December 2024 Issue
Pictures of the Year
Exclusive: Look inside Notre Dame before it reopens its doors
Exclusive: Look inside Notre Dame before it reopens its doors
Five years after a catastrophic fire, Paris's beloved cathedral will open to great fanfare. Nat Geo got exclusive access to witness how an army of architects and artisans rebuilt the church back to its sacred splendor.EXPLORE
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Trees are more than just beautiful fixtures of any city neighborhood. They make hot summer days more bearable by providing shade and naturally cooling air temperatures in the immediate surroundings. However, researchers have found a distinct and historical connection between tree canopy disparity in wealthy, mostly white neighborhoods and low-income, often minority communities. It goes back to a discriminatory housing practice called redlining. Under a New Deal program, maps of over 200 American cities were created to determine which residential areas were creditworthy to receive federal loans. The grading system heavily disadvantaged people of color, immigrants, and low-income families, making it hard to obtain the funds for mortgages and to build and maintain parks or other tree-covered urban spaces. More than 50 years after the practice was banned by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the sweltering effects continue to be felt in formerly redlined areas that still have fewer trees to keep neighborhoods cool.
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Animals
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Environment
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- How this desert became the world's blueberry capitalHow this desert became the world's blueberry capital
- Quiz: Recycle or not? See if you can correctly sort your trash.Quiz: Recycle or not? See if you can correctly sort your trash.
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- Why we add fluoride to water—and how it became so controversialWhy we add fluoride to water—and how it became so controversial
- Noisy boat traffic may hide fish from hungry orcasNoisy boat traffic may hide fish from hungry orcas
- The world's glaciers are melting faster than we thoughtThe world's glaciers are melting faster than we thought
- This Arctic boomtown is led by women studying climate changeThis Arctic boomtown is led by women studying climate change
- Why natural disasters are linked to paranormal beliefsWhy natural disasters are linked to paranormal beliefs
History & Culture
- These ancient forests in China produce the world’s finest teaThese ancient forests in China produce the world’s finest tea
- The quest to find the missing grave of Theodosia BurrThe quest to find the missing grave of Theodosia Burr
- This poem transformed Christmas into a modern holidayThis poem transformed Christmas into a modern holiday
- To save salmon, they fought the government for 20 years—and wonTo save salmon, they fought the government for 20 years—and won
- America's megachurches are rapidly expanding—thanks to geographyAmerica's megachurches are rapidly expanding—thanks to geography
- The bizarre story of when Australia went to war with emus—and lostThe bizarre story of when Australia went to war with emus—and lost
Science
- This is a leading cause of blindness in young peopleThis is a leading cause of blindness in young people
- New bat discovery could help humans hibernate during space travelNew bat discovery could help humans hibernate during space travel
- Why did ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria cases rise in Florida this year?Why did ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria cases rise in Florida this year?
- Why are so many young adults getting colon cancer?Why are so many young adults getting colon cancer?
- Here’s why we’ve seen so many food recalls—and how to stay safeHere’s why we’ve seen so many food recalls—and how to stay safe
Travel
- Chugoku & Shikoku: From Tokyo…to beyond the Golden Route
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