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Culture / 6 weeks ago
South America’s flag story: A mosaic of colours and continental ambitions
From the sweeping green and yellow of Brazil to the golden sun of Argentina, the flags of South America tell more than just national stories. From the sweeping green and yellow of Brazil to the golden sun of Argentina, the flags of South America tell more than just national stories. There are 12 sovereign states in South America, each with a distinctive flag that carries culture, history and identity.
Maps / 8 weeks ago
A look at Europe’s many linguistic versions of London
A new linguistic map by The World in Maps shows how the name “London” changes across Europe. While English speakers know it simply as London, its name takes different forms depending on the language. In France, Spain, and Portugal, it appears as Londres. In Italy and Romania, it becomes Londra. Across Poland and Czechia, it’s Londyn and Londýn, while in Finland it’s Lontoo. Greek speakers use Λονδίνο, and in Welsh, the city is known as Llundain.
Culture / 10 weeks ago
What countries celebrate on their National Days
National days are more than holidays as they reflect how nations define their own identity. A new world map breaks down the reasons countries celebrate their national days, whether it’s independence, revolution, unification, the founding of government, or even a saint’s feast. Red marks countries that commemorate independence (the largest category). Orange shows nations that mark the formation of government. Yellow indicates unification moments, green reflects revolution, blue for saint days, purple for discovery, and pink for other reasons or when the reasoning doesn’t fit neatly into those categories. The striped pattern indicates where no data is available.
Culture / 10 weeks ago
Did your country ever host a 'Human Zoo'?
Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several European countries hosted what were known as “human zoos.” These were public exhibitions where people from colonised regions — particularly Africa, Asia, and the Pacific — were displayed for entertainment under the guise of education or anthropology.
Business / 14 weeks ago
5 oldest continually operating companies that are still thriving
In today’s fast-paced business world, where many startups struggle to survive beyond five years, there are a few remarkable companies that have been operating for centuries, even more than a millennium. These businesses have weathered wars, plagues, economic collapses, and technological revolutions, yet remain relevant. Here’s a closer look at five of the oldest continually running companies in the world, verified by World Atlas.
