The Ten Most Amazing Databases in the World

A database isn't a vault--it's a garden

By Rena Marie Pacella

Posted on Oct 31, 2011 6:48 PM EDT

Dream Pictures/Getty Images

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The 10 most amazing databases in the world do more than store knowledge. They provide researchers with new ways to solve long-cold crimes, predict economic recessions, measure your love life, map the universe and save lives.

  • The Combined DNA Index System
  • The Encyclopedia of Life
  • The Food and Agriculture Organization Database
  • The Genographic Project
  • The International Panel on Climate Change’s Data Distribution Centre
  • The MD:Pro
  • OKCupid’s OKTrends
  • Sloan Digital Sky Survey Database
  • The Wayback Machine
  • WorldCat