Presently in its Tenth Edition, the Atlas of the World continues to remain the finest top-of-the-line geographic reference available, with hundreds of dramatic full-color, large-format maps and a host of gorgeous satellite photography. As in past editions, the atlas has been fully updated to reflect the changing world around us incorporating new nations (East Timor), new flags (Afghanistan), new statistics from the 2000 Census in the United States, and dozens of other significant revisions. At the core of the book however, is still the 176-page section of outstanding world maps, providing detailed political and topographical information about every nation on Earth, enhanced by relief shading and layer-colored contours. The tenth edition of the atlas offers a completely redesigned interior layout allowing for the highest level of factual and visual detail within an easy-to-read, accessible format. Moreover, the comprehensive and expanding 75,000-entry index makes locating specific places easy and convenient, and a separate index for the section of city maps from 67 major metropolitan areas only enhances the volumes usefulness. A colorful 48-page Introduction to World Geography section beautifully illustrated with color maps, charts, and graphs provides a wealth of information on such topics as the climate, the greenhouse effect, plate tectonics, agriculture, population and migration, and global conflicts.
Not the gold standard - but the best value for money
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
This is the best atlas you can get in this price category. The gold standard of world atlases - The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World - will cost you three times as much as this one. The features of the Oxford University Press's "Atlas of the World" are quite similar to the Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World. It has the same user-friendly overview over the maps contained in the atlas ("Key to the World/European Map Pages") on the insides of the front and back hardcover. And it has the same comprehensive index of names in the back, featuring not only the location of a certain place on the grid of a map, but also the place's longitude and latitude. As a bonus, there are 16 pages with stunning satellite pictures of - among others - cities like Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, Sydney and Naples with Mount Vesuvius. The main difference is the size of the two atlases: The Times Atlas is 19 by 13.3 inches, the Oxford Atlas is 15 by 11.3 inches. The bigger-sized maps of the Times Atlas allow greater detail. If you still have small kids in the house who love to thumb through your books, this atlas will be your best choice. In its price category it is absolutely a 5-star book.
THE GOLD STANDARD
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
In choosing a world atlas for my family, I looked at all that were available: from Oxford, National Geographic, Rand McNally, Hammond, DK, and other publishers. This new edition of the OxfordAtlas of the World is clearly the gold standard. Just published, it is of course the most up-to-date atlas available. More importantly, it is accurate and detailed, exquisitely produced (a joy to look at)and very readable. Unlike other atlases, for example, the maps do not run into the gutters. The introductory section containing informational maps and data (country population, income, products,languages, etc.) and stunning satellite photos is virtually a book in itself and worth the price of admission. And for all that one gets, the price is more than reasonable. This is more than a reference book--it's a good read. I highly recommend it.
NOTHING BEATS THE VALUE
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I just purchased Oxford's atlas and I'm amazed. It's half the price of comparable atlases and delivers everything my family needs. Clear, easy-to-read, and attractive. The city and satellite maps are also spectacular. Street names, major points of interest, train and subway stations, hospitals and police stations, you name it. I photocopied San Francisco for an upcoming trip. The reviewer who doesn't like the atlas is right--the colors are wonderful. But he's wrong about why they are there. It's not just eye candy. They allow for instant recognition of geographic features and altitude. I highly recommend buying this atlas. For the price there's nothing better.
Don't buy in to the hpye
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
of the National Geographic Atlas. I teach geography and I use the Oxford Atlas. Unlike what another reviewer said, it's much more than pretty colors. Oxford's atlas is the most accurate and offers an unbiased viewpoint--not an Amerocentric one. It's also the easiest to read. I highly recommend it.
(Oxford) Atlas of the World
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
In choosing a world atlas for my family, I looked at all that were available: from Oxford, National Geographic, Rand McNally, Hammond, DK, and other publishers. This new edition of the Oxford Atlas of the World is clearly the gold standard. Just published, it is of course the most up-to-date atlas available. More importantly, it is accurate and detailed, exquisitely produced (a joy to look at) and very readable. Unlike other atlases, for example, the maps do not run into the gutters. The introductory section containing informational maps and data (country population, income, products, languages, etc.) and stunning satellite photos is virtually a book in itself and worth the price of admission. And for all that one gets, the price is more than reasonable. This is more than a reference book--it's a good read. I highly recommend it.
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