Description A staple in homes, libraries, and offices everywhere, The World Almanac and Book of Facts delivers authoritative information you can trust. With a 140-year tradition of editorial accuracy, The World Almanac and Book of Facts contains hundreds of thousands of facts from only the most reliable sources, and each year features topical articles by well known figures such as Coretta Scott King, Wendy Wasserstein, and Mr. Fred Rodgers. Including over 1,000 pages of information compiled by a full-time team of editors and a handy quick reference index, The World Almanac and Book of Facts puts information at your fingertips.

The 2008 edition of The World Almanac and Book of Facts includes updated information on every topic, from the every day to the obscure. Whether you're doing your taxes, watching the news, doing a crossword, or settling a discussion, The World Almanac and Book of Facts serves as a dependable desk-reference. Topical features and a "Year In Pictures" section also make The World Almanac and Book of Facts a great scrap-book of the previous year. For students, reporters, infomaniacs, or anyone seeking accuracy, The World Almanac and Book of Facts remains the most trustworthy, easy-to-use source.

"My #1 reference work for facts." — Will Shortz, The New York Times Crossword Editor

"For the most information in one source, The World Almanac remains the champion." -American Library Association

"The World Almanac is the most useful reference book known to modern man." --Los Angeles Times

"An institution — The range of records and data the book collects is staggering." Dallas Morning News

"It's the best in the business." --Manchester Union Leader

Providing more than 1,000 pages of facts and figures (including 32 pages in color), this edition also includes a major feature story on China, new section on the years health news, a review of the Tsunami tragedy, and up-to-date maps and geography information.

Including more than 1,000 pages of information compiled by a full-time team of editors and a handy quick reference index, "The World Almanac and Book of Facts" puts information at readers' fingertips.

Ken Park serves as publisher of World Almanac Education Group's reference division. In 26 years of reference publishing, he has produced award-winning print, CD-ROM and Internet products, including the FACTS.com and FactsForLearning Internet services and the New York Times best-selling World Almanac and Book of Facts, World Almanac For Kids, and The World Almanac Book of Records. Ken has appeared on hundreds of TV and radio shows, including CNN, FoxNews, National Public Radio, and other nationally syndicated radio and television.