For a limited time--Get a FREE World Book Atlas when you buy the 2012 World Book Encyclopedia!*

The World Book Encyclopedia presents information in an accessible, usable form that promotes learning. World Book is designed to meet the reference needs of students from elementary school through high school. The encyclopedia can be used by college students for review and reinforcement and also serves as a family reference source.

The World Book Encyclopedia 2012 includes data from the 2010 United States census. More than 1,000 population figures in approximately 380 articles were updated with the results of the 2010 United States census. The populations for all U.S. states and cities were updated, along with statements about the largest cities in each state. in the print WB, the map indexes listing all counties, metropolitan areas, cities, towns, and other populated places were revised with 2010 figures. Also updated were figures for each state’s representatives in Congress and electoral votes, and population information for the major ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans. Also updated with 2010 information were the articles on Census, United States census, and United States census of 2010.

In addition, The World Book Encyclopedia 2012 includes thousands of new, expanded, and revised articles. Among the new and expanded topics are articles on Beyonce, carbon footprint, DNA fingerprinting, Facebook, hoarding, improvised explosive device (IED), text messaging, and zombie. 

The 22-volume World Book Encyclopedia set covers all fields of learning. It is organized so that readers may quickly find the information they are seeking. The encyclopedia is made easy to use through an alphabetical arrangement of articles and entry cross-references, a carefully designed format, and a comprehensive index.

The World Book Encyclopedia presents information in a clear, direct style that makes it easy to use as a reference source. More than 25,000 rich photographs and illustrations combine with the text to deliver additional information and promote visual learning.

A revised edition of World Book Encyclopedia is published each year. Every subject area is under continuing surveillance. Thousands of new and revised articles in each print edition provide reliable and current information. Revisions are made throughout the set, across all topics. The annual revision program is never confined to a single area or to certain volumes. This outstanding reference source engages more than 4,000 scholars and experts as contributors, reviewers, and consultants. These experts help ensure that articles are understandable and accurate; that they reflect current scholarship; and that they promote learning by correlating to state and provincial curriculum and achievement standards.

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Last Updated: May 14, 2012