These new editions of two reference stalwarts trail those published in, respectively, 2004 and 2002. Along with minor updates in statistical and historical content— through spring 2006 for Worldmark, and through March 2005 (with some later notes) for Nations and Cultures— the two have undergone major changes in scope. Worldmark retains its original arrangement, devoting each volume to a continent or group of continents, plus one for the U.N., but has dropped its sixth volume, "World Leaders," completely. Reflecting enhanced coverage of each country's arts, customs, and lifestyles, the Facts On File product has added the words "and cultures" to its former title, and added several topical subsections to each of the alphabetically arranged profiles, from "Human Rights" and "Flora and Fauna" to "Etiquette" and "Personal Appearance." Comments in the more subjective categories are mostly positive or at least neutral. Individual country entries in both encyclopedias are roughly similar-opening with a fact summary and simple, easily reproducible black-and-white map, closing with a resource list, and in between summarizing physical, cultural, and historical highlights in consistent, clearly labeled sections. Worldmark's level of detail tends to be higher than that in Nations and Cultures, though the latter has livelier writing. Unlike Worldmark, however, Nations and Cultures offers a comprehensive subject index. For libraries lacking equivalent online resources or previous versions of these titles, consider the Worldmark to support country assignments, and Nations and Cultures for broader reference.