National Geographic Almanac of Geography »

The ultimate illustrated reference book on physical and human geography from the world's leading authority on the subject, this unique almanac is a must-have for every family library. The book contains a wealth of up-to-date information on all aspects of the physical world and its people along with hundreds of photographs, drawings, charts, sidebars, and maps.

Who were the earliest mapmakers? What makes the seasons change? What causes violent weather? What exactly is a mineral? What does a geographer do? This amazingly comprehensive volume provides an answer to just about every geographic question a reader might ask, from the history of mapmaking to the migration of people around the world to current environmental hazards. For easy reference, the book is organized into four main parts - What Is Geography, Physical Geography, Human Geography, and Places. Readers will find useful information about world population, cultural identity, the spread of religion, the growth of cities, the global economy, the depletion of natural resources, and more. A special flags-and-facts section features the flag of every nation, along with its capital, territories, physical geography, language, and economy. An extensive glossary, lists of sources for further reading, and detailed index complete this user-friendly learning tool - an engaging family reference that will help young and old alike to better understand our world and all that is in it.