Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Though it's only about the size of Texas, France presents an astonishing variety of landscapes to the aerial observer-each of which reveals itself in the pages of this breathtaking photographic journey. In 200 full-color photographs, Yann Arthus-Bertrand captures all the undulating curves and harmonious lines of this vibrant, verdant, sometimes rough but always generous land. Here is a France of green fields and red brick roofs, dotted with steeples and church towers, worn by the sea along its handsome coasts and rife with rolling hills. Here are the great French landmarks-the Pont du Gard, Notre Dame, Loire Valley castles, and Bordeaux vineyards, to name just a few, with accompanying text by journalist Patrick Poivre d'Arvor that makes each one come alive as if seen for the first time.

Presents aerial photographs of various scenes from around the world including fishermen in Morrocco, a farm on the island of Crete, and a mangrove forest in New Caledonia.

A four page statistical introduction, "The Earth In Numbers," is followed by 365 full-page spreads, from January 01 through December 31, featuring aerial photographs of the earth's surface accompanied by a descriptive paragraph, with an emphasis on ecology and the impact of human culture on the Earth.