The Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible is the most comprehensive Bible atlas available for personal and classroom study. It is designed for both quick reference and detailed study. The GEOGRAPHICAL SECTION presents the physical geography of the lands of the biblical world, from Egypt to Mesopotamia. Clear, detailed descriptions will give the reader a vivid picture of regions that are the backdrop of biblical history and that influenced, to a much greater degree than commonly understood, the course of that history. The Israel/Jordan region especially is discussed in depth. The Atlas divides the area into twenty-three natural regions and discusses physical features such as distances, topography, climate, natural lines of communication, soil types, agricultural uses, major sources of water, and role in biblical times. The reader can visualize the various regions with the help of 'block diagrams,' which provide a three-dimensional, bird's-eye view of each region. The HISTORICAL SECTION presents in detail the flow of biblical history in its geographical context and shows how geography influenced the course of biblical history. Each chapter in this section begins with a chronological chart for the period under discussion, allowing the reader to see at a glance how the history of Israel fit into the history of the Ancient Near East as a whole. A separate section on JERUSALEM traces the history and development of the city that is at the center of much of biblical history. A chapter on THE DISCIPLINES OF HISTORICAL GEOGRPAHY shows the reader how the actual sites of ancient cities are rediscovered -- an often complex process that stirs the imagination with the excitement of highly specialized detective work. An outstanding feature of the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible is the GAZETTEER. This is an exhaustive place-name index that gives the exact geographical location for each name with the pages and maps on which the name may be found in the Atlas. In addition it gives a brief biblical/historical summary for each name , with Scripture references, and the modern-day name in Hebrew and/or Arabic. Several appendixes add to the usefulness of the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible. - A two-page CHRONOLOGICAL CHART provides a quick overview of the history of the Ancient Near East. - A GLOSSARY of terms aids the reader in understanding the text without having to resort to dictionaries or encyclopedias. - A BIBLIOGRAPHY provides the reader with suggestions for further, in-depth reading of the study. - A SCRIPTURE INDEX and an INDEX OF PERSONS will aid especially the pastor and teacher. This is why the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible will become the standard by which serious students will measure other Bible atlases. Read Less