Books in Discover Countries series

Spain might bring to mind delicious paella and brightly dressed flamenco dancers, but even beyond the lively cultural traditions and cuisine, Spain is a country of great variation and beauty. Once one of the most powerful empires in the world during the 16th century, Spain today is a bustling modern country. From the undulating green hills of the North to the Moorish palaces of the South, this book journeys through the rich heritage and culture of Spain.

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, with its size being only slightly less than the mainland of the United States. It got its start as a colony for prisoners, and it has some of the most poisonous and unique fauna in the world. Education, geography, climate, and culture are just a few areas into which readers will delve in this book as they journey though the Land Down Under.

This title looks at Italy through a variety of themes such as location, landscape and climate, population and health, settlements, family life, religion and beliefs, education and learning, employment and economy, industry and trade, farming and food, transport and communications, leisure and tourism and environment and wildlife. Includes maps, statistics panels and simple graphs and charts; and a topic web showing links with this series to other subject areas.

Poland has an incredibly rich history, spanning as far back as the 10th century. The Polish are known for many unique festivals such as Saint Johns Kupala in which people jump over firesa tradition that predates Christianity. Through photos, maps, and plenty of useful and intriguing information, this book brings the ninth largest country in Europe a little bit closer to home.

Readers may know that Iran has one of the largest oil reserves in the world. In fact, they have the second-largest reserve of natural gas and the third-largest supply of oil worldwide. However, there is so much more to the rich history and culture of this country. Through this title, readers can explore Irans long, fascinating history as well as looking into its relationship with neighboring countries and the United States.