Western Europe 2000. 3rd edition.

Western Europe 2000:

'Western Europe 2000' is the third edition of this single-source reference work of well-informed commentaries and up-to-date statistical and directory information on the region. This new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to incorporate the latest facts and developments as Europe moves towards further integration. The countries covered include European Union and non-EU, and there are also sections on Danish, Finnish and Norwegian external territories (within Europe), British crown dependencies, Gibraltar, and the Vatican City.

Part One of the book has five brief introductory essays on the logic of collective European action; the future of defence policy in Western Europe; and economic survey of Western Europe; European Monetary Union; and Western Europe and the developing world.

Part Two, which forms the main bulk of the book, covers a country survey for every Western European country. Each survey follows the same format. First there is a section on geography, including physical features, climate and population, and including a basic outline map with main cities marked. Second, the chronology section takes the reader through the major events which shaped the country. Third, the history section provides a brief historical narrative. This is followed by a section outlining the economy, which is interpreted broadly to cover topics such as economic policy, industrial issues, transport and communications and overseas trade. Having provided this brief overview, there is then a reference section, covering statistical information and a directory. The statistical information is mostly up until 1997, with exceptions for some tables which may be a year earlier or later. Statistics covered include population, agriculture, industry, finance, external trade, transport, tourism, communications and media and education. The directory includes addresses, in some cases including email and web addresses, telephone and fax numbers for political organisations; diplomatic representation around the world; the judicial system; religion; the press; main publishers; finance organisations, such as banks and stock exchanges; trade and industry, including major trade unions; transport and tourism. Finally there is a bibliography providing a guide to further reading and sources on which the information is based.

The essays are written by academics working within mostly British universities and research organisations. This is a reliable and authoritative basic reference work: much of the information is similar to that in Europa Publications' other major reference work, Europa World Year Book, which covers all countries, but for information requirements limited to Western Europe, this should prove an excellent resource.