DK Concise Atlas of the World - Hardcover

DK Publishing

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0789480026 ISBN 13: 9780789480026

Publisher: DK, 2001

Synopsis

Following the success of the DK World Atlas, this new Concise Edition meets the challenge of providing a truly encyclopedic treatment of the world in an accessible and affordable format. The latest digital mapping techniques have been used to create exceptional maps and an integrated presentation of the geography of the world and its regions. Regional Surveys: Integrated regional mapping, supported by illustrations, photographs, and detailed text provides an in-depth examination of the world. Land Use: Detailed maps show each region's land use and its principal agricultural activities. Industry: "At-a-glance" maps provide an instant picture of each region's industrial activities, communications infrastructure, and mineral resources. Regional Maps: There are more than 75 full-color, large-scale regional maps with vivid terrain relief. Terrain Models: Computer-generated, 3D terrain models explain the physical geography of each region. Diagrams: Includes graphic representations of key features such as transportation infrastructure and population distribution. Global and Continental Overviews: The physical, political, economic, and demographic geography of the world is fully presented on introductory pages. Global Map: Global thematic maps give an overview of the state of the world today.

About this title

From Library Journal

These well-organized atlases offer clear transitions from more general global information and maps to sections on continents, each of which contains continental and regional close-ups with maps and information. From the most basic Compact, the price increases according to the quantity of additional maps and other materials. Each atlas carries an identical core of maps. The Concise provides the most comprehensive coverage, including over 400 maps, many photos, geographical comparisons, thumbnail information on each country, and a range of topics from the solar system to international disputes. The Essential, including over 60 maps, offers a nifty, easy-to-use ready-reference resource full of geographical and political information. The well-priced paperback Compact contains 60 maps and less additional information. Despite the brilliant map colors and digitally achieved definition, none of these atlases contains detailed maps for each state in the United States, as does the Rand McNally Premier World Atlas (Rand McNally, 2001). Although the measurements of each atlas differ (Concise, 131/4" x 95/8"; Essential, 81/2" x 6"; Compact, 10 7/8" x 81/2"), there is sometimes no corresponding difference among them in the detail shown for a particular area. For example, all three show only seven cities in the state of Connecticut in the U.S. Northeast regional close-up map. However, the Concise shows the Chechenskaya Respublika, while the others do not. Though only the Concise and the Essential contain glossaries, the index-gazetteer at the end of all three contains wonderful comparative and statistical information, country-by-country particulars, and an extensive index. The Compact is a good purchase for individuals, but both the Concise and the Essential are highly recommended for academic, public, and school libraries. Michelle Foyt, Russell Lib., Middletown, CT
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

For this new concise atlas, Dorling Kindersley has used as a basis their DK World Atlas that was first published in 1997 with a revised second edition in 1998. The concise version is slightly smaller in size, with about the same number of place-names in the index. It does contain more pages than the larger edition. As with many DK books, each page is filled with maps, photographs, charts, tables, and text. The main maps cover about 75 percent of each page and include most cities, rivers, mountains, and so forth.

Maps for the solar system and the world as a whole are first in the volume. Coverage of the continents follows, beginning with North America and ending with Australasia and Oceania. (The classic arrangement of many atlases begins with Europe and ends with South America.) In addition to the continent maps, there are 75 regional maps. Europe has 15 regional maps; Asia has 18. Some of the information accompanying the regional maps is not very useful. There are graphs for urban/rural population and statistics for miles of roads, railways, and rivers. Presumably this information is the average for states or countries on the page, but this is not clear. Brief almanac-type information (ethnic mix, literacy rate, and so on) for individual countries follows the maps. A brief glossary precedes the index. The index entries do not include longitude, latitude, or population but do indicate by a symbol if the entry is something other than a city.

Though not a first choice among atlases, this is a good bet for libraries needing an inexpensive supplemental source. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: DK
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0789480026
• ISBN 13: 9780789480026
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384