A guide to countries and continents in today's rapidly changing world. • Clear, country-by-country layout makes this an ideal reference book for use at home and at school. • Fact boxes provide at-a-glance information on each country's population, language, religion, government, currency, and more. • More than 60 large-scale, three-dimensional maps, 900 superb photographs, and 500 detailed artworks, charts, and diagrams bring the countries of the world to life. • Researched, authenticated, and updated by a team of specialists in human and physical geography and international affairs