Publisher's Synopsis
"The World Guide 2003/2004 provides a wealth of information on the countries of the world from a refreshingly different perspective. Drawing on United Nations and other mainstream data, it includes all the facts, history, political and economic analysis you would find in a conventional reference work, but in addition offers information on the issues central to the lives of people in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. What's new for 2003/2004? Updated information on 240 countries, including new or expanded entries on 20 smaller states such as Andorra, San Marino and many island nations, plus full entries for Palestine, East Timor, Western Sahara and West Papua À A completely new set of 25 reports on global issues, such as terrorism, HIV/AIDS, global warming, slavery, democracy and Islam Updated data and statistics on child health, literacy, access to clean water, land use, public expenditure and other issues.