Encyclopedic World Atlas - Hardcover

Following the tremendous success of Oxford's acclaimed Atlas of the World and the popular Concise Atlas of the World, comes a new addition to this outstanding line, the Encyclopedic World Atlas, providing authoritative full color maps and up-to-date statistics for every country in the world. The maps feature the same superb relief mapping that so distinguishes Oxford's other atlases, and the profiles are as readable as they are informative. Comprehensive and easy to use, it is an invaluable resource for project work, research, or as a general home reference.

The Encyclopedic World Atlas offers up-to-date profiles of every nation and is organized continent by continent in the classical geographical sequence. Each continent is introduced by maps of the whole region: a physical map, a political map, a map showing land use, and smaller maps concerned with climate, natural vegetation and the distribution of the population. Each country entry features its own handy statistical table putting a wealth of facts--from main industries to adult literacy rates--at your fingertips. The engaging and well-written profiles describe the main features of the country's landscape, history, culture, and economy (often including in-depth treatment of special topics, such as the Great Divide or the Korean War). The profiles are often supplemented with a lively dash of local color. For example, here is an excerpt from the entry on Finland: "While few Finns comply with the cliched image and run around in the snow before beating their feet with birch twigs, they do try to keep warm in other ways. They consume more vodka per head than the Russians..."

In addition, the atlas offers a thirty-two page Introduction to World Geography section beautifully illustrated with colorful maps, charts, graphs, and diagrams, and offering an integrated look at world geography, from the solar system and plate tectonics to population, resources, economics, politics, quality of life, and our global ecosystems. Drawn by George Philip Ltd., Europe's finest cartographers, the full-color topographic maps of individual countries and regions combine layer-colored contours with relief shading to provide a superb visual impression of the land surface. Cities, towns and major communication routes are marked in meticulous detail. In addition, over 160 climate graphs provide a detailed analysis of local climatic conditions, and more than 200 national flags are shown, in color, with a summary of their origin and significance. The 25,000 name index provides quick reference to the maps through an easy-to-use letter/figure grid system, and includes geographical features such as mountains, rivers, and deserts.

Meticulously crafted and reflecting the latest political developments and survey and census information, Oxford's Encyclopedic World Atlas is second to none in the superb quality of its maps, the breadth of its international coverage, and its easy-to-use convenience. It is a complete geographical reference for every home, school, library, or business.