National Geographic | THE COMPASS

National Geographic

THE COMPASS

This week, we explore the world of cities. Learn about the five cities that are taking bold steps to rein in sprawl, discover the cheeky otters that are thriving in Singapore—and adapting quickly to big city life, and see why biking is the best way to see a city.

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Three decades ago the skyline in Pudong, on the east bank of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, did not exist.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANGELIKA JAKOB, FOTOGLORIA / LUZ / REDUX

These five cities are taking bold steps to rein in sprawl

Climate, health, and sanity all suffer when sprawl rips the fabric of cities. Here are five that are trying to stitch things back together.

TRYING TO DO BETTER

Otters cross a street as tourists take their photo near Gardens by the Bay, a popular nature park in Singapore.

PHOTOGRAPH BY STEFANO UNTERTHINER

Cheeky otters are thriving in Singapore—and adapting quickly to big city life

Like many urban species, the aquatic mammals are changing their behavior to fit into their new home, research shows.

CHEEKY NEIGHBORS

GOOD READS

1.

Why ‘tiny forests’ are popping up in big cities

2.

These are the oldest continuously inhabited cities on each continent

3.

Hundreds of wild parrots are thriving in this Brazilian city

4.

How rats became an inescapable part of city living

An unknown draftsman prepared this pictorial map of the new New York.

MAP COURTESY GEORGE HAYWARD, NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Charming illustrated maps illuminate the character of New York City

A new exhibit highlights beautiful, funny, and intriguing illustrated maps of the Big Apple from New York Public Library’s huge collection.

ENDLESS INSPIRATION

WHICH PRESIDENT MADE HISTORY BY BECOMING THE FIRST SITTING U.S. PRESIDENT TO THROW OUT THE CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH ON OPENING DAY?

A. THEODORE ROOSEVELT
B. WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT
C. WARREN G. HARDING

CLICK TO SEE IF YOU'RE RIGHT!

Mohenjo-Daro was one of two prominent cities of the ancient Indus Valley civilization. The citadel, a center of activity at the city's peak, towers over the ruins today.

PHOTOGRAPH BY PAOLO KOCH, GAMMA-RAPHO / GETTY IMAGES

These 5 cities vanished without a trace. We're finally learning their stories.

Historical sources are overflowing with mentions of places like Tanis, Helike, and Roanoke, but archaeologists are still searching for their exact locations. The histories they're piecing together are astonishing.

LONG-LOST SECRETS

Cyclists overlook New York Harbor and the New Jersey skyline as they pedal around Battery Park.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SERGI REBOREDO, REDUX

Biking is the best way to see a city—and it’s good for the planet

Take a spin through five cities that have built bike lanes for sustainability and fun.

A PROFOUND DIFFERENCE

WHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT?

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