Whether you need to answer a crossword clue, lobby an MP or help a child with their homework this reference book tells you everything you need to know about the world - its people, places, organizations and infrastructure. It is packed with thousands of facts, figures and statistics plus descriptive and directory information on astronomy, sport, literature, current affairs, communications, government and politics, societies and institutions, countries of the world, religion, education, environment, IT, law, media, finance, peerage and royality.