Moscow, 12 December 2008 - Independent media researcher TNS Gallup Media has confirmed the increase in the number of National Geographic Russia fans: the audience of a single issue of National Geographic Russia exceeds one million readers! Now 1,024,600 people read every issue of the magazine.

The Russian edition of the world-famous popular science magazine has not only achieved an increase in readership, but also surpassed Russia's traditional market leader GEO. According to the TNS Gallup research, GEO magazine is read by 952,900 people. National Geographic Russia was launched in 2003 - five years later than its rival.

Since Independent Media Sanoma Magazines took over the publication of National Geographic in 2006, the magazine has seen a fundamental improvement in editorial content. Ekaterina Syomina, publisher of National Geographic: "National Geographic is a global brand that is famous primarily because of its high-quality content. And the Russian edition lives up to that world standard completely. We publish unparalleled photography and exclusive stories about history, archeology, biology and culture."

The magazine also takes part in several scientific expeditions and cultural events, and organizes exhibitions and competitions. Examples include the international Mir on Baikal research expedition, but also the archeological expedition in Luxor and an ecological contest titled "We Give Back to Our Planet".

Syominina concludes: “Our readers are accustomed to being the first to learn about all the most important scientific discoveries.” The latest readership figures proof that more than a million readers value this very much.