The votes for the National Geographic 2017 Travel Photographer of the Year competition are in, and it’s time to announce the winners. This yearly competition highlights the diversity of our planet through its natural wonders and inhabitants, and the winning photographs are absolutely stunning.
The judges had to review around 15,000 entries from all over the world for awards in three categories: people, nature, and cities. First, second, and third places were awarded $2,500, $750 and $500 respectively. The Grand Prize winner, also received a 1—day trip for two to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic Expeditions.
Below are our favorite photographs from this competition.
For the First Time Ever, Sand Kittens Filmed in the Wild
These is the first ever footage of sand kittens in the wild, and it's simply adorable!
Astrophotography: The Perfect Blend of Art and Science
From vibrant photos of the Northern lights to incredible snaps of the sun - these photos all have the chance to win Astononmy Photo of the Year and rightfully so!
The Best Northern Lights Photographs of the Year Revealed
These magical images prove that nothing can be compared to the beauty of the Northern Lights!
Magnificent Photos of the World's Last Native Tribes
Jimmy Nelson spends his life traveling the world and reminding us of where we came from, namely indigenous tribes. Take a look at his stunning work.
35 Classic National Geographic Photos You'll NEVER Forget
National Geographic's Best Photo Collection presents stunning contest winners.
Let These Animal Quotes Be Your Inspiration For the Day
Animals are inspirational to many of us in this world, and the same can be said for some of its greatest names. Here are 12 truly great animal quotes.
These Extreme Engineering Projects Will Leave You in Awe
The world is already full of amazing structures that leave us in awe, but as the following recent projects show, we always want something bigger and better!
Behold the Majestically Built Castles of Old France!
The beautiful castles of old France take me back to a different time...
24 Stunning Vintage Photos of Everyday Life
See these forgotten details from the world of the past in these 24 historical photos.
Some Photos Require No Explanation Whatsoever!
Here are 16 photos, all of which speak more than a thousand words by themselves.
21st Century Architecture is Really Stunning to Behold...
While modern architecture can be divisive, there's no denying it makes you sit up and take notice. Here are 14 stunning examples of 21st Century architecture.
7 Changes to Our Home That Help Fight Depression
The 7 tips provided here will guide you or your loved ones through the changes that will render your house more inviting and assist in managing depression.
15 Captivating Photos of Impressive Artwork and Designs
We stumbled upon some really unique photos of intentional and accidental art.
20 Stunning Photos of Women in the Most Gorgeous Dresses!
Get ready to appreciate a showcase of the most outstanding pieces of fashion along with some of the most picturesque locations on the planet. Enjoy!
14 Amazing Before-And-After Pics of Our Changing World
These before-and-after pictures show how just how much time changes everything.
Would You Pay $15 Million for This Grand House?
This mansion has it all, but is it worth the money?
You Won't See These Rare Sights Twice in Your Lifetime!
Here are 20 rare and unbelievable sights that you certainly won't end up seeing twice in you lifetime!
Goldsmithing Expert Turns a Metal Blob into Pure Gold!
An amazing process of chemisty and gold-working turns this blob into pure 24 carat gold.
X-Ray-ting Discoveries: 13 Cool Finds That Will Amaze You
Explore the fascinating world of x-rays in these cool and quirky pictures.
Imposing Fortresses - 14 Photos of Fairytale-Like Castles
Check out these fairytale-esque castles of the world.
10 Tips to Redo Your Interior Without Buying Anything New
With these clever tips, you can beautify your home without spending a dime!
Throwback to the 1920s: 17 Fascinating Vintage Pics
Take a step back in time and explore a collection of stunning photos from a century ago that provide a fascinating glimpse into the past.
The Full Glory of a Golden Rome...
Look at these unbelievably colorful postcards from Rome, resurrected by Retronaut.
I Miss Photographers Like This One...
Ran Maltet was a French photographer and poet, who died a decade ago. He had what seemed to be a natural talent to seize upon these split seconds of comedy and philosophy, and capture them on camera.
These Amazing Artworks Defy All Logic and It’s Beautiful
Zulkarnain Ismail is a Malaysian digital artist whose artworks are on the verge of realistic photography and fantasy, check out 15 of his best works.
This Macro Photography Shows a New World Beneath Our Feet
There is a stunning world beneath our feet that's difficult to see. However, thanks to modern technology, we are now able to admire this world in all its glory.
15 Photos Showcasing the Beauty of Cities
We collected some amazing photos of 15 big cities around the world, which are simply fun to look at!
14 Unique and Unconventional Urban Designs That Inspire
Let’s check out some truly amazing examples of smart urban planning designs that every city in the world should take inspiration from.
22 New and Beautiful Colorized Vintage Photos
Enjoy this amazing new collection of colorized historical photos.
Amazing Re-Touched Photos of England Back in the Old Days
1920s England was the not tremendously jolly, civilized and the most important nation in world politics. These colored photos will show you what it was like.
20 of the Most Perfectly-Timed Pictures Ever Taken
These have to be the most perfectly-timed pictures ever. Some are hilarious, others painful, and others will just cause amazement at how they were captured.
13 Colorized Historical Pics You Shouldn’t Miss!
The past comes to life in these beautifully-colorized historic photographs.
These Are the Most Visually Stunning Castles In England
There aren't many architectural sites in the world that are as impressive as an English castle. Here are the 7 most visually impressive in the country.
15 Famous People In History That Were Really Good-Looking
A collection of 15 vintage photos that prove that some of the famous figures in history were quite attractive...
16 Historical Pictures That’ll Bring Back Memories…
"It is a mistake to think that the past is dead," said Will Durant, and these 16 pictures prove him right...
Welcome to the Most Beautiful Library in the World
I would give a lot to be able to spend a few hours in this amazing place.
There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know About Titanic’s Making
Discover how James Cameron filmed the sinking scene in his iconic film Titanic.'
These National Geographic Photos All Won Awards
These beautiful photos are all winners and runner ups of National geographic's travelers' photography competition.
50 Years This Man Built and Built.. And Here's the Result!
This cathedral is slowly being built by an amazing 90 year old man, using discarded waste. Read on to here this inspiring story, and see a glorious church.
These 17 Unique Bird Photos Reflect Each Bird’s Character
This photographer is extremely skilled at capturing the unique character of each bird, take a look at these 17 vivid and majestic photos by her
This Photographer Really Captures the Beauty of the Ocean...
Gorgeous Underwater Life by Alexander Semenov.
Taj Falaknuma Palace: The Most Opulent Oriental Beauty
Taj Falaknuma Palace is one of the most fabulous gems in all of India, with plenty of fascinating stories to tell from the age of the British Empire.
20 Fascinating Cross Sections Explained
Look at these 20 fascinating cross-sections of various things found in the world, from flowers to weapons and different mechanisms!
The Wildlife of Britain Has Never Looked More Amazing
It's unbelievable how much biodiversity a relatively small country like Britain contains. These 9 photographs capture the island's stunning natural beauty.
15 Amazing Images Documenting the Wonders Found Underwater
These photos won the 2018 World Photography Competition and after you see them you'll understand why....
These Designers Did SUCH a Great Job! 19 Handy Innovations
These creative design innovations should be more popular than they are, as they are so very clever and useful!
14 Before & After Cleaning Pics That'll Satisfy Your Eyes
Here is a look at some before and after cleaning photos of everyday things that will make you go on a cleaning spree.