December 2024 Issue
Pictures of the Year
Exclusive: Look inside Notre Dame before it reopens its doors
Exclusive: Look inside Notre Dame before it reopens its doors
Five years after a catastrophic fire, Paris's beloved cathedral will open to great fanfare. Nat Geo got exclusive access to witness how an army of architects and artisans rebuilt the church back to its sacred splendor.EXPLORE
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Trees are more than just beautiful fixtures of any city neighborhood. They make hot summer days more bearable by providing shade and naturally cooling air temperatures in the immediate surroundings. However, researchers have found a distinct and historical connection between tree canopy disparity in wealthy, mostly white neighborhoods and low-income, often minority communities. It goes back to a discriminatory housing practice called redlining. Under a New Deal program, maps of over 200 American cities were created to determine which residential areas were creditworthy to receive federal loans. The grading system heavily disadvantaged people of color, immigrants, and low-income families, making it hard to obtain the funds for mortgages and to build and maintain parks or other tree-covered urban spaces. More than 50 years after the practice was banned by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the sweltering effects continue to be felt in formerly redlined areas that still have fewer trees to keep neighborhoods cool.
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Animals
- Bald eagles weren't actually the U.S. national bird—until nowBald eagles weren't actually the U.S. national bird—until now
- These street dogs may have been revered in ancient EgyptThese street dogs may have been revered in ancient Egypt
- Inside the life-saving world of canine blood donorsInside the life-saving world of canine blood donors
- ‘Murder hornets’ wiped out in North America in rare victory‘Murder hornets’ wiped out in North America in rare victory
- The fight to save this sea star just got interestingThe fight to save this sea star just got interesting
Environment
- Here’s how artificial Christmas trees stack up against the real thingHere’s how artificial Christmas trees stack up against the real thing
- 2024 might be one of the coldest years of the rest of your life2024 might be one of the coldest years of the rest of your life
- Solving this oceanic mystery could predict our future on EarthSolving this oceanic mystery could predict our future on Earth
- How this desert became the world's blueberry capitalHow this desert became the world's blueberry capital
- Quiz: Recycle or not? See if you can correctly sort your trash.Quiz: Recycle or not? See if you can correctly sort your trash.
- Is tap water safe to drink? Here’s what you need to know.Is tap water safe to drink? Here’s what you need to know.
- Why we add fluoride to water—and how it became so controversialWhy we add fluoride to water—and how it became so controversial
- Noisy boat traffic may hide fish from hungry orcasNoisy boat traffic may hide fish from hungry orcas
- The world's glaciers are melting faster than we thoughtThe world's glaciers are melting faster than we thought
History & Culture
- Why New Year’s resolutions have endured for thousands of yearsWhy New Year’s resolutions have endured for thousands of years
- Why the idea that the Maya civilization ‘collapsed’ is wrongWhy the idea that the Maya civilization ‘collapsed’ is wrong
- This ancient Silk Road town was almost lost to timeThis ancient Silk Road town was almost lost to time
- Here’s how artificial Christmas trees stack up against the real thingHere’s how artificial Christmas trees stack up against the real thing
Science
- How going sober for even a month can improve your healthHow going sober for even a month can improve your health
- Fruits and vegetables are less nutritious than they used to beFruits and vegetables are less nutritious than they used to be
- Is bone broth really a ‘liquid miracle’? Here’s what science saysIs bone broth really a ‘liquid miracle’? Here’s what science says
- Why the idea that the Maya civilization ‘collapsed’ is wrongWhy the idea that the Maya civilization ‘collapsed’ is wrong
- These snack ingredients are banned outside the U.S.These snack ingredients are banned outside the U.S.
Travel
- There's a real winter wonderland in Finland—here's how to visitThere's a real winter wonderland in Finland—here's how to visit