This multifaceted reference book for the 21st century will fascinate with up-to-date, authoritative, and endlessly interesting information about the world today. From earth sciences to astronomy, from climate and habitats to human arts and cultures, from ancient history to cutting-edge technology, it delivers exactly the kind of quick-dip information that modern readers crave. Maps, charts, diagrams, graphs, photographs, and illustrations combine with hundreds of fast facts and short pieces on the people, places, wildlife, weather, history, and current events that matter in our world today.