Presents population estimates and projections for all the countries and regions of the world (225 in all). Includes information on population composition, population growth, fertility, mortality, and use of contraception. A special chapter focuses on the impact of AIDS on the populations of selected countries. Includes a set of maps illustrating some of the statistics. 80 charts, tables and graphs. Bibliography and glossary.

"Native to the New World, the potato was domesticated by Andean farmers, probably in the Lake Titicaca basin, almost as early as grain crops were cultivated in the Near East. Full of essential vitamins and energy-giving starch, the potato has proved a valuable world resource. Curious Spaniards took the potato back to Europe, from whence it spread worldwide. Today, the largest potato producer is China, with India not far behind. To tell the potato's story, Lang has done fieldwork in South America, Asia, and Africa."--Jacket.

Launched to mark World Environment Day 2005, and produced by the UNEP in collaboration with organisations such as the US Geological Survey and NASA, this publication uses text, illustrations, satellite images and ground photographs to depict and analyse humanity's impact on our environment. Issues discussed include: population growth and urbanisation, natural resources consumption, land use intensification, biodiversity and habitat loss; environmental impacts and trends including global warming, air and water pollution, and the impacts on oceans and coastal zones, forests and tundra; changes that result from geo-hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis, climate hazards such as floods and droughts, and industrial hazards such as nuclear accidents and oil spills; and suggestions for mitigating the effects of global environmental change.

The United States, the third most populous country globally, accounts for about 4.6 per cent of the world's population. Within the next few years, the U.S. population, currently estimated at 299 million persons, is expected to reach twice its 1950 level of 152 million. More than just being double in size, the population has become qualitatively different from what it was. As noted by the Population Reference Bureau, The U.S. is getting bigger, older, and more diverse. The objective of this book is to highlight some of the demographic changes that have already occurred and to illustrate how these and future trends will reshape the nation in decades to come.