The World Almanac World Atlas 2006: World Almanac Facts Join Maps For Deeper Understanding (Spiral-bound)

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Key Phrases: independence date, conic projection, principal languages, Longitude East of Greenwich, Longitude West of Greenwich, San Jose (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up-This volume combines data from the World Almanac and Book of Facts (World Almanac, 2003) with an in-depth atlas featuring detailed computer-assisted maps. The introduction includes a discussion about the challenges and techniques of representing a sphere on a flat page. The first section consists of charts and tables on world population, oceans, temperature, energy consumption, and other topics. The map section begins with political and physical maps of the world. Each continent is introduced with a political map and a spread of geographical comparisons portraying temperature, rainfall, population distribution, climate, vegetation, land use, and mineral resources of different regions. Country maps are quite detailed and may extend over several pages; some may require a magnifying glass for comfortable viewing. A 72-page index separates the maps from the final and most useful section for students: "Nation Facts and Figures." Here, countries are arranged alphabetically under their respective continents. Each listing includes a color representation of the current flag along with data on population, ethnic groups, languages, religions, area, capital, heads of state and government, currency, GDP, and more. Libraries that purchase a world almanac annually can skip this offering as the most valuable material for students is merely duplicated here.-Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
Visually engaging and graphically sophisticated, this outstanding atlas combines state-of-the-art cartography with a wealth of fascinating and useful information from The World Almanac. It is sure to be a cherished volume in anyone's home or office library. .66 pages of compelling facts and figures from the The World Almanac about the world and the nations that constitute it .State-of-the-art, up-to-date world maps with hypsometric and bathymetric relief .Comprehensive Master Index

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Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 224 pages
• Publisher: Hammond World Atlas Corporation (February 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843709375
• ISBN-13: 978-0843709377
• Product Dimensions: 14.9 x 11.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,448,267 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This almanac is a magnificent achievement to be savored and repeatedly enjoyed., June 1, 2006

By	Norman Goldman "Editor of Bookpleasures.com" (Montreal) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Hammond World Atlas Corporation has teamed up with the bestselling World Almanac and Book of Facts in putting together a superb and educational publication, Hammond World Almanac 2006 World Atlas.

You can probably call this Almanac the bible for world class cartography and data with its 200 pages of facts and figures about people, ethnic groups, languages, religions, area, capital, GDP, head of state, and governments. And then there are the 100 pages of digital TerraScape Maps that feature three dimensional relief of land and ocean floor terrain.

When I looked at the "Contents" section of the Almanac, I was delighted to see that there is a section pertaining to the interpretation of maps. How often have you looked at a map and you haven't a clue as to what all the symbols mean or the map scales and projections?

In clear and precise language the authors of this publication explain what are map projections and explore some of the most widely used projections. They also introduce us to a new projection, the Hammond Optimal Conformal.

For those of us who are unfamiliar with the term map projection, we are informed that the challenge faced by mapmakers is to project the earth's curved surface onto a flat plane. Consequently, to accomplish this feat, cartographers have developed map projections or formulas that govern this conversion of geographic data. It is possible to identify every point on earth with the help of a geographic coordinate grid, and this grid is projected onto a flat surface.

From this starting point we are given explanations of general principles and terms, how to flatten a sphere, selected examples of projections, conic projection and the Hammond Optimal Conformal.

This initial section is followed with a comprehensive explanation as to how to use the map section. It is here where we find out how boundaries are determined, sources of names, map symbols, colors, labels and map scales.

Armed with all this introductory data we are now prepared to examine the world maps starting with the Europe and Northern Asia and then Asia, Australia and Pacific, Africa, Antarctica, South America, and North America. On the bottom of each map there are color codes differentiating the population of the various cities and towns. There is also a mileage scale denoted in either miles or kilometers. Detailed and comparative thematic maps, tables, graphs pertaining to each continent, topography, population, land use, mineral resources and consumption are also included.

The concluding section or the World Almanac Section presents key facts and figures concerning every nation such as their rankings by population and area, major oceans, ocean depths, and islands, rivers, waterfalls, continental altitudes, lakes, reservoirs, dams, highest mountains, temperatures, top languages, precipitation, population growth, energy and environment.

Examining facts and figures about a particular nation we notice that what is included is the following: topography, capital city, independence date, type of government, who is the head of state and head of government, GDP, industries, chief crops, minerals, life expectancy at birth, literacy rate and a link to the country's web site.

This almanac is a magnificent achievement to be savored and repeatedly enjoyed. It fills an educational niche and is a perfect addition for libraries, classrooms, and personal book collections, where vital geographical data is at your finger tips.

Norm Goldman, Editor Bookpleasures

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pairing the World Almanac data with maps and 3-D shading, August 20, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

'Another atlas?' many will sigh - but wait, this is something far different. For one its plastic spiral binding assumes it'll be used for easy lay-flat access, lending it to quick consultations without the restraints of the usual atlas binding. For another, it provides a satisfying blend of geography facts with an atlas format, pairing the World Almanac data with maps and 3-D shading. Yes, HAMMOND WORLD ALMANAC 2006 WORLD ATLAS will prove a shelving challenge for libraries: but it lends exceptionally well to home reference and will prove an eye-catching display item.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars World Atlas Review, March 24, 2007

By	Sageflower "Chapparel" (San Marcos, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Excellent to me especially because of the ability to open wide. The spirals allow this.