National Geographic Traverses 5,000 Years of Ancient Civilizations in New National Geographic: World History Collection Multi-Volume Reference Set

National Geographic Teams with RBA Media Group in Spain on Collection's Debut

WASHINGTON (Jan. 11, 2013)-Since its founding in 1888, National Geographic has funded and documented some of the 20th century's most important finds of ancient and modern civilizations: from Hiram Bingham's exploration of the Inca city of Machu Picchu starting in 1912 to the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1923; and from the discovery of the wreckage of the Titanic by Robert Ballard in 1985 to Johan Reinhard's discovery of the Ice Maiden in the Andes in 1995. Now, as National Geographic and its international publishing partners celebrate the Society's 125th anniversary, the Society continues its exploration of ancient civilizations by teaming with National Geographic Espa a to create one of its most ambitious publishing projects to date: the National Geographic: World History Collection multi-volume reference set.

The first volume of National Geographic: World History Collection will be available in Spanish in Spain on Jan. 13, 2013, to coincide with the day the Society was founded 125 years ago. Each week thereafter, a new Spanish-language volume will be available for purchase with El Pais newspaper. Spearheading this ambitious project is RBA Media Group, the National Geographic publications licensee in Spain and Portugal. Once launched in Spain, this series will be published as a multi-volume or abridged edition in multiple languages around the world.

National Geographic: World History Collection is a large-format, 30-volume exploration of ancient civilizations and is the largest book collection ever issued by National Geographic. The collection is a comprehensive look at the world cultures, events, governmental regimes and geographical movements that have shaped the world over the past 5,000 years. Spanning 4,800 pages and 30 volumes, National Geographic: World History Collection is the culmination of work by an extensive team of experts, including world-renowned archaeologists, historians and philologists, who worked with National Geographic Espa a and an international board of advisors.

National Geographic's cartographers, photographers, illustrators and editors also contributed their expertise to create the multi-volume reference set.

Each volume is organized by chapter and contains chronologies with corresponding thematic maps, photographs or illustrations. Volumes also contain monographic dossiers that expand on the central theme of the chapter or volume in which it appears.

Beautifully illustrated and finely detailed, National Geographic: World History Collection is the perfect addition to any library and will appeal to anyone interested in military history, government, archaeology, religion, geography, cartography or world cultures.

The 30 volumes in the reference set are The First Pharaohs ; The Egyptian Empire ; The End of Ancient Egypt ; Civilizations of Mesopotamia ; Kingdoms and Empires of the Near East ; The Origins of Greece ; Classical Greece ; The Decline of Athens ; The Empire of Alexander ; The Roman Republic ; Rome Conquers the Mediterranean ; The End of the Roman Republic ; Imperial Rome ; Rome Rules the World ; The Fall of the Roman Empire ; The Splendour of Byzantium ; Medieval Europe ; The Spread of Islam ; Christian Kingdoms and the Crusades ; New Routes to the East ; The End of the Middle Ages ; The Conquest of the Americas ; The Renaissance ; The Turkish and Russian Empires, Ming China ; Absolutist Monarchies ; The Age of Exploration ; The Age of Enlightenment ; Napoleon and the French Revolution ; The 19th Century ; and The World Wars.

On Jan. 13, 2013, the National Geographic Society will celebrate its evolution from a small scientific body founded 125 years ago to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge to one of the world's largest educational and scientific organizations, committed to inspiring people to care about the planet. Renowned for its storytelling, photography, maps and support of exploration and conservation, the Society will mark its anniversary reaffirming its role at the forefront of discovery and adventure and looking forward to a new age of exploration. It will shine a light on adventurers at the cutting edge of discovery as well as innovations that push the boundaries of human achievement and scientific inquiry.

Providing a front-row seat to what's happening at the extremes of exploration, the Society will celebrate its milestone birthday with a wide range of events and products: The New Age of Exploration -themed January 2013 National Geographic magazine, focusing on risk takers and new frontiers; a one-hour National Geographic Channel special spotlighting a new breed of super explorer ; a book, National Geographic 125 Years, that tells the story of the Society and its many world-changing milestones; a round-the-world National Geographic Expedition Celebrating 125 Years of Exploration with National Geographic: An Extraordinary Journey by Private Jet, with some of the Society's most accomplished explorers; an anniversary gala; and an anniversary-themed exhibition at the National Geographic Museum.

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, school publishing programs, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society's official journal, published in English and 37 local-language editions, is read by more than 60 million people each month. The National Geo

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