National Geographic have be the one of the iconic staple magazine in american home since its first publication in October of 1888 . since then , the trademark yellow border -lrb- around the edge of the cover -rrb- have be a familiar sight to many , if not most Americans . but , exactly , what be the National Geographic magazine ? it be a publication of the National Geographic Society , a nonprofit scientific and educational organization `` for the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge '' whose goal be `` inspiring people to care about the planet . '' the National Geographic Society also publish other magazine similar to National Geographic but direct toward a specific audience . these magazine include : National Geographic Traveler , National Geographic Kids , National Geographic Little Kids , National Geographic Explorer , National Geographic Young Explorer , and National Geographic Extreme Explorer . National Geographic be a monthly magazine that provide informative article about geography , popular science , world history , current event , and technology for a wide audience of reader . another hallmark of National Geographic be the magnificent photography that fill each issue . the photography be excellent , often breathtaking . half , full , two-page spread , and three-page pull out section throughout the magazine be more than insightful . these picture offer the average National Geographic reader a view of the world , through the lens of a camera , from remote place where they be not likely to travel . each issue have one or two feature article , which be longer and more in-depth , and many secondary article that add interesting tidbit to one perspective on life . another notable aspect of National Geographic be that the bulk of the advertisement be typically find at the beginning and end of the magazine as oppose to intersperse throughout . this help to keep the article de-cluttered and minimize distraction for the reader . National Geographic be a very popular magazine . accord to Amazon.com , it be rate number one in history magazine , number one in travel and regional magazine , and number one in science in nature subcategory nature and ecology magazine . its popularity speak for its influence . and why be it so influential ? it be so influential because of its revered excellence . the name National Geographic be equate with scholarly excellence and accuracy . National Geographic be world-renowned for they top-notch research and exploration which go into each quality article and accompany picture . the nation , and the world , have accept National Geographic as the standard of excellence in society . they accuracy and truth in the information that be present can not be argue with . for the validity of they reporting , I can hardly find fault with the maker of National Geographic . one aspect of the magazine , however , do concern I to a degree . National Geographic do have a very bias slant which be part-liberal , part-evolutionary and part-environmental extremist . as with almost all research and report these day , it have a definite stance on subject ; it be a slant that be , for the most part , very evident in they writing . they present they perspective on a story which may or may not be the correct perspective . National Geographic magazine be also extremely , and blatantly , evolutionary in bias and thought . the author and editor make no secret that this worldview fill the magazine 's page . in the February 2010 issue , a article title `` Hubble , renew '' state that the `` universe itself be but 13.7 billion year old . '' in addition , many article frequently refer to both human and animal evolution . interestingly , however , when describe other natural phenomenon , such as the symbiotic-like relationship of clownfish and coral , they do not mention how such a relationship could evolve . do not get I wrong , I be not say that National Geographic be wrong or incorrect because they put they bias in they article . on the contrary , people be free to say what they like and to put it in print for all of the world to see -lrb- such as I be do now -rrb- . this be one of the freedom grant to we as Americans ; it be the freedom of speech . however , I be say that a person , depend on they conviction , should be careful about which source they get they news or research from depend on whether or not they regard it as truth . the fact be , as much as any of we would like to believe it , sometimes we can not prove the thing we believe in , or disprove the thing that we do not . all we can do be take the knowledge that we gain from various different source to create we own insight on life . it be important for we to realize , however , that bias , even slight one , can creep into we life and become a significant influence , either for good or for bad . in addition , people should have experience with many different view on life 's issue . this be beneficial at time when he or she be confront with a conversation or debate which discuss those particular issue . if we want to intelligently converse about issue , we have to know the fact of those issue . as a whole , I think that National Geographic be a very informative and interesting magazine that offer I insight into aspect of area that I would not otherwise necessarily explore . in that sense , it broaden my scope on life and expose I to many fascinating thing . it be also a magazine that be , for the most part , reliable and trustworthy . however , while I read with curiosity , I also read with a evaluatory mindset . not everything be exact truth , but it might not be bogus either . Articles use for review : February 2010 -lrb- polygamy in America : one man , five wife , 46 child -rrb- , January 2010 -lrb- merge man and machine : the bionic age -rrb- , and December 2009 -lrb- be we alone ? : searching the Heavens for another Earth -rrb- . Alecia Gray