This solid introduction provides an overview of world regional geography and is strongly grounded in spatial concepts and linked to basic systematic geography. Organized according to developed and less developed regions, it covers the human and physical foundations of world geography, Europe, the Soviet Union, North America, Australia, Japan, Middle and South America, Africa, Southwest Asia, South Asia, China and Southeast Asia. As with previous editions, the Sixth Edition features outstanding illustrative material and a full-color cartographic program but also incorporates four major chapter revisions, substantial updating and new chapter on opening maps. Among the major topics covered are regional concepts and classification, culture and landscape and physical-environmental dimensions. Specifics for each region are also discussed such as changing natural environment; history, settlement, population, politics, economics and their impact; industrialization and urbanization; environmental hazards and much more.