Political Geography
Countries that Still Have Colonies
The word colony is rarely used in modern law, but the reality people mean is still here: states administering territories beyond their mainland. The cleanest modern yardstick is…
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Explainers & Big Questions
Indian Ocean: The Only Ocean Named After a Country
The Indian Ocean’s name connects a familiar country with a much older geographical tradition. Understanding that distinction explains why the ocean is associated with India without crediting its…
Explainers & Big Questions
Which Countries Have No Snakes at All?
Most of the world has snakes, from tropical forests to semi-arid hillsides. But a handful of places buck the pattern. If you’re ophidiophobic (afraid of snakes), the map…
Explainers & Big Questions
Which is the Nearest Planet to Earth?
Earth’s closest planetary neighbor might not be who you think. Ask most people, and they’ll likely name Venus – after all, Venus is often called Earth’s “sister planet”…
Explainers & Big Questions
Which is the Smallest Airport in the World?
Saba's Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is known for the world's shortest commercial runway. It is often described as the smallest airport, but that broader label leaves the measurement…
Continents
Why is Africa So Rich Yet So Poor?
Africa’s mineral, energy and agricultural resources can generate substantial wealth, but they do not automatically provide families with secure incomes. The connection depends on jobs, tax revenues, public…
Explainers & Big Questions
Which Country Has No Poverty?
No single country can be identified as free of every form of poverty from one poverty statistic. A meaningful answer must specify the poverty line, the year and…
Explainers & Big Questions
Point Nemo: The Most Remote Place on Earth — Or Is It?
Imagine a place so isolated that the closest human beings are often not on Earth at all, but orbiting 254 miles (408 kilometers) above it. This isn't science…
Countries
Svans in Georgia: Unraveling the Threads of National Identity
The Svans are a long-established highland community from Svaneti in Georgia’s northwestern Greater Caucasus. Their own Kartvelian language, tower-house settlements, sacred art, and polyphonic singing give Svaneti a…
Geography Records & Oddities
Burj Khalifa: The World’s Tallest Architectural Marvel
From its debut as the centerpiece of Downtown Dubai, the Burj Khalifa has captivated architects, engineers, and travelers alike. This guide to the Burj Khalifa: The World’s Tallest…