U.S. scientific society founded in 1888 in Washington, D.C., by a small group of eminent explorers and scientists "for the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge.
" At the turn of the 21st century it had approximately nine million members. It has supported more than 7,000 major scientific projects and expeditions, including those of Robert E. Peary , Richard E. Byrd , the Leakey family , Jacques-Yves Cousteau , Jane Goodall , and Dian Fossey . It has published numerous books, atlases, and bulletins and has created hundreds of television documentaries. National Geographic Magazine is a monthly magazine of geography, archaeology, anthropology, and exploration. It became a leader in reproducing colour photographs and printing photographs of undersea life, views from the stratosphere, and animals in their natural habitats. It also became famous for articles containing substantial information on environmental, social, and cultural aspects of the regions covered. See also Gilbert Grosvenor .