The Penguin State of the World Atlas

by Dan Smith

The completely up-to-date edition of this invaluable classic reference allows the reader a global overview of the elements that define the opening of the twenty-first century.

* The World at War
* The Rise of Globalization
* Control of the Seas
* Control of Space
* Superpowers
* Population Growth
* Urbanization
* Traffic
* Energy Use
* Global Warming
* Biodiversity
* Stock Markets
* Human Rights
* Children's Rights
* The Internet and Digital Media
* Investment
* Health and Disease

Using a mainly visual analysis of data in full-color maps and graphics, Dan Smith gives shape and meaning to the statistics.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Politics, Maps, Atlases, Geography, Military Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aside from being dated, the book suffers from a liberal slant in its content. Also, being a snapshot of a point in time, it's a lot weaker than showing how countries are trending over the past few decades, which would you give a much better idea of where things will be in the future.

[Susan]

If I were more on my game, I would be buying the newest edition of this book every year it comes out. This is a great reference tool with intuitive and colorful maps delineating how the world is doing in a wide range of aspects, from Literacy Rates to Food Distribution. The editors have obviously studied the Visual Display of Quantitative Information... another great book that everyone should own.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't a book so much as a collection of world maps showing stats on everything from obesity rates to military spending to freedom of the press. I spent many hours poring over the maps to see what they could tell me about the world.

I did find it a bit irritating that New Zealand was so frequently covered up with a text box or left off the map altogether.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously, I can't vouch for all the information in this book, and you have to approach such huge simplifications with skepticism. That said, this is quite a unique book.

[Nadxieli Mannello]

I've perused other editions, which are chock full of info stats, so can't wait to see how, erm, the Internet isn't fixing all the world's problems, etc.

[Alex]

Penguin State of the World Atlas, Seventh Edition by Dan Smith (2003)

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stuff to refer back to