2026-02-15 04:37:51
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Lightning is a global phenomenon, but it does not strike evenly across the planet. Some regions experience lightning activity at rates that are dozens of times higher than the global average, driven by geography, climate, and atmospheric conditions.
The visualization above, created by Julie Peasley, maps the top lightning hotspots on each continent using data from NASA’s Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS). It highlights where lightning strikes most frequently based on flash rate density, measured as the number of flashes per square kilometer per year.
Here is the data showing the leading lightning hotspots by region, based on NASA LIS measurements:
| Continent | Location | Flash Rate Density |
|---|---|---|
| North America | Patulul, Guatemala | 117 |
| Catarina, Guatemala | 103 | |
| San Luis, Cuba | 101 | |
| South America | Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela | 233 |
| Cáceres, Colombia | 172 | |
| El Tarra, Colombia | 139 | |
| Africa | Kabare, DRC | 205 |
| Kampene, DRC | 177 | |
| Sake, DRC | 143 | |
| Asia | Daggar, Pakistan | 143 |
| Rajauri, India | 121 | |
| Doaba, Pakistan | 119 | |
| Oceania | Derby, Australia | 92 |
| Kununurra, Australia | 87 | |
| Derby, Australia | 65 |
Across continents, the pattern is clear. Northern South America and central Africa dominate the rankings, with flash rates that far exceed those seen elsewhere. Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela stands out as the most lightning-prone location on Earth, earning its reputation as the planet’s lightning capital.
Lightning hotspots tend to form where warm, moist air rises consistently and collides with cooler air aloft. In places like Lake Maracaibo, surrounding mountains help trap heat and moisture, creating ideal conditions for frequent and intense thunderstorms.
Similar dynamics occur in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and northern India, where strong solar heating and seasonal weather patterns fuel powerful convective storms. These regions see lightning activity on a near-daily basis during peak seasons.
The Lightning Imaging Sensor detects lightning flashes by capturing brief bursts of light from storms as viewed from orbit. According to NASA, LIS data has helped scientists identify global lightning patterns and confirm new lightning capitals in recent years, including findings from instruments aboard the International Space Station.
However, the data comes with geographic limits. LIS primarily tracks lightning between 38° north and south latitude, meaning much of Europe and other higher-latitude regions are not included. As a result, the map reflects where lightning is most intense within the satellite’s coverage zone, not globally without restriction.
2026-02-15 01:11:23
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The world’s 195 recognized countries are divided across seven continents, but the distribution is far from equal.
Africa leads with 54 countries, more than any other continent. South America has the fewest, at just 12. Meanwhile, Europe and Asia are counted separately despite sharing the same landmass, a division rooted in history and geopolitics rather than geography alone.
This map ranks every continent by number of countries, using data from World Population Review.
Note: Russia is categorized within Asia, as most of its land area lies there.
Below, we show how the 193 UN member states plus the UN observer states of Vatican City and Palestine are distributed across the world’s seven continents.
| Rank | Continent | Number of Countries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Africa | 54 |
| 2 | Asia | 49 |
| 3 | Europe | 43 |
| 4 | North America | 23 |
| 5 | Oceania | 14 |
| 6 | South America | 12 |
| 7 | Antarctica | 0 |
| Total | 195 |
Africa accounts for 54 countries, the highest total of any continent. It spans roughly one-fifth of the world’s land area, with Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo among the largest by size. At the other end of the spectrum are island nations like Seychelles and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Asia ranks second with 49 countries. It is the most populous continent by far, home to roughly 60% of the global population. In terms of land area, Russia, China, and India are the largest, while nations like the Maldives and Singapore cover less than 300 square miles.
Europe is home to 43 countries, including 27 European Union members. Ukraine is the largest by land area, followed by France.
North America includes the Caribbean, Central America, and the Arctic region. Its 23 countries include Greenland, which sits on the North American tectonic plate.
At the bottom of the ranking are Oceania and South America, with 14 and 12 countries respectively.
To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the world’s most powerful rivers.
2026-02-14 23:51:00
Interest rates play a central role in real estate returns. When borrowing costs fall, real estate investment trusts (REITs) often see improved performance as financing becomes cheaper and income-producing assets become more attractive relative to fixed income.
This visualization, created in partnership with Inigo, provides visual context to the relationship between REIT performance and interest rates.
Since 2016, periods of easing or stable rates have generally coincided with rising REIT values. When rates declined sharply in 2020, REIT performance rebounded quickly following the initial shock, and gains accelerated again during the low-rate environment of 2021.
| Year | Average Federal Funds Effective Rate (%) | All REITs (index) |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-01-01 | 0.34 | 100.00 |
| 2017-01-01 | 0.65 | 112.78 |
| 2018-01-01 | 1.41 | 118.75 |
| 2019-01-01 | 2.40 | 131.01 |
| 2020-01-01 | 1.55 | 152.97 |
| 2021-01-01 | 0.09 | 143.22 |
| 2022-01-01 | 0.08 | 186.45 |
| 2023-01-01 | 4.33 | 167.30 |
| 2024-01-01 | 5.33 | 161.03 |
| 2025-01-01 | 4.33 | 179.40 |
| 2025-07-01 | 4.33 | 178.81 |
Even as the economy navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, REIT performance rose by 21 percent between the first quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2022, when the Fed began raising rates after pandemic-era cuts.
After a rapid tightening cycle between 2022 and 2023, elevated rates weighed on real estate valuations. However, recent data shows REIT performance improving as expectations shift toward easing monetary policy.
With the Federal Reserve expected to continue cutting rates into mid 2026, reaching a median outlook of 3.25 to 3.50 percent by year end, borrowing conditions could become more supportive. For investors, this environment has historically provided a meaningful boost to real estate returns, reinforcing the close relationship between interest rates and REIT performance.
Explore the data behind emerging global property risks.
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As cybersecurity threats escalate, which financial crimes are causing the most harm? The FBI has the data.
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As technology and AI become more widespread, fraud and other suspicious activity are rising across America. Which types are the most common?
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In his first 100 days, President Trump has issued far more executive orders than any other president in history.
2026-02-14 22:49:15
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Science skills underpin innovation and long-term economic growth.
Every three years, the OECD tests hundreds of thousands of students aged 15 to 16 through its global PISA assessment.
The latest results reveal a clear global leaderboard in science performance, with top countries scoring well above the OECD average of 485.
Singapore ranks first overall with an average science score of 561, placing it well ahead of every other country in the study. The country also leads in math proficiency.
Japan and Macao follow closely, reinforcing East Asia’s strong performance in math and science education.
| Rank | Country | Average PISA Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Singapore |
561 |
| 2 |
 Japan |
547 |
| 3 |
 Macao |
543 |
| 4 |
 Taiwan |
537 |
| 5 |
 S. Korea |
528 |
| 6 |
 Estonia |
526 |
| 7 |
 Hong Kong |
520 |
| 8 |
 Canada |
515 |
| 9 |
 Finland |
511 |
| 10 |
 Australia |
507 |
| 11 |
 Ireland |
504 |
| 12 |
 New Zealand |
504 |
| 13 |
 Switzerland |
503 |
| 14 |
 United Kingdom |
500 |
| 15 |
 Slovenia |
500 |
| 16 |
 Poland |
499 |
| 17 |
 United States |
499 |
| 18 |
 Czechia |
498 |
| 19 |
 Denmark |
494 |
| 20 |
 Latvia |
494 |
| 21 |
 Sweden |
494 |
| 22 |
 Germany |
492 |
| 23 |
 Belgium |
491 |
| 24 |
 Austria |
491 |
| 25 |
 Netherlands |
488 |
| 26 |
 France |
487 |
| 27 |
 Hungary |
486 |
| OECD average | 485 | |
| 28 |
 Spain |
485 |
| 29 |
 Portugal |
484 |
| 30 |
 Lithuania |
484 |
Several European countries perform well above the OECD average of 485. Estonia stands out as Europe’s top performer, ranking sixth overall with a score of 526.
Finland, long known for its education model, remains in the top 10 despite slight declines from previous cycles. Canada is the highest-ranked country in the Americas, placing eighth overall with a score of 515.
Among major advanced economies, performance is more uneven.
The United States ranks 17th with a score of 499, slightly above the OECD average but behind many peers.
The United Kingdom sits at 14th with an even 500, while Germany and France fall below the top 20.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: The Best Countries at Math on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2026-02-14 20:55:45
See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
Since the 1960s, McDonald’s has expanded beyond the United States to now operate in nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide. This map shows the places where you can find a McDonald’s today. The data comes from the company’s Restaurant Count by Market 2024 report.
The famed golden arches can be spotted on all inhabited continents, with particular concentration in Asia, Europe, and North America.
As the birthplace of McDonald’s, the United States unsurprisingly has more locations (13,557) than any other country worldwide. Roughly 95% of the chain’s U.S. locations are franchised.
Outside of its home base, McDonald’s has had the biggest success in East Asia, counting 6,820 locations in China and an additional 2,989 in Japan. The Philippines has also been a key market, counting more locations (792) than even far larger countries such as India.
| Rank | Country/Territory | Number of Locations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
U.S. (Includes Cuba, Guam, and Saipan) |
13,557 |
| 2 |
 Mainland China |
6,820 |
| 3 |
Japan |
2,989 |
| 4 |
France (Includes Monaco) |
1,589 |
| 5 |
Canada |
1,489 |
| 6 |
UK (Includes Isle of Man, Jersey, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) |
1,470 |
| 7 |
Germany |
1,367 |
| 8 |
 Brazil |
1,173 |
| 9 |
Australia (Includes American Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tahiti, and Western Samoa) |
1,068 |
| 10 |
 Philippines |
792 |
| 11 |
 Italy |
755 |
| 12 |
 India |
665 |
| 13 |
Spain (Includes Andorra and Gibraltar) |
635 |
| 14 |
Poland |
580 |
| 15 |
 Saudi Arabia |
441 |
| 16 |
Taiwan |
417 |
| 17 |
 South Africa |
401 |
| 18 |
South Korea |
398 |
| 19 |
 Mexico |
374 |
| 20 |
 Malaysia |
373 |
| 21 |
 Indonesia |
318 |
| 22 |
 Türkiye |
274 |
| 23 |
Netherlands |
263 |
| 24 |
Hong Kong |
260 |
| 25 |
 Thailand |
236 |
| 26 |
 Israel |
230 |
| 27 |
 Argentina |
226 |
| 28 |
 United Arab Emirates |
210 |
| 29 |
Portugal |
209 |
| 30 |
Austria |
206 |
| 31 |
Sweden |
199 |
| 32 |
 Egypt |
190 |
| 33 |
Switzerland (Includes Liechtenstein) |
184 |
| 34 |
New Zealand |
172 |
| 35 |
Singapore |
152 |
| 36 |
Czech Republic |
128 |
| 37 |
 Ukraine |
124 |
| 38 |
Belgium |
119 |
| 39 |
 Guatemala |
115 |
| 40 |
Hungary |
115 |
| 41 |
Denmark |
113 |
| 42 |
 Chile |
112 |
| 43 |
 Romania |
106 |
| 44 |
Ireland |
95 |
| 45 |
 Puerto Rico |
94 |
| 46 |
 Kuwait |
91 |
| 47 |
 Norway |
85 |
| 48 |
Finland |
81 |
| 49 |
 Panama |
81 |
| 50 |
 Venezuela |
80 |
| 51 |
 Qatar |
79 |
| 52 |
 Costa Rica |
76 |
| 53 |
 Morocco |
75 |
| 54 |
 Colombia |
72 |
| 55 |
 Pakistan |
69 |
| 56 |
 Croatia |
47 |
| 57 |
 Slovakia |
47 |
| 58 |
 Jordan |
46 |
| 59 |
 Bulgaria |
43 |
| 60 |
Macau |
39 |
| 61 |
 Vietnam |
37 |
| 62 |
 Serbia |
36 |
| 63 |
 Ecuador |
35 |
| 64 |
 Greece |
35 |
| 65 |
 Oman |
35 |
| 66 |
 Uruguay |
34 |
| 67 |
 Bahrain |
33 |
| 68 |
 Peru |
30 |
| 69 |
 Azerbaijan |
29 |
| 70 |
Slovenia |
28 |
| 71 |
 Paraguay |
27 |
| 72 |
 El Salvador |
25 |
| 73 |
 Georgia |
25 |
| 74 |
 Cyprus |
23 |
| 75 |
 Dominican Republic |
23 |
| 76 |
 Lebanon |
23 |
| 77 |
Lithuania |
18 |
| 78 |
 Reunion Island |
18 |
| 79 |
 Mauritius |
17 |
| 80 |
Latvia |
14 |
| 81 |
 Honduras |
13 |
| 82 |
 Luxembourg |
12 |
| 83 |
Estonia |
11 |
| 84 |
 Moldova |
11 |
| 85 |
 Martinique |
10 |
| 86 |
 Guadeloupe |
9 |
| 87 |
 Malta |
9 |
| 88 |
 Nicaragua |
9 |
| 89 |
 Brunei |
6 |
| 90 |
 Curacao |
5 |
| 91 |
Virgin Islands |
5 |
| 92 |
 Trinidad/Tobago |
4 |
| 93 |
 Aruba |
3 |
| 94 |
 Bahamas |
3 |
| 95 |
 French Guiana |
3 |
| 96 |
 St. Marten |
3 |
| 97 |
 Suriname |
2 |
| 98 |
 Sri Lanka |
0 |
In Europe, France is the largest market for the fast food chain, with its 1,589 locations beating out both Germany (1,367) and the United Kingdom (1,470).
In Africa, only three countries are home to McDonald’s locations. Morocco was the site of the first location opening on the continent, in 1992, and has since added 74 more in cities such as Casablanca and Rabat. Growth in Egypt and South Africa has been even faster, with 190 and 401 locations across those two countries.
McDonald’s has had quite the success story closer to home as well. Canada was home to the first McDonald’s outside of the U.S., and today has 1,489 locations. Meanwhile, Brazil and Argentina are also major markets, counting 1,173 and 226 locations each.
Notably, Cuba is a unique case. There is one McDonald’s, but citizens of the island country cannot access it, as it’s located on the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base hosted by the United States.
While McDonald’s has grown its presence rapidly over the past few decades, there have been setbacks in certain countries.
In 2022, the company fully exited Russia following the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War, selling all 850 of its locations. In 2024, meanwhile, McDonald’s decided to fully divest in another country as well by selling all 12 of its locations in Sri Lanka.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Have We Seen Peak McDonald’s In America? on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
2026-02-14 10:28:21
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Americans buy tons of candy for Valentine’s Day—but their precise preference varies by state.
This map shows the favorite Valentine’s Day candy in each U.S. state, using data from CandyStore’s 2024 overview.
In 15 of the 50 states, the classic heart-shaped box of chocolates was the preferred choice, followed closely by conversation hearts at 13 states. All Pacific and West Coast states besides Oregon were particular fans of conversation hearts which spell out little romantic messages.
The table below shows the most popular Valentine’s Day candy in each state:
| State Name | Top Candy |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Candy Necklaces |
| Alaska | Conversation Hearts |
| Arizona | M&M's |
| Arkansas | Hershey Kisses |
| California | Conversation Hearts |
| Colorado | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Connecticut | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Delaware | Hershey Kisses |
| Florida | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Georgia | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Hawaii | Conversation Hearts |
| Idaho | Hershey Kisses |
| Illinois | Chocolate Hearts |
| Indiana | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Iowa | M&M's |
| Kansas | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Kentucky | Chocolate Roses |
| Louisiana | Conversation Hearts |
| Maine | Chocolate Hearts |
| Maryland | M&M's |
| Massachusetts | Conversation Hearts |
| Michigan | Cupid Corn |
| Minnesota | M&M's |
| Mississippi | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Missouri | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Montana | Chocolate Hearts |
| Nebraska | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Nevada | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| New Hampshire | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| New Jersey | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| New Mexico | Chocolate Roses |
| New York | Conversation Hearts |
| North Carolina | Conversation Hearts |
| North Dakota | M&M's |
| Ohio | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Oklahoma | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| Oregon | Hershey Kisses |
| Pennsylvania | Hershey Kisses |
| Rhode Island | Chocolate Hearts |
| South Carolina | Conversation Hearts |
| South Dakota | Conversation Hearts |
| Tennessee | Conversation Hearts |
| Texas | Hershey Kisses |
| Utah | Hershey Kisses |
| Vermont | M&M's |
| Virginia | Conversation Hearts |
| Washington | Conversation Hearts |
| Washington, D.C. | Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates |
| West Virginia | Conversation Hearts |
| Wisconsin | Hershey Kisses |
| Wyoming | Chocolate Roses |
Michigan is the sole state across the country where cupid corn, a favorite of past years, continues to be the top-purchased candy.
Similarly, Alabama is alone in having candy necklaces as its top candy of choice.
Meanwhile, Hershey Kisses and M&Ms remain favorites across the country. Hershey Kisses are the top-selling Valentine’s Day candy in eight states, including Texas, while M&Ms have emerged as especially popular in six states.
Americans are projected to spend nearly $30 billion for Valentine’s Day this year. Candy remains the most popular gift for the holiday, as nearly 56% of consumers plan to purchase some sort of candy for a loved one or themselves.
Valentine’s Day thus plays a big part in the industry’s annual earnings, especially as chocolate prices soar to new highs due to drought conditions in West Africa, where most cocoa is harvested.
The average American reportedly spends over $120 on Valentine’s Day candy each year.
If you found this infographic interesting, explore more population and demographic insights on Voronoi, including Valentine’s Day is Becoming More Expensive & Less Celebrated.
