Product Description

Fully revised edition! A comprehensive guide to the key political and phsyical features of today's world. Convenient alphabetical listing of more than 54,000 entries includes 350 detailed maps, more than 130 easy-to-use tables, world population figures culled from the most recent census bureau data, and essential coverage of important historical events.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54001 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 1392 pages

Amazon.com Review
Since 1970 South Africa ended apartheid; Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president of Haiti, deposed by military coup then reinstated; San Francisco suffered a major earthquake; and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics dissolved. So it's a good thing Merriam-Webster updated its geographical dictionary to include more than 48,000 alphabetically arranged entries of mountains, lakes, towns, and countries. The third edition had a lot of catching up to do, what with the social, political, financial, and physical upheavals that have taken place since the second edition was published, and the result is a modern and sophisticated reference.

From Library Journal
This classic lists more than 48,000 mountains, lakes, towns, and countries. For each place, it gives pronunciation, location information, and brief textual data. Retain older editions as they are useful for historical research; their larger maps are excellent for photocopying.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Since 1937. Merriam-Webster is America's foremost publisher of language-related reference works. The company publishes a diverse array of print and electronic products, including Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, Eleventh Edition – America's best-selling desk dictionary – and Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster can be considered the direct lexicographical heir of Noah Webster. In 1843, the company bought the rights to the 1841 edition of Webster's magnum opus, An American Dictionary of the English Language, Corrected and Enlarged. At the same time, they secured the rights to create revised editions of the work. Since that time, Merriam-Webster editors have carried forward Noah Webster's work, creating some of the most widely used and respected dictionaries and reference books in the world.

Customer Reviews

Far from complete........
In a description of the Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, it states that this volume lists "more than 48,000 alphabetically arranged entries of mountains, lakes, towns, and countries." I had to check whether mountains were indeed included, as my first searches of prominent places in the Andes were not successful using this volume.

This reference has received many accolades here so I was looking forward to getting the copy I ordered as part of my reference books. But after a cursory examination, I must say that my first impression is one of disappointment, rather than accolades.

I looked first for several places in South America where I have been in years past and am familiar with, as I am sure this is what most people do with this volume when they first receive it. When I looked up Alpamayo, a mountain in Peru, it was not in the book at all. This is not just any old mountain. Alpamayo was named the "most beautiful mountain the world" by a German Mountaineering Club in the 1920's or 1930's. In addition, Alpamayo was declared "the most beautiful mountain in the world" by UNESCO in 1966. So imagine my surprise when it was not listed in the book.

Also, Huascaran, the second highest mountain in South America, was not listed at all. I had to do a double check to believe this. Huaraz, the city that is an embarkation point into the Andes of Peru was listed, but Huascaran was not.

Again, these were only preliminary and cursory checks, but these are not just any mountains or places on a map. They are significant points of interest which were entirely omitted from a book devoted to geographical points of interest. And if these are not in the book, what else has been ommitted?

Like a Steady, Reliable Friend.
I have used this book as a reliable geographical reference for years and never found it wanting. Both historic and modern places and geographic features are included. I have found everything I needed, from Ash Flat to Pskov.

The appendix contains a thorough table of geographical terms in languages other than English, as well as a useful glossary.

Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary
The dictionary was delivered as promised and in excellent condition. I consider Amazon to be a great site and I will order from them again in the future.