Presents population estimates and projections for all the countries and regions of the world (225 in all). Includes information on population composition, population growth, fertility, mortality, and use of contraception. A special chapter focuses on the impact of AIDS on the populations of selected countries. Includes a set of maps illustrating some of the statistics. 80 charts, tables and graphs. Bibliography and glossary.

Exhaustively updated, this second edition provides a current assessment of world population and the range of economic, social, and environmental issues it raises. What do we now know about the future capacity of the Earth to support humankind? How do experts approach the wide range of economic, demographic, and environmental issues affected by population rates? The publication of the first edition of World Population: A Reference Handbook offered the first accessible introduction to this vital field of study. Now ABC-CLIO presents a thoroughly updated new edition, incorporating a wealth of new research and data to explore population issues affecting countries all over the world. Readers will see how everything from plagues and famines, to disease control and contraception, to economic development and landmark judicial decisions have influenced population patterns. The work also features two new chapters; an updated timeline of key events relating to global population putting the issue into long-term perspective; and biographies of key individuals to put a human face on the study of population.

"Native to the New World, the potato was domesticated by Andean farmers, probably in the Lake Titicaca basin, almost as early as grain crops were cultivated in the Near East. Full of essential vitamins and energy-giving starch, the potato has proved a valuable world resource. Curious Spaniards took the potato back to Europe, from whence it spread worldwide. Today, the largest potato producer is China, with India not far behind. To tell the potato's story, Lang has done fieldwork in South America, Asia, and Africa."--Jacket.

Launched to mark World Environment Day 2005, and produced by the UNEP in collaboration with organisations such as the US Geological Survey and NASA, this publication uses text, illustrations, satellite images and ground photographs to depict and analyse humanity's impact on our environment. Issues discussed include: population growth and urbanisation, natural resources consumption, land use intensification, biodiversity and habitat loss; environmental impacts and trends including global warming, air and water pollution, and the impacts on oceans and coastal zones, forests and tundra; changes that result from geo-hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis, climate hazards such as floods and droughts, and industrial hazards such as nuclear accidents and oil spills; and suggestions for mitigating the effects of global environmental change.