National Geographic Magazine
2021: The year in pictures
2021: The year in pictures
46 photographs from an unforgettable yearExploreSee more of 2021’s best photography, along with the most amazing discoveries of the year and the year’s biggest environmental wins.
Welcome to Earth
December 2021 issue
From the editor
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Think you know the planet? ‘Welcome to Earth’ will test that.
In print, online, and in a broadcast series hosted by actor Will Smith, scientists and explorers journey to extreme places and explain curious phenomena.
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More than 50 years after redlining was banned by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, its lingering effects leave many low-income and often communities of color with fewer trees to keep their neighborhoods cool.
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Animals
- Giraffe populations are rising, giving new hope to scientistsGiraffe populations are rising, giving new hope to scientists
- Rescues of rare Philippine eagles soar during the pandemicRescues of rare Philippine eagles soar during the pandemic
- In Indonesia, orangutan killings often go unpunishedIn Indonesia, orangutan killings often go unpunished
- Biologist who coined ‘biological diversity’ dies at 80Biologist who coined ‘biological diversity’ dies at 80
Environment
- The prince, the mayor, and the U.S. fish that ate JapanThe prince, the mayor, and the U.S. fish that ate Japan
- A rising tide is drowning Indonesian villages—and their deadA rising tide is drowning Indonesian villages—and their dead
- An imported tree fuels Patagonia’s terrifying summer firesAn imported tree fuels Patagonia’s terrifying summer fires
- Understand how Hong Kong’s coral communities have declined
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Understand how Hong Kong’s coral communities have declined - A national 'climate corps'? California is leading the wayA national 'climate corps'? California is leading the way
- How small changes to our diet can benefit the planetHow small changes to our diet can benefit the planet
- Could crushed rocks absorb enough carbon to curb global warming?Could crushed rocks absorb enough carbon to curb global warming?
- Cultivating the world’s largest, stinkiest flower is no small taskCultivating the world’s largest, stinkiest flower is no small task
- Costa Rica’s pristine ‘Shark Island’ now a massive marine reserveCosta Rica’s pristine ‘Shark Island’ now a massive marine reserve
- These national forests let you cut your own Christmas treeThese national forests let you cut your own Christmas tree
- Why the link between climate change and tornadoes is complicatedWhy the link between climate change and tornadoes is complicated
- How to fight an invasive American bug with a badder Russian oneHow to fight an invasive American bug with a badder Russian one
History & Culture
- Did hallucinogenic booze fuel politics in ancient Peru?Did hallucinogenic booze fuel politics in ancient Peru?
- Plessy v. Ferguson aimed to end segregation—but codified it insteadPlessy v. Ferguson aimed to end segregation—but codified it instead
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria shone for more than a thousand yearsThe Lighthouse of Alexandria shone for more than a thousand years
- 3,600-year-old tsunami 'time capsule' discovered in Aegean3,600-year-old tsunami 'time capsule' discovered in Aegean
Science
- Giant 'sea monster' fossil is one of the largest of its kindGiant 'sea monster' fossil is one of the largest of its kind
- NASA's most powerful space telescope finishes risky unfoldingNASA's most powerful space telescope finishes risky unfolding
- See spectacular fossils from a prehistoric rainforestSee spectacular fossils from a prehistoric rainforest
- CDC expands booster eligibility to include teens ages 12 to 15CDC expands booster eligibility to include teens ages 12 to 15
Travel
- How climbers faced down this harrowing ‘death zone’How climbers faced down this harrowing ‘death zone’
- The controversy behind this Silk Road city’s ancient wondersThe controversy behind this Silk Road city’s ancient wonders
- Discover the beauty of U.S. national parks in winterDiscover the beauty of U.S. national parks in winter