National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society was founded in the United States on January 27, 1888, by 33 men interested in "organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge." They had begun discussing forming the Society two weeks earlier on January 13, 1888. Gardiner Greene Hubbard became its first president and his son-in-law, Alexander Graham Bell, eventually succeeded him. Its purpose is to advance the general knowledge of geography and the world among the general public. To this end, it sponsors exploration, and publishes a monthly magazine, National Geographic.

Naming controversy with the people of Persia (Iran)

The magazine has recently been accused by thousands of its readers across the globe of failing to keep its objectives in focus in the names used on maps of Middle East in its 2005 atlas. In its newest atlas the National Geographic has labeled the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa recognized as being "Occupied by Iran, Claimed by the United Arab Emirates". National Geographic has also included alternate Arabic names for the Persian (Iranian) islands of Lavan and Kish, and listed "Arabian Gulf" as an alternate name for the Persian Gulf. This resulted in heavy protests by many Persians (Iranians), most specially the Internet user community, which led to the Iranian government acting on the issue and banning the distribution of the society's publications in Iran.

Related Topics:
Middle East - Greater and Lesser Tunbs - Abu Musa - Iran - United Arab Emirates - Lavan - Kish - Persian Gulf - Persians

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National Geographic has since conceded that the use of the Arabian name "Qeys" for the island of Kish was inaccurate. It has also removed any allusions to the status of the three islands. In addition, "Arabian Gulf" has been relegated to a small note explaining: "Historically and most commonly known as the Persian Gulf, this body of water is referred to by some as the "Arabian Gulf"." These corrections have been made in the online atlas and it has promised to change future print versions accordingly. See Dispute over the name of the Persian Gulf.

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