Mapping Asia

by Paul Rockett, Mark Ruffle (Contributor)

Detailed photos and full-color maps help take readers on a fascinating visual journey through Asia! This book's appealing format highlights the facts about the human and physical geography of the continent. Readers will put their analytical skills to use to interpret different types of maps as sources of information, from physical maps that show the region's landmarks to political maps that teach about the region's countries to interesting cultural and thematic maps.

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 15, 2016

Reviews

[John Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like other entries in this series, the book begins with a description of where Asia is in relation to other continents, followed by an explanation of how it used to be a much larger landmass when Africa was connected. It also shows a photograph of the earliest known map from the area, a symbolic one from 600 BC. Next up is a map with flags of countries in Asia as well as some population and geography data. History and timelines for early civilizations (Sumerian, Indus Valley, Shang Dynasty) and what happened to them with another map showing where they were located, is followed by another map color coded to show the different regions, then one showing how varied the climates are, from extremely frigid to hot and steamy. The next shows habitat for unique animals as well as a bit of trivia about the largest (and smelliest) flower in the world. Since Asia has an abundance of unique landmarks, another map shows them, where they are and their characteristics, from the lowest spot on earth (the Dead Sea) to the highest (Mount Everest).
Human landmarks get a separate map, followed by one showing major industries, crops and natural resources, another showing population density and one depicting where certain sports are enjoyed. Culture and ethnic foods complete the collection of maps. At the back of the book is a chart in descending order by population that includes area, population, capital city and main language as well as a glossary. This is a nicely laid out, information rich resource for lower grades. It is worth adding separately or as a set to libraries where geographic information is outdated and/or part of the curriculum.

[Ardyth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say there is anything wrong with this, it just isn't what I expected.

Somehow, in my mind, I thought it would be a tour around the continent, gradually building geographical sense by region. It isn't -- it's a continent-grain overview of typical of kindie- or early elementary level Social Studies topics: a spread for

flags of all the countries,
the major regions,
major climate zones,
famous wildlife,
landmarks,
industries,
population,
sports,
culture,
food & drink

I'm not a fan of this hodgepodge approach, which leaves an impression of randomness and unknowability? Continents are big spaces! There's a lot of variety, but there are patterns to the variety which this style of presentation doesn't communicate.

Could be a handy reference for a very young person's Social Studies report, though...