National Geographic Magazine - UK December 2024

ONE OF MY FAVORITE things that we do at National Geographic is our annual compendium, “Pictures of the Year.” Our selection of the most interesting, most arresting photos—this year, 20 in total—captured during the past 12 months by National Geographic photographers is more than a visual delight. It is a window on the state of the world, in all its complexity. From the first swim of fledgling penguins to the plight of desert oases to the promise of synthetic fuel, these images are both timeless and timely. They show all the wonder and promise that we discover on this incredible planet—as well as the rapid change and vexing challenges that we cannot ignore. We’ve got some other terrific stories in this issue too: an examination of the misunderstood rattlesnake, an…

ANIMALS “Capturing this moment in the Masai Mara is a quiet reminder that in the vastness of the savanna, every interaction, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, is part of a grander story.”AMISH CHHAGAN, photographer An oxpecker attempts to land on a Masai giraffe’s neck shortly after a tropical storm. These birds eat parasites that can cling to larger animals. CELEBRATIONS “When photographer Joshua Irwandi asked me to shoot his WEDDING, I was flattered. He and the bride would wear Cio Tao dress, so we found inspiration in old photographs of his grandparents’ wedding.”MARTIN WESTLAKE, photographer Faylien Imelda’s attire—including kembang goyang flowers made of gold, silver, and brass—for her wedding in Indonesia honors her Peranakan Chinese heritage. TRAVEL “When encountering this rather unusual roadside attraction in Bohol, Philippines, for the first time,…

At the turn of the 20th century, Parisian jewelers were anxious to acquire pearls for their most spectacular designs. Pearls are prized for their natural iridescent beauty and their rarity: maybe one wild oyster in 10,000 will form a high-quality pearl. With each differing in size, shape, and color, identical pearls are exceptionally rare. So it was with great envy that Parisian jewelers looked on Britain’s control of the Persian Gulf and its prolific oyster beds—principal source of the world’s pearls. Their trade went first to India and then England, leaving Paris competing for overpriced leftovers. That changed in 1906. Taking advantage of an Anglo-Indian crisis that stalled the flow of pearls, an opportunistic French businessman called Leonard Rosenthal travelled to the Persian Gulf. In a brilliantly theatrical move, he…

In northwest Saudi Arabia, the artistic heritage of the AlUla oasis is literally carved into the landscape. From the enigmatic rock art of the Neolithic era, through the colossal statues of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, to the monumental architecture of the Nabataeans, AlUla was already steeped in artistic tradition when a new and distinctive art form began to emerge—Islamic art. After the founding of Islam in 610 CE, the religion spread rapidly, and, in time, became associated with a recognizable style of artistic expression. Because of Islam’s Arabic roots, its art has often been associated with Arabia. The reality is far more complex: Islamic art drew little on Arabic artistic traditions. The Islamic faith is a way of life: Religion touches almost every aspect of the daily experience, as…

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORERS These contributors have received funding from the National Geographic Society, which is committed to illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world. Esther Horvath, p.116 Named an Explorer in 2024, Horvath has been documenting scientific expeditions in Earth’s coldest places for nearly a decade. This month, she focused on women working at an epicenter of climate change in Svalbard, Norway. Tomas van Houtryve, p.88 Utilizing a variety of tools, including drone videography, the photographer has been covering Notre Dame’s restoration since the terrible fire in 2019. Based in Paris, he became an Explorer earlier this year. The following Explorers contributed photographs to “Pictures of the Year,” beginning on page 14: Jasper Doest, Rena Effendi, Bertie Gregory, Jason Gulley, Aaron Huey, M’hammed Kilito, Davide Monteleone, Matthieu Paley, Robbie…

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART Russellville, Arkansas On April 8, a total solar eclipse occurred across North America from Mexico to Canada. In the path of totality, this southern city hosted Elope at the Eclipse, where more than a hundred couples said “I do,” including Nicholas Blackwell and Katie Baucom (far left, with their children). After the nuptials, wedding-goers viewed the four-minute wonder. Photograph by AARON HUEY DINING AT DUSK Concan, Texas Frio Bat Cave in southern Texas is the spring and summer home of approximately 10 million Mexican free-tailed bats. Most nights around sunset, bats fly out in a coordinated stream to feed primarily on moths. “You think maybe it’ll finish in 10 minutes,” Babak Tafreshi says, but their takeoff “continues for two hours.” Photograph by BABAK TAFRESHI…