National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World [Hardcover]

National Geographic Society (Author)

Book Description

Series: National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World | Publication Date: August 15, 2006

The last decade has seen an explosion of innovative and sophisticated digital mapping technologies—and National Geographic has been at the forefront of developing these powerful new tools to create the finest, most functional and informative atlases available anywhere.

This compact, easy-to-use format is the first product built on our newly developed, cutting-edge cartographic database. It offers the convenience of smaller scale without sacrificing clarity or detail; instead, identically-scaled maps on a given continent enable readers to compare physical, political, and regional information simply and accurately.

After a fascinating explanation of the latest technology, the atlas examines our world as a whole, presenting 25 global themes, from tectonics, the biosphere, and energy sources to population, health, literacy, and more, along with such timely topics as environmental stress and flash points for conflict and terror. Next it explores each continent with special spreads assessing the global economic impact of each. The oceans and the polar regions follow providing complete, consistent coverage. Finally, comprehensive appendices present world political information, statistics, and geographic comparisons organized for quick and easy reference.

In addition, access to a companion web site will provide continuing and complimentary information making this Atlas truly state-of-the-art and up-to-the-minute.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up–This is a compact adaptation of National Geographic Atlas of the World (2005). Recent advances in mapping technology are evident in these 250-plus maps and 50 satellite images that present data on the political, physical, human, and economic worlds. Introductory entries discuss cartography in the 21st century and its use in interpreting global issues. The World presents visual and short textual global overviews of subjects such as Transportation, Defense & Conflict, Communication, Health & Literacy, Trade & Globalization, and Biodiversity. Next, sections on each continent provide maps, charts, and text on the continent and then on subregions, by theme. The maps mostly use the same scale, making comparisons easy. World Facts follows, preceding an exhaustive place index. A companion Web site provides a photo gallery, atlas updates, and customized maps. Though this work is jammed with fascinating information, maps and graphs are smaller and fewer (maps of the solar system and of cities are not included). Material near the gutters is hard to decipher, as is much of the small, light print on the reduced maps. The Collegiate Atlas provides a lot of information and is suitable for home use, but libraries would be better off with the earlier edition.–Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (August 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792236629
• ISBN-13: 978-0792236627
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 1.2 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It does its job, I suppose, March 16, 2007

By 

R. Bayerl "Specialist in having fun" (Fairfax, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World (Hardcover)

The main reason I bought this atlas is because although I own the larger-format National Geographic Atlas, it does not prop well onto a sofa arm for leisurely review while sitting up; it requires more contortion.

Yes, the binding is a problem; it makes finding what's down there exceedingly difficult. If I really needed to see what's at that edge, I'd have no choice but to get out my X-Acto and cut them out.

The thematics are interesting, but they have too many colors, and it is hard to tell just what color they're talking about. Nat. Geo.'s editors should spend some time reading Edward Tufte's "Display of Quantitative Information".

There is something I figure could be improved upon, too, with the general map format. The way it is in the Collegiate, as well as the Big One, you have to flip between physical and political to get the whole sense of the land. I'd prefer something like I read about in their line of globes, where you see just political by leaving the light off, but get an overlay from inside graphics when you turn it on. I'd go more for an atlas having topo contours as underlayment for the countries, rather than stylized colors.

I have to wonder about something I saw in there in terms of accuracy, too. We all know now that the Gulf between Galveston and New Orleans is a major center of petrochemical production. Why, then, don't they display the red graphics in the night-time views the way they do for the Persian Gulf (not the Arabian one, I note...), Russia, Azerbaijan and the North Sea.

I will continue to look for the ideal compact atlas, I suppose. I used to love my Hammond Citation, only it's a 1985 copy and hopelessly out of date. But hey, it's National Geographic, so you have to respect that.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Binding hides information, February 14, 2007

By 

Mary Phillips (Denver, CO, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World (Hardcover)

This is an excellent atlas - except that the tight binding frustrates attempts to see the whole of the maps. Portions disappear into the middle of the book. It would have been much better if the pages were printed with margins for the area hidden by the binding.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars If you value maps, I do not reccommend this atlas., January 16, 2007

By 

M. Roy - See all my reviews
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This review is from: National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World (Hardcover)

In looking at a map that spans two pages. If you happen to be looking for a point on a map that is in the center, it would be located in the binding. This is very poor design and workmanship. DO NOT BUY!