National Geographic

National Geographic, originally known as the National Geographic Magazine, serves as the official publication of the National Geographic Society. It has been in circulation since its inaugural issue in 1888, just nine months after the Society was established. The magazine focuses on topics related to science, geography, history, and global cultures. It is recognized for its distinctive square-bound glossy format, featuring a yellow rectangular border, and is renowned for its stunning photography. Since 2015, 21st Century Fox has held the majority stake in the magazine.

International, Consumer

English

Magazine

Outlet metrics

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Ranking

Global

#7336

United States

#2158

Science and Education

#191

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Articles

Try this Norwegian Arctic lodge for an intro to pack-rafting

3 days ago | nationalgeographic.com | Kerry Walker

This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller(UK). At 70 degrees north, where Norway’s coast frays into fjords, islands and skerries, Alta is a true blast of the Arctic. A two-hour flight from Oslo, one of the world’s most northerly towns takes ‘wild’ to a new level. Here, the Northern Lights rave above snowy fells all winter long, while the midnight sun burns in summer.
We planned the perfect day in San Diego for 3 types of travelers

3 days ago | nationalgeographic.com | Casey Hatfield-Chiotti

While Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo failed to find an all-water route—the mythical “Strait of Anian”—across North America in 1542, he did discover San Diego Bay, which he remarked was “a very good port.” The Indigenous Kumeyaay people had already lived there for thousands of years. Cabrillo still claimed the land for Spain, beginning a tumultuous period where San Diego would be under Spanish, then Mexican, and ultimately U.S. rule.
Archaeologists have discovered a 1,600-year-old Maya altar, surrounded by children's bones

6 days ago | nationalgeographic.com | Tom Metcalfe

Archaeologists excavating the ruins of the Maya city of Tikal have unearthed a 1,600-year-old altar likely used for human sacrifices, surrounded by the bones of children. The grim discovery adds weight to the idea that Tikal was ruled at this time by overlords from the non-Maya city of Teotihuacan, more than 600 miles west in what’s now Mexico; and some of the sacrifices may have been efforts to ensure Teotihuacan’s power over the local people.
7 lesser-known mountain towns that rival the beauty of Banff

1 week ago | nationalgeographic.com | Jennifer Malloy

You’ve seen the social media posts: the towering and rugged peaks, the glossy, glacial lakes, and the lumbering bears disappearing into thick forests. This is Banff National Park, one of the most beautiful—and famous—places on Earth. According to Banff and Lake Louise Tourism, nearly four million people visited Banff in 2024 alone, and overtourism is a growing concern for Parks Canada.
A practical guide to exploring Europe's mighty Danube River

1 week ago | nationalgeographic.com | Kerry Walker

This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Snaking almost 1,800 miles from its source in Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea in Romania, the Danube is best explored slowly. Cruises, the most popular option, provide up-close encounters with the river, allowing you to see plenty in just a week or two. They don’t have to be obvious, with some cracking off-beat options taking you east and into the wilds of the Lower Danube.
Why fantasy writers and filmmakers can't get enough of dragons

1 week ago | nationalgeographic.com | Kelly Faircloth

“I desired dragons with a profound desire,” fantasy writer J.R.R. Tolkien once said about his childhood imagination, captivated as he was with the creatures of myth. That desire shaped his work for the rest of his life, and Tolkien’s Smaug, the great fire breathing villain of The Hobbit, has loomed large in our cultural imaginations, but he was far from alone in his fascination. Cultures around the world told stories about enormous, powerful, serpent-like creatures for centuries.
Best sunglasses for running in 2025

1 week ago | nationalgeographic.com | Ada Tseng

By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave nationalgeographic.com and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, National Geographic will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below.* Hang out at a track or scroll through photos of a running event, and you’ll notice that many runners don’t wear sunglasses. But they should.
Can you trust your gut? The pros (and cons) of intuition-according to science

1 week ago | nationalgeographic.com | Rachel Fairbank

There are many times in life when we have to make decisions without having all of the information—whether that’s a split-second decision during a crisis or a major life decision such as accepting a new job. In these situations, we often find ourselves relying on our intuition, in the hope that our unconscious knowledge can help us choose the right path. Intuition is the ability to attain knowledge or make decisions without evident rational thought and inference.
The best flip-flops for 2025

1 week ago | nationalgeographic.com | Iona Brannon

By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave nationalgeographic.com and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, National Geographic will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below.* Flip-flops are the unsung workhorses of footwear.
The best hotels in Minnesota for every type of traveler

1 week ago | nationalgeographic.com | Lisa Meyers McClintick

Ribboned by rivers and dotted by more than 10,000 lakes, Minnesota’s top getaways never stray far from storied waters. The Mississippi River winds through both St. Paul and Minneapolis where urban stays highlight art and architecture in a former convent and coax guests to a rooftop sauna and spa pool overlooking the reflective skyline.