physical geography

For those who have ever wondered what it's like to stand on top of Mount Everest, this attention-grabbing book is the closest way to visit the world's highest places without getting vertigo. But readers will be surprised to learn that the label "highest place on Earth" is a controversial one. They'll find out about the contenders for the prize, including Mount Everest, Hawaii's Mauna Kea, and Ecuador's Mount Chimborazo. They'll also travel to some jaw-dropping tall buildings around the world. Beautiful, vivid photographs give readers a true sense of what it would be like to visit these unique sites.

Few people enjoy a rainy day, but many places around the globe are in great need of rain. Readers will learn why rain and other forms of precipitation are so important to people, plants, and animals. They'll visit the driest places on Earth, including the Atacama Desert, Antarctica's Dry Valleys, and Death Valley. Maps and photographs of these remarkable sites and others aid in geography skills, while topics such as irrigation, water conservation, and even mummification will further interest and inform readers.

Presents a wide variety of info-graphics examining statistics, numbers, and facts about the planet Earth in areas such as the tallest mountains, the volume of salt water versus fresh water, and the rock cycle.

Profiles the lowest locations around the world, discussing their geographic features, climates, and the reasons why these locations are so low compared to sea level. Includes a glossary and a list of additional resources.

Explores what it is like to stand at the top of Mount Everest, providing stats on how high the mountain is and where it is located. Includes a discussion of whether or not Everest is really the highest point on Earth, comparing it with Hawaii's Mauna Kea and Ecuador's Mount Chimborazo.

A natural history of rain traces the ocean-filling torrents from four billion years ago through the storms of the present world's climate change, while sharing stories about humanity's efforts to control rain through science and magic.

Everyone has experienced hot days in which it's hard to move without sweating. Readers will realize those days were cool compared to some of the sweltering locations vividly described within the pages of this volume. Death Valley, the Sahara, and Ethiopia are highlighted in text and on maps in this trip around the globe in search of Earth's hottest places. Why some locations are so hot, different ways of measuring temperature, and the health risks of extreme heat are just a few of the topics touched upon in this book, compatible with any science and social studies collection.

Presents a National Geographic Student Atlas of the World, with photographs and graphics of the planet, detailed maps, Web links, thematic indexes on a variety of topics, country flags, and fact boxes.

Teaches the relationship between the real world, small models of real locations, and the purpose of maps. Engaging models of a neighborhood, school and face, become "maps" before our eyes. Information on the models is shown to correspond to simple maps, location and scale. Expands the concept to include globes, or views of the world from high above, showing the difference between water and land (continents) on a globe and on a map. Identifies places on a map of the United States from stories of the past, i.e. where Columbus landed and where the President lives.

Follows the adventures of Max Axiom as he explains the science behind volcanoes. Written in graphic-novel format.