National Geographic, formerly the National Geographic Magazine, is the official journal of the National Geographic Society. It published its first issue in 1888, just nine months after the Society itself was founded. It is immediately identifiable by the characteristic yellow frame that surrounds its front cover.

There are 12 monthly issues of the National Geographic per year, plus additional map supplements. The Magazine is available in its traditional printed edition on paper, or through an interactive digital edition, available online. On occasion, special editions of the Magazine are issued. It contains articles about geography, popular science, history, culture, current events, and photography.

With a late-2011 worldwide circulation in thirty-four language editions^{[citation needed]} of nearly nine million, more than five million people receive the magazine every month in the U.S.

In May 2007, 2008, and 2010 National Geographic magazine won the American Society of Magazine Editors' General Excellence Award in the over two million circulation category. In 2010, National Geographic Magazine received the top ASME awards for photojournalism and essay. In 2011, National Geographic Magazine received the top-award from ASME—the Magazine of the Year Award.