Encyclopedic World Atlas - Hardcover

The new edition of the Oxford Atlas of the World is a handsome, shelving-friendly (37.5 cm.), and cheaper alternative to the seventh edition of the National Geographic Atlas of the World (LJ 2/15/00). The full-color, computer-generated maps reflect all the most recent geopolitical changes, from the new provincial boundaries in post-apartheid South Africa to the demarcation line between the Bosnian-Croat Federation and the Serbian Republic in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The terrain modeling is detailed and dramatic. More than 75 thematic maps explore topics from demographics and economics to the environment, and a special section of city maps covers 67 major international metropolitan areas with 38 close-up maps of city centers. This section has its own 8000-entry index, and the general index includes 75,000 entries with full geographic coordinates. Finally, an "Images of the Earth" section presents 17 stunning, full-page satellite photos. The one key element missing, which increases the reference value of the National Geographic Atlas, is a gazetteer with country summaries, national flags, and demographic and economic data. Despite this omission, the Oxford Atlas of the World is an extraordinary value and is highly recommended for all reference collections. The redesigned fifth edition of the Oxford Encyclopedic World Atlas is organized alphabetically by region and country. Some countries are grouped together under region or a neighbor; entries for all Central American countries are found under "Guatemala," for instance, while Caribbean nations have short entries under "Caribbean Sea." Therefore, it would have been helpful to have had a See reference at the top of the page, where the country should have been, rather than having to consult the 20,000-entry index or scan the contents to find a particular entry. Each entry includes a detailed physical map; a national flag with a description; a data table including area, population, capital, government, ethnic groups, languages, religions, and currency; and completely up-to-date narrative texts covering geography, climate, vegetation, history, politics, and economy. Instead of the world thematic maps found in the previous editions, this version provides at least ten for each continent, along with physical and political maps. The world time-zone map has been omitted. As a ready-reference tool, the Oxford Encyclopedic World Atlas is a comparably priced alternative or complement to the latest update of The Dorling Kindersley World Reference Atlas (LJ 2/1/97), which has more kinds of data. The Oxford Atlas has better maps, however, and will be a valuable asset to any reference desk or collection.DEdward K. Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Pierce, FL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.