Geographica: The Complete Illustrated Atlas of the World

Rating:
Summary: Description & Review
Review: "The ultimate world reference." The Bookseller

Geographica is a remarkable reference tool that takes the reader on a stunningly illustrated journey from outer space to the nations, cities, towns and villages in every corner of the globe.

Geographica begins with an enlightening section on the Earth, its relation to our solar system and to the universe, its existence as a biophysical system, and its role as a home for humans. The early part of the book is organized in topics, written by leading experts in the field and accompanied by the best photographs available. Next, the core of the book contains maps and detailed text, based on the most updated information available from the world's leading agencies, on the world's 192 nations which belong to the United Nations along with 65 dependencies and overseas territories. Entries for each nation feature an introductory essay on the region and its people, physical features, land use, economy and resources, locator map, a fact file for quick access to a country's key data-language, population, currency, climate, government, infant mortality, literacy, etc.-and much, much more. The final section is a clear, thorough index of place names with page numbers for text and maps.

Compiled and produced by over three dozen editorial and research staff members at Random House Australia, with articles from hundreds of contributors, Geographica is a unique, highly accessible reference book whose organization and writing reflect the goal of its creators: to offer the reader "a journey into the past and an appreciation of the present as it has evolved."

Rating:
Summary: DISSAPOINTING
Review: IT IS A PITTY THAT THIS WONDERFULLY COLORED AND HARDCOVERED BOOK LACKS IN ACCURATE INFORMATION. JUST ONE LITTLE EXAMPLE WILL TELL YOU WHY: THE AUTHOR COUNTS MEXICO AS A CENTRAL AMERICA COUNTRY! WHAT A MISTAKE! MEXICO, ALONG WITH U.S.A. AND CANADA IS OFFICIALLY LOCATED AS NORTH AMERICA. A REAL SHAME FOR THE AUTHOR!

Rating:
Summary: DISSAPOINTING
Review: IT IS A PITTY THAT THIS WONDERFULLY COLORED AND HARDCOVERED BOOK LACKS IN ACCURATE INFORMATION. JUST ONE LITTLE EXAMPLE WILL TELL YOU WHY: THE AUTHOR COUNTS MEXICO AS A CENTRAL AMERICA COUNTRY! WHAT A MISTAKE! MEXICO, ALONG WITH U.S.A. AND CANADA IS OFFICIALLY LOCATED AS NORTH AMERICA. A REAL SHAME FOR THE AUTHOR!

Rating:
Summary: A great survey
Review: This atlas is an excellent survey of our planet. The atlas is divided into three major parts focusing on physical and cultural landscapes as well as world regions. If viewed as a "quick reference," the atlas is excellent for providing some fast facts about each country. Included with each country reference are basic demographic statistics, a small map that shows the relative location of each country, maps of each country, the national flag, a written narrative on the history and economy, and for some of the larger countries, a timeline of historical events. The atlas is also loaded with nice color photos. The atlas doesn't contain a lot of fine detail on individual countries, but at 600+ pages and about 10 pounds, more depth would have required sacrificing photos or breadth of coverage.

Rating:
Summary: A great survey
Review: This atlas is an excellent survey of our planet. The atlas is divided into three major parts focusing on physical and cultural landscapes as well as world regions. If viewed as a "quick reference," the atlas is excellent for providing some fast facts about each country. Included with each country reference are basic demographic statistics, a small map that shows the relative location of each country, maps of each country, the national flag, a written narrative on the history and economy, and for some of the larger countries, a timeline of historical events. The atlas is also loaded with nice color photos. The atlas doesn't contain a lot of fine detail on individual countries, but at 600+ pages and about 10 pounds, more depth would have required sacrificing photos or breadth of coverage.

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Summary: Geographica by Sandall
Review: This is a fine reference work for geography and government enthusiasts. It contains the origins of the Universe, the movement of rocks, human evolution, world theologies and detailed
maps of the heavens and oceans. There are memorable pictures of
Morocco, the West Sahara and the Gobi desert.Individual maps contain an easy-to-use tab/locator, cross-reference schemes,
scalar measurements, country capitals and key projections. The book would be perfect for a class project at any level of academic achievement.

Rating:
Summary: Fine Reference Book for Youngsters
Review: This is a great geography book for older kids, aged 12 and up. I would primary recommend it as an ideal aid for young people, who start developing a serious interest in geography and mapping. Still, it can be great browsing for us older people as well, since it is packed with beautiful pictures, interesting political and economical maps and data!

One should note that the book is not an atlas in the original sense of the word: its specific map section is only about 1/4 of the pages.

This work is dealing with each country of the World one at a time, sorted by continents, which are also described in general on a double-page at the beginning of each section.
Each country is presented by a short description of its geographical location and features, history and latest political events. The key facts are given in the "Fact File", listing the Official name, Form of Government, Capital, Area, Time zone, Population, Projected population 2005, Population density, Life expectancy, Infant mortality, Official language, Other languages, Literacy rate, Religions, Ethnic groups, Currency, Economy, GNP per capita, Climate, Highest point and Map reference.
A little globe is showing with a red dot, where the country is in the World and a rough physical map of the country is given, showing only a few major cities. This later could have been done much better/detailed, despite the fact that the volume contains quite accurate maps of each region of the World.
Europe is covered by 24, Asia 31, Africa 13, Australia 4, and America 33 pages. There are additional app. 50 pages showing physical and political characters of the continents as well as smaller details of the previously listed maps, e.g. Oceania, Islands of the Pacific, Islands Around South America, etc.

The overall quality of the book is excellent! Nicely bound, the quality/details of the maps are good for this level of studies, e.g. USA is shown on several 1:5,000,000 maps, Europe on mostly on 1:3,500,000 and Africa 1:9,000,000. The colours of the maps are pleasing: Not to colourful or too dull.

All in all: a quite accurate and useful reference book on the World to have around. 618 pages.

Contents
Part 1: Planet Earth: Earth in Space, Earth as a Biophysical System, Earth as a Home for Humans
Part 2: People and Society, Timelines of World History
Part 3: Regions of the World: Oceania, Asia and The Middle East, Europe and the Russian Federation, Africa, North and Central America, South America, Polar Regions, Oceans.
Part 4: Gazetteer

(Little remark on "North America and Mexico" to my fellow reviewer: Please note that there is only a North America and a South America. The so-called "Central America" is merely the Southern part of the first - as explained by the author. Thanks.)

Review based on 1999 Könemann edition. (ISBN 3-8290-3000-2)

Rating:
Summary: One of the best reference books
Review: Very interseting, colorful. full of interseting material and good maps of all countries of the world

Rating:
Summary: Lamb dressed as beef
Review: While beautifully presented this atlas lacks detail and current information. It quotes the global population to be 5.5 Billion. The national biographies are sparse and better guides are available, for example the "SBS World Guide". Overall dissappointing, a good gift for a 12 year old. A little bit more effort would have produced a great product.