Geographic features are relatively stable but their names are not. This fact has been brought home with the advent of television, the Internet, and other technological advancements. Randall has drawn upon his global knowledge of geographic names accumulated by professional experiences in the fields of geography and cartography followed by a career with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, creating a comprehensive study of place names from a variety of perspectives. He discusses how place names influence many aspects of people's lives and shape the way people view the world around them, from a broad look at large countries to an analysis of the origins of river names, to an appreciation of how place names can indicate the historical nature of areas. He also demonstrates how place names have become essential elements of our every day vocabulary and are ingredients of music and literature. Placing particular emphasis on the political importance of place names for military and diplomatic matters, the author concludes with a survey of name disputes and examines an assortment of unusual and controversial location names. This book provides a comprehensive view of the dynamic field of geographic names through the eyes of an expert. It is a vital resource for anyone seeking information about this important element of our world.