This is a recent reference book about California geography. Students who enjoy reading an almanac which is loaded with facts and figures or examining maps (there are 13 of them) would probably appreciate this book. Author Mir Tamim Ansary begins the book by examining each region of California and then includes good sections dealing with California landforms, resources, industries, and climate.The book ends kind of suddenly with a brief two sentence conclusion. It might have been interesting to have included some predictions for California's future, but since this book deals with reality (and not possibilities) it is obvious why they were omitted. The photographs in this book are up-to-date (no cars from the 1970's here!) and there is a good index and glossary at the end of the book. ( )

917.94