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Around the World
Global stories and cultural explainers from around the world, from everyday traditions to the customs that shape daily life.
Why Some Countries Have No Standing Army
More than 20 countries have no standing army at all. Learn why Costa Rica, Iceland and others abolished their militaries, how they stay safe, and why it works.
Why Some Countries Don't Observe Daylight Saving Time
Fewer than 40 percent of countries use daylight saving time. Discover why many nations skip the clock change entirely and why more are abandoning it now.
Why Countries Drive on Different Sides of the Road
Why do some countries drive on the left and others on the right? The surprising history behind road-side rules, from horseback riding to Napoleon.
Unusual New Year Traditions Around the World
From eating twelve grapes in Spain to smashing plates in Denmark, discover the strangest and most fascinating New Year traditions practiced worldwide.
Why Time Zones Exist and How They Were Standardized
Before railways, every town kept its own local time. Here's why time zones were invented and how the world standardized them into the system used today.
Countries With More Than One Official Capital City
South Africa has three capitals, Bolivia has two. Here's why some countries split their capital functions across multiple cities, and how it happened.
Why Some Countries Don't Use the Metric System
Nearly every country uses the metric system except a small handful, most notably the United States. Here's the real history behind this global holdout.
How International Borders Are Actually Decided
From natural landmarks to straight lines drawn on maps, here's how international borders are actually determined, negotiated, and legally recognized.
Why Some Countries Have Multiple Time Zones While Others Don't, Despite Their Size
Russia spans 11 time zones while China, nearly as wide, uses just one. Here's why countries make such different choices about internal time zone policy.
How the United Nations Actually Works
From the Security Council's veto power to how peacekeeping missions are approved, here's a clear explanation of how the United Nations actually functions.