GEOGRAPHY

9 Remote Islands and Towns You Probably Didn’t Know Existed

Some are more than a thousand miles from the nearest human civilization.

Which Portland? This Interactive Map Shows All the Duplicate Place Names in the U.S.

Maryland and New Jersey each have an Ocean City. They’re not the only ones.

Some early explorers went looking for an legendary land named “Ultima Thule”—which may have been inspired by Iceland.

10 Legendary (and Probably Made-Up) Islands

These imaginary isles all have a place in world history, literature, or mythology—despite not having a place on the map.

10 Star-Studded Facts About the Hollywood Sign

When developers put up a larger-than-life advertisement for their new L.A. housing development in 1923, they had no idea it would become one of the most iconic landmarks of all time.

The Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

8 Facts About The Giant’s Causeway

In Northern Ireland, thousands of hexagonal stone columns of various heights rise out of the North Atlantic Ocean and climb up to the foot of a cliff, as if they had been placed by a massive mythical creature.

These Are the Questions Americans Are Asking About Other Countries

To see which questions Americans are asking about the rest of the world, check out this map.

Malyi Semyachik volcano and crater lake on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula

15 Less-Explored Corners of the Earth

Some corners of the Earth remain essentially uncharted by Westerners. Here are a few of the most intriguing.

25 Fascinating Facts About Daylight Saving Time

Love it or hate it, daylight saving time means you have to reset your clocks twice a year and either gain or lose an hour of sleep.

An illustration by William L. Sheppard of John White and company discussing the ‘CROATOAN’ clue.

13 Tantalizing Facts About the Lost Colony of Roanoke

What happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke? Corporate greed, dreadful diplomacy, and the wrath of Mother Nature. Also, we don’t know.

25 Things You Should Know About Columbus, Ohio

The capital of the Buckeye State blends its quirky personality with an impressive political pedigree.

The 15 Best States to Raise a Family in 2023

If you want to relocate your family, consider moving to one of these states.

The U.S. isn’t too generous with mandatory time off.

The Countries With the Most (and Least) Paid Vacation Time, Mapped

When it comes to paid time off, the United States ranks toward the bottom.

Koalas might be cute, but they're definitely not bears.

34 Misleading Misnomers Explained

From Chinese checkers and Panama hats to koala bears and king crabs, and beyond, these names aren't quite what they seem.

America’s 25 Best Cities and Towns for Families

The so-called “sandwich generation” has a lot to consider when it comes to settling down. ‘Fortune’ did the data analytics for them.

A Reviled Native American Slur Has Been Removed From More Than 600 Federal Sites

The casual use of “squaw“ has long concerned Native Americans, who have often fought to have it recognized as a slur.

Head to Mississippi if you're searching for the most affordable state in the nation.

4 of the Cheapest States To Live In Right Now

Mississippi is the cheapest state to live in right now, but here are a few more you might not have known about.

A happy baby enjoying a beach day in Hawaii.

These Are America’s 20 Happiest States in 2022

Well-being, work life, and community are just a few of the factors that contribute to the happiness of a state’s residents.

Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Queen Regent Míriel) and Morfydd Clark (Galadriel) in 'The Rings of Power.'

This Interactive Map of Middle-earth Helps Bridge the Gap Between ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Rings of Power’

A map of Middle-earth is featured in ‘The Rings of Power,’ but it’s tough to get the full picture from a few myopic shots.

An industrial plant in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley" region.

The 20 Most Polluted States in America

Unfortunately, Louisiana doesn’t have a region called “Cancer Alley” for nothing.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon.

8 Cities That Have Changed Names

Some of the most well-known cities in the world have gone through at least one name change.

Scenic Oregon is saddled with an unfortunate mountain name.

Swastika Mountain in Oregon Is (Finally) Getting a New Name

An obscure mountain in Umpqua National Forest has been saddled with a horrifying label for over a century.

Vienna, Austria, is the best place to live.

The World's Top 10 Places to Live

This year’s most liveable cities can be found in Europe and Canada, as well as one in Australia and one in Japan.

Two hikers descending Ben Nevis, Scotland's tallest mountain.

10 Facts About Munros, Scotland’s Tallest Mountains

Scotland is known for the rugged beauty of its mountainous landscape.

10 Towns That Seem Straight Out of a Storybook

While the world's biggest cities have spent centuries competing over the tallest towers and grandest innovations, these lovely towns have held on to their quaint houses and curious designs.

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