I have read issue of National Geographic that date back to the last century . in those early time the article be often more sterile and factual , but still just as interesting . in many case those article be more interesting today , because we see the world of then through the eye of the relatively objective viewer of then .  geography cover more than just land mass and forest . National Geographic be not about `` national , '' it be about we entire universe ; National Geographic refer to `` the National Geographic Society , '' rather than the breadth of coverage . in the decade that I have be read National Geographic , article have cover everything from the Earth 's core , to the deepest ocean , to the people live on the land and the land itself , the mountain and sky above we , and the whole universe . warning : if you be a creationist then I would avoid this magazine .  the breadth of the magazine be well match by its depth . Articles in the last decade have cover gene , atomic science , microbial life , how remote sense technology work , laser , frequency , such as those that make up color and the all the invisible spectrum , and so many more that it be impossible to list they in a 1000 word review . virtually every major issue possible to be cover that be related to geography have have at least one article in Geographic , and thousand of not-so-major issue . there be even a article on holography !  the core of the magazine be still geography as we grow up believe geography to be . there have be article on Lake Baikal , a wonderful trek through the still wild and swampy jungle of Africa , excellent article on cave and national park of all nation , glorious color picture of undersea life and animal of all shape , size and description , and the ever popular insect and arachnid , to name but a fraction .  National Geographic have always be famous for the picture . a recent addition to the magazine have be a brief article describe a picture that do not quite make the cut for a featured article . the brief summary explain why the editor , writer or photographer be enamor of a particular picture , and why the picture be not use in the article . this article provide a wonderful insight into the marriage of photography and prose for each article in every magazine ; a primer for would-be editor .  while National Geographic do have a environmental lean in report , it be remarkably balanced . the need of affected population such as fisherman , farmer , and people in general be report alongside commentary on how people have damage a ecosystem or cause the extinction of another species . there always seem to be a note of glee when the need of ecology and the need of people be in balance or when people have benefit from improve or guard a ecosystem .  there be few adult magazine that I feel be sufficiently balance in they reporting that I be comfortable provide unlimited access to child . while there be occasional article that be quite bloody , which be to be expect when deal with human and animal , the blood be real and not stage . while I would not expose a very young child to such imagery , older child need to learn of the reality of the world . I remember when I be first expose to National Geographic 40 year ago I find some of the image disturbing , but those same image help prepared I for some of the harsh reality of life outside my home , my city , my country and even my solar system and galaxy .  National Geographic have be a important magazine in my life for about 40 year . I be fortunate to go to a high school with magazine that date back more than 70 year , and spend many free hour read those old magazine , with all black and white photograph . what a incredible perspective this magazine give we on the world and how we and we knowledge have change in the course of the last 100 year . what a wonderful way to discover those change . this excellent and educational magazine be for those interested in people , science , geography , the world , and the universe .