,000 climbers a year, with a 3,165-foot summit most hikers reach in a few hours and views across six states.
The Richest Countries in North America 2026
In 2025, the U.S., Canada, and Panama lead North America in GDP per capita, reflecting diverse economic strengths and strategies.
The States With More Farmland Than People
Eight US states have more farmland than people, with farm operations covering over half their land and fewer than 100 residents per square mile.
How Much of America Drains Into the Mississippi River?
The Mississippi-Atchafalaya basin drains about 41% of the contiguous US, over 1.245 million square miles, and the Missouri subbasin alone supplies 43% of it.
How Much Of The World's Fresh Water Sits In North America?
North America holds roughly one-quarter of the world’s fresh surface water, with the Great Lakes alone accounting for about 21% of the global supply.
The Richest Countries In The World 2026
The richest country in the world is Luxembourg, followed by Singapore and Ireland, ranked by GDP per capita in PPP values, provided by the IMF for 2025.
How Big Lake Superior Is Compared To Entire States
Lake Superior spans 31,700 square miles, larger than 10 US states by total area and nearly the size of South Carolina, plus a 2,726-mile shoreline.
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.