Geography & Travel

Entrants falling and tumbling over while chasing the cheese at the 2016 'Cheese Rolling' held at Cooper's Hill, in the Cotswolds, Brockworth England
7 of the World’s Most Dangerous Festivals

If you're a thrillseeker, here are seven festivals and celebrations that will get your blood pumping.

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Map view of Europe on a geographical globe.
© Victor Maschek/Shutterstock.com
Where Does the Name "Europe" Come From?

Europe existed as a conceptual construct long before geographers began arguing whether there are seven continents or six.

© Victor Maschek/Shutterstock.com

Editor's Picks

Brazil
Brazil
Brazil, country of South America that occupies half the continent’s landmass. It is the fifth largest country in the world, exceeded in size only by Russia, Canada, China, and the United States, though its area is greater than that of the 48 conterminous U.S. states. Brazil faces the Atlantic Ocean
Philippines
Philippines
Philippines, island country of Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. It is an archipelago consisting of more than 7,000 islands and islets lying about 500 miles (800 km) off the coast of Vietnam. Manila is the capital, but nearby Quezon City is the country’s most-populous city. Both are part
Exterior of Wrigley Field Home of the Chicago Cubs. Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field Chicago, IL. National League baseball stadium. Major League Baseball (MLB). Baseball stadium.
7 Significant Stadiums
Know before you go.

Spotlight: Antarctica

Antarctica is not only the world's southernmost continent. It is also the world's highest, driest, windiest, coldest, and iciest continent. How icy? There's about 7 million cubic miles of it (or 29 million cubic km), representing about 90 percent of the world's ice and 80 percent of its fresh water.

Quizzes

Flags of all nations of the world. Grouping of various country flags on a world map.
Which Country Is Larger? Quiz
See how these countries measure up.
Flag of Australia
Name That World Flag!
Our salute to flags from around the world. Can you name the countries they belong to?
Taj Mahal, Agra, India. UNESCO World Heritage Site (minarets; Muslim, architecture; Islamic architecture; marble; mausoleum)
Wonders of the World Quiz
Covering the ancient, new, and natural—prove you are no one-hit wonder.
Ceviche. Peruvian ceviche (sebiche). Raw seafood dish with lime, cilantro, peppers, plantains. Cuisine, food
A World of Food Quiz
In what country might you sit down to a smorgasbord? Why is durian fruit banned in several places? Take a trip around the world in this study of global cuisine.

Videos

The historical significance of the Hagia Sophia
The historical significance of the Hagia Sophia
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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