Mapping Africa

Gr 5–8—These illustrated atlases use a variety of map types to depict each continent's physical, natural, cultural, and economic geography. Books open with detailed location information, followed by a selection of physical, political, historical, climate, and other informational maps that feature human and animal populations, resources, land uses, and recreational and economic activity. Maps are supplemented with trivia about animals, places, and history. There are some small photos, but most of the images are whimsical drawings of places, people, animals, and phenomena like wind patterns. Many of the geographical concepts and maps included are fairly advanced, and the intended audience is likely to prefer the realism of photos to the artistic drawings. This set provides solid geographic information in an understandable and accessible way, but its illustrative format is a drawback.