Atlas (disambiguation) facts for kids

The word Atlas is most commonly known as a collection of maps, usually put together in a book. But "Atlas" can mean many other things too! It's a word with a rich history and is used in many different fields, from ancient myths to modern science and technology.

Atlas in Stories and Legends

• Atlas the Titan: In ancient Greek stories, Atlas was a powerful giant called a Titan. He was punished by the god Zeus and had to hold up the sky (or the heavens) on his shoulders forever. This is why you often see pictures of a strong man carrying a big globe on his back.
• Atlas, King of Atlantis: Some legends say Atlas was the very first king of the famous lost city of Atlantis.

Atlas in Science

In Space

• Atlas (moon): This is one of the many moons that orbit the planet Saturn.
• Atlas (crater): There's a big, noticeable impact crater on our own Moon named Atlas.
• Atlas (star): This is a group of three stars that are part of the beautiful Pleiades star cluster, which you can sometimes see in the night sky.

In Nature

• Books about nature: An "atlas" can also be a book that shows and describes all the plants (flora) and animals (fauna) found in a specific area or region.
• Atlas bone: In your body, the very first bone in your neck, right at the top of your spine, is called the Atlas. It helps you nod your head.
• Atlas Beetle: This is a type of rhinoceros beetle, known for its impressive horns.
• Attacus atlas: One of the largest moths in the world, the Atlas moth has huge wings that can look like a snake's head!
• Atlas Cedar: A tall, beautiful cedar tree that grows naturally in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa.
• Atlas Flycatcher: A small bird that belongs to the Old World Flycatcher family.
• Atlas Bear: This was a type of bear that used to live in Africa, but sadly, it is now extinct (meaning it no longer exists).
• Testudo atlas: An extinct species of giant turtle that lived a very long time ago during the Pleistocene period.

In Physics

• ATLAS experiment: This is a giant particle detector at CERN, a famous science lab in Switzerland. It's used to study tiny particles and understand how the universe works.
• Argonne Tandem Linear Accelerator System: This is a special machine called a particle accelerator at a laboratory in the United States. It speeds up tiny particles for scientific experiments.

Atlas in Books and Media

• Atlas Shrugged: A very famous novel written by Ayn Rand.
• The Atlas (novel): Another novel, written by American author William T. Vollmann.
• Atlas publishing house: A company that publishes special collector's series, often featuring miniature models of cars, planes, and trains.
• Atlas (magazine): A monthly magazine from Turkey that focuses on geography, the environment, history, and culture.

Atlas in Computers

• Atlas Computer (Manchester): One of the very first computers ever built, created at the University of Manchester in the 1960s.
• Atlas Autocode: A special computer language that was made for the Atlas Computer.
• UNIVAC 1101: Another early computer that was also known as the "Atlas."
• ASP.NET AJAX: A set of tools that help websites load parts of a page without reloading the whole page, making them faster and smoother. It used to be called "Atlas."
• Automatically Tuned Linear Algebra Software: Often called ATLAS, this is a special computer program that helps with math calculations, making them faster and more efficient.
• Texture atlas: In computer graphics, this is a way to combine many small images into one larger image to make video games and other graphics run more smoothly.

Atlas in Geography

• Atlas Mountains: A large mountain range located in northwest Africa.
• Atlas (Neighborhood): A neighborhood found in Northeast Washington, D.C., USA.
• Atlas Township, Michigan: A township located in Michigan, USA.

Atlas in Entertainment

• Atlas Games (company): A company that creates and publishes fun role-playing games and card games.
• ATLAS (StarCraft): A fictional artificial intelligence (AI) character in the popular video game series StarCraft.
• Atlas (album): An album by the Mexican electro-pop band Kinky.
• Advanced Technology Leisure Application Simulator: A huge machine with hydraulics that creates motion for rides and attractions in theme parks.
• Atlas (band): A rock band from Christchurch, New Zealand.
• Atlas: Renaissance Voyager: The first game in a series of video games.
• Atlas (Bioshock Character): A character in the video game BioShock who guides you through the game.

Atlas in Comics

• Atlas Comics (1950s): This was a comic book company in the 1950s that later grew into the famous Marvel Comics.
• Atlas (comics): A fictional character from Marvel Comics, known for being a member of the Thunderbolts superhero team.
• Atlas (comic series): A comic book series created by Dylan Horrocks.
• Agents of Atlas: A mini-series of comic books from Marvel Comics.

Atlas as a Company Name

• Atlas Aircraft Corporation: A company from South Africa that makes military aircraft.
• Atlas Telecom: A company that provides communication services around the world.
• Atlas Elektronik: A German company that specializes in electronics and systems for naval (ship) and marine uses.
• Atlas Van Lines: A well-known company that helps people move their belongings from one place to another.
• Atlas Air: A cargo airline based in New York that transports goods by air.
• Atlas Blue: A low-cost airline that used to operate from Marrakech, Morocco.
• Atlas Copco: A Swedish company that makes rock drills and other industrial tools.
• Atlas Model Railroad: A company that makes detailed model trains and railroad accessories.
• Atlas Venture: A company that invests money in new, early-stage businesses.
• Atlasjet: An airline from Turkey.

Atlas in Vehicles

• Nissan Atlas: A type of light truck made by the Japanese company Nissan.
• GM Atlas engine: A family of modern engines used in trucks made by General Motors.
• Atlas Car and Manufacturing Company: A company that builds small railroad locomotives (train engines).

People Named Atlas

• Charles Atlas (1892–1972): A very famous bodybuilder known for his fitness programs.
• Tony Atlas (born 1944): A professional wrestler, bodybuilder, and powerlifter.
• Teddy Atlas (born 1956): A well-known boxing trainer and commentator.
• Natacha Atlas (born 1964): A Belgian singer known for her unique music style.
• James Atlas: An editor who helped start the Lipper/Viking Penguin Lives Series of books.

Atlas in Military and Other Uses

• Atlas (missile): A historic line of rockets used to launch things into space.
• Atlas (architecture): In architecture, an "atlas" is a support or column that is carved to look like a man.
• Farnese Atlas: A famous ancient Roman marble statue from the 2nd century that shows the Titan Atlas holding a globe.
• Atlas languages: A group of languages spoken by people in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
• Atlas Uranium Mill: A former uranium processing plant located near Moab, Utah.
• CF Atlas: A professional football (soccer) club from Mexico.
• Radio Atlas: A radio station located in Montenegro.
• Atlas Economic Research Foundation: An organization that supports groups working on free market ideas.
• Atlas (building): A tall building located in Midtown New York City.
• Atlas (book size): A specific large size for books.

Images for kids

• Atlas moth.jpg

  The Atlas moth is one of the largest moths in the world.

• Atlas Mountains Morocco.jpg

  The Atlas Mountains stretch across North Africa.

See also

In Spanish: Atlas para niños