Book excerpt: A systematic survey of all the countries of East Asia, South-East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Essential for anyone with a professional interest in the region Keeps up-to-date with current economic and political developments. Part One: General Survey Written by acknowledged authorities on the Pacific Rim, this collection of essays forms an impartial overview of the area as a whole. Topics include: regional security issues, human rights, environmental issues, recent economic trends and USA's relations with the Asia-Pacific region. Country Surveys Individual chapters on each country containing: articles on geography, history and the economy; an economic and demographic survey of the latest available statistics on population, agriculture, industry, finance, trade, transport, tourism, and education; a directory of names, addresses and contact numbers covering the constitution, government, legislature, judiciary, political organizations, diplomatic representation, religion, the media, finance, trade, industry, tourism, defence and education; a select bibliography. Regional Information Includes all major international organizations active in the region, their aims, activities, publications and principal personnel; a detailed survey of major commodities in Asia and the Pacific; a directory of research institutes specializing in the region; select bibliographies of books and periodicals covering the Far East and Australasia; and an index of regional organizations.