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Explore the City-Regions Dataset from FAO

FAO’s global dataset maps access to towns and cities of all sizes within realistic travel times, highlighting patterns of urban interconnectedness.

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physical geography

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A photo of a wave spray against a cliff by the ocean.

Study Models How the Behavior of Waves Affects Blue Carbon Storage

Bubbles created by the movement of waves can influence how much carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean.

Regional map of the terrestrial ecosystems of the contiguous United States. Source: NatureServe, 2025.

High Resolution Ecosystem Map of the Contiguous United States and Adjacent Areas

NatureServe has developed an updated 30-meter hexagon map of regional ecosystems in the contiguous United States and adjacent areas.

An oblique photo from the International Space Station of Lake Chapala in Mexico.

Lake Chapala: a Tectonic Lake at Mexico’s Triple-graben Intersection

Lake Chapala was formed at the intersection of three grabens.

Annotated satellite image of the Wayombo River.

Rivers that Flow Backwards

Read about how the Amazon once flowed east to west and how the strength of Hurricane Isaac once change the course of the Mississippi river.

Shaded relief map with shades of blue showing the location of an iceberg off the coast of an Antarctic island.

World’s Biggest Iceberg

The largest iceberg in the world is A-23A, with an area of about 1,240 square miles.

Human Geography

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The Earth can be divided into two main systems: the geosphere and the biosphere. Image: USGS, public domain.

What are the Earth System’s Four Spheres?

The systems of the earth can be divided into two main areas: geosphere and biosphere.

Tourists with cameras photography a grizzly bear crossing the road.

The Recreational Value of Nature and Wildlife

Measuring the economic benefits of wildlife and outdoor areas supports conservation with tools like the NPS Visitor Spending Effects.