Designed by Marius Roux of Mr Design and published by Zebra Press, Random House Struik, Factopedia is a reference book of lists - both local and international. The sports chapter was compiled by sports journalist, Ryan Gordon.
Not wanting another Top Ten title, we initially called the book Listopedia, but translation to Afrikaans proved tricky, and so it became Factopedia.
Avaliable at leading book stores.
Review By Tshepo Tshabalala
Factopedia had me chuckling, oddly enough, simply because it has more information than one could ask for. It has content on: the universe; Earth; plants and trees; animals; the body and health; food and drink; politics; law and order; business and wealth; technology and the internet; arts and culture; literature and education; entertainment and sports.
Did you know that Japan is the oldest country? It was founded in 660BC. The world's projected population for 2054 is 9 billion. We can only wonder where they will all fit. It also turns out that jacaranda trees, are number 10 on the alien plant invaders list in South Africa. Yes, they're invading? and they're alien.
Out of the top 10 food brands in the world, eight are American, which says a lot about why their economy |is the largest. Number one, of |course, is Coca-Cola, which has a brand value of $68.7 billion, with McDonald's coming in at second place, brand-valued at $32.2billion.
"Bizarre political parties" is a category that most people will find amusing. The Party! Party! Party! party was formed in Australia, contending in the Australian Capital Territory Legislative elections in 1989. The Surprise Party was also formed in Australia, raising awareness about the laid-back rules of registration. Members of the Fancy Dress Party were represented in the UK's 1979 general elections; the party was disbanded in 1983.
The book has a feast of information, including the Forbes list of celebrity billionaires for 2010, which Bill Gates still tops.
This compilation of information is great to have. One section of it makes you feel privileged to be a part of this beautiful country; the other lets you feel you know everything interesting about the world. They are both empowering in a sense, laying the world and South Africa bare in front of your eyes. They will motivate you to reach for your goals and become a more significant contributor |to this country and the world. - Tshepo Tshabalala
Review in Homemakers online