This is a famous magazine.
It has many bright pictures. It shows us the world. You can see new places. It helps us learn. Do you like big pictures?
National Geographic is a famous magazine.
It started a long time ago. It began in 1888.
The magazine uses many bright pictures.
It uses pictures to show us the world. It shows us nature and history.
It has a bright yellow border. This makes it easy to find. You can read it in many lands.
Some people collect these magazines. They keep them for many years. It is a fun way to learn.
National Geographic is a famous magazine.
It began in 1888. At first, it was a scholarly journal. This means it was written for experts. It was sent to only 165 members.
Today, the magazine is very popular. It is known for its bright pictures.
In 1905, it began to use many photos. By 1908, more than half the pages were photos. The magazine has a thick, square shape. It also has a bright yellow border.
National Geographic tells stories about the world. It covers nature, science, and history. It also talks about world culture.
The magazine uses high-quality photojournalism. This is a way to tell news using photos. The photos show us the real world.
Many people around the world read it. There are 29 local language editions. Some people even collect the old magazines. They keep them for many years. In 2026, a new museum will open in Washington, D.C. It will be called the National Geographic Museum of Exploration.
National Geographic is a famous magazine about our world.
It tells stories about nature, science, and history. It also looks at how people live in different cultures. The magazine has a very special look. It is thick and square with a glossy cover. Most people recognize it by its bright yellow border.
It helps us see places we might never visit.
This magazine works by using amazing pictures to tell stories. This is called photojournalism. It means using high-quality photos to report the news.
In the early days, the magazine had mostly text. In 1905, it started adding large pictures of places like Tibet. By 1908, more than half the pages were photographs. Later, photographers used smaller cameras and special film. This allowed them to take better pictures in the field. Now, the magazine uses digital photography for its print and online editions.
The magazine has a long history that began in 1888.
At first, it was a scholarly journal for experts. It was only sent to 165 members. Over time, it became a popular magazine for everyone. For a long time, the National Geographic Society owned it. In 2015, a company called National Geographic Partners took control. Later, Disney completed a deal to acquire the company in 2019. Many famous leaders, like the Grosvenor family, helped run it.
There are many interesting facts about its reach and size.
In the late 1980s, it had about 12 million subscribers in the U.S. By 2010, it reached 40 million people every month. Today, it has 29 different local language editions around the world. Its Instagram page is huge, with 280 million followers. As of June 2024, its total circulation was about 1.65 million. The magazine has also won 25 National Magazine Awards.
You can find National Geographic in many parts of your life. It is not just a paper magazine anymore. You can read it in an interactive online edition. It even has a special version called National Geographic Kids.
Some people even collect old issues to keep for years. In the future, you can visit the National Geographic Museum of Exploration. It will open in Washington, D.C., in June 2026. This museum will help people explore the world through science and history.
National Geographic is a world-renowned American monthly magazine.
It focuses on diverse topics like geography, history, science, and world culture. The publication is famous for its unique visual style. It features a thick, square-bound glossy format. Most people recognize it by its bright yellow rectangular border.
It serves as a window into the natural and human world.
The magazine's identity is deeply tied to its use of high-quality photography. This practice is often called photojournalism. In its earliest years, the magazine was mostly text-heavy. This changed in 1905 when it published full-page pictures of Tibet. By 1908, photographs made up more than half of the pages.
In the mid-1930s, writer Luis Marden helped change how photos were taken. He encouraged photographers to use 35 mm Leica cameras with Kodachrome film. This was much easier than using bulky cameras with heavy glass plates. Today, the magazine uses digital photography for both print and online editions.
National Geographic has undergone many changes in ownership and leadership. It was founded in 1888 as a scholarly journal for experts. At first, it was only sent to 165 charter members. For a long time, the National Geographic Society owned and managed it. In 2015, the Society transferred controlling interest to National Geographic Partners. This involved a $725 million deal with 21st Century Fox. Later, Disney completed an acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019. This moved the publishing unit into Disney Publishing Worldwide.
Leadership has also evolved through different eras. From 1888 to 1920, the magazine had a single editor. From 1920 to 1967, the president of the National Geographic Society served as chief editor. Since 1967, the magazine has used its own editor-in-chief. Three generations of the Grosvenor family held leadership roles between 1903 and 1980.
These leaders helped guide the magazine through major shifts in technology and global interest.
The magazine has also shaped how we see global politics and the environment. During the Cold War, it provided a balanced view of countries behind the Iron Curtain. It focused on culture and science rather than politics. For example, it covered the Space Race by focusing on scientific achievement. In more recent years, the magazine has become outspoken on environmental issues. It covers topics like global warming, deforestation, and endangered species. This helps readers understand the urgent needs of our planet.
National Geographic's reach is massive and spans the entire globe. In the late 1980s, it had about 12 million subscribers in the United States. By 2010, it reached 40 million people every month. Today, it publishes in 29 different local language editions.
Its Instagram page has 280 million followers. This is the third largest account in the world not owned by a celebrity. As of June 30, 2024, its combined U.S. and international circulation was about 1.65 million. The children's version, National Geographic Kids, has a circulation of about 500,000.
Beyond the magazine, the brand includes many other important tools. The National Geographic Maps division was created in 1915. These maps have been used by the United States government and leaders like Winston Churchill.
The brand also offers an electronic collection called The Complete National Geographic. This collection includes every past issue of the magazine. Looking forward, the National Geographic Society plans to open the National Geographic Museum of Exploration in Washington, D.C. This museum is scheduled to open in June 2026.
🖼️ Images & Media (6)
More to explore
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.