A Guide to Countries of the World

by Peter Stalker

This A-Z guide provides a wealth of information for every country in the world. Each entry offers a brief history and outlines contemporary social, economic, political and religious issues. For every country there is a map and a quick-reference fact box containing data and statistics including languages, population, GDP, capital city, life expectancy, and more. An appendix of indicator tables includes statistics on income and poverty, health and population and a second appendix features regional groupings, such as the EU and the African Union, with useful web links. Revised and fully updated, the Third Edition is ideal for students and teachers of geography, politics, economics, and world history, and it is a perfect home reference book. From major powers such as the United States or China, to hot spots such as North Korea or Iran, to little known nations such as Mayotte, Kiribati, or Nauru, this essential guide is the first place to turn for information on the world around us.

421 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2004

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like little Wikipedia snippets for each country! Interesting stuff!

[Cabdisalaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book

[Kristie Ennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A guide to countries of the world. (2007). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Citation By: Kristie Hofelich Ennis

Reference Type: Geographical

Call Number: G103.5 .S68 2007

Content/Scope: All countries in the world are represented in this edition with up-to-date information about geographical features, political, social, and economical issues. There are maps included and the current state of affairs is covered for each country as well. Several pages are available for each entry.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Oxford University Press has been publishing in some form since the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. They have sterling reputation for academic and reference publishing in particular, and operate as a worldwide authority in dictionaries specifically. Peter Stalker, the writer of each entry in this particular text, is an expert on countries studies and has authored several of his own books.

Arrangement & Presentation: This text is organized alphabetically by country. Each entry includes the information mentioned above for each country in the world and easily navigated by users due to its consistent layout. There are some color illustrations, but the entire text is not color.

Relation to Similar Works: The library contains encyclopedias that have some of this information in them, but this is an easily accessible comprehensive work for research.

Accessibility/Diversity: With the number of ELL students in the school, and Humanities and Social Studies projects that require research on various countries of the world, this text will meet the needs of many students. All countries in the world are represented.

Cost: $15

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the world (or at least the world up to 2010, when this version was published - it's amazing what can happen in 3 years, e.g. Arab spring).