A research paper forced me to hunt down the most up to date and accurate atlas currently available at your local Barnes and Noble. This atlas by Oxford gives you everything you would expect within an atlas, maps, descriptions, etc.

When ever someone asks me something slightly intellectual, I reply "I'll have to check Oxford." I'm that geeky. Oxford makes some of the most detailed and intelligible reference materials available.

Their Atlas is no exception. It has a FULL country list including flags and all vital stats. The maps are easy to read, follow order (from a zoomed out view on one page to a zoomed in view on the other) and are easy on the eye. There are even some satellite photos thrown in.

A great gift for the modern, global mind.