Reference Materials

Google Directory of Reference Tools

A handy directory of links to almanacs, calendars, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, thesauri, and other reference materials.

Ready Reference

Here is a short list of reputable, stable, free reference metasites that can be a lifesaver for you. Guaranteed to keep you afloat.

Language Dictionaries

Language dictionaries are used for looking up words and information about words. In a dictionary, you can find out not only a word's spelling and it's meaning, but also pronunciation and etymology (where the word comes from) information. Also, if you wanted to find a word in a foreign language, language dictionaries would be the place to go.

General Encyclopedias

General encyclopedias provide short articles on general topics -- i.e. all sorts of stuff. You're probably already familiar with general encyclopedias such as the World Book Encyclopedia, or Encyclopedia Americana.

Almanacs

Almanacs are annual publications that contain statistics, tables, charts, political, and weather information. They also contain lists of important dates and holidays. If you wanted to find out the names of the judges that serve on the bench of the supreme court, how many people were arrested in the United States last year, when the next full moon will be, or how many deciliters in a gallon, an almanac would be the place to go.

Biographies

A biography is an account of a someone's life. Here you'll find everything from quick facts (when they were born, when they died) to more in depth studies of the individual and their impact on society.