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Geography

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Do You Know When Your State Was Founded? Find Out With This Interactive Map

See all 50 states in order from oldest to newest—and test your knowledge with a quiz.

Map Shows the Most Popular Potato Chip Brands By State

Map Shows the Hardest to Pronounce Town Name in Every U.S. State

Mapped: What Americans Want in a Car, According to Search Trends

25 Worst U.S. Cities for Allergy Sufferers

If you suffer from allergies, here are the worst—and the best—places to be.
Ellen Gutoskey|

Map Shows Which U.S. States Have the Highest (and Lowest) Life Expectancy

Where did your state rank?
Paul Anthony Jones|

Which Invasive Species Are Near You? Find Out With This Interactive Map

EDDMapS’s database has more than 9 million records of invasive species. See which ones hit close to home.
Ellen Gutoskey|

Cities

20 Greenest Cities Around the World, According to Locals

Time Out surveyed 18,500 people around the world to find the greenest cities—here’s who topped the list.
CaLea Johnson|

When San Francisco Considered Putting a Roller Coaster on the Golden Gate Bridge

One man’s dream was a city planner’s nightmare.
Jake Rossen|

Map of the World’s Must-Try Desserts, According to TikTok

You’re going to be very hungry after reading this.
Paul Anthony Jones|

These Cities Have the Best (and Worst) Drivers in the U.S., According to Allstate

Drivers are pretty safe in Boise, but they might find themselves getting whiplash in Boston.
Jake Rossen|

Map: American Cities With the Worst DMVs

If you’re in one of these cities, know what you’re in for before you head to the local DMV. (Plus, the cities with the best and most-improved DMVs.)
Paul Anthony Jones|

The 20 Best Food Trucks in the U.S., According to Yelp

Once a risky proposition, food trucks have become gourmet pit stops that can rival the fanciest eateries.
Jake Rossen|

Interactive Light Pollution Map Shows the Darkest Skies Near You

If city lights block the stars over your backyard, this map can help you hunt down the darkest skies for epic stargazing.
CaLea Johnson|

This ‘Garbage and Rats’ Tour Highlights New York City’s Rodent Residents

This Lower Manhattan tour dives into the wild world of rats and the city‘s dirtiest secrets.
CaLea Johnson|

Maps

The Odd Grammar Rule Most English Speakers Know But Are Rarely Taught

You know this rule, even if you don’t know you know it.
Michele Debczak|

From Y’all To Youse: 8 English Ways to Make ‘You’ Plural

Lots of languages have distinct plural forms for ‘you.’ Wouldn’t it be useful if English had one too? Spoiler alert: It does. Several, in fact.
Arika Okrent|

11 of the Most Expensive Typos in History

From the NASA mistake that made an interplanetary rocket explode to the bible with a very naughty misprint, these typos are an ode to proofreaders.
Jennifer M Wood|

National Parks

Why Are Police Officers Called “Cops”?

Cutting down on syllables is just one reason ‘cop’ became synonymous with ‘police officer.’

What Does ‘Fubar’ Mean?

13 Fun Slang Terms We Got From ‘Jaws’

Why Do We Say “Throw Down the Gauntlet”?

States

The 10 Best States for Living Off the Grid

Looking for the ultimate off-the-grid lifestyle? Find out which states offer the best self-sufficiency, renewable energy options, and low cost of living.
CaLea Johnson|

The Best and Worst States for Workplace Culture, Mapped

Midwestern and northeastern states were most likely to have positive workplace cultures.
CaLea Johnson|

The Most Popular Hot Sauce in Each State, Mapped

Find out which brands have states fired up this year.
CaLea Johnson|

The 20 Happiest States in 2024

Find out where your state falls on the list.
CaLea Johnson|

Geology

How Your Android Phone Can Alert You to Earthquakes Before You Feel Them

Every second counts when it comes to earthquakes, and Android‘s AEA system is changing how people prepare for one of nature’s most unpredictable disasters.
CaLea Johnson|

The 10 Most Popular Canyons to Explore in the U.S

These stunning U.S. canyons drew massive crowds in 2024. Find out which natural wonders topped the list, based on National Park Service data.
CaLea Johnson|

Ireland Begs Tourists to Stop Wedging Coins Into the Giant’s Causeway

Visitors stuffing coins into Northern Ireland’s famed basalt columns are unintentionally damaging this natural wonder and costing the country thousands.
CaLea Johnson|

15 Big Facts About the Great Barrier Reef

Australia’s biggest natural wonder is a huge draw for tourists and fish alike. Here’s everything you need to know about the world’s most famous reef.
M. Arbeiter|

Wanderlust

10 Most Dangerous States for Hikers

If you want a hike that will test your limits, maybe you should visit (or relocate to) one of these states.
Jake Rossen|

This Map Shows Where Tourists Outnumber Residents

See the ratios of tourists to residents in countries across globe and every U.S. state.
Ellen Gutoskey|

10 Best Beginner Hiking Trails in the U.S.

From waterfall views in Yosemite to canyons in Zion, these beginner trails are fun for the whole family.
Jessica Young|
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