Encyclopedia Of World Geography, 3-Volume Set (Facts on File Library of World Geography)

This three-volume set is a comprehensive guide to the history and practice of geography and cartography. With appendixes and almost 200 maps and photographs, it has about 750 entries describing pioneers in geography and mapmaking; regions, boundaries, and places; and tools and terminology of geography and cartography.

Grade 9 Up–Approximately 750 alphabetical, signed articles cover topics from abyssal plain and Ibn Battuta to Quaternary geography and zones of convergence/divergence. Volume one opens with a complete listing of entries as well as a chronology of important geography-related facts from 200 million B.C.E. to A.D. 2050 (projection on the continuing population explosion). The articles range in length from a few paragraphs to a few pages; those on countries begin with a page notation for a map and a listing of the area, population, capital, highest point, lowest point, GDP per capita, and major natural resources. While basic definitions and facts are given, the authoritative entries also provide historical context and analyze current events and trends. The set has 80 black-and-white photographs and 115 two-color maps. Appendixes include world rankings in a number of areas (area, infant mortality, population, migration, literacy, etc.) and a complete world atlas. However, Peter Haggetts Encyclopedia of World Geography (Marshall Cavendish, 2001) offers more comprehensive coverage and features color pictures and a more appealing layout. Still, McColls set would be an asset to libraries.–Maren Ostergard, Bellevue Regional Library, WA
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How often do you really want to read a book about geography for pleasure? The almost chatty style of this encyclopedia may change your attitude!

Each of the approximately 750 entries is signed and includes the work location of the contributor. There is a short bibliography in paragraph form at the end of each entry; many of the bibliographies include Web sites. Most entries are several paragraphs (about a column in length) to a page or more. Cross-references within the entries are in capital letters. The relatively few black-and-white photos that accompany many entries are clear and artistic. The numerous maps are in shades of green and gray.

Each country entry begins with a locator globe and a summary of data, including map page (referring to the "World Atlas" appendix in volume 3), area, population, capital, highest and lowest points in feet (with meters in parentheses), gross domestic product per capita, and primary natural resources. Country, state, and city entries have historical information as well as current descriptions of government, social life, and world position. Most of the statistical information is current to 2004. Many of the contributors have ties to the places they write about, and their love of place is apparent. Biographical entries include the birth and death dates of the person and information about why that person is important to geography. None of the biographical subjects are women.

Terms for landforms, such as Erg (Bedouin for sand sea or dune field), Great Barrier Reef, Hemisphere, and Strait, and other concepts related to geography, such as Facilities mapping, Geopolitics, Megaliths, Nautical mile, and Xerophyte (plants that are adapted to dry climates), are also included. These entries go beyond mere definition to contain historical perspective. The after matter consists of a resource guide divided into books, journals and magazines, and Internet sites; a glossary; lists of world rankings; the aforementioned world atlas; and an index to the set. A "Chronology of Geography" can be found in volume 1.

Except for the fact that the locator globes can be difficult to decipher, overall design is pleasing, and type size is big enough to be easy on the eyes, even in the index. The text is of an average readability--not too scholarly, not too simplistic. The "World Rankings" appendix is not clearly laid out and could have used its own table of contents, but otherwise, most users will find the information they need without having too much difficulty. In spite of a few flaws, this is a marvelous set that most school, academic, and public libraries will need in their collections. Salem's World Geography (2001) has numerous color photographs and an arrangement that corresponds to the national K-12 geographic standards, "Geography for Life," but it is not as current. Robin Hoelle
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