The April National Geographic is definitely worth getting if you're interested in hominids. There's an article on the hobbits, Homo floresiensis, and another article about the Dmanisi hominids from Georgia; in particular, a new skull has been discovered there. The new skull is of interest because it is almost entirely toothless, suggesting that the individual must have received considerable support from his companions. This skull was also published on this month (Lordkipanidze et al. 2005, Nature, 434:717).

As college campuses across the country close for summer recess, we know of a few students heading home that are perhaps a little happier because their maps earned awards. National Geographic sponsors several map awards
(see http://natgeomaps.com/mapawards) to reward student innovation—so far six students have won this year:

Ben Coakley, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Scheduled Service on Small Airlines in Canada, Summer 2008.
Daniel Huffman, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Rising Skyline: The Tallest Buildings in Europe, 1875-2007.

Mathieu Noble, Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS), Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), King of Coal.




Wes Jones, Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS), Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.
Cindy Prostak, Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS), Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

This is "one gift I will definitely keep," President Obama said when he was presented with a National Geographic Society map cabinet at the White House.

Visit the NATGEO NEWS WATCH Blog by News Editor David Braun for the full story: http://tinyurl.com/ncmdqy












Photos courtesy of The White House

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The picture of Sharbat Gula, taken in a Pakistan refugee camp by photographer Steve McCurry, became the most famous cover image in the magazine's history.

Sharbat Gula gained worldwide fame in 1984 after her photo, with piercing green eyes, was published on the cover of “National Geographic” magazine

Sharbat Gula has denied the charges, insisting she didn’t fraudulently obtain Pakistani nationality.

Sharbat Gula was arrested 10 days ago for allegedly having forged identity papers and staying in the country illegally.

The decision was taken on humanitarian grounds and as a goodwill gesture towards Afghanistan.

Sharbat Gulla and her four children were handed over to Afghan authorities early on Wednesday at the Torkham border crossing, near Peshawar.

National Geographic

National Geographic's Travel Photographer of the Year contest winners show the power of nature, the beauty of cities and the strength of humanity.

The limited edition pieces are designed to give plastic waste a second life.

Chris Hemsworth is putting his mind and body on the line - all in the name of science.

Rachel Carson's bestseller Silent Spring, which was published in 1962, helped to spur an environmental movement. The first Earth Day was on April 22, 1970.