National Geographic November 2009

Animal Mummies

In Egypt they were afterlife pals, holy helpers, gourmet jerky.

Reinventing Syria

The country still struggles to escape its dark past.

Blaze of Blue

The Eurasian kingfisher is flashy and feisty.

Stone Labyrinth

Madagascar’s rocky towers are a haven for strange animals.

India’s Wet Harvest

Parched farmers try to make the most of monsoon waters.

King Crocs

The reptiles once ruled the world. Why did they fall?

Sidebar: Meet RatCroc and DogCroc, long-ago Sahara dwellers.