Hidden Journeys Newsletter
Audio Slideshows
Narrated by experts in their field, the slideshows combine stories, music and images giving you a new way to explore the world from the air.
Energy
We consume more energy now than ever before – find out where this fuel comes from and how it is harnessed across the globe.
Festivals
Celebrations unite communities across the world; join the party with traditional village festivals or millions-strong street parties.
Sport
Sports are at the heart of many different societies, both testing our physical limits to the maximum and uniting nations through tournaments.
Indigenous cultures
Discover fascinating customs of ancient cultures from across the planet and learn how they live side-by-side with the modern world.
Farming and agriculture
Food is one of our most basic human needs: discover how farming and agriculture differ across the varied cultures and climates of our world.
Cities
Over half the world’s population live in cities: discover how these settlements were established and learn why they are of modern global importance.
Volcanoes
Explore the world's diverse volcanic landscapes, from the effects of eruptions to the millions of people who live in the shadow of volcanoes.
Road and rail transport
Roads and railways have acted as a catalyst for expansion, communication and development. Explore their influences across the world.
Caves and rock paintings
Huge networks of caves and caverns hold some of the oldest and least explored physical, natural and human environments on the planet.
There are nearly 300 languages spoken within London, one of the world's most multicultural cities.
Los Angeles was the joint birthplace of the internet, with the first transmission sent from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1969
Buenos Aires is nick-named the "Paris of South America" for its cosmopolitan culture, romantic music and architecture.
In 2008, for the first time in human history, more people live in cities than rural areas across the Earth.
Hong Kong ceased being a British colony and became a Special Administrative Region under Chinese rule on 1st July 1997.
Cairo and the surrounding area are home to nearly 17 million people and the largest metropolitan area in Africa.
The appearance of the landscape changes depending on your altitude. Using the options below, please choose a cruising altitude to explore from.
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The British Empire in 1919, at its greatest extent with wide presence on all inhabited continents.
Ship maintenance in the docks of East London during the early 20th century.
Tourists outside Buckingham Palace, one of London's many world famous landmarks.
View London at 11,000m
More about London
The Millwall Docks in East London 1906 - 1914, an important site for unloading goods shipped in from the Empire.
Canary Wharf, one of London's two financial centres, marked by the office towers centre left.
The Houses of Parliament, the centre of the UK's political network.
The UK motorway network, spreading from London's main ring road, the M25.
London is the hub of the UK Rail Network, shown in red.
Greenwich Observatory, located on the Prime Meridian, with Canary Wharf in the backgound.
Heathrow and its five terminals, the busiest international ariport in the world by international passenger numbers.
The whole of London from space; the white block to the left is Heathrow Airport.
Inside the second Royal Exchange in London in 1811.
The third and final Royal Exchange in London in 2008, viewed from the air.
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The iconic Star Ferry at its terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, with the incredible Central Harbour skyline behind it: a perfect juxtaposition of modern development and traditional ways.
The Peak Tram funicular railway passes up through the Mid-Levels en-route to Victoria Peak. This service replaced sedan chairs in 1888 and is still in operation today.
Lion dances are carried out in the traditional way for celebrations such as the opening of a new modern skyscraper. The lion's eyes will be painted on by an important bystander.
View Hong Kong at ground level
More about a city of contrasts
Sir Norman Foster's iconic HSBC Headquarters building. Built in 1985, the original bronze lions (complete with bullet holes from the WWII Battle of Hong Kong) still stand outside the foyer.
Traditional trams still operate across the north of Hong Kong Island, weaving their way between skyscrapers. However, they now make use of modern Oyster card-style technology.
Buildings on the Victoria waterfront taking part in the "Symphony of Lights", a ten minute nightly lights display to promote Hong Kong's incredible skyline.
A typical Hong Kong street market in Graham Street. Small stalls squeeze into the tiny lanes between huge office and apartment blocks, with bright awnings and stalls packed into every space.
The Mid-Level escalator system is the longest in the world. Weaving its way past offices and apartment blocks, it covers over 800 metres and is used by thousands to commute every day.
A Chinese medicine shop in Hong Kong. Traditional Chinese remedies made with herbs, plants and animal parts are often still used alongside or instead of "conventional" Western medicines.
Hong Kong's iconic harbour, with the Bank of China (two pronged tower) and Two International Finance Centre (tallest building) rising above the skyscrapers and Victoria Peak visible behind.
A view of Hong Kong harbour from Victoria Peak, with the Star Ferry, HSBC building and two-pronged Bank of China buildings clearly visible.
Jade amulets and charms for sale within the Jade Market in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Superstitions state that jade protects the wearer from harm, taking the force of any accident or trauma.
The Noon-Day Gun, a colonial relic, is still fired everyday. It was made famous by Noel Coward in his song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen", written in 1931.
A panoramic view of Cairo at night. The bright lights of premium hotels and the headquarters of multinational businesses underline Cairo's economic importance both regionally and nationally.
Commuters waiting to board the Cairo Metro at Saray El Kobba station, the 15th busiest metro system in the world.
Heavy traffic and rush hour traffic jams are often a way of life in Cairo, as 3.5 million people take to its roads to commute every day.
View Cairo at street level
More about Modern Cairo: a mega-city
The easily recognisable symbol of the Cairo Metro can be seen all over the city. Each journey costs EGP 1.00 no matter how far you travel, roughly £0.12 or $0.18.
Crowds throng through a bazaar in the centre of Cairo, where shopping and trading takes place between locals and tourists alike.
Schoolgirls on their way back from classes walk through the streets of central Cairo, wearing a mix of traditional and modern styles.
A fruit and vegetable stall with traditional Coptic Christian artwork in the Manshiyat Naser area on the outskirts of Cairo, one of many areas developing on the edge of the city as it grows rapidly.
The meeting room of the Arab League, a regional organisation of six Arab states formed and based in Cairo to promote collaboration and good relations between member countries.
The Mar Gigis Metro station in central Cairo. Cairo's metro system is the only fully-fledged metro system in Africa and transports up to two million people across the city daily.
The modern Cairo skyline, with houses and commercial developments stretching as far as the eye can see. Cairo is the largest city in Africa and is home to 17 million people.
Cairo's modern skyline: Gezira Island along the banks of the Nile. The El Gezira Hilton (centre) and Cairo Tower (right) are the most prominent buildings on the skyline.
The daily hustle and bustle of modern life in Cairo, a city of 17 million people, as seen from the Qasr El Nil Bridge over the Nile River.
Cairo has been growing at a rapid pace since the 1920s. In just 50 years, its population tripled in size and growth continues today with new commercial and residential buildings underway.
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Eva and Juan Perón were well loved by the porteños of Buenos Aires.
Evita is still well loved by Argentines, as the 'Spiritual Leader of the Nation'.
The Casa Rosada, home of the Argentine president, in Plaza de Mayo.
View Buenos Aires at street level
More about Buenos Aires and Argentina's First Lady
The Plaza de Mayo has been the location of many political gatherings, used most famously by the Peróns to address the people.
1904 - Plaza de Mayo has been central to the city of Buenos Aires since it was built towards the end of the 19th century.
c. 1900 - Buenos Aires - crowds gather on the Avenido de Mayo.
Eva Perón was loved by porteños because of her compassion and youthful enthusiasm.
Eva and Juan Perón reaching over to the crowds at Plaza de Mayo.
1953 - A procession through the streets of Buenos Aires for the funeral of Eva Perón.
Evita addressing the crowds in central Buenos Aires.
1902 - Buenos Aires - Plaza de Mayo and Government House.
Eva Perón was given an official state funeral, despite not being an elected head of state.
The Plaza de Mayo at the heart of Buenos Aires.
Grafitti and street art throughout Los Angeles demonstrates the multicultural and inner-city influences on modern culture, such as art and rap and hip-hop music.
The Hollywood sign has long been an icon of fame and fortune, although it started life as an advert for a housing development.
The iconic gateway of Los Angeles' Chinatown, which has been in existence in various locations across LA since 1880. It is now near Broadway and is a major tourist attraction and immigrant hub.
View Los Angeles at street level
More about multicultural Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Unified School District Marching Band at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, a celebration which has been held on New Year's Day since 1890.
A pro-immigration protest in Los Angeles in 2010 in support of legalising immigrants and their role in supporting the local community - many immigrants enter LA every year.
A dancer takes to the streets as part of the annual “Day of the Dead” festival in Hollywood, Los Angeles, which celebrates Hispanic influences and traditions on this ancient day of remembrance.
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood is home to the Walk of Fame and is a world famous landmark.
Multicultural influences and increasing poverty are evident in an arcade of shops in downtown LA.
The famous 1920s Figueroa Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, a favourite spot for celebrities, shows a mix of Californian Mission style and Moroccan flair.
Korean children dance and celebrate in traditional costume during the annual Korean Festival Parade.
1887 - An early aerial balloon photograph of Los Angeles. With the arrival of the railroad in 1876, the city had begun to expand rapidly with many immigrants arriving by rail to seek their fortunes.
Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame commemorate the actors, musicians and directors who have made Hollywood what it is today.
May Day, 2010 - 60,000 peaceful protesters march for immigration reform.
© 2012 Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)