Now in its third edition, the Penguin Encyclopedia is the definitive one-volume reference guide to the world today. It contains over 28,000 entries on the facts, events, issues, people, beliefs and achievements that make up the sum of human knowledge and experience, written in a clear, direct style that illuminates even the most intricate concept. The technology used to produce the encyclopedia has enabled the editor to update articles just a few weeks before publication, making this the most relevant reference book of its kind. Hans Blix, Ozzy Osbourne, David Blaine, Jonny Wilkinson, Howard Dean, the Iraq War and SARS are just some of the people and subjects to be covered in this edition.