Front of the book. About Earth. Earth in space -- Learning about maps. Map projections -- Reading maps -- Types of maps -- time zones -- Physical systems. The physical world -- Earth's geologic history -- Earth's land & water features -- Earth's climates -- Climate controls -- Earth's Natural vegetation -- Earth's water -- Environmental hot spots -- Human systems. The political world -- World population -- World refugees -- Quality of life -- World cities -- World languages -- World religions -- Predominant world economics -- World food -- World energy & mineral resources -- Globalization -- Cultural diffusion -- North America. Physical & political maps -- Climate & precipitation -- Population & predominant economies -- Canada: Physical & political -- United States: Physical & political -- Mexico: Physical & political -- Focus on: Natural hazards -- South America. Physical & political maps -- Climate & precipitation -- Population & predominant economies -- Focus on: Amazon rain forest -- Europe. Physical & political maps -- Climate & precipitation -- Population & predominant economies -- Focus on: European waterways -- Asia. Physical & political maps -- Climate & precipitation -- Population & predominant economies -- Focus on: East Asia ports -- Africa. Physical & political maps -- Climate & precipitation -- Population & predominant economies -- Focus on: Protected areas -- Australia & Oceania. Physical & political maps -- Climate & precipitation -- Population & predominant economies -- Focus on: Great Barrier Reef -- Antarctica. Physical maps -- Political map -- Focus on: Antarctica's extreme environment -- Back of the book. Flags & states -- Metric conversions & abbreviations -- Selected world facts & websites -- Glossary -- Thematic index -- Place name index -- Map data sources -- Illustration credits.