Topic

Geography & Places

A collection of 113 issues

Before the Colosseum: Unearthing Mesoamerica's 3,400-Year-Old Ball Court

In Mexico's Soconusco region, archaeologists unearthed the world's oldest known ball court at Paso de la Amada. Dating to 1400 BCE, this monumental structure reveals the deep antiquity and social complexity of the Mesoamerican ballgame long before the rise of the Maya or Aztecs.

History Sports & Games Geography & Places

Not Iran: The Clever Naming Secret of a West Texas Oil Town

Discover the charming origin of Iraan, a West Texas oil town. Often mispronounced, its name isn't linked to a foreign country but is a clever combination of its founders' names: Ira and Anne Yates. A simple tribute hides in plain sight.

Geography & Places History

Chasing Ghosts: Unveiling the Hidden Colors of the Lunar Rainbow, or Moonbow

Discover the moonbow, a rare rainbow created by moonlight. While it appears as a ghostly white arc to the naked eye, long-exposure photography unveils its hidden, vibrant colors, revealing a truly magical nocturnal phenomenon that most people never get to see.

Science & Nature Geography & Places

From Pest to Pub Star: Unpacking Australia's Weirdest Sport, Cane Toad Racing

In Australia, the reviled cane toad, a toxic invasive pest, is the star of a quirky pub sport: cane toad racing. This bizarre tradition, especially popular on Australia Day, transforms an ecological disaster into a unique and controversial cultural spectacle.

Animals in Culture Science & Nature Geography & Places

Size Matters: The Icelandic Penis Museum's Comical Quest for a Worthy Human Specimen

The Icelandic Phallological Museum's quest for a human penis specimen hit a snag when its first donation ended up a shriveled mess. This prompted the curator to publicly declare he was waiting for 'a younger and a bigger and better one,' kicking off a bizarre international competition.

Science & Nature Geography & Places Art, Culture & Design

The Secret Mexican History of Area Codes 706 and 905

Did you know the area codes for North Georgia (706) and suburban Toronto (905) weren't always for those places? Until 1991, they were special codes used by Americans and Canadians to dial directly to cities in Mexico. This is the story of how an international dialing change gave them new homes.

Technology & Innovation History Geography & Places

Three-Twenty-and-Ten: Unlocking the Surprising Logic of Georgian Numbers

Ever tried counting in 20s? The Georgian language does just that with its vigesimal number system. Instead of 'seventy-five', Georgians say 'three-twenty-and-fifteen' (samotsdatkhutmeti). It's a fascinating linguistic quirk that challenges our base-10 assumptions about numbers.

Art, Culture & Design History Geography & Places

The Great Midwestern Pepper-Mango Mystery: Why Some People Call Bell Peppers "Mangoes"

In parts of the Midwest, some call green bell peppers "mangoes." This isn't a mistake, but a linguistic fossil from the 18th century when "mango" referred to pickled items. Stuffed, pickled peppers were called "mangoes," and the name eventually stuck to the raw pepper itself.

Food & Lifestyle History Geography & Places

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