Atlas Obscura

Atlas Obscura
Type of site
 Magazine
Available in English
Created by Joshua Foer and Dylan Thuras
Editor Sommer Mathis
Website www.atlasobscura.com
Alexa rank Increase 5466 (Global 6/2017)
Commercial Yes
Registration 2009
OCLC number 960889351

Atlas Obscura is an online magazine and digital media company[1][2][3] led by American journalist David Plotz.[4] It was founded in 2009 by author Joshua Foer and documentary film-maker Dylan Thuras.[5][4] It catalogs unusual and obscure travel destinations, and relies heavily on user-generated content.[6] It features a mixture of feature and news articles on topics including history, science and some news, in addition to travel and exploration, as well as hosting a collaborative "guide" to the world's most obscure places.

History

Thuras and Foer met in 2007, and soon thereafter started discussing ideas for a different kind of atlas, featuring places not commonly found in guidebooks. [7] They hired a web designer in 2008 and launched Atlas Obscura in 2009.[7]

In 2010, they organized the first of the international events known as Obscura Day.[8] According to Thuras, one of Atlas Obscura's main goals is "Creating a real-world community who are engaging with us, each other and these places and getting away from their computers to actually see them."[7] In addition to the annual Obscura Day, Atlas Obscura organizes frequent local outings in various cities.[8]

In 2012, Slate editor in chief David Plotz negotiated a deal to feature some of Atlas Obscura's content in Slate. Two years later, Atlas Obscura hired Plotz as its CEO.[5] In 2015, Atlas Obscura raised its first round of major funding, securing $2M USD from a range of investors and angels including the New York Times.[6] In September 2016, the site launched a spin-off book of the same name published by Workman Publishing Company.[9][10]

In late 2017, following another funding boost of $7.5m, the site launched Gastro Obscura, a food section covering "the distinctive food locations of the world." [11]

Its current editor-in-chief is Sommer Mathis, formerly of The Atlantic's CityLab, while its deputy editor is Samir Patel, formerly of Archaeology magazine.

References

  1. ↑ Lessley, Sara. "You'll find eclectic L.A. tours like these only at offbeat Atlas Obscura". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  2. ↑ Foer, Extracted from Atlas Obscura by Joshua; Thuras, Dylan; Morton, Ella (19 September 2016). "10 of the world's most unusual wonders – chosen by Atlas Obscura". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "Nine of Canada's most curious sights, courtesy of Atlas Obscura". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 "About Us - Atlas Obscura". atlasobscura.com. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  5. 1 2 Kaufman, Leslie (November 23, 2014). "Slate's Former Top Editor Takes Helm at Travel Site". New York Times. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Sawers, Paul (February 27, 2015). "Atlas Obscura raises $2M to become a National Geographic for millennials". VentureBeat. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 Cooper, Arnie (July 24, 2013). "Celebrating Obscurity". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  8. 1 2 Glusa, Elaine (April 10, 2016). "A Day to Explore, Above Ground and Below". New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  9. ↑ "'Atlas Obscura' Offers a Reference Book for Wonder Seekers". Boston. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  10. ↑ Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders. Workman Publishing Company. 2016. ISBN 978-0761169086.
  11. ↑ "Atlas Obscura to Expand in Video After Funding Round Led by A+E Networks". WSJ. Retrieved 2017-11-26.


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