Did you know that Antarctica is the highest continent on Earth, with an average ice sheet elevation of 2040 m, but it also contains the deepest point on land – 3500 m below sea level, measured in an ice-filled canyon? Also, are you aware that Bulgarian scientists have constructed the world’s first space greenhouse – “SVET”?
These are just two of many interesting facts about the world around us that you can learn from our new edition “The World. A Concise Encyclopedia”. The presentation of the book took place at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences’ Prof. Marin Drinov Hall in cooperation with Knigomania Publishing House.
“The World. A Concise Encyclopedia” includes 977 articles grouped into 9 themes – “The Universe”, “Earth”, “Plants and Animal Life”, “Man”, “Society”, “Countries” and “Bulgaria” – and 1889 illustrations. The edition covers basic concepts in mathematics, mechanics, physics, astronomy, geography, meteorology and climatology, biology, and ethnology. Readers can supplement their knowledge of technical sciences – cybernetics, robotics, electronics and electrical engineering, computer science, astronautics, materials science, metallurgy and metalworking, mechanical engineering, etc. – as well as man’s creative skills in architecture, literature, and the arts from antiquity to the present.
Included are articles on over 60 sports, as well as the latest official data about 197 countries around the world. 9 chronologies present the discoveries in medicine, physics, technology, the development of construction and architecture, fine art and music, and the essentials of world political life in the 19th-21st centuries.
“Based on Bulgarian Encyclopedia Scientific Information Centre’s 70 years of experience in the development of encyclopedia, we set out on the concept of a one-volume edition that would present a relatively comprehensive knowledge – a general, or universal encyclopedia,” explained Vera Marinkova, the book’s Lead Editor, during the event. In classic encyclopedia, the article arrangement is alphabetical on a fragmentary basis. However, the thematic presentation facilitates the systematic presentation of information by bringing together similar aspects and allowing easier comparison and overall understanding of the topic.
“Encyclopaedias are the first approach to forming a complete range of knowledge on a given topic,” Vera Marinkova emphasised. The content was created using Bulgarian Encyclopedia Scientific Information Centre’s rich scientific encyclopedic articles’ archive, which were reworked to bring them up to date with the help of many reliable bibliographic resources. New articles prepared by external authors and consultants were also included. The pre-press preparation and artwork of the new edition are completed by Todor Manolov.
“The World. A Concise Encyclopedia” provides scientifically proven information based on the knowledge of leading scientists and specialists from the BAS, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski“, Technical University – Sofia, Military Academy “G. S. Rakovski“.
“It is with most sincere gratitude that I address the Editor-in-Chief, Acad. Ilza Pazheva, who was by our side all the time and accepted as her mission the publication of a valuable edition, the Lead Editor Vera Marinkova, our consultants and collaborators, and the scientific editors at the Scientific Information Centre”, Victoria Lazova, Bulgarian Encyclopedia’s Director commented.
The new encyclopedia is the fourth joint publication with Knigomania Publishing House within four years, announced Iliyan Andonov, Knigomania’s publisher. “I am grateful for the dedication and tireless work of all the teams,” he commented.
“Encyclopedias provide organised, systematised, summarised and most importantly – verified knowledge,” explained Acad. Ilza Pazheva. “Books are the most wonderful educational tool – we can’t use a tablet or a mobile phone to teach kids to love them. I hope that this encyclopedia will reach young people because it is richly illustrated and contains a lot of valuable information,” she emphasised.
