Eyewitness World Atlas

A good atlas and a good globe are essential when it comes to the study of geography. While this program does not replace a good globe, in my opinion, it does a decent job in the atlas department. This program will not appeal to younger children. They are better off sticking with DK's My First Amazing World Explorer. This program is for the older child who can read, and is interested in world statistics.

From the main screen you can use your virtual hand to turn the globe any direction you like. You can shrink the globe, and view it as a 3D or 2D globe. Our monitor had a few problems with the 3D views, even with a high-end graphics card. The 2D view was very clear, however. You can view the world as a political globe, physical globe, or view the world at night.

Along the side of the globe, is a toolbar which lets you select how you would like to view the world. There are categories ranging from food production and transportation, to health and income. Each of the categories contains several sub-categories.

For example, you can choose to see the world in terms of expressways, or railroad construction through the transportation menu. There are enough categories and sub-categories to make this a full-featured atlas. You can also view the results in a graph if you like.

We missed the articles, and more detailed analysis found in other atlas programs such as 3D Atlas. If you are serious about geographical studies, you may be happier with one of the atlas programs geared toward older children. These are more like an encyclopedia, while this program seemed to be not much more than a virtual globe. The statistics are great, and useful. These same statistics are available in other programs, however. Where DK Multimedia usually adds features which make it's programs stand out in the crowd, this one is nothing particularly spectacular.

Those who want a cursory look at geographical studies will be pleased, if your family is serious about geography, look elsewhere.

Grading for Eyewitness World Atlas

Educational Value: 3 1/2

Entertainment Value: 2 1/2

Replay Value: 2 1/2

Ages: 8+

Buy Eyewitness World Atlas at Amazon!