- We note with pride and pleasure the addition of Jon Malinowski to the original author team. Jon is a broadly trained geographer with special interests in behavioral geography and the geography of Asia.

- Every chapter contains at least brief text additions or modifications to reflect current data, and many chapters contain new or revised illustrations, maps, and photos.

- Many new and updated topics, including the following:

     HIV/AIDS

     fertility rates

     agricultural density

     population momentum and aging

     “Amalgamation Theory”

     Hispanic and Asian Americans

     immigrant gateways and clusters

     globalization of popular culture and reactions to it

     nomadic herding

     urban agriculture

     Green Revolution

     trade in primary products

     fishing

     fur trapping and trade

     containerization and intermodal transportation

     transnational corporations

     adverse impacts of gentrification

     terrorism

- New boxed readings include “Militant Fundamentalism”, “World Englishes”, and “The Gated Community”.

- Two new maps inside the front cover of the book, “World Political Map” and “Topographic Regions of the World,” replace earlier versions and are accessible from any chapter in the book.