Customer Reviews

The World Reference Atlas Updated Edition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This atlas supplies much more than maps. It includes historical notes for each country (arranged in alpha order), plus info on climate, transportation, tourism, people, politics, world affairs, economics, resources, environment, media, crime, education, health and world rankings for key variables. Is an excellent source of data.

I ordered this book based on the customer reviews that I had read, and I wasn't disappointed. This book earns every star it gets and more. It is very well organized with colorful, easy-to-read graphs and charts. The information presented on each country is beyond belief: health, wealth, ethnicity, environment, resources, education, politics, foreign aid, transportation, history, etc, etc, etc. Each heading usually gives some sort of graph/chart with a concise, easy-to-understand explanation. Well worth the money.

This Reference Atlas is a MUST for students and anyone else interested in of countries of the world. My only criticism is it was last updated 12 years ago! Many details are still very relevant, but many are also outdated. I have purchased 3 of these books as gifts for friends who also love this book. Hopefully DK will publish another updated version soon.

Well sorted, and nice book. All th information is well placed with full biodata of country. Plus a well established world Atlas of the world

WONDERFUL AND HELPFUL BEST ATLAS EVER MADE

I was disappointed the first moment I received my copy of this book. I asked my self, where are the maps? My expection for an Atlas was a collection of maps. Other reference materials are welcome but they are incidental. If I were to look for the reference materials, I would have gone for the CIA World Fact Book (all the information of which is available free on-line through the CIA's web site). The maps of this book are buried in pages and pages of reference materials. For most countries, the ratio is as much as 1 page of map versus 5 pages of other materials. It simply does not have the feel of an Atlas.

This shortcoming alone can only downgrade this book to three stars, as it has some merits as discussed below. One factual error made me down grade this book even further. It indicates that China was established in 1912, and Taiwan 1949. In reality, the regime in Beijing claimed its foundation in 1949, and the one in Taipei 1912.

The book merits the two stars for the following featuures that I liked, among others:

The color maps indicate land height.

There is a section that deals with territories of the world that are not contries. For example, have you heard about Jonston Atoll and Kingman Reef? Well the book will tell you that both are U.S. Territories.

Ride the wave of the future my man. Just buy it