UK 2004 : the official yearbook of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The official yearbook of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, from National Statistics is one of the best known and most respected reference works on the UK.

Previously known as the Britain Handbook, this 55th edition contains events from the last year, from the war in Iraq to the exhibition of Aztec art at the Royal Academy and the launch of Beagle 2, the British space probe heading for Mars.

More than just a chronicle of events, this title provides an overview of economic, social and cultural affairs, its physical environment and international relations and systems of government.

It gives an impartial summary of government policies and initiatives and explains how public services are organised.

You can also find within the yearbook: - Flow charts to show how offenders are prosecuted and how Acts of Parliament are made - Bullet point summaries of important policy announcements such as the White Paper on higher education and the Green Paper on children - Plus colour maps showing road and rail networks, National Parks and World Heritage Sites. - A diary of the year in colour photographs - Maps, charts and tables providing facts and figures on every aspect of the nation's life.

Facts and figures range from the winners of major sporting events to the names of the key treaties of the European Union: and from the number of people cared for in nursing homes to the production of wheat, sugar beet and other crops.

This year (2003) is the European Year of Disabled People and this is marked with interesting references throughout the book.

Topics include access to the countryside, talking newspapers, the Special Olympic World Games and facilities in theatres and Post Offices.

There is also reference to the 3,500 posts advertised each month on a special website for disabled jobseekers.