Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

Worldmark Encylopedia of the Nations. 12th ed. Detroit, Mich.: 2007. 5 vols. 3280 p. $525.00. ISBN 10: 14144-1089-1.

A beginning source of information about the United Nations and the nations of the world, this new edition did not continue its coverage of World Leaders. All of the volumes begin with the "Readers Guide." The first volume also has one page of conversion tables, three pages of abbreviations and acronyms and two glossaries, one of religious holidays and one of special terms. In Vol. 1, The United Nations System is described, its related agencies, and a description of Polar Regions. The 25 pages of world tables will, as other information, need to be checked as this edition ages. A two-part bibliography contains sources about the UN and sources providing information on the individual countries of the world. The other volumes cover individual continents. Colored endpapers offer a map on one and flags of the countries on the other. Individual articles begin with brief information about the country, its full name, capital, flag, anthem, monetary unit, weights and measures, holidays and time zone. A black and white line map shows the country and its placement on its continent. The text has information on location, size, and extent; topography; climate; flora and fauna; environment; population; migration; ethnic groups; languages; religions; transportation; history; government; political parties; local government; judicial system; armed forces; international cooperation; economy; income; industries; trade; domestic and foreign trade; economic development; health; housing; education; libraries and museums; among others and a bibliography. Many articles have inset charts and tables. With students needing an awareness of the global community in which they live and so lacking in knowledge about geography, this is a high-priority purchase.