• Photo: Fish schooled into a vortex

    I Am the Ocean

    Join a Global Call to Action to Protect This Vital Resource

    More »

From expansive agricultural land and lush rain forests to rugged mountains and turbulent seas, explore the myriad landscapes that collectively cloak Earth and shelter life on it.

More About Habitats

  • Photo: African lion

    Loss of Hunting Space and Habitat

    A single pride of lions requires up to 100 miles of hunting space. The Big Cats Initiative aims to address this, and other threats to the survial of these magnificent animals.

     

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    Dawn of the Ocean

    Journey toward the ocean floor, where eternal darkness prevails. Oceanographers search for creatures that thrive in extreme conditions scientists once believed too toxic to support life.

  • Photo: Man holding alligator gar

    Zeb Hogan's Megafishes

    Learn about the Megafishes Project and see photos of amazing freshwater giants.

  • Photo: Hiker in Big Sur

    Best Trails

    From an afternoon tramp in Portland, Oregon’s urban Forest Park to a five-day trek in the Bitterroots of Idaho, these are the 30 best hikes you’ve never heard of.

New From National Geographic Magazine

  1. Photo: Smoke rising from the surface of the Gulf of the Mexico from the Deepwater Horizon explosion.

    Gulf Oil Spill

    Is another deep-water disaster inevitable?

  2. Photo: Workers cleaning up oil in the Gulf of Mexico

    Recovery in the Gulf

    Will the Wetlands Be Able to Bounce Back?

  3. Photo: Fisherman

    Seafood Crisis

    Will there be any fish left in the future?

Go to This Month's Issue »

Environment Topics

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Pledge to Cut Your H2O Footprint

  1. water-calculator-tease.jpg

    Water Calculator

    Figure out your footprint, then join hundreds of website visitors who together have pledged to save thousands of gallons a day.

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    Blue Planet Expedition

    Once you pledge, sign up to get more involved in Alexandra Cousteau's cross-country water expedition.

National Geographic Magazine

  1. Photo: Herder serenading his goats near Jerusalem

    Truth of King David

    Was his kingdom a glorious empire—or just a little cow town?

  2. Photo: Milky Way seen from Maui, Hawaii

    Photos: Milky Way

    Peek into the heart of our galaxy and other heavenly wonders.

Get More From the Magazine »

The Great Energy Challenge

Better understand the need for clean energy and learn how to be part of the solution.

  1. Excess natural gas flares from the Burgan oil field.

    Quiz: Natural Gas

    Find out how much you know about one of the world's fastest growing fuel sources.

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    Personal Energy Meter

    See how you measure up, and find out how making simple changes at home can help.

  3. energy-diet-dl--c.jpg

    Start an Energy Diet

    These small steps could heal the planet and save you money.