Encyclopædia Britannica Macropædia

The Macropædia is the section of the 15th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica dedicated to lengthy, in-depth articles on major subjects. Introduced in 1974, it contrasts with the Micropædia, which contains short, ready-reference entries.

The Macropædia originally contained 19 volumes when the 15th edition was first introduced in 1974. The massive section was later condensed to 17 volumes, holding broad, comprehensive treatments of vast topics like history and science.

While the Micropædia is designed for quick, strictly informational fact-checking, the Macropædia is meant for deep, immersive study. The Macropædia acts almost like a collection of mini-textbooks covering expansive academic topics.

The extensive articles were written by hundreds of invited experts, notable scholars, and academics from around the world. The Encyclopædia Britannica editorial board commissioned these specialists to write comprehensive overviews in their respective fields.