Geographical

Official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Phenomena

Surfers riding the tidal bore on the Petitcodiac River in New Brunswick, Canada

Phenomena: tidal bores

ByGrace GourlayAug 24, 2026
Discover more about tidal bores, the unusual phenomenon where rivers run backwards around the world
Norlisk with building

Phenomena: the Soviet Union’s closed cities

ByGrace GourlayJun 24, 2026
Discover more about closed cities, the hidden spaces of the Soviet state that existed for much of the second half of the 20th century
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Phenomena: glacial surging

ByGrace GourlayApr 15, 2026
Discover how the frozen world is constantly shifting, fracturing and surging beneath the surface in our latest Phenomena
Hostile architecture

Hostile architecture: designing poverty out of sight

ByVictoria HeathMar 2, 2026
In this month's 'Phenomena', we look at hostile architecture – design that polices and shapes cities across the world
Parakeet on branch

Phenomena: the parakeets of urban Britain

ByGrace GourlayJan 26, 2026
Discover how these 'green intruders' are making their mark across urban landscapes in Britain
A globster

Globsters: the strange ‘beasts’ found on beaches

ByGrace GourlayDec 23, 2025

Discover more about a mysterious, recurring ocean phenomenon that has captivated attention for decades From time to time, the sea…

Dallol volcano danakil depression Ethiopia

Five strange natural places in the world

ByAmber BryanDec 12, 2025
Discover some of the most interesting but strange natural wonders of the planet, from Blood Falls to Spotted Lake
Bouvet island

Phenomena: the mystery of Bouvet Island

ByGrace GourlayOct 27, 2025

The lifeboat at the world’s end – an icy, unhabitated island only few have seen Far out in the subantarctic, well…

The Maud Rise polynya in 2017, roughly the same size as Switzerland

Phenomena: Polar polynyas

ByGeographical StaffJun 26, 2025
Polynyas are more than holes in Antarctic ice – they’re vital hotspots where marine life thrives and the ocean breathes
Death valley wandering rocks

Phenomena: Death Valley’s wandering rocks

ByGeographical StaffMay 10, 2025
For over a century, the mysterious ‘sailing stones’ of Death Valley baffled scientists and visitors alike – until a blend of ice, wind and serendipity finally revealed their secret
Baarle Hertog, Belgium and Baarle Nassau, the Netherlands October 10, 2019. The most complicated International border in Europe. Baarle territory is divided into a bits of Belgian and Netherlands

Phenomena: What are enclaves and exclaves?

ByGrace GourlayFeb 20, 2025

Discover more about the complex world of enclaves and exclaves, along with the geopolitical patchwork they form Enclaves and exclaves…

Church tower of Graun, Vinschgau, Curon, sunken village

Phenomena: Sunken villages

ByGrace GourlayFeb 4, 2025
Discover more about sunken villages across Europe – from Wales to Greece – and how exactly their existence came about
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