Overview

"Despite ongoing efforts to find alternatives, oil is still one of the most critical—and valuable—commodities on earth. This two-volume set provides extensive background information on key topics relating to oil, profiles countries that are major producers and consumers of oil, and examines relevant political issues. Aside from air and water, oil is perhaps the most valuable natural resource. Oil supplies the tremendous energy needs of the modern world. What exactly is ""oil,"" where does it come from, how does it get consumed, and who is using it? This encyclopedia provides clear answers to these questions and more, offering students entries on the fundamentals of the oil industry and profiles of the countries that play a major role in oil production and consumption. Volume 1 presents topical entries on critical concepts, key terms, major oil spills and disasters, and important organizations and individuals relating to the oil industry. Entries define terms such as ""barrel"" and ""reserve,"" cover incidents such as the BP oil spill, and explain the significance of organizations such as OPEC. The second volume spotlights specific countries that are major producers, consumers, exporters, and importers of oil, from the United States to Russia to Saudi Arabia to Venezuela. Each profile shows readers the importance of oil in that country through a brief background history, data on its oil usage or production, information about major trading partners, and an explanation of political issues. Offers a complete resource that covers basic concepts relating to the oil industry as well as major incidents such as various oil spills and the specifics of the oil industry in key countries Includes sidebars throughout the encyclopedia that present interesting information to supplement the main text as well as images, maps, and charts that provide additional meaning and context Serves as an essential reference for students of social studies, geography, current events, political science, and environmental science"

Full Product Details

9781610692717

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Reviews

This appears to be the first reference resource that attempts to approach oil through a social lens ... Oil would be an appropriate addition for larger public libraries and for academic libraries as a starting point for undergraduate inquiry into the social and cultural implications of this limited natural resource. - Booklist

This appears to be the first reference resource that attempts to approach oil through a social lens ... Oil would be an appropriate addition for larger public libraries and for academic libraries as a starting point for undergraduate inquiry into the social and cultural implications of this limited natural resource. - Booklist Summing Up: Recommended. General readers; lower-level undergraduates through graduate students. - Choice Oil: A Cultural and Geographic Encyclopedia of Black Gold provides a wealth of context for truly understanding the importance of this viscous and vital substance. - ARBAonline

Author Information

Xiaobing Li is professor and chair of the Department of History and Geography and director of the Western Pacific Institute at the University of Central Oklahoma. Michael Molina is a doctoral candidate and researcher of history and environmental studies at the University of Oklahoma.

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