National Geographic Celebrates 125 Years With Exploration Issue And Anniversary Special

January 2013 Magazine Features Five Covers Highlighting The Superlatives Of Exploration

National Geographic Channels To Premiere Anniversary Program On 'New Age Of Exploration' In January

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a publishing first for National Geographic magazine, each copy of the January 2013 issue will feature five covers highlighting the Society's 125^th anniversary theme, "A New Age of Exploration." The multiple covers will be included in the worldwide English-language edition and in 12 local-language editions and are exclusively supported by Rolex. These editions are read by more than 50 million people around the globe.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121214/DC28924)

The January covers highlight the superlatives of exploration — farthest, wildest, smallest, highest and deepest. The top cover spotlights the farthest reaches of space travel as it looks at "Why We Explore." The four additional covers profile other ways exploration is being pushed to the limits: The Wildest focuses on saving Ecuador's pristine rain forest; the Smallest looks at the invisible world of microbes; the Highest features mountaineer Cory Richards; and the Deepest highlights filmmaker James Cameron's solo dive to the Mariana Trench.

The "New Age of Exploration" theme will be marked Society-wide throughout 2013, including the National Geographic Channels, website, books, magazines, video and live events. The yearlong initiative has been made possible through a 125^th anniversary partnership with Rolex.

National Geographic Channels will premiere a 125^th anniversary special, "A New Age of Exploration: National Geographic at 125," on Friday, Jan. 11, in the United States and globally throughout the month. The program profiles the new superheroes of exploration — amazing people who are forging new ground as they square off against the latest frontiers. National Geographic Channels will dedicate more than 125 hours of programming to the theme of exploration throughout the year in its "Explorer Top 125" programming event.  

A dynamic online hub at www.nationalgeographic.com/125 will include special features such as an interactive exploration timeline, videos, interviews and photo galleries updated regularly during the Society's 12-month focus on the future of exploration.

On June 13, 2013, the 125th anniversary will be celebrated at a "National Geographic Evening of Exploration" gala, where the Society's top medals and honors will be awarded to explorers and other recipients. All proceeds from the gala will go to National Geographic's Fund for Exploration.

"For 125 years, National Geographic has been at the forefront of discovery, driven by a passion and purpose to explore and illuminate the world. And there is so much more to know to help us reimagine not only our world but our place in it," said Claudia Malley, executive vice president and worldwide publisher, National Geographic Global Media. "I can think of no better partner than Rolex, which is at the forefront of innovation and exploration, to join us in this quest."

"With its shared passion for exploration, Rolex is delighted to partner with National Geographic on its 125th anniversary initiative. For decades, Rolex has supported pioneers of exploration, from the tallest mountain to the deepest ocean trench, and we look forward to being there, wherever man dares to venture next," said Arnaud Boetsch, communications & image manager of Rolex SA.

About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. National Geographic reflects the world through its magazines, television programs, films, music and radio, books, DVDs, maps, exhibitions, live events, expeditions, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society's official journal, is read by more than 60 million people each month. The National Geographic Channel reaches 440 million households in 171 countries in 38 languages. National Geographic Digital Media receives more than 20 million visitors a month. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com. Facebook: www.facebook.com/natgeo

About Rolex
Leading brand of the Swiss watch industry, Rolex, headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its OYSTER watches, all certified as chronometers for their precision, are symbols of excellence, performance and prestige. Pioneer in the development of the wristwatch as early as 1905, the brand is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the OYSTER, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the PERPETUAL rotor self-winding mechanism introduced in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities as well as philanthropic programmes.

Official website: www.rolex.com

SOURCE National Geographic Society