GEOGRAPHY

20 Maps That Changed the World

The Mercator Projection, Ptolemy’s ‘Geographia’, the Fra Mauro Map, and even Google Maps have all shaped how we experience the world around us.

A giant Santa statue in North Pole, Alaska.

14 U.S. Towns With Christmassy Names

From North Pole to Bethlehem to Eggnog, here are 14 places in the United States with names that will remind you of the winter holidays.

The 15 States That Produce the Most Christmas Trees

There are Christmas tree farms scattered throughout the United States. Here’s which states produce the most of the holiday-favorite evergreen.

How Many Continents Are There?

You may have been taught that Earth has seven continents. Or is it six? Or eight?

The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest did not go well for the Romans.

8 Places the Romans Failed to Conquer

Ireland and Scotland are not the only places the mighty Roman Empire failed to vanquish.

The Discoveries of 21 Human Ancestors, Mapped

Within the last 200 years, we’ve discovered about two dozen species of hominins in Europe, Africa, and Asia—which you can see laid out in this map.

Some states are more obsessed with dogs and cats than others. Find out if yours is on the list.

The 10 Most Dog- and Cat-Obsessed States

Find out which states are most preoccupied with their pets.

Has this rat attacked any infants lately?

The 20 Rattiest Cities in the U.S.

New York rats may be the most iconic—but another U.S. city is even rattier.

Buying a home in these states might prove to be a long-term win.

The 3 Best States to Buy a Home in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Experts

Two states are expected, but the other might surprise you.

This kid is clearly enjoying his time in Florida.

The 20 Most Fun States in the U.S.

It’s no surprise to see Florida, California, and New York at the top of the list.

Not all regions with a food-inspired name are represented on the map.

9 Delightfully Delicious U.S. Regional Names

You’ve heard of New England, the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. But the United States has several more interesting regions, including the Pierogi Pocket, the Borscht Belt, the Pretzel Belt, and more.

Some kids are already hitting the books while other are still relaxing at home.

How Back-to-School Start Dates Vary Across the U.S.

If you've ever wondered how varied back-to-school start dates are across the country, you've come to the right place.

Amsterdam is a very walking-friendly destination.

The World’s 15 Most Walking-Friendly Cities

Want to make sure you get your steps in? It helps to live in a fairly flat place.

This puppy is lucky to live in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The 10 Most (and Least) Pet-Friendly Cities

Want to live in a really pet-friendly city? Head to Tucson, Arizona.

Countries were ranked by the average number of hours a person worked, not how many meetings they had to attend.

The 34 Hardest-Working Countries, Ranked

Americans tend to work more and longer days than many of their industrialized counterparts, yet eight countries work harder than the U.S.

You won’t bee-lieve how honeybees give directions.

5 of the World’s Most Interesting Directional Systems

Not everyone gives directions the way you do—in fact, the way people tell others how to get where they want to go can vary by city, town, and culture. Some of these directional systems might just change how you navigate the world.

The 15 Best (and Worst) U.S. Cities For Families in 2024

Before you start browsing Zillow, you might want to take a look at the most family-friendly cities.

What’s the Difference Between a Lake and a Pond?

The U.S. government has some ideas.

Here's Why Most Tornadoes Occur in the U.S.

The United States sees more tornadoes than anywhere else on the planet. Geography explains why.

Not every state has a high median income.

The 15 States Where Workers Earn the Most Money

Where you live definitely affects how much you can potentially make, as certain states have higher average incomes than others.

Exploring OldMapsOnline is great way to spend an hour or five.

This Interactive Tool Lets You Explore Centuries of Old Maps at Once

OldMapsOnline revamped its capabilities to map famous people, rulers, battles, and more through time and geography.

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeastern United States at 6288 feet and New Hampshire’s highest point.

The Highest Point in Each State (and D.C.)

Some of the highest peaks in the U.S. inspire awe and wonder. Others are more modest.

The Language That Each City Wants to Learn the Most, Mapped

New research from language website Wordtips has unveiled the top language choice of learners in almost every capital city in the world, providing unique and fascinating insight into global language learning.

If you measure it a certain way, Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador is taller than Mount Everest.

3 Mountains Taller Than Mount Everest

The title of “tallest mountain” depends on how—and where—you make your measurements.