From the stories of survivors in Gaza to Africa’s iconic wildlife, join us as we explore the world in the latest issue of Geographical
In our September issue, we feature a diary extract written by a Palestinian man who survived the devastation in Gaza. Now living in Egypt, his account provides a first-hand perspective on displacement, identity, and the struggle to survive. Also in this issue: visit the small Arctic fishing town of Kirkenes, which fears it’s the focus of Russia’ hybrid war with the West; and hear from Indigenous Tagbanua communities in the Philippines, where ecotourism is moving in on ancestral lands.
Our columnists bring an array of topics to the forefront to help you stay on top of the world: Marco Magrini considers how, as the demand for fossil fuels declines, plastics are increasingly viewed as the industry’s lifeline – despite overwhelming evidence of the threats they pose to our health; Tim Marshall discusses the impacts of a new 40-kilometre corridor from Azerbaijan to its enclave, Nakhchivan; and professor Tim Lenton explains how positive tipping points can bring us closer to our net zero goals.
This month’s cover story features Africa’s last great tuskers, as photographed by Federico Veronesi. After two decades of work, Veronesi’s images of the continent’s most iconic elephants are published in his new book Walk the Earth.
Our digital edition is out now too, giving you access to all the stories in our latest issue, as well as our full archive dating back to 1935, with hundreds of magazines to explore. Digital access is available through the Geographical app, and you can now enable notifications to be alerted the moment the latest issue is live. And if you want to enjoy our beautifully designed and produced print magazine, we can post the next edition to you anywhere in the world. Join us and stay on top of the world!
The ghosts of Gaza
In a poignant and unflinching first-person account, an anonymous Palestinian shares a raw diary of his displacement and exile. Through the echoes of daily life lost – the scent of fresh falafel, the hum of a seaside café, the sound of children playing – he paints a vivid picture of a city reduced to memory. His story is a powerful testament to the resilience of those who carry the weight of Gaza in their hearts, even when they are thousands of miles away.
Africa’s last great tuskers
In a breath-taking collection of images, photographer Federico Veronesi invites us on a visual journey to meet Africa’s last great tuskers. The images in this series offer a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of these iconic animals, highlighting the urgency of their conservation. With fewer than 50 great tuskers believed to remain on the entire continent, Veronesi’s project serves as a crucial reminder of what stands to be lost.
The soundtrack to a city
Music has the power to transform a city into a global landmark, and few bands are as tied to their hometown as Oasis and Manchester. In this essay, Andrew Brooks reflects on the band’s enduring influence, from their rise in the 1990s Britpop scene to their recent reunion tour. He argues that the Gallagher brothers’ music isn’t just a soundtrack for a time but a permanent part of Manchester’s geography, shaping its identity and attracting new generations of fans.
A geopolitical frontline
Once a symbol of cross-border cooperation and a bustling hub for Russians and Norwegians alike, Kirkenes, Norway, has been transformed by geopolitical tensions. Located just a few minutes from the Russian border, the town has become a frontline in the new cold war. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, decades of trust and economic ties have been shattered, leaving the community isolated and under strain. The once-thriving border trade is now gone, replaced by a climate of suspicion, ‘hybrid’ warfare, and a constant fear of the vast Russian military presence nearby.
Small islands
Islands have always captivated our imagination, but some are more extraordinary than others. In this feature, we travel to Tana Qirqos on Ethiopia’s Lake Tana, an island of profound spiritual significance where, according to legend, the Ark of the Covenant once rested and the Virgin Mary and Jesus left their sacred footprints. We also visit Runit, a small coral outcrop in the Marshall Islands, where a crumbling concrete dome known as ‘the Tomb’ holds the toxic legacy of decades of US nuclear testing. And finally, we journey far beyond Earth to Mayda Insula on Saturn’s moon Titan.
