Canadian Geographic

Canadian Geographic

Canadian Geographic is the bimonthly magazine of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), which was founded in 1929 under stimulus from geologist Charles CAMSELL and explorer Joseph B. TYRRELL, who served as the society's first honorary president. The society's goal was to produce a magazine which "should be popular in character and aim at the general diffusion of information on the geography of the Dominion."

Canadian Geographic was first published in 1930. The magazine continues to take a wide-ranging approach to every phase of GEOGRAPHY - historical, human, physical and economic. First edited by Lawrence J. BURPEE, Canadian Geographic has served as an outlet for the popular writing and ideas of prominent Canadians, including Marius BARBEAU, Frederick BANTING, E. Cora HIND and Alf E. PORSILD. It continues to combine accessible and informative articles on science, travel, culture and the environment with high-quality photojournalism. Today, the magazine reaches 4.5 million readers in Canada and abroad. The magazine's website provides access to issues of the magazine from 1990 onward, an online interactive atlas, map archives, photo collections, activities for children, and links to Canadian Geographic's special publication, Canadian Geographic Travel.

The Royal Canadian Geographical Society disburses a number of awards to recognize and promote environmental awareness and achievement in the field. Since 1959 the society has annually awarded the Massey Medal for "outstanding personal achievement in the exploration, development or description of the geography of Canada." The Gold Medal, awarded periodically since 1972, recognizes "a particular achievement or event, national or international, in the field of geography." The Canadian Award for Environmental Innovation, established in 2009, recognizes individuals in business, government, research, and the community whose work contributes to environmental change. The Camsell Medal recognizes service within the RCGS. The Canadian Council for Geographic Education, established in 1993 as the educational arm of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, awards the Geographic Literacy Award each year (since 2000) to an individual who has improved geographic literacy amongst Canada's young people.

The Ottawa-based society also provides grants for field research in geography, supports geographic education across the country, presents illustrated talks across the country on geographical subjects of interest, and sponsors expeditions that explore Canada.

See alsoPHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, GEOMORPHOLOGY, CLIMATOLOGY, HYDROLOGY, BIOGEOGRAPHY, CARTOGRAPHY, HISTORY OF, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, ENVIRONMENT.