Written by experts in their respective fields, this book explores the character of the worldrs"s people, with a central theme of human development, for an issues-oriented overview of each region. Basic Concepts and Ideas; The United States and Canada; Latin America and the Caribbean; Europe; Northern Eurasia; Central Asia and Afghanistan; The Middle East and North Africa; Africa South of the Sahara; South Asia; East Asia; Southeast Asia; Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. A useful reference for anyone who wants to learn more about the different regions of the world.