Our editors put together this compilation of quality websites that offer all of the information found on the classic reference shelf such as a dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, translation utilities, quotations, atlas and symbols.

Answerbag
Answerbag is a compilation of human knowledge and experience. It is a universal, user-generated set of frequently-asked questions (FAQs). It is built and policed by its users, a worldwide information community that is working together to make Answerbag an authoritative collection of questions and answers on any topic relevant today.

Babel Fish Translation
Babel Fish Translation: Enter a block of text, choose the language you want and presto, it's translated. Or enter a web page and get it translated. A service of Alta Vista.

Computer Dictionary
The Computer Dictionary is based on the FOLDOC dictionary by Denis Howe. It consists of almost 14 thousand computer-related terms. To use the dictionary, you may search using the search box above or you may browse the word listings by letter of the alphabet

Dictionary of Units
A Dictionary of Units provides a summary of most of the units of measurement to be found in use around the world today (and a few of historical interest), together with the appropriate conversion factors needed to change them into a 'standard' unit of the SI.

English Dictionary
English Dictionary is a powerful, no-frills English dictionary containing over 200,000 references with both US and British spellings.

English Idioms
English Idioms is the creation of Wayne Magnuson. Idioms, sayings and slang are listed alphabetically, by keyword or by area.

The Free Dictionary
The Free Dictionary includes English, Medical, Legal, and Computer Dictionaries, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, a Literature Reference Library, and a Search Engine all in one!

Encyclopedia.com
Encyclopedia.com, the Internet's premiere free encyclopedia, provides users with more than 57,000 frequently updated articles from the Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Each article is enhanced with links to newspaper and magazine articles as well as pictures and maps - all provided by eLibrary.

FedStats
FedStats is the gateway to statistics from over 100 U.S. Federal agencies.

Godchecker
Godchecker allows you to browse the pantheons of the world, explore ancient myths, and discover Gods of everything from Fertility to Fluff with the fully searchable Holy Database Of All Known Gods.

How Stuff Works
How Stuff Works is about as special as it comes. Marshall Brain has the answers for almost any question you can think of to ask. How Stuff Works is widely recognized as the leading source for clear, reliable explanations of how everything around us actually works. Through the flagship Web site the award-winning company has helped demystify the world for millions of curious people.

Infoplease
Information Please has been providing authoritative answers to all kinds of factual questions since 1938—first as a popular radio quiz show, then starting in 1947 as an annual almanac, and since 1998 on the Internet at www.infoplease.com. Many things have changed since 1938, but not our dedication to providing reliable information, in a way that engages and entertains.

Map Machine
National Geographic's redesigned online atlas gives you the world—your way. Find nearly any place on Earth, and view it by population, climate, and much more. Plus, browse antique maps, find country facts, or plan your next outdoor adventure with our trail maps.

Medical Dictionary
The Medical Dictionary provides explanations of various medical terms and diseases. You may search the dictionary by using the search box above or you can browse the medical topics by their letter of the alphabet.

NationMaster
NationMaster is a vast compilation of data from such sources as the CIA World Factbook, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, World Resources Institute, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD. A massive central data source and a handy way to graphically compare nations.

OnlineConversion.com
OnlineConversion.com: Convert just about anything to anything else. Over 5,000 units, and 50,000 conversions.

Quotations
Bartleby.com combines the best of both contemporary and classic quotations collections into a searchable database of over 87,000 entries, the largest of its kind ever compiled.

Rhyme Zone
At the Rhyme Zone you type in a word to find it's rhymes, synonyms, antonyms, definitions, related words, homophones, similar sounding words and more.

SYMBOLS.com
SYMBOLS.com contains more than 2,500 Western signs, arranged into 54 groups according to their graphic characteristics. In 1,600 articles their histories, uses, and meanings are thoroughly discussed. The signs range from ideograms carved in mammoth teeth by Cro-Magnon men, to hobo signs and subway graffiti.

The Visual Thesaurus
This is a thesaurus and so much more, amazing technology at work.

Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a free content encyclopedia that is being written collaboratively by contributors from all around the world. The site is a WikiWiki, meaning that anyone, including you, can edit any article right now by clicking on the "edit this page" link that appears in every Wikipedia article except for a few protected pages.

Word Wizard
This site exists mainly to enable people to discuss English word or phrase origins, or to share other interesting aspects of the language with like-minded people. They also offer a range of carefully-selected resources, including a selection of coinages,  quotations,  insults,  diaries and slang - as well as our Public Scribe area where regular contributors offer other members help with their writing. 

World Atlas
Holt, Rinehart and Winston offer this elegant online atlas as a free service.