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
- First true millipede found with a record-breaking 1,306 legsFirst true millipede found with a record-breaking 1,306 legs
- Puffins have returned to the Gulf of Maine—but for how long?Puffins have returned to the Gulf of Maine—but for how long?
- Oil company accused of drilling in African wildlife reserveOil company accused of drilling in African wildlife reserve
- More animal species are getting COVID-19 for the first timeMore animal species are getting COVID-19 for the first time
Environment
- 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
- 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
History & Culture
- This ‘culture of introverts’ prefers to have conversations in songThis ‘culture of introverts’ prefers to have conversations in song
- Streaming Santa? How Mr. and Mrs. Claus are keeping up with the timesStreaming Santa? How Mr. and Mrs. Claus are keeping up with the times
- Biblical stories of Jesus' birth reveal clues about his timesBiblical stories of Jesus' birth reveal clues about his times
- Earliest modern female human infant burial found in EuropeEarliest modern female human infant burial found in Europe
- Viking raiders set their sights on Rome in the 850sViking raiders set their sights on Rome in the 850s
Science
- How booster shots can help protect you from OmicronHow booster shots can help protect you from Omicron
- Pfizer extends COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials for children under 5Pfizer extends COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials for children under 5
- The universe is expanding faster than it should beThe universe is expanding faster than it should be
- Why new COVID-19 treatments have been so slow to developWhy new COVID-19 treatments have been so slow to develop
- James Webb Space Telescope to shine light on alien worldsJames Webb Space Telescope to shine light on alien worlds
Travel
- Why Jamaican reggae and Finnish saunas have UNESCO statusWhy Jamaican reggae and Finnish saunas have UNESCO status
- These frescoes shattered conventions in Italian artThese frescoes shattered conventions in Italian art
- Lake Balaton: Hungary’s iconic lake is also a food paradise
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Lake Balaton: Hungary’s iconic lake is also a food paradise