infrastructure

Technology / 3 weeks ago

The world’s longest bridges and how Bahrain is building its legacy

Bridges are more than just concrete and steel, as they are symbols of connection, ambition, and progress. Around the world, engineers have pushed the limits of design to link islands, cities, and entire economies. The latest rankings show China dominating the list of the world’s longest bridges, while smaller nations like Bahrain continue to prove that strategic infrastructure can matter just as much as size.

Technology / 3 weeks ago

4 biggest power outages in history

At least four nations — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia — have experienced massive power blackouts that affected tens or hundreds of millions of people. These events left more than just empty streets and dark homes; they also revealed the pressure points in infrastructure, governance, and daily life. According to The Blackout Report, India’s blackout in July 2012 impacted 670 million people, Pakistan’s blackout in January 2023 hit 244 million (almost its whole population), Bangladesh’s October 2022 outage affected 140 million, and Indonesia’s 2005 incident cut power to 100 million.

Maps / 7 weeks ago

The hidden struggles and strategies of landlocked nations

In a world shaped by oceans and shipping lanes, nearly half a billion people live in countries with no direct access to the sea. The map above highlights the world’s landlocked (yellow) and double-landlocked (red) nations, countries whose geography forces them to depend on neighbours for maritime access. Behind those dots lies a story of economic disadvantage, resilience, and innovative diplomacy in a time when global trade routes are under increasing pressure.

Technology / 7 weeks ago

Asia after dark: How 2024’s nighttime glow captures a decade of change

A decade ago, glimpses of Asia from space told a familiar story of clusters of light marking longstanding metropolises, while much of the land lay cloaked in darkness. The latest map, comparing 2014 and 2024 night-time satellite images, paints a different picture , one of rapid urbanisation, expanding electrification, and shifting human footprints.

World / 7 weeks ago

Why nearly 9 in 10 people live in the northern hemisphere

Look at any global map of population distribution and one striking fact becomes immediately clear: nearly 87% of the world’s people live north of the Equator, while only about 13% live in the Southern Hemisphere. This lopsided distribution arises largely because the Northern Hemisphere contains more landmass, including Asia, Europe, most of North America, and a large portion of Africa, which in turn supports dense urbanisation, infrastructure, and economic activity.

Culture / 7 weeks ago

Which nations are culturally closest to Turkey?

Turkey has long been seen as a country at the crossroads of continents, faiths, and trade routes, and a new Country Similarity Index shows just how unique yet interconnected it is. The index compares countries based on demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography, painting a nuanced picture of which nations most closely resemble Turkey’s social and institutional makeup.

Technology / 8 weeks ago

Most European nations have metro systems, but several large countries still don’t

A vast majority of European countries already operate metro (rapid transit) systems in at least one city, yet several notable nations still lack them. A 'The World in Maps' illustration highlights in green those with metro systems and in red those without. Countries like Iceland, Ireland, Cyprus, and Slovakia are among those without such networks.

Maps / 13 weeks ago

40% of Greeks live in Attica, despite its small size

Although Attica represents only a small fraction of Greece's landmass, it houses nearly half the population. A whopping 40% of Greece’s population resides in Attica. The municipality spans an area of roughly 3,808 km², yet it accommodates approximately 3.8 million Greeks, out of the nation’s total population of around 10.48 million, according to The Greek Reporter.

Maps / 13 weeks ago

Chile’s extreme length: A country so long it could cover the Atlantic

Chile is so long that, if rotated, it could stretch across the North Atlantic from eastern Canada to Spain. The country runs along the southwest edge of South America between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. According to a 2015 article in Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine, Chile’s mainland spans 4,329 km (2,689.92 mi) from north to south, making it “the longest country in the world”.

Environment / 18 weeks ago

Damascus, Caracas, Kyiv top list of world’s least liveable cities in 2025

The latest edition of the Global Liveability Index 2025, released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), paints a grim picture of urban life for millions around the globe. The report ranks cities based on key quality-of-life indicators, and this year’s findings highlight the persistent challenges faced by residents in some of the world’s most troubled regions.

Technology / 21 weeks ago

Top 10 countries leading the world in metro rail infrastructure

The metro rail sector is transforming fast. As of 2024, more than 180 cities moved billions yearly, cutting congestion and emissions. With urban growth rising, metros are vital for sustainable cities, backed by tech like AI and automation. Over $500 billion was invested from 2020–2024.

Technology / 22 weeks ago

Global readiness for AI: IMF Index reveals clear disparities

A recent assessment by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlights significant disparities in global readiness for artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. The findings underscore the urgent need for policy interventions to bridge the digital divide.

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