Table of Contents
Our World
About Earth
Earth in Space 4
Learning About Maps
Map Projections 6
Reading Maps 8
Types of Maps 10
Time Zones 12
Physical Systems
The Physical World 14
Earth's Geologic History 16
Earth's Land & Water Features 18
Earth's Climates 20
Climate Controls 22
Earth's Natural Vegetation 24
Earth's Water 26
Environmental Hot Spots 28
Human Systems
The Political World 30
World Population 32
World Refugees 34
Quality of Life 36
World Cities 38
World Languages 40
World Religions 42
Predominant World Economies 44
World Food 46
World Energy & Mineral Resources 48
Globalization 50
Cultural Diffusion 52
North America 54
Physical & Political Maps 56
Climate & Precipitation 58
Population & Predominant Economies 60
Canada: Physical & Political 62
United States: Physical & Political 64
Mexico: Physical & Political 66
Focus On: Climate and Weather 68
South America 70
Physical & Political Maps 72
Climate & Precipitation 74
Population & Predominant Economies 76
Focus On: Cultural Languages 78
Europe 80
Physical & Political Maps 82
Climate & Precipitation 84
Population & Predominant Economies 86
Focus On: Wolf Population 88
Asia 90
Physical & Political Maps 92
Climate & Precipitation 94
Population & Predominant Economies 96
Focus On: Global Freedom in Asia 98
Africa 100
Physical & Political Maps 102
Climate 8c Precipitation 104
Population & Predominant Economies 106
Focus On: Innovation in Technology 108
Autralia & Oceania 110
Physical & Political Maps 112
Climate & Precipitation 114
Population & Predominant Economies 116
Focus On: Forest Extent 118
Antarctica 120
Physical Maps 122
Focus On: Ice Sheet Thickness 124
Resources
Flags & Stats 126
Metric Conversions & Abbreviations 134
Selected World Facts 135
Glossary 136
Thematic Index 138
Place-Name Index 139
Map Data Sources 143
Illustration Credits 144