Locating The Best Atlas Of The World
In addition to the world atlas, there are other reasons people buy these informative books. You can look at patterns of animal extinction, migration and proliferation; you can access map data regarding lake, ocean and sea depths; you can trace endangered languages or learn about global immigration patterns; you can see areas prone to natural disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, mudslides, tornadoes and hurricanes; you can gain a quick view of a country’s currency, culture, customs and tourist destinations; or you can learn about environmental pollution and hazards. Whether you are looking at an atlas of the world or one of your own country, you will be glad you took an extra moment to consider the time and place that we live in.
One of the most frequently used atlases is Goode’s World Atlas, edited by Edward B. Espenshade, Jr. This pocket-sized book contains a number of high-quality maps from a cache of professional geographers. Another great selection is the National Geographic Road Atlas of the United States, Canada and Mexico, which features, hands-down, the best street maps of North America. The 10th Edition Times Atlas of the World boasts 125 color maps and a quarter of a million place names. The DK World Atlas is full of entertaining facts, while also providing geographic information about every country in the world. You will also want to add the DK Atlas of World History, which includes maps, timelines, photographs and historical notes, and the DK World Reference Atlas, which has 1 to 6 pages about each country, discussing politics, climate, world affairs, economics, crime, health, media, education and communications.
The Oxford Atlas of the World (15th Edition) is the latest world atlas to come out. With 448 pages, it is quite an impressive undertaking. This new edition, updated annually, is the first to show an independent Kosovo. You will get 179 pages of full-color regional maps, as well as street maps of 69 major cities, including Seoul, South Korea and Santiago, Chile, which even Google Maps and Yahoo Maps currently lack. The section on world geography offers up climate change and global warming data, as well as world standards of living and a section of satellite maps, which will allow Oxford Publishing to compete with online mapping sites. Compared to other reference books of the offline ilk, the Oxford Atlas of the World covers the 50 states in finer detail and gives a great tour of the planet, with particularly excellent coverage of Europe but more in-depth details in the remote areas than any other atlas to date. Comparatively, the Rand McNally and Hammond atlases are less expensive than this $80 hardcover edition, the road maps are better in the National Geographic road atlas and the aerial imagery is superior in the Map Satellite atlas by Dorling Kindersley.
If you are looking for an atlas of American history to inspire the kids, then consider Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley’s “Places in Time: A New Atlas of American History” (for 7-14 year olds), which teaches kids about fascinating stories behind 20 little-known American places using oral narratives, old maps, drawings and contemporary accounts. Don’t forget to get Lynn Kuntz’s “Celebrate the USA: Hands-On History Activities for Kids” (for 8-10 year olds), which will have you playing musical inventions like Ben Franklin or creating liberty wind socks from oatmeal boxes, glues, yarn and paper.
