National Geographic

Francia Márquez Mina, a prominent Afro-Colombian activist, has been elected as Colombia's first Black female vice president. She won the 2018 Goldman Environmental Prize, faced numerous death threats for her activism, and survived an assassination attempt in 2019. Read more about the threats facing Colombian social and environmental leaders in our March issue: https://on.natgeo.com/3y3msQ8

No bigger than a lapdog, these marsupials are famous for their ferocity and powerful jaws, which can reduce large carcasses to smithereens in minutes.

Cormorants always feed by diving for fish, but no one had ever seen the bird go for a fish stuck to a whale shark.

In the wake of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade—shattering decades of precedent—here’s a look at the period that led up to the landmark ruling.

There are 156 known species of glass frogs living throughout the neotropics, mainly in the northern Andes and Central America. "These tiny wonders keep surprising us."

In Raiders of the Lost Ark, the city of Tanis was buried by a catastrophic ancient sandstorm and rediscovered by Nazis searching for the Ark of the Covenant. None of that happened. But the true tale of Tanis is also fit for the silver screen.

The edgy rhymes emanating from cities like Baton Rouge spill from a crucible of economic struggle and disenfranchisement.

Raccoons earned a bad reputation from their devious actions in our neighborhoods. But they’re smart enough to use us and our resources for their own good. https://on.natgeo.com/3NgbL14

The latest from our Best of Europe series: From Scotland to Switzerland and beyond, these six European villages capture the thrill of diving into the great outdoors.

For scientists, finding the huge, bizarrely complex microbe is like "encountering a human being ... as tall as Mount Everest.”

Enacted on this day in 1972, Title IX outlaws gender discrimination at schools that receive federal funding—but ensuring its enforcement has required vigilance.

They may have earned a bad rap from their antics, but raccoons' problem solving skills have inspired a wide range of scientific studies.

Before they could lay the smackdown in the arena, gladiators were professionally trained, combining a physical regimen with an education in the rules of the ring.

From our Best of Europe Series: Scenic strolls, starry nights, and tempting fare seduce the senses in these seven romantic towns from France to Italy and beyond.

Scientists are looking for a marker in the geologic record—the fallout from atomic bombs, for example—that could define the onset of the Anthropocene, the geologic age of human impact.

What appears as violent, self-destructive behavior is worth the cost in the animal kingdom—so long as it leads to reproduction.

Happy World Rainforest Day! Enjoy this aerial view of morning mist rising from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia.

3D-printed replicas can’t replace originals held in European museums. But they’re rekindling Kenyans’ memories of long-missing artifacts—and inspiring calls for repatriation.

If baseball is America’s national pastime, then the Nokona glove factory is a national treasure.

Cameras attached to humpback whales help give researchers fresh insight into a rapidly changing Southern Ocean.

Florida’s largest ever python—a record-breaking, 215-pound giant—was just discovered in the Everglades, highlighting the persistence of South Florida’s decades-old python problem. https://on.natgeo.com/39E6qmw

Forgotten by developers and never annexed into suburbs, these villages seem suspended in a past age. Our Best of Europe series highlights destinations that offer something for every kind of traveler—follow along this week for more.

College sports have radically evolved over time—but there’s one constant: Title IX of the Higher Education Act ensures that no person is excluded from university programs “on the basis of sex.” On the latest episode of Overheard, we examine how Title IX continues to ripple across American society. https://on.natgeo.com/3O9TR12

Paleontologists have just discovered 10 new species of ancient mammal thanks to the tiny mound-building insects.

The discovery highlights the persistence of South Florida’s decades-old python problem. Get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the quest to rid the Everglades of invasive Burmese pythons—including this record-breaking, 215-pound giant.

Giraffe numbers have increased across Africa, new research shows, a rare spot of good news in the conservation world. #WorldGiraffeDay https://on.natgeo.com/3zR0D7u

Once a year, an astronomical alignment ushers in this seasonal change. Summer solstice is celebrated across the world—and shrouded in myth.

These jewels of the sea are getting harder to find. Here’s why—and where to look for them.

Since their founding in the 1800s, historically Black colleges and universities have had a significant role — from the pre-Civil War era through Reconstruction and into the modern era.

Sweden's informal network of free overnight cabins—ranging from primitive hiking huts to modern cottages—provides an offbeat, outdoorsy way to explore the Nordic nation.

This beach in South Georgia’s St. Andrews Bay is home to 400,000 king penguins who have converged to raise the next generation.

"None of us is a native of the place we call home. And none of us is a native to this moment in time." On #WorldRefugeeDay, revisit this essay by author Mohsin Hamid.

Francia Márquez Mina, a prominent Afro-Colombian activist, has been elected as Colombia's first Black female vice president. She won the 2018 Goldman Environmental Prize, faced numerous death threats for her activism, and survived an assassination attempt in 2019. Read more about the threats facing Colombian social and environmental leaders in our March issue: https://on.natgeo.com/3y3msQ8

A decades-long quest has culminated in the discovery of a 661-pound stingray in the Mekong River.

Winning the first Miss Somalia contest shaped Khadija Omar's passion for two things: representational beauty and helping the women and girls that she left behind in the refugee camp live a better life. As of January 2020, the United Nations has recorded more than 750,000 Somali refugees living in neighboring countries. Many have become climate refugees as worsening droughts, floods, and cyclones hit the Horn of Africa. #WorldRefugeeDay

In this newsletter, we investigate what happens to "retired" chimps, what’s behind the Yellowstone floods, find a legendary treasure ship.

A mountain of scientific research has shown that climate change is making heat waves longer, hotter, more likely, and more dangerous.

Think you have to travel to Finland or Norway to see the northern lights? Think again.

From family travel inspiration to eco-friendly ideas, explore our guide for making this the best summer ever.

This photo would need to be multiplied 10 million times to come close to showing the billions of animals killed by cats each year.

What began as one woman's tribute to her dad, turned into a life-long mission for a day to celebrate all fathers. #FathersDay

Son of renowned photographer Kwame Brathwaite, whose work inspired the “Black is Beautiful” movement, shares some of his father’s visual moments. #FathersDay

In images and videos, Black visual artists and photographers chronicle the untold stories, traditions, and celebrations that compound into the bittersweet experience of Black joy. https://on.natgeo.com/3tEGH3W

Last year, Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday in the U.S. since the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. Here’s a look at the history of the holiday.

New Zealand is sometimes called the "adventure capital of the world"—and for good reason.

In the wilds of Tongass, a love of wilderness unites a father and son for the last time. #FathersDay

Sit back and enjoy your weekend with some of the incredible wildlife footage featured in Symphony For Our World.

Studies of Denmark’s Tollund Man reveal what he ate—and, more importantly, didn’t eat—before his murder 2,400 years ago.

Muskoxen prepare to defend their calves from Arctic Wolves in this still from the upcoming National Geographic series America The Beautiful, on Disney+

We know more about cow’s milk than human milk. But new research about the makeup of breast milk and the factors influencing its production could change the lives of millions.

Legend tells of an ancient wildwood of primarily Scots pine that covered much of the land, and while its history is steeped in lore, the wood itself may not have been all that foreboding or extensive, experts say.

“Having experienced moments where we feel limited by where and how we can travel, we believe that queer travelers—and all travelers for that matter—should have opportunities to go together and as they are.”

Could a spider kill and eat a snake? The answer is a resounding yes—and snake-eating spiders can be found on all continents (except Antarctica).

As long as slavery existed in America, people fought against it. Juneteenth remembers their battles while celebrating the first taste of freedom after the Civil War.

Where there's water, there's wildlife.

Technology has made it easier to plumb the oceans for sunken ships. But experts warn that it’s not “finders keepers” for the treasures that lay inside.

The facility is the largest of its kind in the U.S. that can test top Category 5 winds. To generate such speeds, it requires fans six feet across and 15,000 pounds each, the weight of two trucks.

Chimps have not been used in invasive biomedical research in U.S. laboratories since 2015. But what to do with the former research chimps—and how to pay for their costly lifetime care—is a continuing conundrum.

This rare alignment includes the five planets easily spotted with the naked eye—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—while the more distant Uranus and Neptune require binoculars. If you miss this spectacle, you’ll have to wait until 2040 to get another chance. https://on.natgeo.com/3O5Iasg

By all accounts, there shouldn’t be polar bears in southeastern Greenland—but apparently no one told the polar bears.

For LGBTQ+ travelers, finding a welcoming place is the first step in planning a getaway that’s both adventurous and fun.

"For as long as I can remember, I have loved sharks and wanted to share that passion with everyone, including my initially reluctant parents."

Even as scientists and land managers are taken aback by the magnitude of the floods—unprecedented in 100 years of recorded history—they recognize the similarities to the events their data predicted.

Happy World Sea Turtle Day from this Hawksbill!

#WorldSeaTurtleDay: They have navigated the oceans since the time of the dinosaurs more than 100 million years ago. Today all seven species are under threat at every life stage because of human activities.

In celebration of Juneteenth, revisit the final episode of #IntotheDepths with Nat Geo Explorer Tara Roberts. After meeting the living descendants of the last known ship from the transatlantic slave trade to reach the U.S., Tara is inspired to look into her own family’s past. https://on.natgeo.com/3MSZEqf

Exclusive: A risky mission has recovered timbers from a 17th-century ship that vanished and wrecked on what’s now the Oregon coast—solving a 300-year-old puzzle.

Best viewed between June 17 and June 27, this rare celestial alignment will be the last time the five brightest planets cluster in the sky until 2040.

There's no shortage of variety in reproductive and parental habits in the animal kingdom.

From summer temperatures that are among the hottest in the world to immense wealth from oil reserves, Kuwait is a land of contrasts. Italian photographer Gabriele Cecconi spent months documenting the people who live in this extreme environment.

These mystical places—including hanging monasteries and megalithic monuments—will transport you back in time.

A merchant ship laden with goods set out for a voyage but sank soon after leaving port. Eight centuries later, its discovery provides a fascinating snapshot into the moment when China set its sights on becoming a great naval power.

Whether you love them or hate them, fungi play a crucial role in nature.

From safety tips to packing advice, here’s everything you need to know about sleeping under the stars.

A little-known microbe called Cronobacter sakazakii has evolved traits that make it difficult to destroy, posing a threat to our food safety.

A 14th-Century monastery sits on a cliff above the Aegean Sea in Mount Athos, Greece.

A century after James Joyce’s masterpiece "Ulysses" was published, Dublin still celebrates on June 16, the day the epic was set.

Dubbed “Ludvig," the partial skull used to reconstruct the face of this man was discovered with other human crania and animal jawbones that had been deposited in a Swedish lake around 6,000 B.C. https://on.natgeo.com/3MSQeLm

Photographers chronicle the untold stories, traditions, and celebrations that compound into the bittersweet experience of Black joy.

Though fierce and destructive, storms are also often strikingly beautiful.

Hans Island is uninhabitable and only half-a-square-mile wide. So how did it become the center of a decades-long territorial debate?

Although not as imposing as polar bears, smaller creatures like the arctic fox and snowy owl have made a playground of their brutal environment.

SpaceX may have won the battle to launch Starship test flights from Starbase, but during the fight, Texas may have lost its claim on future, historic flights to Mars.

Native nations have pushed to regain sovereignty methodically—one lawsuit, one negotiation, one law, one program at a time. The process has been grindingly slow, but the change is undeniable.

The ruling rejected an effort to recognize Happy as a legal person and transfer the 51-year-old Asian elephant to a sanctuary—and ended the furthest-advancing animal rights case in U.S. judicial history.

On the latest episode of Overheard, National Geographic photographer Kiliii Yuyan introduces us to Indigenous groups who are reviving cultural burning practices that effectively controlled fires for centuries. https://on.natgeo.com/3zBqSPj

Here are some ideas to stretch your child’s on-the-road screen-time activities into real-world fun.

Formerly war-torn Kosovo has many natural wonders, including some of Europe’s most stunning underground worlds.

When the sun sinks below the horizon, not everyone turns in for the night. For certain adventurers, evening brings a whole new world of opportunity.

1,000-year-old horseshoes, sleds, and tools are emerging from a shrinking ice patch in Norway, telling the story of the rise and fall of a mountain pass and the people who traveled along it. https://on.natgeo.com/3zx7KC4

After sifting through 25 years’ worth of data, a team of scientists have come to a rather surprising conclusion—the monarch butterfly population seems to be increasing.

A bear emerges from a den under an abandoned house in South Lake Tahoe, California. See how one photographer spent years documenting the bears and coyotes near our homes.

Witness the wildlife of North America as you’ve never seen it before in #AmericaTheBeautifulSeries, narrated by Michael B. Jordan. 🦅 Stream the Original series July 4, only on Disney+

Several studies suggest that armadillos, native to the south and central U.S., could one day thrive as far north as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, aided in part by warmer winters.

Better known for lemurs, Madagascar is home to an amazing variety of orchids—and there are still more to be discovered.

For decades, the Rafflesia—also known as the corpse flower—has resisted attempts to grow it outside Southeast Asian rainforests. But one Indonesian botanist’s efforts have finally blossomed.

While some plant species grow smaller when overharvested, this herb may be the first example of a threatened plant evolving to blend into its surroundings.

"It doesn't matter if there’s a wildfire right next door. Beaver-dammed areas are green and happy and healthy-looking."

With an attack dive at up to 100mph, the bald eagle never fails to surprise its prey.

No bigger than a lapdog, these marsupials are famous for their ferocity and powerful jaws, which can reduce large carcasses to smithereens in minutes.

Losing as much as four inches of coastline a year, residents on the north coast of Java are struggling to keep their town—and their history—above water.

The unfiltered stories reveal the breadth and depth of the experiences of Asian Americans.

A llama stands near the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru in this iconic image from our archives.

Five thousand years ago in North Africa, an ambitious king, known today as Narmer, unified two lands into the world's first great territorial state—Egypt.

"Solar technology—when it becomes affordable and locally produced—will allow communities to become self-sufficient in energy."

A lifelong passion for these ocean predators sparked a career in conservation photography and a mission to share the love.

In Tasmania, the swift parrot population is being decimated by sugar gliders.

These waterways, seashores, and sites of significance in the southern U.S. offer outdoor adventures and fascinating glimpses into Native and colonial history. Presented by Visit North Carolina

There’s an art and a science to naming pharmaceutical drugs. Here’s what is embedded in the name on the label—and why.

This stunning scene of a humpback whale feeding in Wilhemina Bay, Antarctica, was captured by photographer Christina Mittermeier.

The pyramids in Egypt are more famous, but the ones in Sudan hide royal burial sites that archaeologists can explore—as long as they don’t mind swimming.

For the photographer, it was “the worst moment in my photography career.” Learn what happened next: https://on.natgeo.com/3xjnups

One remedy for the damage caused by invasive plant species? Pick them for use in meals and snacks.

The larger-than-life legend who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show has inspired TV shows, movies, and musicals—and many conflicting accounts of her life.

At roughly four months old, these leopard cubs have a good chance of surviving—and helping fill the ranks of the critically endangered big cats.

For families interested in taking a rockhounding adventure on your next outdoor excursion, here are some simple tips to help you on your geologic journey.

The North American population, which may be listed under the Endangered Species Act, is still plentiful, according to citizen science data. https://on.natgeo.com/3NHfcih

Discovered in 2007, the wreck of the H.M.S. Gloucester was kept secret until recently. “I went down and saw cannons scattered all over the seafloor. It was unforgettable.”

Lights illuminate the abbey of Mont Saint Michel at twilight in France.

The mass of stray cats in the Old City of Jerusalem are susceptible to disease, neglect, and starvation, but this woman has devoted her time to helping them.

Tara Roberts—honored today as the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year—dives into shipwrecks to recover the histories of African captives in the transatlantic slave trade. The award is supported by Rolex as part of its Perpetual Planet initiative.

German-born physicist Arno Penzias escaped the Holocaust with the help of a benefactor he never met. That secret act of generosity changed his life—and our understanding of the universe.

Moai in a line stand beneath a double rainbow at Ahu Akivi in Easter Island, Chile.

In the battle to combat wildfire, people in California are increasingly turning to a four-legged solution—goats.

History is filled with objects—books, rings, weapons, even plain old rocks—that people believed were imbued with supernatural powers. These powers reveal much about the hopes and fears of the people who believed in them.

From data collection to caring for injured turtles, get hands-on in one of Earth's most important sea turtle conservation programs.

Every drop of H2O, be it freshwater or seawater, hums with microscopic life most of us have never seen.

Penguins are important sentinels for the wider health of the ocean, and shifts in their populations in the waters off Antarctica—the Southern Ocean—are warning signs that the ecosystem is being disrupted. #WorldOceansDay

Even after years of recovery from decades of overhunting, humpbacks’ future remains far from secure. #WorldOceansDay

Can you believe that more people have been to space than the bottom of the ocean? #WorldOceansDay For more, watch #WelcomeToEarthSeries on Disney+.

The royal family is called on to help recover Britain's biodiversity, starting with royal properties.

If not slowed, climate change over the next few centuries could lead to marine losses unlike anything Earth has seen in 252 million years. #WorldOceansDay

Happy World Oceans Day! If you could be a marine species which would you be? 🐋🦐🐠🐙🦈

Around a third of our daily water usage goes toward personal hygiene. Discover simple ways to reduce our water consumption.

Happy #WorldOceansDay! Last year cartographers declared there are 5 oceans instead of 4—but can you name them all? https://on.natgeo.com/3NvcXhW

Dolphin-safe court battles involving the three largest U.S. tuna brands could drag on for years—but they raise important questions for consumers aiming to buy products that are environmentally responsible. #WorldOceansDay

Navigating by sun, stars, waves, and wind, Lehua Kamalu is leading a revival of the ancient skill of Polynesian wayfinding. #WorldOceansDay

A garden of delicate coral is sheltered from storms by a nearby peninsula in Kimbe Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea.

Get ready for World Oceans Day tomorrow with one of our favorite ocean creatures of all time—the gulper eel.

In April, UN delegates agreed to negotiate the first comprehensive global treaty to curb plastic pollution. Here's why it may be the world’s best hope to contain the crisis.

Coyotes look before crossing a street. Black bears know when it’s trash day. The more scientists look, the more they find species adapting to urban life in unprecedented ways.

“All roads lead to Rome” was once more than a saying; it was a fact—and the Appian Way was the most important of them all. Learn more about what’s left of it today on this week's episode of Overheard. https://on.natgeo.com/3GZRCuk

With some in roadside zoos or as pets—and many abused—a lack of regulation is putting animals and humans at risk

A photographic odyssey explores the places on Earth that showcase our unique planet’s evolutionary journey.

With the rise of queer-owned outdoor adventure outfitters, LGBTQ youth are finding safe places to learn about wilderness exploration and environmental conservation.

Meet the orchid mantis, a master of camouflage that lives in Southeast Asia’s rain forests.

Decades’ worth of research links physical activity and exercise with positive changes in the brain in a variety of contexts. Researchers are now eager to figure out exactly how and why—in order to develop better recommendations and treatments.

Drought, desperation, and tourism: There's more to Morocco's tree-climbing goats than meets the eye. https://on.natgeo.com/3Nkn60K

One of the five isles composing California’s Channel Islands National Park, Santa Rosa Island is a virtual natural history museum with miles of uncrowded trails and breathtaking cliff-top ocean views.

Morocco’s tree-climbing goats have made headlines in recent years. Drought, desperation, and tourism combine to create a surprising tableau.

Experts have long puzzled over the deceptively simple question of where domestic horses actually came from.

This mining region once supplied half of France’s coal. Now the UNESCO World Heritage-recognized area hosts hiking trails, a vineyard, and a ski slope.

Hori Parata handles dead whales on New Zealand beaches the Maori way: He extracts the bones so they can be carved into jewelry or art.

See how conservationists use camera traps to track and protect jaguars. #WorldEnvironmentDay

The Appian Way isn't always scenic or pleasant, but it is an immersion into a slice of Italy few tourists see.

Unique plateaus called tepuis tower over a remote region of South American rainforest. The flat-topped peak gives researchers a chance to identify new species and unlock secrets of evolution. The biggest challenge: getting there. #WorldEnvironmentDay https://on.natgeo.com/3MbpwgJ

This is the story of one woman's arduous journey through the medical system to conquer long COVID and reclaim her life. It’s a path that hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, will take.

For #WorldEnvironmentDay, these dramatic photos show life in our warming world—and solutions to address it.

There are billions of galaxies, but only one place we know that supports life. #WorldEnvironmentDay is a reminder of how rare Earth is and the importance of protecting it. Today, we are teaming up with NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration to show you our home planet from space and the ground. Follow along on our Instagram account for more. 📷 : Cordillera Blanca, Peru 📍

It isn’t easy to get to Round Island, but the adventure is part of the appeal.

This month’s issue explores the science of physical connection and why it has such an impact on humanity. Here, we go behind the cover with photographer Lynn Johnson.

Experience the power of nature in this mesmerizing hyperlapse of Yellowstone thawing out for spring.

An ancient crustacean found in amber, little more than a fossilized speck, may reveal a critical point in the evolutionary history of one of Earth’s most versatile animals: crabs.

Selections from last month's Photo of the Day focused on the experiences of the Asian diaspora—dive into some of the incredible stories from our archives.

Twice as tall as the waves around them, these giant swells can appear suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere. Here's how scientists are developing ways to predict them before they strike. https://on.natgeo.com/38ZFNrT

In recent decades, improved understanding and more inclusive services have helped to give the LGBTQ+ community more confidence when traveling.

Prized for the exotic pet trade, woolly monkeys face many threats—although some species are faring worse than others.

Some of the world's oldest trees have been standing long before the time of Muhammad, many centuries before Jesus and Cleopatra, even before Egypt’s pyramids. But can they survive climate change?

Cormorants always feed by diving for fish, but no one had ever seen the bird go for a fish stuck to a whale shark.

Recent advances in engineering and biology suggest that electricity could treat dozens of diseases affecting millions of people. “I just want people to understand this is the tip of the iceberg.”

The volcano is responsible for the deadliest eruption in the U.S., yet many mysteries remain about the closely watched peak, including why it formed in the first place. https://on.natgeo.com/3xhkBa6

Climate-forced changes are pushing California tomato production into a tough spot. But our future pizzas are not yet lost.

A new conservation movement aims to save the world’s uncharismatic minifauna—parasites.