January 2021 Issue
- Essay
How photography helps us make sense of this unforgettable year
A deadly virus. Lives in lockdown. Passionate calls for justice. The images of 2020 reflected the humanity of a turbulent time.
ReadNational Geographic photographers seem possessed of an inner GPS. Fueled by restless curiosity, they roam the planet in search of fresh perspectives to capture and new stories to tell. In 2020 this inner GPS took Ruddy Roye to the front lines of America’s racial reckoning and set David Guttenfelder on the trail of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the year’s losses and chaos, Anand Varma captured rare natural marvels, Hannah Reyes Morales recorded soothing scenes of peace, and Diana Markosian witnessed triumphs of the human will.
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Animals
- A surprising discovery upends what we know about turtlesA surprising discovery upends what we know about turtles
- Cage-free or free-range? Here’s what those egg labels really meanCage-free or free-range? Here’s what those egg labels really mean
- Captivity can screw up pandas’ internal clocks—here's what that meansCaptivity can screw up pandas’ internal clocks—here's what that means
- Can this controversial approach save the northern white rhino?Can this controversial approach save the northern white rhino?
- This dog can find rare sea turtle nests—shockingly successfullyThis dog can find rare sea turtle nests—shockingly successfully
Environment
- Which cities will still be livable in a world altered by climate change?Which cities will still be livable in a world altered by climate change?
- Hurricanes are escalating more quickly than ever. Here’s why.Hurricanes are escalating more quickly than ever. Here’s why.
- How 200 volunteers pulled off a daunting cave rescueHow 200 volunteers pulled off a daunting cave rescue
- Step inside 3 innovative new workplaces around the globe
- Paid Content for Advertiser
Step inside 3 innovative new workplaces around the globe - Summer storms can strike suddenly. Here’s what causes them.Summer storms can strike suddenly. Here’s what causes them.
- This summer's extreme weather is a sign of things to comeThis summer's extreme weather is a sign of things to come
- What does a melting glacier sound like? 'Gunshots.'What does a melting glacier sound like? 'Gunshots.'
- There’s only one offshore fish farm in the U.S. Why?There’s only one offshore fish farm in the U.S. Why?
- How to store fruits and veggies for maximum freshnessHow to store fruits and veggies for maximum freshness
- Why mangroves are key to mitigating climate changeWhy mangroves are key to mitigating climate change
History & Culture
- What is Oktoberfest—and why is it actually in September?What is Oktoberfest—and why is it actually in September?
- How the world went wild for talking to spirits 100 years agoHow the world went wild for talking to spirits 100 years ago
- Pearl Harbor was the only WWII attack on the U.S., right? Wrong.Pearl Harbor was the only WWII attack on the U.S., right? Wrong.
- Why freakishly large fruits and veggies thrive in AlaskaWhy freakishly large fruits and veggies thrive in Alaska
- Why postpartum depression went untreated for so longWhy postpartum depression went untreated for so long
Science
- Explosive images of the sun may help unravel mysteriesExplosive images of the sun may help unravel mysteries
- Do generic drugs work as well as brand name? Here’s what to know.Do generic drugs work as well as brand name? Here’s what to know.
- Why isn’t this proven cold medicine on store shelves?Why isn’t this proven cold medicine on store shelves?
Travel
- Why road-tripping from Split to Dubrovnik is easier than everWhy road-tripping from Split to Dubrovnik is easier than ever
- Where to eat in Tel Aviv, Israel's multicultural food capitalWhere to eat in Tel Aviv, Israel's multicultural food capital