The World Almanac and World Atlas: World Almanac Facts Join Maps for Deeper Understanding

School Library Journal

Gr 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 2004 Reed Business Information.