The one-stop reference with all the facts and information you most frequently need.

THE CONCISE COLUMBIA ENCYCLOPEDIA was prepared under the guidance of a distinguished panel of scholars in art. literature, music. law. history, geography, international affairs, religion, life sciences, space exploration, sports and many more. It was designed for clarity, completeness and ease-of-use.

• Over 15.000 entrie€ covering every field of information

• Over 3,000 articles on up-to-date scientific and technical subjects—from computers and robotics to quarks

• Broad coverage of people and topics of contemporary importance—from Sandra Day O'Connor and Luciano Pavarotti to genetic engineering and herpes simplex

• Over 5,000 biographies of notable men and women, past and present

• illustrations, diagrams, charts, national and regional maps

• Over 50,000 cross-references to additional information

• Written in complete sentences in easy-to-read type (With a pronunciation guide for difficult names)

• Metric equivalents for all measurements

• Plus special tables listing U.S. presidents, Supreme Court iustices, popes, prime ministers, rulers. royal dynasties. national parks, theaters, orchestras, languages, elements—and much more.