The tenth comprehensive edition was published by Times Books in New York in
1999. It costs approximately $250 USD.
Typical questions that would lead you to the use of this book include:
"I can't visualize the borders between Germany and Poland. Is there
a map? Where is Springfield? Where is the Volga River? Is Yucatan
a river, area, country?"
The format of the book is a print, oversize, colorful book with the purpose
of being a book of maps that indexed by place names. The scope of
the book is large. It is one of the best indexed with more than 200,000
names included. It indexes supplies: name, description (when not a
city or town), regional and country locations, map grid, page, as well as latitude
and longitude. The Atlas contains topographic maps and thematic maps, as
well as many city maps. It is one of the most detailed atlas and has large
scale maps of major areas. It is printed on good paper, has a spacious layout
with legible printing, good color, and sharp outlines. The rivers are
especially clear. The size and binding are imposing, however.
Special features include maps and charts of the world's resources and climates
as well as an illustrated section of the universe. It also includes
tables. There is a glossary that translates geographical terms into English.
This atlas is geared toward a general audience with dates of coverage all
times up to the year of publication. It is usually revised every 5 years
or so but the 1990s saw 5 editions. The book is used by the index by name, permuted
(e.g. "Superior, Lake"). It's strengths include that is has an index that
includes country, region, and description (e.g. "river"). It began in 1895.
The weakness is that it is too large to photocopy.
LCSH: 1. Atlases