Synopses & Reviews
This classic reference work presents a political, economic and social account of every country of the world together with facts and analysis. The 2012 edition includes:
• Revised and updated biographical profiles of all current leaders
• New and revised economic overviews for every country
• Expanded and updated historical introductions
• Chronology of key political events from April 2010 to March 2011
• NEW: Political and Economic Chronology of the Olympic Games
• NEW: Guide to the world's leading think tanks
• NEW ESSAY: Openness. Not Always the Best Policy by Barry Turner
• Expanded information on festivals around the world
• Detailed maps of all 193 countries
Who...was the only US president to serve two non-consecutive terms?
What...was the world's population in 2010?
How...many countries are there in the European Union?
Which...country has a single block of colour for its flag?
If...California were a separate country, where would it be in a world ranking based on the size of its economy?
Which...country is home to two-thirds of the world's ducks?
Review
"The information this book contains renders it indispensible."--
The New York Times, 1874
"...the most convenient and reliable starting point for information on international affairs. Its coverage is unparalleled for a one-volume resource, and it has never let me down."-- George J. Mitchell, American special envoy to the Middle East
"The most comprehensive guide to world political and economic affairs."-- Robert Thomson, Publisher, Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal
"A miracle of compression: the key facts about the entire world crisply collated in [its] tightly edited pages. It is an essential desktop guide for anyone who needs to think, write or talk about the nature and future of our unimaginably odd and constantly surprising planet." --Godfrey Smith, The Sunday Times
"All you need to know about the population of various states and countries, officials, exports, constitutions, governments, diplomatic representatives, religion, finance and basic histories."-- The New York Times
"...full of invaluable material about every country in the world. For someone like me who spends much of my time travelling, it is an invaluable treasure trove. I would warmly recommend it to other readers."--The Right Honourable Christopher F. Patten, CH, Chancellor of Oxford University
"...should be in every office which is concerned with world trade and, indeed, in every school which produces the future traders. It is an essential tool of all global thinking."-- Geographical Magazine
Bestselling Reference title-- "Originally designed for statesmen but now used by anyone needing information on the politics, cultures, and economies of the world, this yearbook is one of the longest-running annual publications in history."-- Library Journal
Synopsis
Now in its 148th edition, The Statesman's Yearbook continues to be the reference work of choice for accurate and reliable information on every country in the world. Covering political, economic, social and cultural aspects, the Yearbook is also available online for subscribing institutions: www.statesmansyearbook.com .
About the Author
BARRY TURNER is the seventh editor in the 148-year history of The Statesman's Yearbook. He has a Ph.D. in Political History and has been a full-time writer for 30 years. He has worked as a journalist and broadcaster in the field of politics, biography, travel and education, and is the author of over 20 books. He is a regular contributor to The Times as a book reviewer and serializer.
Table of Contents
Time Zones Map
Flags of the World/Map of the World (Colour Pull-out Section)
Key World Facts
Chronology of World Events
Olympics Chronology
PART I
International Organizations
PART II: COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD A-Z:
Key Historical Events
Territory and Population
Social Statistics
Climate
Constitution and Government
Government Chronology
Recent Elections
Current Administration
Current Leaders
Defence
International Relations
Economy
Energy and Natural Resources
Environment
Industry
International Trade
Communications
Social Institutions
Culture
Diplomatic Representatives
Further Reading
Abbreviations
Place and International Organizations Index
Index of Current Leaders