When nations fully embrace a free-market system, they not only experience an economic boom, but many positive social changes as well. Among those changes is the desire of people to reign over their own affairs and to seek individual freedoms. However, the consequences of unsound economic policies are harsh in today's world. Nations can no longer remain isolated from a damaging economic cycle in any part of the world, meaning everyone pays a price in some way during an economic downturn. Yet, for a country to separate itself from global markets and insist on self-sufficiency is a recipe for even worse disaster. The Changing Global Economy is a timely new book that delves into the challenges facing countries as they grapple with a world economy as it goes through ups and downs.

Located in Central America between Guatemala and Nicaragua, Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, with one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. The country gained its independence from Spain in 1821 and has experienced many political upheavals in leadership. The majority of the country is mountainous, and its climate is subtropical. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch devastated the country, killing more than 5,600 people, leaving tens of thousands missing or homeless, and causing billions of dollars' worth of damage. Honduras is an accessible, highly illustrated resource that explores the people, culture, history, geography, environment, economy, and government of this struggling nation.

The United States is the world's third-largest country in terms of both size and population, which is one of the world's most ethnically and socially diverse. It also has the most powerful and technologically advanced economy in the world, and its per-capita income ranks among the world's highest. Its climate is equally as rich and varied: although mostly temperate, there are a number of other climates, including tropical, arid, and polar. In addition, the country's terrain varies widely and includes plains, piedmont, mountains, and deserts. These facts and much more are highlighted in ""The United States"". This appealing new book is filled with eye-catching features, such as full-color photographs and detailed maps, making it the ideal exploration of the people, culture, history, geography, environment, economy, and government of this multifaceted nation.

Thanks to its strategic location on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, the Kingdom of Spain has long been a place where various cultures and religions have come together. Before the Greeks established trading colonies along Spain's eastern coast during the 8th century BCE, the Basques, Iberians, and Celts were firmly entrenched in the region. The Romans, who ruled Spain from the 2nd century BCE until the 5th century CE, gave the country its name-Hispana-and also brought Christianity and the Latin language to Iberia. Three centuries later, the Moors gained control of Spain and brought their literature, music, art, and architecture. By the late 15th century, Christian rule was restored to Spain after Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castille captured the Muslim stronghold of Granada and united the country for the first time in its history. Spain remains an important force in current affairs, and this title, featuring clear, up-to-date information and eye-catching, full-colour design, delves into this captivating nation's eclectic history and heritage.

As the world's population approaches seven billion people, some fear that Earth's citizens face a catastrophic food crisis in the near future. Furthermore, experts place the globe's population in 2050 at more than nine billion, a potentially overwhelming figure for the world's resources. Some worry how everyone will be fed as land, water, and other natural resources become more scarce. Others are concerned that not everyone will be able to afford food, and starvation may take hold of the world's population. However, some scientists are more optimistic, believing that the hunger problem will be erased from the planet by 2050. Feeding a Hungry World explores the problem of world hunger, how experts propose to cure this problem, and what booming population growth means for the future of food.

Human "wrongs" have soiled human history for thousands of years. Millions of innocent people have been tortured, raped, killed, and persecuted for their beliefs or minority status, and ethnic cleansings and genocides have systematically murdered millions more. Still others face starvation, discrimination, and economic disadvantages. Despite the heinous atrocities committed during the 20th century by Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, and other virulent dictators, human rights policies have also moved forward at a pace previously unknown in earlier times. Human Rights provides a path for understanding these complex events and the issues facing us today as citizens.

A car bombing in Spain, an elementary school invasion in the Caucasus region, or an assassination in Pakistan--today's global media and technology enable people the world over to instantly hear of terrorist attacks as they occur. What used to be reported only in local news now reaches all corners of the globe in minutes. Thus, terrorist organizations receive unprecedented public exposure for their seemingly random acts of violence. Terrorism and Security provides insights on the evolution of modern terrorism and describes its effects on global society, such as the origins of suicide bombing and the effects European political ideologies had on former colonies that are now used to fuel conflicts and terrorist activity. Student researchers will find this essential new offering a solid foundation for knowledge about contemporary terrorism and security.

A difficult environment with a harsh Arctic climate has made life for the Finns extremely challenging. But they have overcome more than just their environment. Religious divisions that developed between the Catholic and Orthodox churches also divided the country during the Great Schism. Later, the country was a battleground for fighting between the historical powers of Sweden and Russia. Today, Finland is a communications titan, and the country is no longer situated on the fringes of human activity. The use of technology has helped the Finns move to a point of virtual centrality in the European community. This full-color survey of the Finnish geography, history, government, economy, people, and culture will assist student researchers in investigating this Nordic country.

For a better part of its history, Poland's destiny has often been strongly influenced, if not determined, by actions of its neighbors. From the west, Germans often advanced eastward; from the east, Russians, and later Soviets, expanded toward the west. In both cases, Poland was in their path. Yet, despite attempts by others to integrate or divide Poland, its people managed to overcome countless obstacles, preserve their ethnic identity and unity, and remain independent. In that process, Poland has appeared as a country in transition, a country on a journey without an entirely clear final destination. Today, the country may finally find the long-awaited peace and prosperity as Poland serves as a member of the European Union, especially if the dream of a unified, boundaries-free Europe becomes a reality. In ""Poland"", readers will discover this land's rich culture, storied history, and present-day political and economic situations.

Since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 by a United Nations mandate, the Middle East has been a flashpoint of conflict between the world's only Jewish state and the Palestinians, who lost their land because of the UN partition. Although peace agreements were signed with Egypt and Jordan in the 1970s and 1980s, and negotiations are ongoing with Syria and Lebanon, Israel's relationship with Palestine continues to be marked by violence. Despite the ongoing conflict with Palestine, Israeli troops and settlers vacated the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank in 2005. However, any hope of peace between Israel and Palestine was put on hold when Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a massive stroke in January October 2006. Enhanced with new information, abundant study helps, and crisp, full-color photographs, this ready-reference volume will help students keep pace with current events as they explore the culture, geography, economy, and government of the state of Israel.

This new series teaches students about the most important geographic concepts and shows them how people are affected by and respond to economic, social, and political forces--at both the global and local scales. The authors are educators who have been trained to teach geography at the high school or college levels. This series meets national geography and social science standards.

Famous for its stark landscape and punishing mountain passes, Afghanistan has been a portal for traders and invaders between Asia and the Middle East for centuries, but its recent history continues to be one of turmoil. The Soviet Union occupied the country from 1979 to 1989, until U.S.-trained mujahideen forced their withdrawal. In the early 1990s, rebel factions overthrew the government and established an Islamic republic, which was, in turn, toppled in 1996 by the Taliban. When the Taliban refused to extradite al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden after the September 11, 2001, attacks, the United States went to war with Afghanistan, overthrowing the Taliban. Today, the country is officially known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and is led by President Hamid Karzai. This full-color third edition packs in an extraordinary amount of information about this historical hot spot: country and regional maps, facts and history at a glance, people and culture, geography, environment, economy, government, and a look into the future.

Egypt lies at a crossroads between Africa, Asia, and Europe and is the largest country in the Middle East. In terms of population, it ranks 15th in the world. Most of its 79 million residents live near the Nile River, which is the country's most prominent geographical feature and the world's longest river. Egypt's other primary geographical feature, its deserts, also played a significant role in the development of its civilization, which dates from 3000 BCE. The Nile helped in the cultivation of crops, while the deserts helped keep Egypt isolated from other civilizations. These fascinating facts are highlighted in ""Egypt, Second Edition"", an updated, full-color exploration of the people, culture, history, geography, environment, economy, and government of one of the world's most intriguing nations.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula and the world's leading petroleum producer and exporter. Most of the country has a desert climate, averaging less than an inch of precipitation a year, and temperatures often reach well above 100[degrees]F. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been thrust into the limelight by allowing Western and Arab forces to use the country to deploy their forces during the First Gulf War in 1991 and, more recently, as a place where Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda has begun to use as a base for its operations. ""Saudi Arabia"" is an in-depth guide that paints a vivid picture of this striking country thanks to its wealth of full-color photographs and maps and its readable text. Perfect for student research, this book is an invaluable exploration of the people, culture, history, geography, environment, economy, and government of Saudi Arabia.

Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It is known as ""the land of smiles,"" where the people extol a charm and grace that is unmatched. These elements serve to beckon visitors who want to explore this incredible land and its people. Thailand has developed its economy at a surprising pace in the last decades of the 20th century and the dawn of the 21st. Even with the Asian financial crisis, Thailand's economy has recovered and continues to step forward. And accompanying this economic surge has been the implementation of a new constitution. However, Thailand also faces major challenges. Prostitution, drugs, and HIV/AIDS are significant social issues, along with rebuilding efforts in the wake of the devastating 2004 tsunami. Environmental problems include deforestation, and water and air pollution. Will the civilian governments be able to address these issues as well as the rise of Islamic militants and separatists in the south of the country? ""Thailand"" is a thoroughly researched, crisply designed book that investigates these issues, as well as the tantalizing physical, cultural, and social features of this emerging nation.

Located on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, the communist country of North Korea has figured prominently in U.S. foreign affairs since the Korean War ended in 1953. With the rise of Kim Jong II as head of state in 1994, however, North Korea's tense relationship with the United States has further deteriorated, especially since it began testing nuclear missiles in July 2006. Freshly updated to reflect these recent developments, ""North Korea, Second Edition's"" full-color photographs, maps, and helpful facts at a glance and history at a glance features make this book an essential and timely exploration of the people, culture, history, geography, environment, economy, and government of this headline-making nation.

Tropical islands evoke images of sun, surf, and sand, palms swaying gently in the breeze, and happy, carefree people. Some of these stereotypical images hold true for Haiti, a country that shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Over time, however, this French-speaking land has suffered repeated natural and human-caused hardships. Raging hurricanes are frequent, leaving a wake of destruction. Earthquakes are a constant threat to life, property, and infrastructure. In January 2010, a massive earthquake struck the country's heartland, and Port au Prince, the capital and largest city, was left in ruin. More than 200,000 people died, and several million were left homeless. Though Haiti became independent in 1804, its history is one of tyrannical government, grinding poverty, social turbulence, and massive human-caused environmental destruction. Haiti explains how this beleaguered land has fallen short of becoming an idyllic "tropical paradise."

In turn ruled by the Golden Horde in the 13th century, the Grand Principality of Lithuania and Poland, then Russia and the Soviet Union, Ukraine's people now strive to reclaim their identity. The largest country in Europe boasts a varied landscape with rich soils and mineral resources that have played a major role in its economic development and attracted different peoples and cultures. These elements of unity and diversity, of stability and change, will determine what lies ahead for Ukraine. With a full-color format, essential facts and history at a glance, bibliography, and other study features, ""Ukraine, Updated Edition"" offers a first-rate introduction to this emerging nation.

Although it was adversely affected by both world wars and the cold war, which divided the nation into a democratic and communist state, Germany has persevered to become Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation. West Germany was one of the founding members of the European Economic Community, which became the European Union in 1992, and with the integration of East Germany after the end of the cold war in 1990, Germany has today become the world's largest exporter of goods. ""Germany, Second Edition"" offers a three-dimensional overview of this fascinating nation. Featuring an appealing full-color format and a number of useful study features, this updated book is a compelling guide to the people, culture, history, geography, environment, economy, and government of Germany.