What is the highest point in Afghanistan? What countries border
Burundi? What's the difference between Slovakia and Slovenia?
What is a dinar? What language is spoken in Tonga? Chances are,
you can't answer those questions off the top of your head. Not
many people can. If you've ever been puzzled by questions like
those — or if you need to know for a report or research project —
you have come to the right place to find the answers.
The Kid's Visual Atlas of the World will take you on a tour of every
country in the world. On the one-, two-, or four-page entries within you'll
find charts, tables, photos, maps, graphics, and illustrations that provide
you with a complete picture of any country that excites your interest.
There are plenty of countries to find out about, too. Every piece of
land on Earth, except Antarctica, is part of some country. Today, there are nearly 200 inde-
pendent countries, each with its own borders, government, name, and flag. Some, such as
China or Brazil, are familiar. Others, such as San Marino or Brunei, are perhaps not as well
known — except to the people who live there. There are also many territories, possessions,
and other areas that are not official countries, but which have their own culture and ways
of life.
Before you flip ahead and start using this book, however, here are some tips for getting
the most from this "world tour."