It's one of our most popular stories of the year. And this year, working with our photo editors who choose daily, I get to pick the 100 best photographs that make up this story.

What do I look for? In the next two images you'll get a peek: Surprise. A certain flair. Unusual juxtapositions. A sense, as in much of National Geographic, that the world is an awesome place, and that we are continually exploring it.

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On Monday, Debra Adams Simmons writes on the latest in history. If you’re not a subscriber, sign up here to also get Victoria Jaggard on science, George Stone on travel,