Overview
This magnificent atlas provides authoritative coverage of the globe in cartography of exceptional quality. The physical and political maps, using the latest digital cartography, are fully revised and updated. They provide balanced coverage of the continents, but give extra prominence to densely populated, and economically or strategically important areas.
Projections and scales have been chosen to maximize legibility and minimize distortion.
The maps (made by the acclaimed Philip's Maps) combine relief shading with layer colored contours to give a stunning visual impression of Earth's surface, while charting physical features, settlements and communications with meticulous accuracy.
The extensive index contains more than 55,000 names -- provinces, towns and cities, rivers, lake and deserts. Both latitude and longitude co-ordinates and letter-figure grid references are here.
Contents feature:
- 128 pages of physical and political maps
- 96 pages of index
- 48-page Introduction to World Geography
- 32 pages of satellite images of world regions
- a special map showing regions currently in the news
The metallic-ink and foil-stamped cover will be very attractive to readers. This is an exceptionally fine atlas for the price.
Synopsis
Featuring digital cartography and satellite images, this atlas is completely up-to-date for 2005. It provides balanced coverage of the world, with extra prominence to densely populated and economically strategic areas. Fully indexed.
Library Journal
This atlas, published in association with the Royal Geographical Society, opens with an "Introduction to World Geography" that contains more than 70 world and regional thematic maps. The illustrations and text explore such topics as demographics, economics, and the environment. The special page of maps featuring "Regions in the News" includes Iraq, Sudan, the Israeli Security Fence, and regions devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Nearly 130 pages of full-color, computer-generated maps (the same selection as that in Oxford's New Concise World Atlas) reflect all of the most recent geopolitical changes: the independence of East Timor, Indonesia's new provinces, and Serbia and Montenegro's replacement of Yugoslavia. The general index boasts more than 55,000 entries-e.g., towns, cities, rivers, lakes, and deserts-with full geographic coordinates. An "Images of Earth" section presents 17 stunning, full-page satellite photos, some brand new for this atlas. Current international flags appear on the back lining paper. Bottom Line This resource, like the New Concise, is basically a condensed and updated version of the outstanding Oxford Atlas of the World, now in its 12th edition, with the notable omission of the highly informative gazetteer feature and detailed city maps with their own index. With meticulous and dramatic terrain modeling, it is suitable for general and informed lay readers and offers excellent value for the price-libraries will be able to purchase copies for reference as well as circulation.-Edward K. Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Pierce, FL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.