Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, Third Edition | 
| Creator: Merriam-webster
Publisher: Merriam-Webster
Category: Book
List Price: $34.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 304881
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 3rd
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 1392
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.3
Dimensions (in): 9.8 x 7 x 1.8
ISBN: 0877795460
Dewey Decimal Number: 910.3
EAN: 9780877795469
ASIN: 0877795460
Publication Date: April 1, 2007
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Condition: Acceptable condition. May contain marks, writing, scuffs, and edge wear. Orders processed and shipped within 24 hours. Choose EXPEDITED for fast delivery.
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Amazon.com
Since 1970 South Africa ended apartheid; Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president of Haiti, deposed by military coup then reinstated; San Francisco suffered a major earthquake; and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics dissolved. So it's a good thing Merriam-Webster updated its geographical dictionary to include more than 48,000 alphabetically arranged entries of mountains, lakes, towns, and countries. The third edition had a lot of catching up to do, what with the social, political, financial, and physical upheavals that have taken place since the second edition was published, and the result is a modern and sophisticated reference.
Product Description
A comprehensive source of geographical, economic, historical, and political information. Over 54,000 entries and 250 maps. Includes information on continents, countries, regions, cities, historical sites, and natural features. Provides pronunciations and variant spellings.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Far from complete........ October 23, 2007
In a description of the Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, it states that this volume lists "more than 48,000 alphabetically arranged entries of mountains, lakes, towns, and countries." I had to check whether mountains were indeed included, as my first searches of prominent places in the Andes were not successful using this volume.
This reference has received many accolades here so I was looking forward to getting the copy I ordered as part of my reference books. But after a cursory examination, I must say that my first impression is one of disappointment, rather than accolades.
I looked first for several places in South America where I have been in years past and am familiar with, as I am sure this is what most people do with this volume when they first receive it. When I looked up Alpamayo, a mountain in Peru, it was not in the book at all. This is not just any old mountain. Alpamayo was named the "most beautiful mountain the world" by a German Mountaineering Club in the 1920's or 1930's. In addition, Alpamayo was declared "the most beautiful mountain in the world" by UNESCO in 1966. So imagine my surprise when it was not listed in the book.
Also, Huascaran, the second highest mountain in South America, was not listed at all. I had to do a double check to believe this. Huaraz, the city that is an embarkation point into the Andes of Peru was listed, but Huascaran was not.
Again, these were only preliminary and cursory checks, but these are not just any mountains or places on a map. They are significant points of interest which were entirely omitted from a book devoted to geographical points of interest. And if these are not in the book, what else has been ommitted?
 Like a Steady, Reliable Friend. February 15, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I have used this book as a reliable geographical reference for years and never found it wanting. Both historic and modern places and geographic features are included. I have found everything I needed, from Ash Flat to Pskov.
The appendix contains a thorough table of geographical terms in languages other than English, as well as a useful glossary.
Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary July 3, 2006
0 out of 7 found this review helpful
The dictionary was delivered as promised and in excellent condition. I consider Amazon to be a great site and I will order from them again in the future.
Comparison between 1988 and 2001 Editions April 20, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I had been using the 1988 edition without the need to update my library with the Second Edition until last year. Owing to geopolitical changes since 1988, a more recent edition of Webster's New Geographical Dictionary seemed necessary and the Third Edition was the current version available. The Third Edition contains more current background information (e.g. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), expanded entries (e.g. Palghat), a subtle, easier-to-read font, sidebars, and cleaner maps (e.g. Palestine). That said, if you want more detailed maps or more concise country profiles, you might be better off checking other resource materials such as National Geographic (Magazine maps) and The CIA World Fact Book respectively. Where this boook retains its advantage is that it contains diacritical notation for the proper pronunciation of the place names.
Simply outstanding May 14, 2004
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is an excellent reference book that covers a myriad of geographical locations. The maps are also excellent. I highly recommend this book. A previous reviewer claims that the editors made an egregious mistake by including Slovenia as part of the Balkan states. Maybe that person should do a little research because virtually every resource, including Microsoft Encarta, includes Slovenia in the Balkans. And yes, the Ottomans did conquer Slovenia. The Ottomans had to surrender Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia to the Hapsburgs in 1699. The editors of this book got it right on the money. As for that reviewer -- a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
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