Snake Squad The Western Ghats in India have lost more than 35 percent of their rainforests in the last century, which means that the habitat of the region’s king cobras is shrinking. The snakes now hunt for prey in farms bordering the forests, putting them in closer proximity to humans. But though the king cobra is one of the most venomous snakes, it has little interest in humans; its primary targets are other snakes. So to avoid these snakes being killed—whether for snakeskin, or out of fear—a research station is on call 24/7 to save both people and snakes.  READ MORE →

GASTRO OBSCURA Feast Afrique A new internet archive is making West Africa’s culinary history more accessible than ever. Meet Feast Afrique, an online library of free digital books that explore the influence of West African foods on culinary cultures around the world. The collection was launched by food historian Ozoz Sokoh, and contains almost 250 links to online books, many which contain some of the earliest documented histories of West African cooking. Feast Afrique is an opportunity for Sokoh’s primary audience—Africans and Black diasporans—to know and own their rich culinary history, and give a voice to little-known narratives that are often erased and appropriated. READ MORE →

ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Cartooning Folklore and Family History What’s a family story you’ve always wanted to tell? And how do you illustrate these narratives? Come join us on March 8 for a six-session course with our top-rated instructor Zawadi Noël, an illustrious cartoonist and educator with years of experience in the field. We’ll explore a range of drawing techniques, visual problem solving, and practice composing images from session to session, all in the name of helping you develop your own unique story. All cartooning expertise levels welcome. ENROLL NOW →

OBERTRAUN, AUSTRIA 5 Fingers Observation Deck Named 5 Fingers due to the hand-shaped form of the platform, this observation deck, located in the Dachstein Mountains, reaches out over a 400-meter drop. Each finger allows visitors to view various perspectives of Hallstatt and Hallstättersee lake. Maybe not for the faint-hearted, though the views are incredible. READ MORE →

A CLIMATE DESK COLLABORATION Research Allergies While most cases are not so extreme, anecdotal reports and expert analysis suggest that it is far from rare for scientists, students, and laboratory technicians to develop allergies to the organisms they study. In many cases, scientists report that their allergies are annoying but manageable. But sometimes—as our friends from Undark report—the allergies force researchers to make major changes. READ MORE →

ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS X TASTEMADE L.A., City of Secrets Spend three days with us exploring the hidden histories and myriad cultures that give Los Angeles its undeniable energy and edge. Wander along mural-lined streets with a resident artist, sip cocktails in an underground speakeasy, and hike into hills that house Deco-era ruins. Along the way, you’ll have some time to take in the natural and human-made beauty of the city—from sweeping hilltop vistas to little-known lighthouses overlooking the ocean. LEARN MORE →

SANT JUST DESVERN, SPAIN La Fábrica (The Factory) An architect in Barcelona has spent almost half a century renovating an old cement factory into his home office—and managed to create a gorgeous statement of functionality and enchantment along the way. READ MORE →

FROM THE ARCHIVES Golden, Mummified Bees It turns out that over a century ago, Panama City’s Catedral Basílica Santa María la Antigua had two sets of audiences. There were the people gathering to listen to sermons, yes, but there was another hidden audience: clusters of orchid bees with electric green faces that made their cellular homes in the crevices of the altarpiece. The bees vanished in 1875, when restoration workers, repairing damage from an 1870 fire, covered their cells in gold leaf. The bees, entombed in gold and later mummified, stayed hidden in the cathedral until 2018. READ MORE →

OTSUCHI, JAPAN Wind Telephone A glass-paneled phone booth located in a Japanese hilltop garden holds nothing but a disconnected rotary phone. Here, users can "call" lost loved ones to update them on their life—a small way of dealing with their grief. READ MORE →

SPONSORED BY FLORIDA’S SPORTS COAST The Hacienda Hotel Nearly a century ago, a new hotel at the corner of Main and Bank Streets was the talk of New Port Richey, Florida. The Hacienda Hotel was a luxurious building with pink stucco walls and a sprawling courtyard. The Hotel is slated to open Spring 2021 for those who want to safely travel to see how it’s played host to movie stars, served as a healthcare facility, and even intrigued a few ghost hunters. READ MORE →