Explore over a century of iconic images and photography and fascinating narratives that capture the wonder of our planet and beyond.
*As of Feburary of 2023, issues of the magazine up to 2020 are available as a one-time purchase (a portion of this content was previously subscription only).
Covererage from 2020-current issues can still be purchased as a subscription today but owning the base archival material is a prerequisit to subscribing.
As the official journal of the nonprofit National Geographic Society (NGS), National Geographic magazine built its reputation delivering the highest-quality photojournalism and cartography in the world.
As generations of researchers and fans will attest, the iconic monthly publication provides unparalleled, in-depth coverage of society, cultures, nature, science, technology, travel, geography, and more -- making it an essential resource for educators and students as well as general readers. Thanks to advanced digital technology, your library can now offer complete, unlimited access to the magazine main content through 2015 -- every article from every issue, each fully searchable through an intuitive interface.
Deliver an unparalleled National Geographic experience by subscribing to all parts of the National Geographic Virtual Library -- search the vivid photographs and historic articles as well as engaging videos and detailed maps, all of which entertains and informs the consumer.
When National Geographic magazine debuted in 1888, it reflected the interests of its small, mostly professional readership. The focus then was on scholarly titles or articles such as "Geographic Methods in Geologic Investigation" and less on photos between its conservative brown covers.
Now, after more than a century of delivering unforgettable images, media, and text, National Geographic is journalism's most recognized name in exploration and discovery, bringing the global wonders of the world and destinations to some 60 million people each month.
With comprehensive, relevant articles, legendary photographs, maps, and map supplements, the iconic magazine documents life on our planet and beyond, interpreting the world through the lens of personal story and experience, including:
- Jane Goodall's encounters with chimpanzees in Tanzania
- Hiram Bingham's expedition into Machu Picchu in 1911
- Robert Ballard's 1985 discovery of the Titanic on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean
- And many more examples
A Legendary Magazine's Digital Facelift
For decades, libraries kept printed editions of National Geographic on the shelves, which limited reader access and put the magazines at risk for loss or damage. But today, you have another choice.
Every page of this vast knowledge base is now faithfully reproduced and easily searchable in National Geographic Magazine Archive, 1888-2015. This incomparable new digital archive is an essential resource for researchers of all ages as well as a fascinating collection for general readers and history buffs.
FEATURED REVIEW
“The content of the National Geographic Magazine Archive is phenomenal. The scanned issues are of great quality and the browsing and searching interfaces are quite good. One-time purchase costs may even be manageable for many institutions. The archive is recommended for public libraries, as well as school libraries and some academic institutions.”
- Library Journal
Look Inside
Additional Details
subjects covered
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Western Civilization
- U.S. History
Support Material
Platform Features & Tools
Term Frequency
Researchers can see the frequency of search terms within sets of content to begin identifying central themes and assessing how individuals, places, events, and ideas interact and develop over time.
Topic Finder
By grouping commonly occurring themes, this tool reveals hidden connections within search terms—helping to shape research by integrating diverse content with relevant information.
Cross-Search Capability
Search across the content of complementary primary source products, including books, in one united, intuitive environment, enabling innovative new research connections.
Reviews & Testimonials
“This wonderful database will be of use to libraries with space shortages, a need to access back issues frequently, or both...Summing Up: Recommended. All libraries; lower-division undergraduates through professionals, and general readers.”