The Top 15 Reference Web Sites of 2007

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World Factbook
The CIA World Factbook is absolutely mesmerizing if you want to learn about other countries. Want to know how many babies Canadians have? What is your country’s Gross National Product? What level of literacy can you expect during your next trip to Asia? What is the political structure of Egypt? These and other encyclopedic facts are all available here.

IMDB
The Internet Movie Database is for both film buffs and for people who just want advice on a good rental this weekend. Packed with details about your favorite actors and directors, the upcoming new movies for the next 12 months, detailed reviews on every major show, and thorough explanations of plots and themes, IMDB is a resource for just about anyone.

Internet Public Library
The Internet Public Library doesn’t store everything, but it sure has a lot of great content at your fingertips. Farmer’s Almanacs, international newspapers, anthropology and history dissertations, political science explained, teenager resources, and excellent general browsing for the curious.

Mapquest
Need to road trip to Madison, Wisconsin? Is your friend throwing a cabin party at the lake, and you need a good map? Does your navigationally-challenged cousin need help finding your place? Mapquest.com does a fine job of printing graphics and giving driving directions to most anywhere in North America and select parts of Europe and Asia. Great for campers, travelers, motorcyclists, business people, and anyone who could get lost.

PC Webopedia
Dedicated to explaining the computer world, PC Webopedia is a fantastic glossary of terms and a quick reference for learning hardware and software terminology. A must-know for anyone who wants to become a power computer user.

Scientific American Online
Scientific American has won the respect of the world science community for 150 years. At their web site, they do not publish their entire magazine publication, but they do offer excellent excerpts for no fee. Read about the latest US Army advancements in armor, the proximity of black hole phenomena to earth, and why women live longer than men.

Expedia
Not so much a reference as it is a centralized launchpad for researching travel options, Expedia is the most successful online travel resource today. Employing a secret “Expert Searching and Pricing” spider tool, Expedia consistently brings the cheapest airfares and itinerary plans to you every hour. If you’re considering a big trip soon, try Expedia first, and see if your travel consultant can beat its prices.

How Stuff Works
This is your editor's absolutely favorite reference web site! How Stuff Works will explain the mechanics of nearly any gadget or modern institution. Learn how breast implants are made, how the ancient Samurai tradition came about, how PC video cards function, what stun guns do, and see the insides of fire extinguishers. I particularly appreciate the powerful visuals and Flash presentations. I wish all my teachers had been this good at explaining things!

Special HSW Article: How Hurricanes Work