National Geographic Our Fifty States is a stunning collection of illustrations, maps, and essays about each state and region of the United States. Written by two geographers, it captures the geographic, economic, and cultural diversity and essence of the country in a single volume. The book is organized first by region (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West) then the states within each region appear alphabetically. Each region is introduced with a physical map in which relief makes it easy to see mountains, plains, rivers, and other geographic features that influence the region's climate, natural resources, and settlement patterns. An essay follows, helping to define the region or focusing on a new challenge facing it. Four pages are devoted to each state within a region. Each complete view of a state includes the following:� a lively and fact-filled photo essay;� an illustrated time line of key events in a state's history;� a full-page map that clearly shows landscape features, cities and towns, economic activities, federal lands, and selected points of interest;� the state flag, bird, and flower; and� a "state-at-a-glance" box that lists the state's area and population, capital city and largest city, ethnic and racial make up, principal economic activities, nickname, statehood date and rank by size and population, and fun facts about the state. National Geographic Our Fifty States also features:� a full-spread map of all 50 states together;� special essays on the District of Columbia and the territories (both Caribbean and Pacific);� charts comparing the states in a variety of categories;� a list of resources for obtaining further information; and� a detailed index. It's a fun way to get to know the United States!

Mark H. Bockenhauer is an associate professor of geography at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin Stephen F. Cunha is a professor of geography at California's Humboldt State University