World History

Why did the Ottoman Empire fall? There's no single answer. It was a slow-motion collapse fueled by internal dysfunction, foreign intervention and the brutal modernity of war.

By Lena Thaywick

Why did ancient Egypt fall? Settle in for the story of how one of the longest-lasting civilizations in the ancient world slowly lost power.

By Lena Thaywick

Babylon was once the jewel of the ancient world, a mighty city nestled along the Euphrates River, renowned for its towering ziggurats and legendary Hanging Gardens. But why did Babylon fall?

By Lena Thaywick

In the early 1500s, the Aztecs ruled a sprawling empire across central Mexico. Their capital city, Tenochtitlán, was the largest city in the Americas at the time.

By Lena Thaywick

Why did the Inca empire fall? How could a mighty empire collapsed in just a few decades?

By Lena Thaywick

Why did the Han dynasty fall? How did one of the most durable early Chinese empires unravel from the inside? There's not a singular answer.

By Lena Thaywick

When most people dream of travel, they think of popular tourist destinations packed with iconic landmarks and crowded attractions. But the least-visited countries in the world offer something different: raw natural beauty, rich culture, and a chance to explore without the tourist crowds.

By Lena Thaywick

When people ask, what is the most dangerous place in the world, the answer depends on whether you're talking about war zones, harsh environments or crime-ridden cities.

By Lena Thaywick

Most people can rattle off the names of big tourist hotspots. But ask them about the least known countries, and you’ll probably get a blank stare. (And rightfully so: That's a pretty weird question to ask.)

By Lena Thaywick

Bangkok holds the Guinness World Record for the longest place name in the world. To be more specific, the title goes to Bangkok’s ceremonial name, not its everyday moniker.

By Lena Thaywick

Not every country is bursting at the seams. While the world’s population continues to climb, some nations remain remarkably small in terms of people.

By Lena Thaywick

Over the last few decades, the world has seen a wave of new nations emerging from civil war, political reform, and the breakup of larger unions.

By Lena Thaywick

Communism is a complicated, loaded word. While the strict definition is subject to lots of debate, there is broad agreement on the states call themselves communist today.

By Zach Taras

Monumental statues have been a hallmark of human ambition for centuries, standing tall as symbols of culture, religion and identity. The tallest statue in the world is no exception — and neither are any of its competitors.

By Mack Hayden

The world's most powerful countries shape global affairs with economic strength, military power, tech, and cultural influence, driving international policy.

By Desiree Bowie

If you live in the United States, you're probably used to the idea of ethnic diversity — which is considered to be one the defining features of the country — but how does the U.S. stack up against other countries in the world in terms of diversity?

By Zach Taras

Ever wondered how many countries start with "W"? Well, spoiler alert: You won't need many fingers to count them.

By Mack Hayden

Statistically, over half of the people reading this article live in a city, with a higher population density than rural or suburban areas. For instance, New York City has nearly 27,000 people crammed into each square mile (2.6 square km) of land.

By Talon Homer

Former countries that start with "O" include Orange Free State and Oldenburg but these states have since dissolved. There is now one remaining holdout between Asia and Africa: the Sultanate of Oman.

By Mitch Ryan

You've probably heard of the Russian, the Mongol, the Roman, the British and a few other empires. Until pretty recently, they were all over the place (literally). So, what were the largest empires in history?

By Zach Taras

Eurasia is the largest continent on Earth, home to a rich tapestry of cultures, languages and histories. From the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia to the bustling cities of the modern era, the countries of Asia offer a glimpse into the diversity of the world's population.

By Mack Hayden

From the Amazon Rainforest to the Andes Mountains, the fourth-largest continent is a treasure trove of natural wonders and historical sites. Let's explore the countries of South America and take a look at what makes each one unique.

By Mack Hayden

With the addition of South Sudan as the 195th sovereign nation in 2011, the world witnessed another chapter in its ever-expanding story.

By Desiree Bowie

The African continent is home to a remarkable array of cultures, landscapes and histories. This vast land comprises 54 recognized African countries, each with its own distinct identity. Here, we'll explore the countries of Africa, divided into the key regions: North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa.

By Mack Hayden

If you were to explore the world alphabetically, you'd find 27 countries starting with "s" - like Spain, Sweden and South Africa - each with its own rich history and vibrant culture. But when you get to "X," the map draws a blank; no countries start with that elusive letter.

By Desiree Bowie