A new history magazine, National Geographic Storica, launched in Italy in February. It will be published monthly under license from National Geographic by RBA Italia, the Italian branch of RBA Edipresse S.L., Spain’s leading publisher. RBA Italia, formed in 2007, has been developing partwork publications for newsstands and direct mail, and Storica is the company’s first monthly magazine.
The publication is the second history magazine published by National Geographic; National Geographic Historia was created in 2003 by RBA, the Society’s publishing partner in Spain. Today the magazine has a readership of over 500,000 and is the fifth-largest-circulation magazine in Spain.
National Geographic Historia will provide most of the content of the new National Geographic Storica publication, with a focus on classical and modern history from the beginning of recorded time to the 18th century. The first issue includes stories about the death of Tutankhamun, the journey of Magellan, the ancient hills of Rome and the real story of Merlin the magician.
Lavishly illustrated with photographs, original artwork and the trademark maps of National Geographic, the magazine will be available by subscription and on newsstands.
Giorgio Rivieccio is editor-in-chief of National Geographic Storica. A noted science journalist and author, Rivieccio was editor-in-chief of the science magazine Newton for the past 11 years. He also teaches journalism at the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste and at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
“National Geographic Storica will give history enthusiasts in Italy National Geographic’s unique look at civilizations and events past and present, in a popular and informative approach, with accuracy and graphic excellence,” said Terry Adamson, National Geographic’s executive vice president. “The periodical will build on the strength of the National Geographic brand firmly established in Italy over the last decade through the publication of National Geographic magazine and books and the reach of National Geographic Channels International.”
National Geographic magazine has been published in Italian since 1998 by Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso. White Star has been publishing National Geographic books since 2001. National Geographic Channels International has five channels in Italy and reaches more than 4.7 million households on the satellite platform SKY Italia.
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 325 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy.