More than just a World Atlas – Felix explains the World

Coppenrath - July 2007


Why do we have days and nights? How do you make maps and how do you read them? What does everyday life in other countries look like? Felix’s Large Atlas of the World by Annette Langen and Constanza Droop published by Coppenrath Verlag, Münster, provides answers to questions like these. “A perfect introduction to the fascinating world of geography!”, says Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Manfred Domrös, Director Institute of Geography at the University of Mainz. The atlas explains scientific facts on the origins of Earth, the space, seasons and climate or time zones with professional that have been revised and complemented with many details and extras in cooperation with globe manufacturer Columbus. Each page features search tasks, hands-on ideas and astonishing information about animals, records and unsolved mysteries for little globetrotters.

The clou: Real letters by Samira from Afghanistan, Luz from Peru and eight other children from different countries describe everyday life in their homelands. What is more, an Antarctic scientist tells about life in a research centre at minus 40 degree Celsius. The book also tackles hot topics like climate change, environment protection and population development and gives children food for thought. "The world in a village” is the headline of the chapter that graphically explains world population: "If you could shrink the Earth with its population of 6 billion people to the size of a village with 100 inhabitants, 57 people would have been Asians, 21 Europeans, 13 Americans, only eight from Africa and just one Australian – according to statistics.”

Not only the highly detailed maps are remarkable – also the layout is very special. A large unfoldable page shows different panoramas and describes the origins of rivers, mountains and different animal and plant species. An extra booklet supplies inquisitive minds with more information about Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A real compass and a giant world map poster with all national flags top off the atlas and arouse the curiosity of future explorers.

In the end it’s "To the Future". Authoress Annette Langen shows her little readers how they can take action and how all of us can take better care of our planet. And so her last wish is: "Look after yourself and our Earth, because both of you are unique!”