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
- Magazine
- 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
- A fatal fungal disease is spreading among North America’s snakesA fatal fungal disease is spreading among North America’s snakes
- How to keep the red wolf from going extinct for a second timeHow to keep the red wolf from going extinct for a second time
- How wild animals eaten at the first Thanksgiving are faring todayHow wild animals eaten at the first Thanksgiving are faring today
- Insecticides can cause lasting harm for generations of beesInsecticides can cause lasting harm for generations of bees
Environment
- 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
- Electric cars are powered by rare metals. Can AI help find them?Electric cars are powered by rare metals. Can AI help find them?
- To regrow forests, the U.S. needs many more 'seed hunters'To regrow forests, the U.S. needs many more 'seed hunters'
- Inside a Ukrainian war zone, another fight rages—for clean airInside a Ukrainian war zone, another fight rages—for clean air
- Empowering people to protect the Okavango Basin, Video Story
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Empowering people to protect the Okavango Basin - Why these West African architects are choosing mud over concreteWhy these West African architects are choosing mud over concrete
- Europe's butterflies are vanishing as small farms disappearEurope's butterflies are vanishing as small farms disappear
- How technology can bring us closer to nature and help protect it., Video Story
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How technology can bring us closer to nature and help protect it.
History & Culture
- The stories I learned walking the Burma Road in ChinaThe stories I learned walking the Burma Road in China
- 80 years after Pearl Harbor, here's how the attack changed history80 years after Pearl Harbor, here's how the attack changed history
- Before 'Little Women,' Louisa May Alcott penned pulp fictionBefore 'Little Women,' Louisa May Alcott penned pulp fiction
- How an ancient revolt sparked the Festival of LightsHow an ancient revolt sparked the Festival of Lights
- A rare look inside the Smithsonian’s secret storeroomsA rare look inside the Smithsonian’s secret storerooms
- The Orient Express embodied the romance of the railwaysThe Orient Express embodied the romance of the railways
Science
- To beat Omicron, the race is on to tweak existing vaccinesTo beat Omicron, the race is on to tweak existing vaccines
- 10 of the most amazing dinosaurs discovered in 202110 of the most amazing dinosaurs discovered in 2021
- The 21 most fascinating scientific discoveries of 2021The 21 most fascinating scientific discoveries of 2021
- U.S. confirms first case of Omicron variant in CaliforniaU.S. confirms first case of Omicron variant in California
Travel
- These masked singers carry on an Irish Christmas traditionThese masked singers carry on an Irish Christmas tradition
- How Christmas markets became a classic holiday traditionHow Christmas markets became a classic holiday tradition
- How airlines are making travel easier for autistic passengersHow airlines are making travel easier for autistic passengers