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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- From the Editor
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
- 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
- Tiger King zoo owner now banned from exhibiting animalsTiger King zoo owner now banned from exhibiting animals
- These ghostly sea creatures make snow glow in the ArcticThese ghostly sea creatures make snow glow in the Arctic
Environment
- 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
- 5 environmental victories from 2021 that offer hope5 environmental victories from 2021 that offer hope
- 2021's weather disasters brought home the reality of climate change2021's weather disasters brought home the reality of climate change
History & Culture
- 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
- The pandemic delivered a surprise to Nordic countries: a baby boomThe pandemic delivered a surprise to Nordic countries: a baby boom
Science
- CDC expands booster eligibility to include teens ages 12 to 15CDC expands booster eligibility to include teens ages 12 to 15
- Pig brain cells may have cured a sea lion's epilepsyPig brain cells may have cured a sea lion's epilepsy
- Richard Leakey, conservationist and fossil hunter, dies at 77Richard Leakey, conservationist and fossil hunter, dies at 77
Travel
- Discover the beauty of U.S. national parks in winterDiscover the beauty of U.S. national parks in winter
- 17 stellar new hotels that embrace their geography17 stellar new hotels that embrace their geography
- This ancient city of sultans is a 21st-century wonder
- Travel
- Best of the World
This ancient city of sultans is a 21st-century wonder - How these Japanese prayer plaques became symbols of hopeHow these Japanese prayer plaques became symbols of hope
- Here’s the best spot on Earth to see polar bears in the wildHere’s the best spot on Earth to see polar bears in the wild
- Here are the best scenic winter train rides in North AmericaHere are the best scenic winter train rides in North America