Rhys Griffiths

The staff of History Today pick their favourite articles of the past year.  

The two rivers where civilisation began.

The 1,200 square miles of mountains that make up the Alps have been both frontier and a venue for fun.

From the taming of the ‘Wild West’ to the lucrative wages of sin.

A geographical concept based on outdated European ideas of race – does 'Melanesia' exist?

Beyond the popular image of a harsh, vast expanse. 

On the coast of Rügen island in northern Germany is a beach resort fit for a Führer.

The North African country before and after Islam. 

One of the world's poorest countries, for much of its history Nepal has been hidden from the world.