From Publishers Weekly
The latest revision of Oxford's highly acclaimed Atlas of the World is as up-to-date as can be in the post-September 11 world. "Site of former World Trade Center" says one caption on an updated map of lower Manhattan- and Baghdad has been added to the 67 maps of major cities around the world, including Moscow, Lisbon and Jerusalem. Statistics on the U.S. have been updated from the 2000 Census, and a new Gazetteer of Nations offers easy reference. But the heart, and strength, of this atlas remains the hundreds of colorful, beautifully detailed maps, conveying not only topographical features but also disputed boundaries, railways and principal roads. This is an indispensable reference for students as well as anyone interested in the state of the world, from population statistics to the environment and our impact on it. It will provide hours of happy, fascinating browsing. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
An impressive amount of information is packed into this atlas, and at only half the price of the excellent New International Atlas. The Oxford's reference maps contain even more detail than its 75,000-entry index implies, since many features labeled on the maps are not indexed. Of course, this omission is a major flaw if you're looking for these features. Still, the maps offer detailed elevation information, thanks to the use of both relief shading and colored contour layers. Unfortunately, this density makes some of the smaller place names difficult to read. Like the National Geographic, the Oxford uses a wide range of scales, with no attempt to standardize scales from map to map, something several other atlases do. But the basic design and layout of reference maps is consistent, with the scale, scale bar, height reference panel, and locator diagram always on the plate, easy to find and use. The Oxford also offers much additional information in the form of text, charts, graphs, and thematic maps.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Two atlases, both from reputable publishers, both the same title and price, both incorporating the most current political information, and both well designed and presented--what a delightful quandary to be in, trying to select only one! The answer depends upon your library's audience. The Hammond has a slightly higher percentage of maps of North America, the Oxford of Europe. The Hammond devotes more space to matters like "interpreting maps"; the Oxford has more pages of indexes plus a 32-page section of city maps. The Hammond atlas is the first such atlas to be generated completely from computer databases (it took five years and $5 million); the Oxford depends on the tried-and-true skills of the George Philip Group. The Oxford shows relief by hypsometric tints, the Hammond by color, shaded relief, and spot heights. They are both good buys, so if your users are oriented toward the United States and your map library has a good collection of large-city maps, try the Hammond; if Euro-centered, buy Oxford.- Mary L. Larsgaard, Univ. of California-Santa Barbara Map & Imagery Lab Lib.Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Book News, Inc.
The first edition (1992) of this praiseworthy reference was thoroughly described and reviewed in several library journals. The second edition has been updated to show the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Macedonia; redraws the boundary between Saudi Arabia and Iraq; displays new administrative divisions in Nigeria; and updates details such as the latest Trans-Amazonian highways, a new reservoir south of Bamako, Mali, and the Guri Reservoir in Venezuela. With the volatility of world politics, publishers are pouring out new editions of atlases, and libraries must devote a portion of their budget to keeping up. This one, measuring 11.5x15", is for use with a big desk. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.


Book Description
Eleven years ago, the first edition of Oxford's Atlas of the World was met with praise for the incredible beauty and accuracy of its maps as well as for its wealth of geographic data, and each successive edition only collects more accolades. The New York Times Book Review called it a "veritable encyclopedia of geographic and demographic information, profusely illustrated with multicolored maps and graphs," and the Baltimore Sun exclaimed that the newest edition was nothing less than "a magnificently produced example of quality publishing." Replete with 67 maps of cities worldwide, the 12th edition charts the key urban centers of each continent from Athens, Greece (including its new airport) to Wellington, New Zealand. As in past editions, the Atlas has been completely updated to reflect the changing world around us. Refined name forms in Malaysia and South Africa, the addition of a new state in Indonesia, extra name detail in the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans and dozens of other improvements make this the most reliable atlas on the market. The unique Gazetteer of Countries adds a yet another quick reference tool to a book already teeming with useful information. Several new features further enhance the 12th edition. Interstate and state highways are now shown throughout North America, putting the overall precision and clarity of the book well ahead of the competition. A Glossary of Geographical Terms will be an enormous asset to those unfamiliar with foreign terminology while the colorful Introduction to World Geography--redesigned and beautifully illustrated with tables and graphs--provides informative summaries of topics as diverse as climate, global warming, plate tectonics, international conflicts, agriculture, trade, and population. What's more, detailed explanatory captions accompany the section of full-page satellite images that Library Journal called "stunning." Offering the finest global coverage available, the Atlas of the World sets the standard in atlas quality, living up to its reputation as an "indispensable reference," granted by NBC's Weekend Today Show.


Book Info
A large-sized volume of color maps of the various regions of the world, countries, islands, and the continents. Includes several removable paper fold-out maps and an index of countries for easy referencing. Previous edition not cited.


Card catalog description
Includes computer-generated maps from a digital database, a section introducing world geography, and comprehensive indexing.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Oxford University Press is one of the finest and most authoritative publishers of reference books in the world. This oversize, beautifully designed atlas is a great value and makes an impressive gift.

ANNOTATION

Providing the finest global coverage available, Atlas of the World is the benchmark by which all other international atlases are measured.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Eleven years ago, the first edition of Oxford's Atlas of the World was met with praise for the incredible beauty and accuracy of its maps as well as for its wealth of geographic data, and each successive edition only collects more accolades. The New York Times Book Review called it a "veritable encyclopedia of geographic and demographic information, profusely illustrated with multicolored maps and graphs," and the Baltimore Sun exclaimed that the newest edition was nothing less than "a magnificently produced example of quality publishing."

Replete with 67 maps of cities worldwide, the 12th edition charts the key urban centers of each continent from Athens, Greece (including its new airport) to Wellington, New Zealand. As in past editions, the Atlas has been completely updated to reflect the changing world around us. Refined name forms in Malaysia and South Africa, the addition of a new state in Indonesia, extra name detail in the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans and dozens of other improvements make this the most reliable atlas on the market. The unique Gazetteer of Countries adds yet another quick reference tool to a book already teeming with useful information.

Several new features further enhance the 12th edition: Interstate and state highways are now shown throughout North America, putting the overall precision and clarity of the book well ahead of the competition. A Glossary of Geographical Terms will be an enormous asset to those unfamiliar with foreign terminology The colorful Introduction to World Geography--redesigned and beautifully illustrated with tables and graphs--provides informative summaries of topics as diverse as climate, global warming, plate tectonics, international conflicts, agriculture, trade, and population. Detailed explanatory captions accompany the section of full-page satellite images that Library Journal called "stunning." Offering the finest global coverage available, the Atlas of the World sets the standard in atlas quality, living up to its reputation (granted by NBC's Weekend Today Show) as an "indispensable reference."

SYNOPSIS

Affordable even for private libraries, and essential for public ones, Oxford's world atlas, with its high quality color maps and wealth of geographic material, remains both attractive and satisfying. In an oversize format (11.25x15"), the atlas contains lots of garnish to the maps. New to this edition is a glossary, the addition of state and interstate highways for the US maps, revision of the city maps, updated statistics in the gazetteer of nations, and up-to-date political information in the introductory "regions in the news" section. The maps are of the best quality, featuring precise resolution of the details of topography and geography; separate maps are included of major cities. A selection of dramatic full-page color satellite photos of various cities and places is also included. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

An extraordinary value.

Rosemary Herbert - Boston Herald

There has never been a better time to own or give an up-to-date atlas...This authoratative volume is the standard by which others will be measured.

Library Journal

The newest edition of Oxford's staple atlas upholds the tradition as an outstanding achievement in geographical reference in a convenient size (37.5 cm). The 176 pages of full-color, computer-generated maps are completely brought up to date, including the recently independent East Timor, Indonesia's new provinces, and Serbia & Montenegro replacing Yugoslavia. A special page of maps featuring current "Regions in the News" includes Iraq, Afghanistan, the Israeli Security Fence, and new members of the European Union. The terrain modeling is detailed and dramatic. A special city map section with its own 8000-entry index covers 67 major international metropolitan areas with 38 close-up maps of city centers. More than 70 world and regional thematic maps with illustrations and text explore topics from demographics and economics to the environment. The general index features 75,000 entries with full geographic coordinates while an "Images of Earth" section presents 17 stunning, full-page satellite photos. Bottom Line Its closest competitor in format is the less expensive Reader's Digest Illustrated World Atlas (2004), which lacks the invaluable gazetteer feature and city maps. A geographical adventure of an atlas and an extraordinary value, this is highly recommended for all reference collections.-Edward K.Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Pierce, FL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Booknews