Where a toothache can kill

Dentists are thin on the ground in rural Tanzania and too expensive for most people. Nick Ryan meets a man who has made it his mission to improve the state of the country’s dental careRead on

Trouble in pink paradise

Lake Natron in Tanzania is home to one of the world’s most important flamingo colonies, and a nascent ecotourism industry. But both are threatened by plans to harvest the lake’s valuable soda-ash deposits. Clare Kendall reportsRead on

Reviving the spice of life

Pepper from Cambodia’s Kampot region was once world renowned, but the industry almost disappeared under the Khmer Rouge. Now, a new initiative is helping to reinject some spice into Kampot’s growers. Tom Vater reportsRead on

Time up for Old Beijing

As Beijing transforms into a global city, developers are rapidly tearing down the old centre’s traditional dwellings. Only around 15 per cent remain, and their future looks uncertain. Kit Gillet reportsRead on

Heathland rescue

Once despised as uncultivated, uncivilised wasteland, the UK’s heathland is today benefitting from the attention of conservationists, says Paul EvansRead on

Is there anything left to explore?

On the eve of Explore, the Society’s annual expedition and fieldwork planning conference, we asked some modern-day explorers whether they believed that it has all been done beforeRead on

Power to the people

From primary school teacher to renewable-energy revolutionary, Ursula Sladek took the power out of the hands of the energy giants and gave it to the people of Schönau in the Black Forest. Olivia Edward tells her storyRead on

Once bitten, twice shy

Bali’s worst rabies epidemic in living memory has left 120 people dead and led to the mass culling of dogs. But an unlikely heroine has convinced the government that prevention is better than cure. David Goodwin reportsRead on

Best served raw

Faroe islanders have been sustainably harvesting their lands and seas since Viking times. Now, they’re hoping that their cultural connection to the environment will help their tourism industry to grow. Olivia Edward reportsRead on

Putting the houses in order

During the Raj, the Chettiars of Tamil Nadu built thousands of palatial homes, but after the end of the colonial era, the houses fell into disrepair. Now, many are being restored to their former glory, writes Luke DugglebyRead on

Growing upwards

With a global food crisis apparently looming, a group of scientists is advocating an innovative alternative to conventional farming that could radically transform the way that food is produced. Maryrose Fison investigatesRead on

Torn apart

This year’s US tornado season has been one of the deadliest on record, with communities devastated by some of the most powerful twisters in modern times. Is this a sign of things to come, asks Mark RoweRead on

Spies in monks’ clothing

During the 19th century, fear of invasion from the north led officials in British India to enlist locals to fill in blanks in their maps. Jules Stewart tells the story of the punditsRead on

We starve, or we dig sand

In Mali, men come from far and wide to dig for sand on the banks of the River Niger. The work is exhausting, dangerous and controversial, but with concrete in demand in the capital, there’s money in sand. Jane Labous reportsRead on

Festival of flight

Each year, thousands of people gather in Bhutan’s remote Phobjikha Valley for the Black-Necked Crane Festival, a novel attempt to save this endangered Buddhist icon. Julia Horton reportsRead on

Travels with Paul Theroux

Arguably the finest travel writer of his generation, Paul Theroux has spent as much of his life in the world of books as he has on the road. Nick Smith reportsRead on

Seeds of doom

Many plant species rely on specific animals to carry their seeds away from the parent plant. But a worrying number of these animals are now facing extinction. Kara Moses reports on the impending ‘dispersal crisis’Read on

Flooding, farming and the future

For centuries, the British landscape has been altered for human benefit. But as the frequency of ‘once in a century’ floods increases, is it time to radically rethink our approach, asks Martin VarleyRead on

Desert rebirth

A smart partnership between ecotourism and conservation has enabled the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve to protect a significant corner of the United Arab Emirates. Sarah Monaghan takes a tourRead on

Burma’s forgotten veterans

Burma’s Karen people fought alongside British forces in the Second World War before rising up against the country’s military junta. As a result, thousands are still living as refugees on the Thailand–Myanmar border, writes Denis GrayRead on

Getting the gibbon experience

Whizzing through the jungle on zip lines, sleeping in the forest canopy in multi-level tree houses, hunting for critically endangered apes – the Gibbon Experience in northern Laos offers its guests a rainforest sojourn like no otherRead on

Finding the Lost City

This month marks the 100th anniversary of Hiram Bingham’s ‘discovery’ of Machu Picchu. Hugh Thomson tells the tale of how a US explorer and academic came to uncover one of the greatest architectural achievements of pre-Columbian civilisationRead on

Fish and tradition

On the Pacific island of Pohnpei, a new approach to old customs may help revive the island’s fisheries. Danielle Furlich reportsRead on

Making new land

Whether it’s luxury-resort development in Dubai or an expansion to relieve population pressures in Singapore, numerous land reclamation schemes are currently in progress around the world Read on

The journey of a lifetime

In 1938, Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone became the first European royal to travel to the newly founded kingdom of Saudi ArabiaRead on

Galapagos green evolution

Jon Stibbs finds sustainable and mass models of tourism vying for survival among the boobies and sea lionsRead on

Too much to bear

The Ethiopian women who collect wood from the forests around Addis Ababa already have to bear loads weighing up to 50 kilograms. Now their work has been made illegal, they face the threat of fines and extortion too, writes Hazel SouthamRead on

Crude justice

When US oil giant Chevron absorbed Texaco in 2001, it inherited a lawsuit brought by jungle communities in Ecuador protesting about toxic oil dumps. Now those affected have been awarded US$8.6billion, so why aren’t they celebrating? Clare Kendall reportsRead on

Phantom pacific paradise

Was the Marquis De Rays' New France a cleverly plotted scam or a fantasy that went horribly wrong? Jordon Goodman investigatesRead on

Green Canary

Fuerteventura, the second-largest of the Canary Islands, is the least spoiled by mass tourism. Nick Haslam visits a newly opened long-distance walking trail that cuts through more than 150 kilometres of the quieter isleRead on

The search for answers

The earthquake that struck Japan on 11 March was the first of such strength to hit a fully developed nation in recorded history. Mark Rowe looks at why the quake was so destructive and the lessons being learned for those living on fault linesRead on

The road north

More migrants head north for the USA from Chiapas, Mexico’s southernmost state, than from anywhere else in the country. Trevor Bach explores the reasons why and examines the impact on Chiapanecan societyRead on

The end of the census?

In the UK, censuses have been carried out every decade since 1801, providing a valuable snapshot of British society. But could this year’s census be the last? Olivia Edward reportsRead on

A way of life in crisis

The lifestyle of Mongolia’s nomadic herders has always been a hard one. But as bitter winters become increasingly frequent and grazing land turns to desert, this traditional culture is struggling to survive, writes Kit GilletRead on

Wildlife in the dead zone

On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl in Ukraine, Patrick Evans reports on the ongoing and occasionally heated debate over the disaster’s effect on the local wildlifeRead on

Paradise regained

Despite suffering decades of civil war, Bardia National Park in Nepal, is a haven for rare wildlife, indigenous culture and biodiversity. Mike MacEacheran dropped by to find out if it can now become one of Asia’s top eco-destinationsRead on

Robots under ice

Last year, scientist Martin Doble joined a research expedition to Antarctica to gather data beneath the sea ice using state-of-the-art underwater probes. Supercooled seas and curious seals helped make it an eventful month on the iceRead on

Scent of a nation

For millennia, the frankincense produced in Oman’s Dhofar region brought great riches to the country. And now its proving to be a valuable asset for its tourism industry. Olivia Edward reportsRead on

Colombia’s clam hunters

Toiling in the heat and mud of the mangrove forests of Colombia’s Pacific coast, the piangueras search for increasingly scarce clams in order to make a few pesos. Alexander Buehler reportsRead on

Bhopal’s toxic legacy

Twenty-six years after an accident at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal killed thousands of people and affected hundreds of thousands more, people living near the plant continue to suffer. Jack Laurenson reportsRead on

Visions of a better world?

As concerns mount over issues such as climate change, governments and corporations are using scenario planning to envisage plausible futures that will help them to shape their long-term strategies. Mark Rowe reportsRead on

Europe’s migrant portal

The far northeast of Greece is an ideal gateway into Europe for migrants in search of asylum or a better life. But the journey is perilous, and once on Greek soil, migrants face strict local laws and heavy-handed policing, writes Matt CarrRead on

Life returns

Garamba National Park is one of Africa’s oldest parks, but decades of poaching have decimated its once prolific herds. Now, an improvement in the local security situation is nurturing a rejuvenation. Stephen Cunliffe reportsRead on

Eyes in the sky

As high-resolution satellite imagery becomes cheaper and more accessible, human rights activitists and environmental organisations are increasingly using it to uncover instances of abuse around the globe. Olivia Edward reportsRead on

In search of the ice cave

The location of the source of the Oxus River in Afghanistan has long been cloaked in mystery, despite the efforts of many explorers. In 2007, Bill Colegrave set out to solve the mystery once and for allRead on

Old Leh, new clothes

A remarkable restoration project is attempting to save the historic buildings of Leh, an outpost on the ancient trade routes through the Indian Himalaya. Amar Grover takes a stroll through the old townRead on

Girl power

In Ghana, thousands of young women migrate from the rural north to cities in the south to work as street porters. It’s exhausting, poorly paid work, but for many it offers a taste of freedom and money. Peter DiCampo reportsRead on

Caledonia dreaming

Millennia of deforestation has left Scotland’s Caledonian Forest at just one per cent of its original size. A growing movement is trying to re-establish this natural heritage, but not everyone is in support of the plan. Patrick Evans finds out whyRead on

The end of the line

Industrial fishing in the Mediterranean is decimating the bluefin tuna population. But there is also a human cost to the practice. Victor Paul Borg joins the small-scale Maltese fishermen in the central Mediterranean to investigateRead on

Falling rocks, rising waters

Earlier this year, a deadly landslide hit the Hunza Valley in northern Pakistan, blocking a river and forming a lake so big it submerged towns and displaced thousands of people. Humaira Khan and colleagues at the Karakoram Research Institute in Gilgit, Pakistan, reportRead on

Aerial views

The new Britain from the Air exhibition, currently on show in Bath’s city centre, provides an unprecedented view of the nation’s varied landscapes. But what does it tell us about Britain itself? Nicholas Crane offers his thoughtsRead on

Off the beaten track

The Tambopata National Reserve deep in the Peruvian Amazon is incredibly biodiverse and a booming centre for ecotourism. But will the new nearby Interoceanic Highway lead to its ruin? Graeme Gourlay investigatesRead on

For peat's sake

Karukinka Natural Park in Chilean Tierra del Fuego is home to some of the Southern Hemisphere’s most important peatlands. But these carbon storehouses are at risk of being mined for the lucrative peat trade, reports Will GrayRead on

Kept in the dark

Jack Shenker visits Nepal, where the government is aiming to harness its rivers to bring electricity to its people. Yet the profusion of huge foreign-built hydropower projects has sparked a divisive nationwide debateRead on

Sitting on the fence

India is building a barbed-wire fence to shore up its 4,095-kilometre border with Bangladesh. The authorities are adamant that the fence is vital to security, but, writes Richard Orange, it has made life more difficult for local farmersRead on

Getting to the root to the problem

The forests of Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains are among the most pristine in Southeast Asia. But its saffrol tree is under threat as its roots yield an ingredient used in the manufacture of the illegal drug ecstasy, writes Luke DugglebyRead on

Lessons from a disaster

As work begins to restore the Haitan capital of Port-au-Prince following January’s earthquake, some are asking whether the disaster offers a chance to rebuild a better country and learn broader lessons about responding to catastrophes. Mark Rowe reportsRead on

The bear necessities

The fortunes of the bear populations of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest are intimately connected with those of the salmon on which they feed. But according to recent research, that connection goes all the way to the forest itself. Nick Garbutt reportsRead on

Bangkok’s great green lung

Bang Kra Jao, an incongruous patch of jungle in the midst of Bangkok’s skyscrapers, is being rediscovered by the city’s residents and is rapidly becoming a popular tourist attraction. Ron Gluckman heads into the greenRead on

A matter of one metre

Supported by the RGS’s Land Rover ‘Go Beyond’ Bursary, the Atlantic Rising team is circumnavigating the ocean to discover how those living along its coast will be affected by changing sea levels. Tim Bromfield checks in from West AfricaRead on

The crusade for Crusoe’s islands

Chile’s remote Juan Fernández Islands inspired the story of Robinson Crusoe. Paul Evans flies in to see if tourism can help to protect the islands’ unique, diverse but threatened ecosystemsRead on

In search of the traders of the Great Road

For millennia, New Guinea’s highland tribes traded with each other via the Jalan Raya, a mountain route along the island’s spine. Last year, RGS-IBG-grant-winner Will Millard set off to see if this ancient footpath was still in useRead on

Sitting on a gold mine

The inhabitants of the Indonesian island of Lembata have hunted whales for food for generations. But, this subsistence lifestyle and the island’s natural beauty could be under threat if mining companies get their way, writes Melody KempRead on

The stabilisation myth

Although politicians and policy-makers are keen to believe that if we stabilise carbon emissions we can also stop global warming, new research suggests that this might not be the case. Clive Hamilton exposes the disturbing truthRead on

Your path to a career in geography

Flying a helicopter; managing water resources in the Pacific Islands; founding the Green Economics Institute; becoming a travel writer.... Find out where a geography degree could take you in our free 'I'm a Geographer' careers supplement

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Making waves

The tsunami is a phenomenon that isn’t often associated with Great Britain. However, recent studies suggest that, down the centuries, the coastline of Britain has been regularly battered by monster waves, writes Simon K HaslettRead on

Elements of the future

The unique properties of the elements known as rare earth metals are vital in green technologies, from low-energy light bulbs to hybrid vehicles. But demand for these metals threatens to outstrip supply. Mark Rowe investigatesRead on

Tobacco to basics

The collapse of the Soviet Union made it difficult for Cuba’s farmers to get hold of fertilisers and pesticides, so they began to use organic methods to grow their  world-famous tobacco. Jody Kingzett reportsRead on

Islands of no return

Forty years after the inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago were forced from their homeland to make way for a miltary base, the area has become the world’s largest marine reserve. Olivia Edward reportsRead on

The Batwa's last stand

A new tourism trail is helping the indigenous Batwa pygmy people to keep their culture alive, following their eviction from the forests of southwest Uganda more than two decades ago. Ben Willis tags alongRead on

Pearls from palms

Sarawak’s sago palm has been harvested sustainably for centuries, but now plans are afoot to transform the crop into a biofuel produced on an industrial scale. Chris Hellier investigatesRead on

A downhill battle

Landslides are among the deadliest natural disasters. Natalie Hoare looks into the work of two British geographers trying to alleviate their threat using computer models and community actionRead on

Swallows and sacred lakes

In 2003, the indigenous Tagbanua people won the right to self-rule on the island of Coron. Now, tourism is providing the community with a regular income but poverty and infighting have marred their victory, writes Victor Paul BorgRead on

Rivers of ice

Last year, Katie-Jane Cooper and her partner flew to Patagonia, planning to become the first team to cross the world’s third-largest ice mass without support. But they had to abandon their goal in order to make it off the ice aliveRead on

Following nature's signposts

How did our ancient forebears find their way across oceans and continents without the aid of compasses, maps or GPS? They took their cues from the world around them, explains ‘natural navigator’ Tristan GooleyRead on

Life returns

Gorongosa National Park was the jewel in Mozambique’s crown until decades of civil war decimated its wildlife. Now it’s being restored to its former glory. Sarah Gilbert reports
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The world's biggest wave

In Queensland’s far north, a remarkable cloud formation called the Morning Glory appears in the skies with unerring regularity. And, while it’s spectacular from the ground, it’s even better from the air, writes Ken EastwoodRead on

How the Canadian west was won

During the early 20th century, the Canadian government devised a sophisticated advertising campaign to attract British farmers – using children’s atlases, writes Jeffrey S MurrayRead on

Death of the promised land

Three decades ago, many Indian farmers relocated to Rajasthan's Thar Desert as an irrigation programme made the land fertile. But now, the canals are being switched off, plunging the region into crisis, writes Richard OrangeRead on

A refuge in the rainforest

Deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Kapawi Eco-lodge is entirely owned and operated by the indigenous Achuar people, helping to provide them with an income and protect the resource-rich region from exploitation. Clare Kendall reportsRead on

Draining Africa's Eden

In Sudan, there are fears that the resurrection of a plan to increase the flow in the White Nile will lead to the destruction of one of Africa’s richest wildlife refuges. Charlie Furniss reportsRead on

Screw indigenous people

Governments around the world are zealously planning projects that, they say, will help tackle climate change. But many ignore the rights of the tribal peoples within their borders, writes David HillRead on

Is time running out for the tundra?

For more than 1,000 years, the Nenets people have herded their reindeer around the Yamal Peninsula. But their survival is under threat from climate change as Russia’s ancient permafrost thaws. Natalie Hoare reportsRead on

Travels in the Forbidden Zone

The once-restricted, Sperrgebiet region in southern Namibia is now the country’s newest national park. And thanks to its strict exclusion policy boasts an unrivalled array of unusual plants and animals, writes Olivia EdwardRead on

Seeing beneath Ireland’s seas

Irish geologists are a decade into a huge project to map the seafloor around Ireland via detailed three-dimensional images that, when complete, will make the country the first to chart its entire marine territory. Éibhir Mulqueen reportsRead on

A short introduction to deserts

They’re among the most inhospitable places on Earth, yet deserts are home to a wealth of fascinating wildlife, and have played host to numerous important developments in human civilisation, writes Nick MiddletonRead on

Borneo's changing heart

As a plan to protect the rich rainforest in central Borneo falters, the nascent tourism industry in the Kelabit Highlands is under threat from logging. Victor Paul Borg reportsRead on

The vocabulary of nationalism

The Basque language, Euskera, is the only language that hasn’t been linked to any of the world’s language groups. Outlawed under Franco, the language has, in recent years, undergone a rennaissance, writes Jules StewartRead on

Falls and fish tales

Millions of people rely on the fish of the Mekong River for protein and income, but in southern Laos, several planned dams threaten to fatally disrupt the traditional fishing industry, writes Melody KempRead on

Shining a light on the dark continent

Mark Eveleigh spends a month volunteering on a project in Uganda to map the final frontier of Africa’s protected wildernesses, in what has become one of the continent’s biggest cartographic and conservation drivesRead on

The search for Franklin

The disappearance of the Franklin expedition was one of the most celebrated mysteries of the Victorian era. Now, a Canadian team is searching for the final piece of the puzzle: the ships themselves. Olivia Edward reportsRead on

Telling the stories of their land

In recent years, Aboriginal people have become increasingly involved in the tourism industry, using their knowledge to offer visitors a unique insight into their ancestral lands. Nick Haslam heads into the bush to find out moreRead on

Going with the flow

Last year, 23-year-old explorer Charles Montier and two local guides canoed the entire length of the Potaro River in the remote interior of Guyana. Here, he tells their storyRead on

Tree of life

On an isolated southern Indonesian island, the local residents depend on a tall palm tree known as the lontar. It’s used for everything from juice for newborns to wood for coffins writes Leanne WalkerRead on

Totally wired

Sarah Monaghan takes a look at a recycling scheme in Gabon, which has taken a disused cable transport system and used it to create an ecotourism safari park that is giving local villagers a new livelihoodRead on

The kidneys of Kolkata

A short distance from Kolkata lie the East Kolkata Wetlands, a lake complex that acts as a natural sewage system for the metropolis. But, as Tom Parker reports, the ecosystem is under threat from Kolkata’s relentless growthRead on

Human tide

The inhabitants of the Cartaret Islands are the first people to be evacuated from their homeland due to climate change. Dan Box joined the first migrants to leave the South Pacific atollRead on

Endurance is the answer

When the writer Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed, European funding was withdrawn from projects across Nigeria, including an innovative programme in the country’s north. Zoë Peterson finds out how it has survived against the oddsRead on

Here today, gone tomorrow (get the t-shirt)

The Arctic and Antarctic are now within reach of the modern tourist, with many going to see the icy wilderness before it's too late. Christian Amodeo reports on the growth of polar tourismRead on

Can space mirrors save the planet?

As it becomes ever clearer that simply cutting back on carbon emissions isn’t going to save the poles, Mark Rowe reports on the increasingly ambitious geoengineering projects being explored by scientistsRead on

Breaking the ice: what will happen next?

The loss of the polar ice caps is one of the primary environmental concerns of our time – but what will happen to the world's oceans, climate, human population and wildlife if they melt? Mark Rowe investigatesRead on

Our survey said...

Although the Catlin Arctic survey didn't manage to reach the North Geographic Pole, the team still gathered enough data to show the sorry state of the Arctic. Mark Rowe reports
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Shock and thaw

The Arctic and Antarctic store more than 90 per cent of the world’s fresh water as ice. But as climate change melts the frozen masses, what is the current state of the poles, and how much worse is it going to get? Mark Rowe reportsRead on

White mountain, Green tourism

The French Alpine town of Chamonix has been a magnet for tourists since the 18th century. But, today, tourism and climate change are putting pressure on the surrounding environment. Marc Grainger reportsRead on

Miracle workers

When Gerald Durrell helped establish the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation 25 years ago, few could have predicted its success. Words and photography by Nick Smith
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The financial climate

Geordie Torr travels to India to watch HSBC bank staff become 'climate champions' and turn HSBC's workforce into a 'green taskforce'Read on

Planning for success

Leading field scientists and explorers tell us their top tips for planning an expedition and which essential item they never leave behind
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President Palin plots his course

Olivia Edward meets the Royal Geographic Society’s new president as he prepares to embark on his latest adventureRead on

Learning the hard way

Many Aboriginal parents living in Australia's desert interior see white-run boarding schools - eerily reminiscent of the Stolen Generations - as the only way out of poverty for their children. Dan Box reportsRead on

A Walk in the Treetops

Geordie Torr visits Inkaterra reserve in the Peruvian rainforest: pioneer of responsible tourism and supporter of ecological research and social and environmental programmes since 1975 Read on

A-level results are out, but what now?

Build flood defences, examine glaciers, advance renewable energy technologies, monitor water quality and more with a degree in geography. Read the FREE I am a Geographer careers supplement to find out moreRead on

Catography in a Crisis

Natalie Hoare investigates how maps, aerial photography and satellite imagery are sourced, developed can offer a potentially life-saving degree of clarity in the chaos that often follows a natural disasterRead on

The last strand of Niyam Raja

A British-backed mining project that purports to being development to Orissa state poses a serious threat to the Dongria Kondh people, inhabitants of the hills and forests of eastern India for millenia. David Lepeska reports.Read on

The mystery of the Third Man

Many explorers and adventurers who've found themselves near to death have described experiencing a benevolent presence who helped them to survive. John Geiger goes in search of the enigmatic Third Man.Read on

Adventure bound

More and more tourists are going on organised trips to remote or dangerous locations in search of adventure and travel kudos; Minty Clinch joins a group trekking through the High Pamirs of Tajikistan.Read on

The best protection

Jon Spaull reports from Acre state in Brazil, where a government-backed latex condom factory is helping to safeguard the Amazon rainforest, as well as the livelihoods of the hard-pressed local rubber tappers.Read on

Big park, bigger issues

Established last year in the northwest of China, Kanas National Park is one of the world’s largest. But officials must find ways to keep tourism levels sustainable. Report and photographs by Victor Paul BorgRead on

Wild Java

The increasing popularity of a peculiar sport has some people at the Indonesian island of Java worried about the future of Java’s wild songbirds. Jenna Blakey reports. Photographs by Nick HallRead on

Boundary issues

Disputes over territorial boundaries have a habit of turning ugly. And when they do, governments are increasingly turning to the geographers at the International Boundaries Research Unit for advice. Olivia Edward reportsRead on

Sounding out Natures's fury

The Volcán de Colima in Mexico, is one of the most hazardous volcanoes on the continent. Charlie Furniss meets the scientists using infrasound technology to predict its eruptions. Photographs by Sophie GerrardRead on

Protecting the land of the Vikings

In August 2008, Denmark’s prime minister declared part of western Jutland the country’s first national park. Natalie Hoare went to find out why the archipelago nation is the last EU country to establish a network of national parksRead on

Written into history

The indigenous populations of the Philippine archipelago are using complex written languages. But the influences of the modern world let their traditions die out. Report and photographs by Katherine Jack Read on

Comeback of the Canal

Britain’s historic man-made waterways – 5,000 kilometres of canals and navigable rivers – are undergoing a remarkable renaissance, writes Lynn Pegler. Photographs by Mike PolowayRead on

Cold war warriors and hot tea

In Thailand’s misty northern mountains, Mae Salong is a slice of the old China: it’s populated by the soldiers of the Kuomintang, who cultivate tea where they once grew opium. Denis Gray reports, photographs by Luke DugglebyRead on

Bridge over monsoon waters

Khasi villagers in the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya have long used an ingenious means of crossing the turbulent streams that separate their villages and plantations during the monsoon season. Laurence Mitchell reportsRead on

Polar portraits

A selection of images from a new book that brings together rare and unpublished treasures from the collections of the Scott Polar Research Institute with modern imagery from acclaimed expedition photographer Martin HartleyRead on

Saving the stones

To most people, conservation means preserving the world’s biodiversity: its animals and plants. But the physical Earth – rock, soil, fossils, minerals and landforms – has its own values and threats explains Murray GrayRead on

Gimme Shelter

Having survived for more than 5,000 years, Malta’s World Heritage-listed temples are under threat. The authorities have opted for a radical solution. But, as Olivia Edward discovers, not everyone approves of their interventionRead on

The trouble with travel

In response to Geographical’s special issue on the future of travel, Pat Thomas, editor of the Ecologist, pulls no punches as she offers her assessment of exactly what’s wrong with the global tourism industryRead on

Rebuilding Afghanistan

Since 2002, war-damaged quarters of Kabul and Herat have been the focus of a programme to conserve historic buildings, while upgrading works have also improved living conditions for thousands of residents. Marc Grainger reportsRead on

Dishing the dirt

Much of the time we treat it like dirt, but could the humble farm field hold the key to fighting climate change? Abigail Thomas reportsRead on

Can tourism save India’s Tigers?

Efforts to save India’s dwindling tiger populations are failing. But carefully managed tourism could offer the best chance argues Julian Matthews, chairman of the Travel Operators for Tigers campaign. Photographs by Aditya SinghRead on

A glacial gathering

As the Arctic winter draws in, farmers converge on the uplands of Iceland to round up sheep and horses that have spent the summer there in a traditional activity that dates back more than 1,000 years. Nick Haslam reportsRead on

Travels with the father of history

Justin Marozzi has spent the past four years travelling in Turkey, Iraq, Egypt and Greece on the trail of Herodotus. Here, he describes his passion for the man who invented history Read on

Are we there yet?

Mark Eveleigh embarks on a spot of time travel and asks how technology will change the way we travel in the next decade. Just how will we see the world when we’re equipped with ‘2020 vision’?Read on

Room for improvement

Attacked for its wastefulness, the hospitality industry is starting to think and act in a more environmentally responsible way. This makes good business sense, as award-winning architect Jeremy Blake explains to Natalie HoareRead on

Want to see a better world?

Geotourism is a new movement that shows travellers how to improve the places they visit. Jay Walljasper tours Santiago, Chile, with Jonathan Tourtellot, the dedicated globetrotter who founded the movementRead on

Goodbye fuel world

Air travel is responsible for 700 million tonnes of global carbon emissions every year. Now, aircraft manufacturers and airlines have come together in the search for a way to survive in a world without kerosene. Mark Rowe reportsRead on

World of confusion

The Vatican Library holds a previously unstudied map from the 16th century that raises intriguing questions about European conceptions of Columbus’s voyages to the New World, writes Chet Van DuzerRead on

A lost world above the clouds

Mount Roraima in the Guiana Highlands was once proclaimed ‘unscalable’, but 124 years ago, a series of expeditions culminated in the first successful ascent of the mountain. Stewart McPherson recounts a taleRead on

A simple abode

High in the little-explored Knuckles Range of Sri Lanka, a grassroots tourism project is helping to sustain and preserve the traditional ways of a dwindling village community. Jini Reddy reportsRead on

Orchard country

Traditional orchards have been a vital feature of Britain’s landscape and culture for centuries. James Russell finds out why they were planted, and why they’re now under threat. Photography by Stephen MorrisRead on

The right to be cold

Seal hunters who had never seen a musk ox, the Inuit who settled Grise Fiord were masters of adaptation; of survival. Now the changing climate is forcing Inuit to adapt once again. Lisa Gregoire reportsRead on

Laughter in the face of adversity

Winners of the Ken Sprague International Political Cartoon Competition, the theme of which was global warmingRead on

All eyes on the ice

Like a giant white scoresheet, the Antarctic Peninsula is daily recording changes in the environment. And change is occurring more rapidly there than almost anywhere else on Earth. Ken Eastwood reportsRead on

Missionaries and hill tribes in Thailand

Two millennia after Christ commanded his apostles to ‘make disciples of all the nations’, the hill tribes of Thailand are accepting his word. Their societies falter and critics make claims of cultural genocide. Ben Winston reportsRead on

The wood for the trees

On the island of Puerto Rico, a group of researchers are undertaking a long-term project to demonstrate that it’s possible to produce timber in tropical rainforest without damaging the local ecosystem. Geordie Torr reportsRead on

Nectar of Allah

An aphrodisiac, medicine and exquisite treat, the honey produced in eastern Yemen is considered to be pure liquid gold, commanding astronomical prices. Guillaume Pitron reports, with photography by Virginie VicanRead on

Caught in the crossfire

As the Maginot Line celebrates its 70th anniversary, John Gimlette travels to Alsace–Lorraine to discover a region that’s often been at the very hub of European warfareRead on

Bringing the wilderness back

Olivia Edward meets Paul Lister, the enthusiastic Scottish landowner behind an ambitious and controversial plan to reintroduce wild boar, elk and, eventually, even wolves and bears to the HighlandsRead on

Water world

Natalie Hoare travels to Brazil to meet the couple behind the first survey of the country's rivers, joining them as they travel the length of one of the most threatened - the Ribeira do Iguape in the southeastRead on

Headhunter heaven

Mark Eveleigh, author of Fever Trees of Borneo, returns to the centre of the great jungle island to report on how a mysterious and reclusive Dayak community are struggling to keep their way of life aliveRead on

The real SimCity

Digital geographers are using computer models to test out the possible futures of conurbations such as London in the hope of improving how we plan and run our cities. Olivia Edward reportsRead on

Take the Lao road

One of the world’s poorest countries, Laos has opened up to the economic rewards of tourism following years of Communist-inspired isolation. Now, a ecotourism project is benefitting the region’s broad mix of ethnic peoples, writes Amar GroverRead on

Can oil and wildlife mix?

Sarah Monaghan reports from the oilfields of Gabon, where energy giant Shell and the Smithsonian Institution have collaborated to ensure that biodiversity thrives amid oil exploration activitiesRead on

The boat builders of Salaya, India

Wooden boats have been used in the Arabian Sea for centuries. But today, they are built bigger, in greater numbers and at higher costs than ever before. Words by Richard Orange. Photos by Michael RubensteinRead on

Wiltshire's holy hills and sacred stones

Silbury Hill has puzzled British archaeologists for centuries. But recent investigations have shed new light on the hill itself and Wiltshire’s other famous ancient sites: the stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury. David Keys reportsRead on

Some like it hot: Austrian wine-making

As the rest of the world braces itself for the impact of global climate change, in a small corner of Austria, the local winemakers are quietly celebrating its arrival. Charlie Furniss reports; photographs by Sophie GerrardRead on

Greening Gozo

Traditional sun-and-sea tourism has been floundering in Gozo, Malta’s sister island. But the island is now finding an alternative in rural and adventure tourism. Victor Paul Borg reportsRead on

Minority Report

An explorer is on a mission to preserve an ethnic Li village on China’s Hainan Island – but do the residents want their homes saved? asks Simon Montlake; photography by Luke DugglebyRead on

Conserving Britain's last wild ponies

Only a few hundred semi-feral ponies exist in upland areas of Britain, and the fight is on to stop them disappearing altogether, writes David Anthony MurrayRead on

Getting to the root of the problem

The hardy huarango tree is rapidly disappearing from the arid valleys of southern Peru, with desert moving in to replace it. Olivia Edward reports on efforts by botanists to re-establish the local people’s love affair with the huarangoRead on

The cliff-dwellers

Geordie Torr visits San Juan County, Utah, to sample the incredible archaeological legacy of the ancestral Puebloan people. Read on

Scholars and Amazon

Former director of the Royal Geographical Society John Hemming looks back at the Society’s rich history of pioneering exploration and scientific expeditions in the Amazon rainforest, which resulted in discoveries
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The garbage people of Cairo

Almost unseen by the citizens of Cairo, the Zabbaleen collect their refuse and sort it for recycling – making a living and providing an essential service to the city. Jessica Boyd reportsRead on

The man who climbed Everest

The death of Sir Edmund Hillary in January represented the passing of the world’s best known mountaineer. Stephen Venables reports on his climbing achievements as well as his efforts to improve the lives of SherpasRead on

Righting wrongs on the reef

The Maldives are locked in a never-ending battle to preserve their coral reefs and the marine wildlife that depends on them. Nick Smith reports on an initiative that’s helping to secure the future of this fragile ecosystemRead on

Keeping it informal

Charlie Furniss visits Chimalhuacan, one of Mexico’s more deprived districts, with architect Jose Castillo and hears how informality can help planners create more dynamic urban environmentsRead on

Chilango Stories

They say a picture tells 1,000 tales. Here a cross section of Mexico City's 19 million inhabitants tell theirs. Photography by Sophie GerrardRead on

Future perfect?

With its skyscrapers and luxury apartment blocks, Santa Fe stands as a shining example of Mexico City’s elevation to the global stage. But, architects argue that it’s destroying traditional public life. Charlie Furniss reportsRead on

From fury to terror

Francis Crozier is the forgotten man of polar discovery. Despite being at the centre of the three great endeavours of the 19th century, this remarkable man has been overlooked by history, says Michael SmithRead on

A marriage of convenience

Taiwan’s indigenous peoples face an uncertain future as young people increasingly move away. But, as Nick Haslam discovers, one tribe has found a way of ensuring its cultural traditions maintain a high profileRead on

Hello sunshine

Harnessing solar energy on a large scale has been complex and largely commercially unviable – until now. Matthew Brace reportsRead on

Village of the Dammed

As parts of Africa recover from the worst flooding for more than a decade, the town of Djenné in Mali, home to the world’s largest mud building, is grappling with a drought. Ben Willis reports. Photography by Daniel NorwoodRead on

Greening China

An environmental awakening in Western China has led to several ambitious initiatives to restore the ecology in the mountain chains of three provinces. The initial results have been stunning. Victor Paul Borg reportsRead on

Golden achievers

Since the mid-19th century, the RGS has been presenting annual medals and awards to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the field of geography. Natalie Hoare looks back at their illustrious historyRead on

Searching for a miracle

More than a century after her epic journey to Siberia, English nurse Kate Marsden is still fondly remembered in the Republic of Sakha. Felicity Aston tries to track down the miracle herb at the heart of Marsden’s storyRead on

Step back in time

A millennium ago, stepwells were fundamental to life in the driest parts of India. Although many have been neglected, recent restoration has returned them to their former glory. Richard Cox and Marc Grainger reportRead on

That sinking feeling

A miscalculation by salt-mining engineers 200 years ago almost sunk the Cheshire market town of Northwich, but a remarkable rescue plan has now saved it. Lynn Pegler reportsRead on

Tourism of Duty

The Responsible Tourism Awards are over for another year, but what do the 2007 winners tell us about the state of environmentally friendly travel? Roger Fulton speaks to those at the vanguard of the movementRead on

High achievers

As the Alpine Club celebrates its 150th anniversary, the cream of the world’s climbers meet in Zermatt, Switzerland, to pay homage to the British men who pioneered the sport of mountaineering, writes Carolyn Fry Read on

Farewell to the Orochen

In the space of a generation, the way of life of China’s third smallest minority has all but disappeared, reports Sam Chambers from Inner Mongolia. Photography by André EichmanRead on

Cyprus at the crossroads

Northern Cyprus has been largely overlooked by tourists in favour of the south, but as turns its attention towards servicing a dwindling number of British visitors, it faces a dilemma, writes Martin VarleyRead on

Free little pigs

Since time immemorial, the fate of Spain’s unique oak forests has been inseparably tied to the future of the Iberian pig. Mark Eveleigh reports from Spain’s ‘wild west’Read on

Forward crawl across the White Continent

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, Christian Amodeo tells the tale the first overland crossing of the Antarctic continentRead on

Lost in the concrete jungle

Today’s children are spending far less time in the great outdoors than did their forebears. Victoria James documents a new movement to reverse this trend, which has serious implications for the health of society and the planetRead on

The heart of the Mata

Brazil’s Atlantic forest is rapidly becoming a popular ecotourism hotspot, thanks to its wildlife diversity, bringing much needed income to some of the country’s poorest areas. Natalie Hoare reportsRead on

Is this all set to change?

With pollution, sedimentation, invasive species and climate change all taking their toll, the Lake District faces some difficult choices about its future, says Mark RoweRead on

Hanging by a thread

Bangkok’s oldest Muslim community made its fortune weaving Thai silk. But today, only one of the original weaving families is keeping the tradition alive. Simon Montlake tells their storyRead on

Oil and watercolour, but mostly ice

Sir Wally Herbert’s last book is a fitting memorial to one of the 20th century’s greatest explorers. Nick Smith talks to Sir Wally’s daughter KariRead on

A flower in the desert

The Touareg roamed the Sahara for a millennium, fiercely protecting their way of life until 20th-century colonisation. An annual festival in northern Niger is helping to rejuvenate their ancient customs. Henrietta Butler reportsRead on

Reinventing the wheel

In Liberia, civil war and economic collapse have seen the humble wheelbarrow become a vital player in the national economy. Popular Josh meets the men who keep Monrovia moving Read on

Little Mongolia

The Mongolians of Xinmen village in China have held on tightly to their ancient heritage. But as China’s economic boom brings modernity to this rural settlement, their grip is beginning to loosen. Sam Chambers reportsRead on

Hollow world

The mountains of Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo are riddled with immense caverns, including some of the largest ever discovered. Text and photography by Robbie ShoneRead on

Trampled temples

The numbers of tourists visiting the ruins of Angkor are growing rapidly, putting unprecedented pressure on the important monuments. Leisa Tyler reportsRead on

On a wing and a prayer

The forests of the Eastern Arc mountains of Kenya and Tanzania are under threat from agriculture and logging. However, an unlikely saviour has emerged: the humble butterfly. Charlie Furniss reportsRead on

The hell-borne traffic

As the commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade draw to a close, Jordan Goodman tells the story of forgotten hero William OwenRead on

Soap opera

In India’s most populous city, hundreds of migrant workers are employed to wash its residents’ laundry by hand. Peter Caton meets the army that toils for long hours in stifling heat to keep Mumbai in clean clothesRead on

More than just maps and mountains

What place does a subject like geography that is so firmly associated with exploration and mapping the unknown have in the modern world? Natalie Hoare reportsRead on

Conventional weapons

Martin Varley reports on CITES, the world’s foremost environmental treaty, before delegates attend the next meeting in Geneva of the Conference of the Parties to the convention in June 2007 Read on

Gathering the cold, hard facts

In March 2007, the International Council for Science is launching the International Polar Year 2007–08, which will see 200 groups of scientists from 60 countries head to the end of the earth. Martin Varley reportsRead on

The search for the first Britons

Cannibalism, climate change and interspecies copulation – the human history of the British Isles has it all. Professor Chris Stringer talks to Andrew Brackenbury about trying to unravel this extraordinary taleRead on

The burden of isolation

Deep in the Colombian jungle, transport doesn’t mean a truck or even a mule. Whether you want supplies collected from the other side of the mountain range, or need to keep a hospital appointment,you call on the paseros. Fernando Cardenas reports; photography by Luca ZanettiRead on

Albania awakes

Isolated for decades by its paranoid Communist leader, then ravaged by civil unrest and economic collapse, this forgotten corner of Europe is making a remarkable recovery.Nick Haslam reportsRead on

The land of the giants

The spectacular baobabs of Madagascar are some of the largest and most distinctive trees in the world, which have potent spiritual significance and are a draw for tourists. But, as Helen Scales discovers, the trees face an uncertain futureRead on

White death

Last winter, avalanches claimed a record number of lives in the French Alps. Is global warming to blame, or is it simply that more skiers are venturing away from the pistes? Charlotte Davies reportsRead on

Keeping up with the Khans

The Karakoram Highway is undoubtedly one of the world’s most terrifying commutes. Liz Scarff braves this rocky road to meet the drivers and admire their travelling art galleries.Read on

The Dunes of the Badain Jaran

Located in the heart of the otherwise sandless Gobi Desert, the Badain Jaran is home to the world's tallest sand dunes. Nick Middleton set out to climb one of these megadunes.Read on

The witches of Gambaga

Belief in witchcraft is still widespread in Africa. Simon de Trey-White visits a camp in Ghana that has housed 'convicted' witches for more than 200 years Read on

Cambodia's snake slaughter

At least four million water snakes are caught from Tonle Sap Lake every year - the heaviest exploitation of any snake community in the world. Read on

An iceman's best friend

The sledge dogs bred by the Chukchi people of the Russian far east have helped them colonise one of the world's harshes regions, as Benedict Allen discovers.Read on

Guano happens (sometimes)

During the latter part of the 19th century, the world went crazy for bird droppings. Jordan Goodman tells the tale of the planet's most valuable excreta.
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Consigned to a watery grave

The West African harbour city of Nouadhibou is Mauritania’s economic capital and home to the world’s largest ship graveyard. Berny Sèbe led an expedition to document the graveyard before it disappeared in an EU-funded clean-up
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Bringing the wilderness back

Centuries ago, the forests and glens of the Scottish Highlands were home to wolves, bears and wild boar, before deforestation and hunting drove them to extinction. Olivia Edward meets the owner of the reserve at Alladale, who plans to return the region’s wildlife to its former gloryRead on