Why do volcanoes erupt? What makes lightning? Who lives in rainforest? Where is the world's longest bridge? The Usborne geography encyclopedia provides information about the world we live in, explaining how the earth develops and why it looks as it does today. With simple explanations it explores all the major topics of geography such as rocks and minerals, weather and climate, industry and the environment. There is advice on reading maps and using a compass, and a detailed map and reference section.