National Geographic Family Reference Atlas 5th Edition (National Geographic Family Reference Atlas of the World)

Physical Maps

Physical maps of the world, the continents, and the ocean floor reveal landforms and vegetation in stunning detail. Detailed digital relief is rendered and combined with prevailing land cover based on global satellite data.

Political Maps

Political maps portray features such as international boundaries, the locations of cities, road networks, and other important elements of the world’s human geography. Most index entries are keyed to the political maps, listing the page numbers and then the specific locations on the pages.

Thematic Maps

Thematic maps reveal the rich patchwork and infinite interrelationships of our changing planet. The thematic section at the beginning of the atlas focuses on physical and biological topics such as geology, landforms, land cover, and biodiversity. It also charts human patterns, with information on population, languages, religions, and the world economy. Throughout this section of the atlas, maps are coupled with satellite imagery, charts, diagrams, and photographs, for studying geographic patterns.

Regional Maps

This atlas divides the continents into several subregions, each displayed on a two-page spread. Large scale maps capture the political divisions and major surface features, whereas accompanying regional thematic maps lend insight into natural and human factors that give character to a region. Fact boxes, which include flag designs and information on area, populations, languages, and religions, appear alongside the maps as practical reference tools.

A supercell thunderstorm swirls above an Oklahoma town.

Lightning illuminates the sky over Perth, Australia.

An acacia tree in Djibouti covered with plastic bags

Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in the world