A U.S. soldier surveys a poppy field as smoke rises in the distance near Spin Boldak in southern Afghanistan. Poppy seedpods produce opium, which can be refined into heroin. A recent United Nations report found that despite a multimillion-dollar effort to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, production reached record highs in 2007.
Set apart by geography and beliefs, oppressed by the Taliban, the Hazara people could be Afghanistan's best hope. Learn all about these unique people in this National Geographic magazine feature story.
See a classic gallery of images from Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world, which is now at risk as more and more tourists flock to Jordan's ancient city of stone.
