Hardcover. October, 2005. Size The Oxford Atlas of the World is a must-have reference for every library. This oversized, exquisitely designed atlas also makes a great gift for any occasion. Oxford University Press is one of the finest and most authoritative publishers of reference books, so don't settle for anything less than the Atlas of the World. Hardcover This edition includes beautiful aerial photographs of cities and landforms; a World Geography section filled with nicely presented maps, graphs, and charts illustrating geographic principles and providing information on urban areas around the world; and more than 250 pages of colorful and informative maps that combine physical and political features. The format of the World Statistics section has changed from a table to a map, and there are some new satellite images, map scales, and perspectives. Other additions to the deluxe edition include detailed maps of the oceans and ocean floors and 22 American and Canadian cities, and expanded coverage of the states and provinces of Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Basin, and the U.S. It does not include a gazetteer and city map index. It comes with a very sturdy slipcase which will ensure that the binding holds up well. Customer Review: The new Oxford Atlas of the World Deluxe Edition represents a breakthrough in the areas of research, skill, and ease of use. As an author and educator with over 35 years of teaching experience, I found its maps are large and easy to read, and it includes exceptionally vivid depictions of landforms such as mountains, rivers, and deserts. There are so many large scale maps of many places in the news today, such as Mexico, Israel, Jordan, Korea, and Central Asia, that it seemed to bring the world into my own living room with increased awareness. Indeed, it provides more coverage of North America, the United States, Europe and Asia than any other atlas I have used or seen in libraries. The clarity of the maps is truly amazing. There must be over 275 detailed topographic maps as well as a set of six ocean floor maps and maps of the Moon and the night sky. As if this weren't enough, I found the more than 100 metropolitan maps and city center plans for major cities around the world an added bonus. It is great if you are traveling or writing about a specific place. In addition, I found the protective slip case it comes with takes up less space than many other cumbersome reference books. For my money, this Atlas makes a great addition for anyone interested in following world events, and a fantastic holiday or birthday gift for students of all ages.