The Earth

The definitive visual guide to our planet - Times Educational Supplement Book of the Week 26th September 2003This sumptuous visual guide captures the drama, power and beauty of the Earth's features - taking the reader on a journey from undersea canyons to lush rainforests, over polar icecaps and beyond.Breathtaking ImagesUsing a combination of superb photographic portraits and expertly researched text, this ground-breaking book showcases some of the most unusual and fascinating places on Earth - from the searing Atacama Desert to Mount Etna's violent eruptions, from the River Nile to the vast waters of the Pacific Ocean.Comprehensive CoverageAt the heart of the book lies a unique visual catalogue of the Earth's greatest treasures. Key features on land, in the seas and in the atmosphere are clearly illustrated and described in absorbing profiles, each one accompanied by a detailed locator map. The book also highlights the interaction between humans and the environment, in striking features that examine topical issues such as future population growth and deforestation.Compelling ReferencePhoto-realistic digital artworks and jargon-free text help to explain complex scientific processes - just some of the many areas covered include the latest thinking on how the Earth began, the formation of underwater reefs from living coral, and the system of cycles and interactions that produce climate change.Clear authoritative and visually stunning, Earth gives unparalleled insight into every facet of our changing planet and provides a reference that you will turn to time and time again.