The latest edition of The Roads of Texas atlas, due in stores this month (Mapsco, $20), is a much-improved version of the already valuable resource.

The yellow background on maps in earlier editions has been replaced by white, making elements stand out better. Print is larger and much easier to read.

Road types are color- coded, instead of the spidery black lines that previously didn't clearly differentiate among interstates and smaller roads, despite labeling.

After an introduction by broadcaster Bob Phillips of Texas Country Reporter, text about Texas cities, towns and ghost towns is livelier and trimmed to nugget size.

Festivals, events, parks, historic sites and important names in Texas history and culture are included.

The index names more than 4,300 communities, including 18 Midways (Texas' most common place name, publishers say).

The atlas is rich with details to be found along its 300,000 miles of mapped roadways. Among notations are 11,807 cattle guards, 2,892 gates, 3,156 churches and 7,358 cemeteries (outside cities).

For Texans who like to ramble the state, this is the book to have.