Books in Facts On File Atlas series

This sumptuously illustrated volume walks young readers around the globe, beginning with an introduction of the planet Earth as a whole.Next, the wonders of each continent are through detailed close-ups of over 30 separate nations and regions, covering population, topography, economy, culture, religion, religion, and climate.Cultural comparisons provide young readers with a global understanding of their peers around the world.

More than 15,000 entriesover 2,000 of which are new to this editionprovide information and anecdotes on the origin and development of a wide range of words and phrases, including: Fellini named the hyperactive photographer in La Dolce Vita Signor Paparazzo, after the Italian slang for mosquito, which lead to the popularity of the term, paparazzi. Argentina takes its name from the Latin argentum meaning silver. Legend says that llamas grazing on Mount Posi in 1545 uprooted some shrubbery, beneath which was a vein of silver ore. Conjurer's assistants in the 17th century would eat toads so the magicians could demonstrate their miraculous healing powers. The assistants came to be known as "toad eaters," which became our modern insult, "toady."