AUSTRALIAN ENCYCLOPAEDIA, THE

national encyclopaedia published in New South Wales and emphasizing distinctive features of Australia, particularly geography, natural history, and the Aborigines. It was originally brought out by Angus & Robertson in 2 volumes (192526), and the second edition was expanded to 10 volumes in 1958. The encyclopaedia was sold to the Grolier Society of Australia in 1962, and, thereafter, five reprintings, with generally minor alterations, were undertaken up to 1972. This was followed by a third edition (6 vol., 1977) and a fourth edition (12 vol., 1983). A fifth edition (9 vol., 1988) was published by the Australian Geographic Pty Ltd for the Australian Geographic Society, which had purchased the encyclopaedia in 1987. The encyclopaedia treats all aspects of Australian life, taking into account the substantial body of research into the country and its people from recent decades. In addition to more than 1,800 biographies of notable Australians, there is extensive coverage of the continent's geographic features, plant and animal life, and mineral resources.