Audio slideshows, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), RGS-IBG. - Audio slideshows, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), RGS-IBG.

Audio Slideshows

Journeys Themes

Audio Slideshows

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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.
Caves and rock paintings

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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.
Wildlife Reserves

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Wildlife Reserves

Meet some of the world’s rarest and most fascinating creatures in the wildlife parks and preserves that keep them safe and ensure their protection.
Shipping

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Shipping

Around 90 percent of world trade is transported by ships. Follow the world’s busiest shipping routes at the heart of the global economy.
Legends and Mythology

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Legends and Mythology

Myths and legends have been used for centuries to help different cultures make sense of how the world around them came to be.
Natural Resources

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Natural Resources

Gathering valuable resources such as metals, chemicals or water has led to communities developing in areas that might otherwise seem inhospitable.
Energy

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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

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Festivals

Celebrations unite communities across the world; join the party with traditional village festivals or millions-strong street parties.
Sport

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Audio slideshows

The Heart of Borneo covers an area of forest 90% of the size of the United Kingdom.

Until 2008, ships and planes were not allowed to travel directly between China and Taiwan.

The Arrernte people of the MacDonnell Ranges believe Gosses Bluff Crater was formed by a baby in a basket falling from the sky.

Nearly 20,000 different species of flora and fauna are thought to exist in the forests of Central Kalimantan.

The Sierra Nevada is home to nearly every kind of eco-system, from desert to rainforest.

The Congo is nick-named "the river that swallows all others".

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The Cascades, USA at 13,000m - The Cascade Mountains

Volcanologist Sarah Henton discusses the Cascade Mountains and explains the geology and impact of the 1980 Mount St Helens eruption. Please allow several seconds for the slideshow to load.

An aerial view of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams breaking through the clouds. Many of the prominent Cascade peaks are formed by volcanoes, such as these.

A diagram showing the spreading ridges and subduction zones off the coast of North America, which generates the volcanic activity which produces volcanic peaks such as Mount St. Helens.

Mount Adams on a clear day, rising dramatically against the surrounding landscape. It is one of the Cascade Arc's largest volcanoes.

Coldwater Lake at the base of Mount St. Helens. The peak, lake and surrounding area was protected by being designated a National Volcanic Monument in 1982.

A map of the northern Cascades range, which stretches south from British Colombia in Canada to California in the United States, highlighting the major peaks.

A satellite image of Mount Hood, part of the Cascades range, showing its typical cone-shaped form with winding belts of lahars (mud flows) and debris from previous eruptions.

A NASA terrain map shows Mount Hood towering over the city of Portland below it, with the Colombia River flowing out of its gorge through the Cascades and into the city.

A satellite image showing some of the major volcanoes of the Cascade range: Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams (as labelled).

The Cascade range in Washington State: Elbow Peak (1,745m) can be seen in the centre with the snow-capped peak of Mount Rainier (4,392m) visible behind.

Views across the Cascades in central Washington State. The sharp mountains in the centre are the peaks near Snoqualmie Pass, and behind them Glacier Peak is also visible.

A diagram detailing the major volcanoes of the Cascade range and marking their significant eruptions recorded over the last 4,000 years. Mount St. Helens is particularly active.

The majestic Mount Hood reflected in Mirror Lake at its base in Oregon. It is an active stratovolcano, with its striking white peak covered by 12 glaciers.

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Sarawak, Malaysia at 13,000m - Gunung Mulu National Park

Speleologist Andy Eavis has extensively explored Mulu. He describes his experiences discovering Sarawak Chamber. Please allow several seconds for the slideshow to load.

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The river base camp for the RGS-IBG 1977-8 expedition. As Gunung Mulu is so remote and difficult to access, supplies were either flown in by helicopter or brought in via a long canoe journey.

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The tiny orange tents in the centre of the image, on top of the limestone pinnacle, were used as the advance camp for the speleologists and scientists who first researched the Mulu caves.

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The dramatic landscape of the Gunung Mulu National Park consists of impenetrable jungle and many steep, exposed limestone pillars and outcrops such as these.

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The remote "Pinnacle Camp" of the RGS-IBG 1977-8 expedition, perilously perched on top of one of the dramatic and steep limestone pinnacles in Gunung Mulu National Park.

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A speleologist stands at the mouth of one of the many networks of Mulu caves and caverns which stretch for over 320 kilometres underground.

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Trekking out from "Pinnacle Camp" through the impenetrable jungle of Gunung Mulu. The thick vegetation and undergrowth remains largely untouched by humans and full of wildlife.

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A speleologist examines stalactites (hanging from the roof) and stalagmites (growing up from the floor) that have formed over tens of years of slow deposition within the Mulu caves.

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Inside previously unchartered and uncatalogued caves with the RGS-IBG 1977-8 Expedition team. Notice the huge array of limestone formations caused by weathering and deposition.

Clearwater Cave, part of the Mulu complex now accessible and open to tourists. The river passing through these caves has already travelled 170km underground before surfacing here.

A view towards the mouth of the colossal Deer Cave, home to three million wrinkle lipped bats and first studied by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)'s expedition in 1977-78.

More than two million wrinkle lipped bats fly out of the cover of Deer Cave when dusk falls in search of food. It can take more than an hour for all of the bats to exit in a spectacular flying formation.

These incredible limestone pinnacles in Gunung Mulu National Park are formed by the same karst weathering that creates the amazing Mulu Caves.

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Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia at 13,000m - The highest coastal mountains in the world

The Hungry Cyclist, Tom Kevill-Davies, on his trip through Colombia for his gastronomic tour of the Americas. Please allow several seconds for the slideshow to load.

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the small triangle near the top of the map, is a 12,000km² range separated from the Andes by semi-arid plains.

The highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada are disguised by cloud.

The dense forests at lower altitudes of the Sierra Nevada.

The Sierra Nevada is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, protecting the many unique species that live here.

Clouds engulf the peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

The triangular-shaped Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range.

Different altitudes support different ecosystems, that are shown as visible bands on the mountainside.

The drier lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada are covered in cacti.

Higher up the Sierra Nevada the terrain changes to dense rainforest.

Cacti on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada overlooking the town of Santa Marta.

The montane forests in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

Cloud forests prevail at the higher altitudes of the Sierra Nevada.

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The Taiwan Strait at 13,000m - Historical cross-Strait relations

Dr Julia Strauss, senior lecturer in Chinese Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies, discusses cross-Strait relations. Please allow several seconds for the
slideshow to load.

This engraving depicts a battle in the Strait of Taiwan near the Penghu Islands during the Sino-French War in 1885.

The three flags of the Republic of China (or Taiwan) together. The first national flag is in the centre, to the left is the army flag, and to the right is the current flag made the official flag of the ROC in 1928.

1863 - Map of the Taiwan (or Formosa) Strait during Chinese rule.

Representative of China addresses the UN General Assembly in 2007 following the decision to exclude the latest application of Taiwan to join the UN.

Dutch flotillas sailing across the Taiwan Strait during the Battle of Zeelandia on Taiwan in 1661. Taiwan is depicted in the top middle of the image, and mainland China to the far left.

Taiwan's flag, the flag of the Republic of China, was first used on mainland China in 1917, but became the flag of Taiwan when the ROC officially moved to the island in 1949.

The Taiwanese campaign in the late 18th century saw the Chinese suppress a revolt in Taiwan.

Celebrating the return of Japanese-ruled Taiwan to Chinese control at the end of World War II. Only a few years later, Taiwan began to fight for its independence.

Tensions between China and Taiwan have been on-going for many centuries. This is the scene from the Taiwanese campaign in 1787.

Chairman Mao Zedong at Tianamen Square announcing the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Battle in the Taiwan Strait as Dutch ships battle the Chinese in the war over Taiwan.

In 2008, the election of president Ma Ying-jeou aided communications between China and Taiwan.

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The River Congo at 10,000m - The power of the river

Tim Butcher recounts his trip through the Congo on the route of 19th century explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley. Please allow several seconds for the slideshow to load.

RGS Archive image

1948 - Two fishermen navigate the mighty River Congo.

Course and watershed of the River Congo and Lualaba River with national boundaries.

Lake Telle - home of the legendary dinosaur "mokele-mbembe" (Nothern Congo).

Malebo Pools (formerly Stanley Pools) towards the end of the Congo River; Kinshasa and Brazzaville can be seen to the south and north of the river respectively.

A man fishing on the Congo River.

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1948 - A thriving dockyard on the Congo producing steamers and boats.

Course and watershed of the Congo and Lualaba River with topographical shading.

Shipwrecked boat left to rust on the banks of the Congo River.

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Central Kalimantan, Indonesia at 1,000m - The Heart of Borneo

Martin Holland and Tim van Berkel, leaders of the Heart of Borneo Project, discuss conservation in Central Kalimantan. Please allow several seconds for the slideshow to load.

This Bornean Horned Frog blends in perfectly with its surroundings - keeping still on top of a pile of leaves it is barely visible, with the horned ledges over its eyes camouflaging it against predators.

The lush interior of the Central Kalimantan rainforest lies largely untouched, as local tribes understand the importance of living sustainably to preserve it for future generations.

2002 - Haze from fires hangs thick over Borneo and Central Kalimantan. These fires are often as a result of slash-and-burn agriculture, which then burn out of control through forest and drained peatland.

A solitary orangutan on the edge of Sekonyer River, Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Peat swamp forest holds a crucial role as the endangered orangutan's habitat.

The interior of Central Kalimantan is often hilly and rugged, with impenetrable rainforest stretching across a large proportion of the ground surface. Travel is by air or more usually by canoe or on foot.

Deforestation in Kalimantan to make way for large scale palm oil plantations. A number of schemes have recently been set up to try and halt and manage the destruction of Borneo's rainforest.

A pitcher plant in the Kalimantan forest. These incredible plants grow a pitcher "bowl" to collect water to entice insects to drink, causing them to fall into the water and become food for the plant.

2003 - Palm oil plantations created on land cleared from rainforest in Central Kalimantan. Borneo faces the challenge of balancing economic development and conservation of natural resources.

This ant has been invaded by a parasitic cordyceps fungus, which you can see sprouting up out of the ant's head. The fungus will feed on the living ant until it overcomes it and kills it.

A Bornean orangutan in captivity. Less than 7,000 of these beautiful creatures exist, and all are concentrated in a small community within the jungles of Central Kalimantan.

A juvenile orangutan takes an afternoon nap in the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue Centre in Central Kalimantan, set up to care for orangutans rescued from degraded land or from the pet trade.

A logging road ploughs its way through pristine Kalimantan rainforest. The area to the left of the image has been disrupted by logging but the area to the right remains untouched.

An adult orangutan with her baby hangs on trees in Camp Leaky, Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

The Sabangau River and peat swamp forest within the Sabangau National Park, where the world's largest population of orangutans make their home.

An aerial view over tropical peat forest in Central Kalimantan. Trees can grow up to 70 metres high, and more than 900 different species of flowering plants and ferns have been recorded.

2006 - Fires raged across Kalimantan caused by agricultural and land-clearing fires burning out of control. When peat swamp catches fire, it burns with a thick smoke and is difficult to put out.

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MacDonnell Ranges, Australia at ground level - Celestial crater

Aboriginal art specialist Rebecca Hossack discusses the variety of people, art and cultures found in the Northern Territory. Please allow several seconds for the slideshow to load.

Gosses Bluff crater stretches five kilometres across, and the ridge reaches heights of 180 metres. It is thought it was originally 22 kilometres wide.

According to Arrernte Dreaming, Gosses Bluff, or Tnorala, was created by a fallen star, symbolising the baby of the Evening and Morning Stars falling to Earth in a basket.

The enormous Gosses Bluff crater is dwarfed by the surrounding ridges of the MacDonnell Ranges.

The Arrernte use the brightly coloured ochre found in the MacDonnell Ranges for artwork and bodypaint.

Ochre from pits such as this across the MacDonnell Ranges have been used by the Arrernte for thousands of years for painting.

1920 - An Arrernte man in a hut made of porcupine grass that protects him from the heat of the central Australian sun.

Gosses Bluff is thought to have been the result of a meteor impact 142 million years ago.

Gosses Bluff crater would have had a much more pronounced rim and a central peak, which have been worn down by millenia of erosion and weathering.

c. 1922 - An Arrernte boy holding a toy shield. The Arrernte are the original land owners of this part of Australia.

Standley Chasm is one of the most dramatic examples of the spectacular geology of the MacDonnell Ranges.

1920 - Kai Kai, an Arrernte doctor, was present at the time of the first white people to reach the region in the 1860s. Not long after, the Overland Telegraph Line was built.

Many of the gorges of MacDonnell Ranges display paintings from the Arrente people.

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Mumbai, India at street level - A dynamic culture

Rachel Dwyer, professor of Indian Cultures and Cinema at the School of Oriental and African Studies, discusses Bollywood cinema. Please allow several seconds for the slideshow to load.

A wall of Bollywood film posters. In the region of 800 Bollywood films are made in Mumbai each year.

Mumbaikars celebrate a wedding with music and dancing in the streets.

A family celebrate the festival of Holi in Mumbai. The city welcomes all cultures and festivals which are celebrated by all regardless of their religion.

Mumbai celebrates many festivals from different cultures and is known for its colourful festivities.

Bollywood films are famous for their elaborate dance scenes and bright colours.

Bollywood performances are replicated across the world and influences music and films across the globe.

A new Bollywood film on show at a Mumbai cinema, the heart of the Indian film industry.

Bollywood films have influenced many aspects of Indian culture, including music.

Leading actors film a scene at the Bandra Bandstand in Mumbai.

A Mumbai street set up for filming for a new Bollywood film.

Dancers perform in the streets during filming for the Bollywood film 'Dance Baby Dance'.

Bollywood posters are found across India, reflecting the influence the films have on Indian culture.

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© 2012 Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)