Countries and Their Cultures - Tapa dura

"There are many reference resources that focus on providing an overview of the government, politics, economy, and similar categories, along with basic statistics for the nations of the world...This new four-volume set from Macmillan Reference foregoes that familiar territory by turning its attention to the national cultures of 224 countries around the world...The 200 social scientists who contributed to this set made a special effort to comment on the distinctive national culture of each nation--the common culture, its diversity, and ethnic subcultures and conflicts. The goal of the editors was to provide an 'integrated, holistic description of the countries, not just facts.' This approach has produced a resource that is interesting to browse as well as to consult for specific information. It will be a useful reference work for those wanting cultural and social background information on the nations of the world. It wil lalso be useful for those who are comparing cultures for research purposes, for teachers developing curriculum materials, and, of course, for travelers who want an introduction to the way of life in any country."
-- "ARBA" (2002)

Explores the similarities and differences of over two hundred different cultures, explains how geographic borders define and separate nations, and describes cultural variations in foods, rituals, pastimes, and philosophies.