Geographical magazine

Geographical is the official monthly magazine of the Society, and has been published continuously since 1935.

It is published under license and has exciting illustrated articles on people, places, adventure, travel, and environmental issues. Geographical also includes our monthly feature, In Society, which captures some of our recent work.

Society members and Fellows can receive Geographical as part of their membership. Geographical can also be bought in newsagents or by subscription.

Current issue: June 2013

Photostory: Top shots

The 1953 Everest expedition left an evocative visual legacy, as these lesser-known images from the archives of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) show.

The only way is up

Mick Conefrey reveals how the expedition’s success came down to a series of gambles and a slice of luck.

On top of the world

In an edited extract from the book finished shortly before he died, expedition member George Lowe, the first person to greet Tenzing Norgay and Hillary on their way down from the peak, describes the events of summit day.

Innovation Everest

From aluminium ladders to innovative oxygen equipment, Geographical takes a closer look at some of the more important pieces of equipment used, including a number of items designed specifically for the expedition.

Letters from the top of the world

The last surviving member of the expedition was George Lowe. In excerpts from previously unpublished letters he shares first-hand insights into the expedition’s day-to-day events.

Putting on a show

Mick Conefrey describes the controversy that threatened to divide the team in the expedition’s aftermath.

The missing map

Tony Astill tracks down a lost map made following the 1935 Everest expedition.

The changing face of Everest

Mark Rowe asks whether climate change is altering Everest’s environment.

And do not forget…

…our regular features including an Essential Gear feature about how to avoid altitude sickness on a trek to Everest Base Camp; reviews of Everest books – both classics and those published to mark the anniversary; and an interview with writer John Keay, whose book The Great Arc details the decades-long surveying project that became the backbone of Indian cartography and led to Mount Everest being identified as the tallest mountain in the world.