Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is one of the world s largest, nonprofit educational and scientific organizations. The society s publication and official journal, National Geographic Magazine, has a worldwide circulation of more than 9 million. The organization also produces a variety of television programs, books, videos, maps and topic-specific magazines. It sponsors scientific research projects and offers several themed travel adventures. In addition, the National Geographic Society provides educational support materials for use in classrooms. The society has funded over 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects worldwide. It serves nearly 325 million individuals monthly through official journals, television documentaries and school publishing programs.