This comprehensive handbook on architectural styles presents 3,500 buildings from antiquity to the present day. It is organized geographically by countries and regions within the chapters dedicated to individual architectural epochs. Overview maps illustrating the geographical organization can be found on the first pages. The book features 1,700 outstanding drawings of buildings and details, as well as floor plans, elevations, sections, and schematic drawings. The reader gains a very good impression of the buildings and their respective stylistic features. Technical terms from the study of styles and construction techniques are explained in an easily understandable manner. At the end, there is an extensive index of places and buildings.