The highly-regarded Encyclopedia of Exploration has in the five years since publication of the first part established itself as a unique and definitive work of reference. The first part covers the period to 1800. The second part continues the history of exploration, travel and colonization through the following fifty years. The third part covers the oceans, islands and polar regions for the final period 1850 to 1940. The fourth and final part deals with continental and land exploration for the same period.