DISCOVERING THE WORLD

UNESCO has published the Discovering the World series as a collection of compact guides aimed at making subjects accessible for a young readership (from 10 years old onwards). They are perfect for students of school or college age who need to prepare a text or presentation on any one of these subjects. Parents and teachers will also find these little books an interesting read. Many are in English, and some are in foreign languages (and they might be especially useful for those studying those languages, since they should have relatively simple vocabulary and sentence structure),

Here are some of the titles:

"Tell me about UNESCO"

All about UNESCO for the young (10-12 years old): its history, functioning, ideals, programmes and buildings. A clear and well-documented overview of the Organization working towards a better understanding of tolerance.

"Explaining The Climate"

Gathers together the scientific knowledge necessary for younger readers to understand the climate, its mechanisms and phenomena. All topics are dealt with in an understandable yet informative manner – from the effects of latitude to those of altitude, from the history of climates to the geography of great climatic regions, and from meteorologists’ instruments to the conclusions of the Kyoto conference. In addition, the book offers a broad selection of clear explanatory diagrams, text boxes of easily memorized facts, and a wide array of carefully chosen photographs. This book is an excellent introduction to climatology and will awaken curiosity in all readers keen to learn how the climate will affect our future.

"Explaining Biosphere Reserves"

A colourful and easy-to-read book that provides accessible answers to questions related to biosphere reserves, including: What is biodiversity? Why is it in peril? Why should we preserve it? What do biosphere reserves look like? How do they function? Where are they located in the world?

"Tell me about the Oceans"

Did you know that three-quarters of the globe are covered with seas and oceans? This is just one of the interesting facts that you could learn by reading this compact book about oceans, their beginnings, their role in regulating world climate and the rich resources within.

"Inventions and Trade"

Over the centuries, the exchange of technologies -from the horse's bit and the wheel to the microchip and the computer- hasinspired new developments and improvements. It is through trade that much of this exchange has taken place. This book explains how the Silk and Spice Routes across Asia played an important role in bringing together different peoples and ideas that favoured new technologies and inventions in many fields: health and medicine, alchemy and chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, spinning and weaving. glass and ceramics, metalwork and agriculture, to mention just a few.