National Geographic Society (U.S.)

Close
Usage Conditions Apply
The Smithsonian Institution Archives welcomes personal and educational use of its collections unless otherwise noted. For commercial uses, please contact photos@si.edu.
Print
 

Description

The National Geographic Society was established in 1888. It is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation. With a mission to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society is dedicated to inspiring people to care about the planet. Its main objectives are: research and exploration, to learn about the world... education, to share that growing knowledge with members... and conservation, to encourage the protection of our planet, its people and its natural resources. Since 1888, the National Geographic Society has funded more than 9,400 expeditions all over the world. Each year it supports some 500 expeditions, explorations and research projects of scientific and environmental significance. Past and current grantees include polar explorer Robert Peary; Hiram Bingham, excavator of the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu; anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey; mountain gorilla expert Dian Fossey; author and historian Stephen Ambrose; underwater explorer Robert Ballard; anthropologist Wade Davis; Egyptologist Zahi Hawass; marine biologist Sylvia Earle; high-altitude archaeologist Johan Reinhard; and paleontologist Paul Sereno.

Source

National Geographic Society. (2009). "National Geographic Press Room: Fact Sheet". Retrieved from http://press.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/index.jsp?pageID=factSheets_detail&siteID=1&cid=1225283738357.

From

1888

Topic

Form/Genre

Organization name