National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers

Amazon.com
As the boundaries of our world change, so must our atlases. This generously sized 2003 edition of the award-winning National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers reflects the latest-possible place-name and boundary changes and features a new 16-page section on the world's oceans (including maps and illustrated essays) and an expanded U.S. section that provides an in-depth look at each region. If you are unfamiliar with the format of previous editions, expert National Geographic cartographers have designed more than 115 pages of colorful, easy-to-read, full-spread political (names and boundaries of countries), physical (land forms and water features), and thematic (displaying patterns such as climate) maps for children ages 8 to 12. All maps are shown in the context of surrounding areas. The plentiful color photographs, illustrations, and charts make this an interesting book to casually peruse, as do engaging captions about everything from golden toads to Pueblo Indian artists. The maps themselves are labeled with large, legible type. Students will also find a glossary of geographic terms, a chart of key world facts and figures, conversion tables, and a detailed index. A fine atlas for school projects or for browsing through on a rainy day. (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin Snelson


From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8-This new edition of an essential resource incorporates the latest global changes in place-names, boundaries, and statistics. Though the general appearance, at first glance, seems nearly identical to the 1998 edition, a careful look reveals that many explanations have been rewritten in clearer language or lengthened. Likewise, the majority of striking color photos remains intact, though new images and captions have been added. In the first section, "The World," new spreads on "People" and "World Economies" have replaced "Population Density" and "Transportation and Communication." Continent fact boxes reflect population shifts and changes in life expectancy. (Somewhat puzzling is the fact that the area of the U.S. seems to have increased by nearly 100,000 square miles in the past five years.) There are several new or updated country flags. The most striking addition, however, is the 14-page section on the world's oceans, which begins with marine life, followed by a fascinating discussion of the challenges of mapping the ocean floor. Another spread likens the ocean to "the Earth's radiator," explaining how it warms and controls climate. The oversized, attractive layout and engaging, easy-to-read text make this the clear choice for reference collections.Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public SchoolsCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Scientific American Explorations
What's cool: Vivid photos accompany the maps, bringing the landscape to life (a dozing koala for Australia, Stonehenge for England). Separate world maps depict climate and vegetation, environment and endangered species, population density and more.


From Parents' Choice®
An excellent resource combining geographical, environmental, cartographic, and brief cultural information. The Table of Contents is logically organized and aided by the colored map tabs for continent data. Beginning with a detailed explanation of how to use a map, an icon and map symbol key, the content features the universe as a whole and then narrows to space, continents, weather, animals and individual countries. Maps are bright, political divisions and topographical changes are clearly marked, the information is current and well indexed with map coordinates as well as page references. Basic facts (population; land area) for each country and political designation are listed in sidebars that are placed effectively. The section at the conclusion of the atlas providing basic facts and figures for the entire world is a plus. The glossary of geographical terms is helpful. A good addition would have been weather information such as average rainfall and temperature. A 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner. (Eileen Kuhl, Parents' Choice®)


From Booklist
Introductory material is one of the strong points in this atlas. Twenty-five thematic maps show climate, vegetation, population density, endangered species, world economies, and more. There is also a good explanation of the types of maps and how to read a map. The^B section for each continent starts with a physical and a political map; sandwiched between are four pages of color photos. Regions or countries are divided into 32 separate maps that show 20 political and physical features plus icons for crops, industries, and other aspects of the economy.^B Maps are generally large and very easy to read, although in some cases--Western Europe, for example--18 countries are crowded onto a single map and some information is lost in the gutter. Each map is accompanied by flags and facts about each country's area, population, capital, and chief language. The 8 U.S. maps come with similar information for the states. An impressive 15-page section on oceans follows the sections on the continents. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description

ANNOTATION

Enhanced and completely updated, this award-winning and bestselling atlas for middle grade readers stand sin a class by itself. Filled with state-of-the-art political, physical, and thematic maps, plus photo essays and images from space.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This enhanced and completely updated edition of our award-winning and best-selling world atlas for middle-grade readers stands in a class by itself! Sparkling throughout with state-of-the-art political, physical, and thematic maps plus full-color photo essays and images from space, this engaging resource features the latest boundary and place-name changes as well as updated statistical data. A brand-new, 16-page chapter on Earth's oceans includes detailed maps of each ocean floor and photo essays on topics ranging from amazing sea creatures to El Niño. The section of world thematic maps contains new graphics and information, including a spread on world economy and trade. Locator globes and color coding help young readers find what they need and make easy comparisons, while fact boxes, charts, geographic superlatives, national flags, a glossary, and a detailed index further enhance the book's reference value and appeal.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Kristin Harris

Atlases can provide hours of entertainment and a world of education. Newly revised, this large format publication is designed for young students. The introduction discusses maps and how to use them. Physical, political and thematic maps are included in this collection. Information about industry, agriculture and mining are represented with icons identified in the legend at the beginning of the book. The first set of maps look at the physical world or naturals features of the land, world climates, endangered species and the impact of man on the environment. Political maps include information about specific countries and world economies, as well as flags, population statistics, capital and area. North America is a land of contrasts that has been a melting pot. South America is a mix of the old and new worlds. Europe is the continent of long coasts and where east meets west. Africa is the changing continent. Asia is land on a grand scale, both ancient and modern at the same time. Australia, New Zealand and Oceania are the lands of natural wonder. This atlas is lavishly illustrated with photographs that add contrast to the pages of monochromatic maps. Maps of the ocean floors are some of the most beautiful. 2003, National Geographic, Ages 8 up.

School Library Journal