Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia ( PDFDrive )

www.children.dkonline.com >> heart HEART AND BLOOD OUR BODIES CONTAIN about 8 pints (4.5 liters) of blood. Throughout life the heart, an organ inside the chest, pumps blood to every part of the body, keeping us alive. The heart is such a powerful pump that it takes only about a minute for each blood cell to travel all the way around the body and back to the heart. Traveling along tubes called blood vessels, blood carries oxygen and nourishment from digested food to every part of the body. Blood also carries away harmful waste products such as carbon HUMAN HEART The heart is protected by the rib cage. dioxide. Blood consists of red and white blood cells, platelets, and a watery liquid called plasma. A drop of blood the size of a pinhead contains An adult’s heart is the size of a clenched millions of red cells and thousands of white cells. About once every second fist and weighs about 9 oz (300 g). the muscular walls of the heart Superior vena ARTERIES cava These blood vessels carry blood away contract, squeezing blood out Aorta from the heart to the body. Arteries have (main artery) thick walls that can resist high blood of the heart and into blood pressure produced when the heart beats. Pulmonary The coronary arteries deliver oxygen-rich vessels called arteries. The artery blood to the walls of the heart itself. arteries divide many times until they form a network of tiny blood vessels called Left atrium CAPILLARIES capillaries. The capillaries Valve The tiny blood vessels that gradually join up again to form veins, which carry the carry blood between the blood back to the heart. Valves smallest arteries (arterioles) INSIDE THE HEART Right and the smallest veins atrium (venules) are called capillaries. Capillaries allow oxygen and nutrients to pass through their walls to all the body cells. The heart consists of two pumps, Left ventricle left and right, that work together. VEINS Each side has two chambers, an These blood vessels have thinner walls than upper atrium and lower ventricle. arteries, as they are not subject to the high Oxygen-poor blood from the body enters the right atrium through two blood pressure created by each heartbeat. big veins, the superior and posterior All veins, aside from the pulmonary veins, carry oxygen-poor blood from the body to the heart. Many have valves that prevent the venae cavae. Blood passes into the Valve backflow of blood from the heart. Skeletal muscles that surround veins help to squeeze right ventricle, which pumps blood toward the heart when they contract. it to the lungs to pick up along the Right 12 pulmonary arteries – the only arteries ventricle to carry oxygen-rich blood. From there, it Inferior Muscle passes to the left ventricle, which pumps it vena cava along the aorta and its branches to all parts of Descending aorta the body to deliver its oxygen before returning HEARTBEAT On average, an adult’s heart beats 60 to to the right atrium. Valves inside the heart 70 times each minute. This rises to more ensure that blood flows in one direction only. than 150 beats after strenuous activity. White blood cell BLOOD CELLS Each heartbeat has three phases. During Blood enters atria Blood flows through There are three types of blood cells. Red diastole (1) blood fills the two atria. They (upper chambers). to ventricles (lower blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs contract during atrial systole (2) to push chambers). to the rest of the body. White blood 3 cells protect the body against blood into the ventricles that contract 4 together during venticular systole (3) to pump blood into the arteries. illnesses and fight infection. Platelets, which are actually small cell fragments, help the blood clot. All blood cells are produced in the bone Blood leaks out where blood vessel is cut. marrow inside the bones. Ventricles contract to Atria refill HOW BLOOD CLOTS pump blood into arteries. with blood. Platelets stick together, and clotting begins. When you cut yourself and Find out more blood flows out of the wound, platelets in the blood stick Tiny meshwork of platelets begins to form. Brain and nerves together and a fine meshwork Human body Red blood cell Platelets of fibers forms. This meshwork Lungs and breathing traps more blood cells and Muscles and movement forms a clot to seal the wound. Blood clot forms, sealing the cut. 250

www.children.dkonline.com >> heat HEAT STAND IN THE SUNSHINE: you feel warm. Go for a fast run: you will get hot. The warmth of sunshine comes from heat generated in the center of the sun. Your body also produces heat all the time, and this heat keeps you alive. Heat is important to us in many ways. The Sun’s heat causes the weather, making winds blow and rain fall. Earth’s interior contains great heat, which causes volcanoes to erupt and earthquakes to shake the ground. Engines in cars, aircraft, and other forms of transportation use the heat from burning fuel to produce movement. Power stations change heat into electricity that White-hot steel comes to our homes. Heat is a form of energy. Everything, even the coldest object, contains heat – a cold object simply A solid, such as the ice on this window pane, has rows of has less heat than a hot object. All things are made of tiny particles called molecules that vibrate back and forth. The molecules are molecules. Heat energy comes from the vibrating movement locked together, so solids of molecules. Hot objects have fast-moving molecules; molecules are often hard and cannot be squashed. in colder objects move more slowly. A gas, such as steam, has A liquid, such as water, has SOLIDS, LIQUIDS, AND GASES molecules that move around molecules that are close A substance can be a solid, a liquid, or a gas, depending on how hot it is. Changing the freely so that the gas spreads together. The molecules can temperature can change the substance from out to fill its move around more easily than one state to another. For instance, liquid water container. in a solid, so a liquid can flow. becomes a solid – ice – when it is cold and a gas – steam – when it is hot. A process called convection spreads heat through gases and liquids. For example, hot air above a heater rises. Cold air flows in to take its place, becomes hot, and rises. In this way, a circular current of air moves around a room, carrying heat with it. Warm rising air BOILING POINT Convection heater At a temperature called the boiling point, a liquid changes into a gas. Below the boiling point the gas changes back to a liquid again. The boiling point of water is 212°F (100°C). MELTING POINT Cool All objects give out heat rays Heat travels through solid objects by A liquid slowly Heating a solid incoming air that travel through air and a process called conduction. Metal conducts heat changes into a gas at a makes it melt into space. The heating element of well. For instance, a metal spoon in a cup of temperature lower than liquid. This happens an oven cooks food with heat coffee gets hot quickly. Other substances, such as its boiling point. This is only at a certain rays. The transmission wood and plastic, do not conduct heat well. They temperature, which (movement) of heat by heat are called insulators and are used to make items called evaporation. is called the melting rays is called radiation. It is not such as saucepan handles. The steam from this point. Below this the same as nuclear radiation. hot cup of coffee is temperature, the liquid freezes to evaporated water. a solid again. The melting point of ice INFRARED RAYS is 32°F (0°C). Heat rays are also called infrared rays. They are invisible rays very similar to HEAT ENERGY The digestive system red light rays, which is why the rays are of an animal or a person called infrared. All objects give out Heat is just one of many changes chemical energy these rays, and hot objects produce forms of energy. Sources from food into heat stronger infrared rays than cold objects. of heat change one type of energy inside the body. Some electric heaters have curved energy into heat energy. reflectors that send heat rays forwards A burning fire, for example, just as a mirror reflects light rays. changes chemical energy in its fuel into heat energy. Electric This is a thermogram (heat picture) of a heaters change electrical person’s face. It was taken by a special camera energy into heat. that uses infrared rays instead of light rays. The hottest parts are yellow in the picture. 251

TEMPERATURE HEAT Temperature is a measure of how hot an object EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION Most things expand (get slightly larger) when they get hot. is. A hot object has a higher temperature than They contract (shrink) again when they cool. This happens because the molecules inside an object make larger, more rapid a cold object. When objects are extremely vibrations as the object heats up. The molecules therefore take up more space, causing the object to expand. The Golden Gate cold, they have negative bridge in San Francisco expands by up to 3 ft (0.9 m) in the summer months because of the hotter weather. temperatures: a minus Center of sign indicates how many the Sun, degrees the temperature about is below zero on the 27 million°F temperature scale. (15 million°C) Center FAHRENHEIT THERMOMETER of Earth, Temperatures marked with about an “F” are recorded using the A thermometer is an instrument that measures temperature. A digital 8,100°F Fahrenheit scale of temperature. thermometer has a display that shows the temperature in numbers. (4,500°C) In the Fahrenheit scale, water Glass thermometers contain a thin column of mercury (a liquid freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F. metal) or colored alcohol that expands and Aluminum rises in the thermometer as the melts, A few countries, including temperature increases. 1,220°F the United States, use (660°C) the Fahrenheit scale. Water Level of Digital display boils, column accurately records 212°F indicates temperature (100°C) temperature within one-tenth Normal against scale. of a degree. body temperature, Column of When vapor Liquid changes to 98.6°F colored condenses back vapor in evaporator (37°C) alcohol into a liquid, it by taking heat from gives out heat to inside the refrigerator Water the air around and cooling it. freezes, the condenser. 32°F (0°C) Oxygen ABSOLUTE ZERO CELSIUS becomes The lowest temperature of Temperatures liquid, all is called absolute zero. marked with a “C” are -360°F At absolute zero, -460°F recorded in the Celsius (-218°C) (-273°C), molecules stop (also called Centigrade) moving. Scientists have scale of temperature. In this scale, Absolute cooled substances almost water freezes at 0°C and boils at zero, to absolute zero, but the 100°C. Scientists and most countries -460°F exact temperature can of the world use the Celsius scale. (-273°C) never be reached. SWEATING AND SHIVERING Surrounding cool air outside Your body usually has a steady temperature the refrigerator of 98.6°F (37°C). It automatically keeps removes heat. you from getting too hot or Vapor changes Electric pump Heat is too cold. Sweating cools back to liquid in forces liquid around pipes taken from you down if you get too condenser, and inside refrigerator. air inside the hot. Shivering helps continues its refrigerator. to warm you up when cycle around the you get too cold. Hairs refrigerator. Find out more on your skin stand up when Atoms and molecules your body gets cold and REFRIGERATOR help to trap a layer of air When liquids evaporate (change Earth around the skin, which into a gas), they take heat from Engines stops heat loss. their surroundings. In a Science refrigerator, a liquid circulates, Shivering makes Drops of sweat going through a cycle of Stars muscles move and evaporate, which evaporation and condensation Sun produce heat. cools the skin. (changing back into a liquid Volcanoes again). As the liquid evaporates, it takes heat from the food in the refrigerator. 252

www.children.dkonline.com >> helicopters HELICOPTERS OF ALL FLYING machines, Gas turbine engine Rotor blades, Cockpit with automatic (one of three) made of ultra- flight control system the helicopter is the strong plastic ALL-PURPOSE most versatile. HELICOPTER It can fly forward, The EH101 can backward, or sideways. transport 30 passengers It can go straight up and down, or troops, carry 16 stretcher patients and even hover in the air without as an air ambulance, or lift a load of more moving. Because helicopters can take than 5 tons. It flies at 170 mph (280 km/h). off vertically, they do not need to use Radar dome contains airport runways and can fly almost radar antenna. Mission control console, anywhere. They can rescue people from equipped with radar screens and computers mountains, fly to oil rigs out at sea, and TAKING OFF even land on the roofs of skyscrapers. The rotor blades produce a lifting force that supports the helicopter. Helicopters come in many shapes and The collective-pitch stick adjusts sizes. Some are designed to carry only the rotors so the helicopter can one person; others are powerful go up, hover, or go down. enough to lift a truck. All Another control, the helicopters have one or two large cyclic-pitch stick, makes rotors. The rotor blades are the main rotor tilt so that it can pull the helicopter in any direction – shaped like long, thin wings. backward, forward, or sideways. When they spin around, they The tail rotor keeps the lift the helicopter up and helicopter drive it through the air. Helicopter body, from spinning made of light around. Pedals control the tail Tail plane and fins keep the Tail rotor turns the metal alloys and rotor so the helicopter can be helicopter stable as it flies. helicopter’s nose to the left or strong plastics turned to face any direction. right and stops the helicopter Rescue Man lowered down Find out more from spinning around. Wheels fold to life raft Aircraft into pods on Physics DEVELOPMENT sides of Plastics The helicopter. Transporation, history of Italian artist and scientist Leonardo Life raft da Vinci contains sketched a survivors from simple helicopter shipwreck. about 500 years ago, but it was never built. It was not until 1907 TWIN-ROTOR HELICOPTER that a helicopter carried a person. It Large helicopters, such as this Boeing Chinook, was built by a French mechanic may be twin-rotor machines. They have two main named Paul Cornu. rotors that spin in opposite directions, and no tail rotor. The twin-rotor Boeing CH-47 Chinook (pictured) is widely used around the world for transporting troops and equipment. Main rotor Main rotor Russian-born Igor Sikorsky built the VS-300 in the US in 1939. It was the first single-rotor helicopter, and it set the style for machines to come. 253

www.children.dkonline.com >> hibernation Senses such as hearing HIBERNATION and sight are inactive during hibernation. MANY WARM-BLOODED ANIMALS need extra energy in order to stay warm in the cold winter months, but the source of that energy – food – is scarce in the winter. Some animals survive winter by migrating to a warmer place; others, such as bats and hedgehogs, hibernate in a safe and unexposed place such as a nest, burrow, or cave. In true hibernation, the body processes slow down almost to a standstill – the heartbeat occurs only every now and then, and the animal takes only a few breaths per minute. The body temperature falls to only a few degrees above the outside temperature – as low as 32°F (0°C) in a hamster. If the outside temperature drops below zero, chemical reactions in the animal’s Dormouse curls up body switch on to keep it from into a ball shape to freezing to death. A hibernating reduce heat loss from its body. animal feasts on extra food in the fall so it can build up reserves of Dormouse builds fat in its body and survive the nest on or near winter months without food. ground, using stems, moss, and leaves. Furry tail wraps around Up to half of body BLACK BEAR face for protection weight is lost and insulation. during hibernation. The winter sleep of bears, skunks, and chipmunks is not as deep as the true DORMOUSE hibernation of bats and mice. The American black bear’s One of the best-known hibernators is heartbeat slows but the body the dormouse. In the fall it feeds temperature drops by only eagerly to build up stores of body fat, a few degrees. This means then settles into a winter nest among that the bear can stir tree roots or in dense undergrowth. Its itself from its winter heart slows to only one beat every few sleep quite rapidly minutes, and its breathing slows down. during a spell Its body temperature also drops to a of slightly warmer few degrees above the surroundings. weather. Although it wakes up, the bear does not eat and continues to live off its body fat until the spring. Some female bears give birth during the winter months. TORPOR AESTIVATION To save energy, some small, Many desert animals sleep during the hot, dry warm-blooded season to survive the intense heat. This is called animals such as bats and aestivation – the opposite of hibernation. hummingbirds Desert creatures that aestivate include lizards, allow their bodies to cool and their frogs, insects, and snails. Before aestivation heartbeat and breathing begins, snails seal their shell openings with a to slow down for part of the day or night. This is called torpor. Large animals such as bears do film of mucus that hardens in the heat. not become torpid because they would need too much energy to warm up again afterward. Bats often huddle together as Snails cluster on Find out more they hang upside down to prevent too much heat loss. When grass stems to the cold season comes, bats fly to a special cave or tree called aestivate, away Animals a hibernaculum, where they begin true hibernation. from predators Bats on the ground. Bears and pandas Migration, animal Snails and slugs 254

www.children.dkonline.com >> Hinduism HINDUISM HINDU FESTIVALS HINDUISM, ONE OF THE OLDEST RELIGIONS, began in India more Holi Two-day festival than 5,000 years ago. Hinduism has no single founder, but grew gradually in the spring. from early beliefs. Today there are many different Hindu groups or sects. They may worship the same Hindu gods, but they do not all share the same Janmashtami August/ religious beliefs. Nevertheless, most Hindus believe that people have a soul September; festival to that does not die with them. Instead, the soul leaves the dying body and mark the birth of enters a new one being born. People who live good lives are reincarnated, Lord Krishna. or born again, in a higher state. Bad deeds can lead to rebirth as an animal or an insect. It is possible to escape from the Durga puja September/ cycle of death and rebirth through Karma, that is, good October; nine-day deeds that bring an individual to the state of Moksha festival, offering prayers (liberation). Hindus are born into castes, or groups, to Durga, the goddess which give them their rank in society. Rules of universal energy. restrict how people of different castes may mix and marry. Today, there Diwali Festival of lights. are over 900 million Hindus in the world. They live mainly in Temple festivals are India and East Africa. held once a year. GODS There are three primary gods – Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva – created by the energy of the universe. For the purpose of worship, however, a Hindu may choose any one of the gods as his deity. Vishnu, the preserver, appears in 10 different incarnations (forms). Two of the most popular are Rama and Krishna. Stories of the gods and their battles against evil are told in ancient Indian scriptures (writings) such as the Mahabharata. More gentle than the The four heads of Brahma, the creator, Shiva, the destroyer, rules fierce Shiva, Vishnu looking in all four directions, show that he over the death and life of comes to restore order everything in the world. It and peace to the world. has knowledge of all things. is thought that when Shiva dances, he destroys old, worn-out life. MARRIAGE TEMPLES Family life and marriage are very important to Hindus. Parents are often involved in their In southern and central India, children’s choice of a partner. Women are there are large temples that required to be dutiful and obedient to their contain ornate carvings and fathers and husbands. A wedding ceremony is accompanied by music and feasting. The statues of the many Hindu gods. bride and groom exchange colorful garlands Priests look after the temples. of flowers and make solemn promises to each They bathe the statues every other before a priest. day, and decorate them with ornaments. Visitors come to pray and bring offerings of flowers and food. After the food has been blessed, it is shared by the worshipers or given to the poor. Find out more East africa India and subcontinent Religions 255

Many Hispanic-American www.children.dkonline.com >> Hispanic Americans children are bilingual (speak two languages). HISPANIC AMERICANS AMERICANS OF SPANISH-SPEAKING DESCENT are known as Hispanic Americans. Hispanic people established colonies in the area that became the United States long before British settlers arrived, especially in America’s Southwest, where Hispanic culture thrived for centuries. Hispanic Americans descend from several countries and cultures, including the original Spanish colonists, and later immigrants from other parts of Latin America. Although Hispanic Americans come from different backgrounds, most are united by important traditions: the Spanish language, and the Roman Catholic Church. THE HISPANIC PEOPLE With more than 45 million people, Hispanics are the second-largest minority group in America. Some trace their roots to the Spanish-speaking people who colonized the American Southwest, while others emigrated from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and other parts of Central and South In the 1960s, many America. Mexican Americans are Cubans emigrated the largest Hispanic group. by boat to America. CELEBRATIONS AMERICA’S SECOND LANGUAGE HISPANIC IMMIGRATION Many Hispanic In response to the growth of the Spanish language, some states have The Mexican Revolution of 1910 brought Americans observe the passed laws making English the chaos, and many Mexicans fled to the holidays of their official language, putting educational United States. However, immigration programs for new immigrants at risk. homelands. Mexican- restrictions and discrimination reduced American festivals such their numbers until the US relaxed the as the Dia de los Muertos laws to meet labor shortages after World War II. In the mid-1900s, large numbers of (right), a traditional Puerto Ricans and Cubans came to the feast to honor dead United States. More recently, others have fled to escape conflicts in Central America. ancestors, and Las Posadas, a Christmas festival of lights, are celebrated in cities with Hispanic populations. San Xavier LATIN MUSIC mission, near The distinctive rhythms of Latin music have Tucson, Arizona, was established long been popular in the United States, in 1700. from the heyday of Cuban dances such as the mambo and the salsa to Mexican mariachi bands. Modern artists, such as Ricky Martin and Carlos Santana, have introduced new audiences to Latin music. SPANISH MISSIONS Find out more From the 16th century onward, Spanish settlers in the American Caribbean Southwest built missions. They Central america hoped to spread Catholicism, the Spanish language, and European Immigration culture to the native peoples. Mexico Spain 256

www.children.dkonline.com >> hockey HOCKEY THE GAME OF ICE HOCKEY is one of the fastest of all team sports. Its players swarm across the rink on ice skates, swinging their sticks to knock a hard rubber puck into the other team’s goal. A goalkeeper, who is protected with heavy padding, defends the goal. If the puck completely crosses the goal line, a point is scored. Hockey players are constantly on the move – the game does not stop even when players are substituted. The speed of play results in plenty of rough-and-tumble action, with players slamming into walls, the ice, and sometimes each other. Three officials enforce penalties when the action gets too rough, and make sure the rules are followed. A hockey game is divided into three periods, each lasting 20 minutes, with an overtime period if the game is tied. STANLEY CUP GOALKEEPER Hockey The National Hockey League’s skates (NHL) greatest prize is the Stanley The goalkeeper, or goalie, defends Cup. The original cup was donated the goal in a rectangle called the by Lord Stanley of Preston, the crease. The goalie must block Governor General of Canada, in incoming shots, either by using the 1893. As a result of past mishaps, the stick, stopping a shot with the body, original cup is kept safely in a bank or catching the puck in a glove. vault and a new trophy is awarded to the champion team each year. HOCKEY RINK Hockey A puck is 3 in (7.5 cm) A rectangle of ice with rounded corners, the helmet in diameter and 1 in Goal posts hockey rink is enclosed with wooden and (2.5 cm) thick. glass walls. The goals are at opposite ends Face-off circle of the rink. The rink is marked with a EQUIPMENT red center line, two blue zone lines, Players move and PLAYERS and five face-off spots. These are strike the puck with a used to start or restart the game, hockey stick that has a thick Each team has six players on by dropping the puck between blade at the end. The puck is the ice during a hockey two opposing players. a tough, black rubber disk that can shoot across the ice at speeds of game, with substitutes for all Goalie’s hockey stick up to 110 mph (177 km/h). Pucks positions waiting on the is slightly thicker are frozen before being used to make them less bouncy. Skates benches. The goalkeeper are padded to protect the ankle, defends the goal area. Two toe, and instep, and a helmet defenders play on either side protects the head. of the goalkeeper, to assist HISTORY OF HOCKEY with blocking shots and As early as the 1830s, freezing tackling opposing attackers. winters inspired Canadians to develop a simple game similar to Three forwards, called the field hockey, but played on ice. left, center, and right wings, By the 1880s, the first professional try to move the puck up the teams had been formed in Canada. ice and score in the opposing Find out more team’s goal. Ice hockey Canada, history of players wear padding on the chest, shoulders, arms, and Olympic games shins, as well as thick leather Sports gauntlets, to protect them 257 from being hurt by either the ice or the puck.

www.children.dkonline.com >> holidays HOLIDAYS SPECIAL DAYS SET ASIDE FOR CELEBRATION and fun are called holidays. The word comes from the Anglo-Saxon for “holy day,” because the first holidays honored sacred events or holy people. Today, there are holidays to mark important historical events, honor special people, give thanks, or celebrate a new season or a new year. Other holidays – Valentine’s Day, April Fools’ Day, and Halloween – have their own special traditions that are celebrated just for fun. Many countries have national holidays, established by tradition or law and observed every year on the same day. In the United States, the president and Congress have declared 10 public holidays, but it is up to each state to decide the legal holidays within its borders. CELEBRATING SPECIAL LIVES Korean War memorial Some holidays remember America’s heroes. HONORING HISTORY The first president, George Washington, Most countries celebrate the anniversaries of important historical events with public holidays. explorer Christopher Columbus, and civil Government employees and many other workers rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., are are given the day off, and schools may close so all honored with public holidays. America that most people can celebrate the day. In North America, public holidays marking a nation’s remembers its war dead on Memorial independence are celebrated in Canada on July 1, Day, and celebrates the lives of those and in Mexico on September 15 and 16. In the United States, Independence Day is marked on who served in the armed forces on July 4 – huge fireworks displays light up the sky Veterans’ Day. Labor Day is a and people celebrate with picnics and parties. holiday to honor working people. NATIONAL HOLIDAYS New Year’s Day January 1. Martin Luther King Day Third Monday in January. Presidents’ Day Third Monday in Hispanic Americans hold an February. Easter parade in New York. Memorial Day Last Monday in May. Independence Day July 4. Labor Day First Monday Valentines in September. made from lace were popular Columbus Day Second Monday in Victorian times. in October. Veterans’ Day November 11. TRADITIONAL HOLIDAYS Thanksgiving Day Fourth RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Some holidays are celebrated just for fun. On Thursday in November. Each religion has its own holidays. Christians Valentine’s Day, people exchange special cards celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, with their loved ones. Mother’s Day and Father’s Christmas Day December 25. and Christ’s resurrection at Easter. For Jewish Day are set aside to remember parents. On people, Rosh Hashanah, the new year, and Yom Halloween, children dress up in costumes and go from house to house collecting treats. New Year revelers celebrate Kippur, a day of reflection and hope, are special in New York’s Times Square. NEW YEAR holidays. Ramadan is a sacred Muslim holiday, a The passing of one year and time for fasting and reflection. Buddhists the start of another is celebrated celebrate events in the life of the Buddha. throughout the world. In Western countries, New Year’s Eve is observed Find out more on December 31. People celebrate the stroke of midnight with toasts and Declaration of independence parties, and many cities hold huge King, jr., martin luther street celebrations. On New Year’s Religions Day ( January 1), many people draw United states, history of up lists of resolutions – their wishes Washington, george and promises for the upcoming year. 258

www.children.dkonline.com >> Holocaust HOLOCAUST YELLOW STAR IN 1933 ADOLF HITLER’S NAZI PARTY came to power in Germany. The Nazis After 1941, Jews over the age of six in German- were deeply anti-Semitic (prejudiced against Jews) and began to attack German occupied Europe were Jews. At first they rounded up Jews and sent them to labor or concentration camps, required to sew a yellow together with other people the Nazis did not like, such as gypsies, homosexuals, star on to their clothes. and Communists. Jews in German-occupied Europe were forced into This made it easy to ghettos (closed-off areas of a city) or shot. In 1942 the Nazis identify them. Jews were decided to kill all European Jews in an act of genocide (the also made to wear yellow deliberate extermination of an entire people). No one stars in the camps. knows how many were murdered in death camps such as Auschwitz and Treblinka, but more than six million Jews lost their lives before the end of World War II. This terrible event in human history is called the Holocaust. GHETTOS Oscar Schindler In Warsaw and other East European cities occupied by the Germans after 1939, Jews RESISTANCE were herded into ghettos. These ghettos Many Jews resisted the Nazis, by were isolated from the rest of the city and their inhabitants denied proper food or attacking German forces and medical care. In 1943 the Germans supplies. Both the Hungarian and attacked the Warsaw ghetto in order to kill everyone inside. The Jews fought back, Italian governments, although but by 1945 only about 100 of the original German allies, at first refused to 500,000 inhabitants were still alive. hand over their Jews, while the THE “FINAL SOLUTION” Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg helped many Jews escape to Sweden After the invasion of Poland in 1939 and Russia in 1941, the number in 1944. Most famously, German businessman Oscar Schindler saved of Jews under German rule increased. At a conference at about 1,200 Jews from death, by Wannsee, Berlin, in 1942, the giving them essential war work in Nazis decided on what they called the “Final Solution”: his munitions factory. to kill all Jews in specially- COMMEMORATION built extermination After the war, the United camps. These included Nations tried to repay the Auschwitz and Treblinka in Jews for their suffering by Poland, and Belsen, Dachau, creating a Jewish homeland – and Buchenwald in Germany. Israel – in Palestine in 1948. Holocaust museums have THE HOLOCAUST been opened in Berlin and elsewhere. Many countries 1933 Hitler’s Nazi Party have an official Holocaust takes power in Germany. commemoration day on January 27 – the anniversary 1935 Nuremberg Laws of the liberation of Auschwitz, forbid marriage between the first camp to be freed. Jews and non-Jews. Gates to Auschwitz 1937 Jewish businesses confiscated. ANNE FRANK Jewish Find out more In order to escape the Nazis, Museum, 1938 The Night of Broken many European Jews went into Berlin Israel Glass (9-10 November); hiding. Thirteen-year-old Anne Judaism synagogues, stores and Frank and her family hid for World war ii homes destroyed. two years in the back attic of a house in Amsterdam, Holland. 1942 “Final Solution” In 1944, they were betrayed begins. and sent to a concentration 1943 Jews in the Warsaw camp, where Anne died of ghetto wiped out. typhus in 1945, aged 16. While in hiding, Anne kept a diary of 1945 Concentration daily events and her hopes for camps liberated. the future. Published in 1947, her diary was translated into 1948 Israel founded. more than 50 languages. 259

www.children.dkonline.com >> horses HORSES ZEBRAS, AND ASSES FOR THREE THOUSAND YEARS before trains and TEETH Experts can tell the cars were invented, horses were a fast, efficient method age of a horse by the number, of transportation. These swift, graceful creatures are angle, and size of its teeth, and the easy for humans to train. Today there are more than way the teeth have 75 million domestic (tame) horses, divided into more than 100 different breeds. Horses, worn down with use. Most adult asses, and zebras belong Poll horses have between to the equid family, a group 40 and 42 teeth. that also includes donkeys Forelock Large ears can swivel UNICORN and mules. Equids are to detect which direction The unicorn is an imaginary a sound comes from. long-legged mammals Eyes are on horselike creature. It often with hoofed feet, flowing the side of the Mane covers appears in legends and tails, and a mane on the head for good upper neck. all-around vision. folktales as a symbol of purity. Withers upper part of the neck. Flank Croup Back They can run or gallop with Dock great speed. A keen sense of smell, good eyesight, and Muzzle Long jaws and strong sharp hearing mean that they cheek muscles for chewing grass are always alert and ready to flee from danger. Horses, asses, and zebras are Neck grazing animals that feed almost entirely on grasses, Chest which they crop with their sharp HOOVES Heel Knee Elbow front teeth. Horses walk on the tips of their toes. Horse uses long, On each foot is coarse hairs of tail a strong, hard Frog as a fly-swatter and hoof: the core as a social signal. is made of Today’s Hyracotherium bone and the Sole Cannon Fetlock domestic outer coating is Horseshoe Bones Pastern horse keratin. There is a pad on the sole of the hoof called the frog. The frog acts like a shock absorber when the horse runs. People also put metal horseshoes on Hoof ADULTS AND YOUNG a horse’s hooves to protect them on An adult male horse is called a THE FIRST HORSES hard roads and rough ground. stallion; an adult female is a mare. Hyracotherium, one of the first equids, lived in woodland areas more than 50 HORSES AND HUMANS Young males are called colts; million years ago. It was only 2 ft (60 cm) young females are fillies. high. Through evolution, Domestic horses have been trained horses gradually became to do many jobs, from pulling larger and began to carts to carrying soldiers live in more open grassland areas. into battle. Many sports and leisure activities involve horses, such as show jumping, polo, rodeo, flat racing, and steeplechasing. Champion horses are worth millions of dollars, and the first prize at a famous horse race may be thousands of dollars. In some countries horses and mules are still used instead of cars. They are also used on farms to plow fields, fertilize crops, and pull produce to market. 260

HORSES, ZEBRAS, AND ASSES Zebras live on the open ZEBRA grasslands of Africa. The zebra is the only member of the horse family with stripes. Although zebras DONKEY look alike, each one has its own A donkey is a domesticated ass. unique black and white markings. Donkeys, together with horses Like horses, zebras are social animals and live together in herds; and asses, have been hauling young males, however, often live loads for people for thousands on their own of years. They are often called until they are beasts of burden. Another beast mature. As they become adults, of burden, the mule, is the male zebras battle offspring of a female horse with other males to collect a group, or and a male donkey. harem, of females to breed with. A zebra can run at about 40 mph (65 km/h) to escape from a predator such as a lion. Przewalski’s horse has PRZEWALSKI’S HORSE Also called the Asian ASS a stiff upright mane. horse or “wild horse,” Przewalski’s horse is There are two kinds of wild ass – the African ass closely related to the domestic and the Asian ass. The African ass lives in dry, horse. Herds of these horses rocky areas of North Africa; the once lived on the high plains Asian ass is found in Asia. Asses of Mongolia, in northern Asia. need very little water and Today there are only a few survive in the wild by eating hundred left in zoos and wildlife tough, spiky grasses. Like parks. Although other members of the introduced back into the wild, they must be kept away from horse family, the female domestic horses to avoid crossbreeding. ass has one young at a time, called a foal. The foal can walk a few minutes after birth. A wild ass and a smaller domesticated ass GALLOPING All four hooves lift off the Light horses are best Horses move at a walk, ground in mid-gallop. equipped for racing. trot, canter, or gallop, in increasing order of speed. When a horse gallops, all its hooves are off the ground for a split second during each stride. The fastest race horses can gallop at more than 40 mph (65 km/h) over a short distance. HOW WE MEASURE HORSES Shire horse may be more than TYPES OF HORSES 6 ft (18 hands, 180 cm) at the There are three main Horses can be measured in Appaloosa is about shoulders and weigh more kinds of horses – draft horses hands from the ground to the 5 ft (15 hands, than 2,500 lb (1,135 kg). such as Shires; light horses such withers (the highest point of 150 cm) high. as Arabian horses; and ponies such as Shetland ponies. Draft the shoulder). One hand horses pull plows, and light horses take part in races. equals 4 in (10 cm). Shetland pony is Shire horses are 4 ft (12 hands, Find out more the largest Animals 120 cm) high. Mammals horses. Shetland Mountain wildlife Transportation, history of ponies are among the smallest. 261

www.children.dkonline.com >> human body HUMAN BODY FROM THE MOMENT we are born to the moment we die, our bodies do not stop working for a second. The human body is a complex collection of more than 100,000 million living units called cells. There are more than 200 different types of cells, including nerve cells or neurons, muscle cells, fat cells, epidermal cells, blood cells, and gland cells that release secretions, such as hormones and enzymes. Each type of cell in the body does a particular job. Cells that do similar jobs are grouped together to form tissues, such as muscle tissue and nerve tissue. Tissues, in turn, are grouped together to form organs, which are separate THE BODY’S ABILITIES structures within the body. The lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys are some of the The human body is capable main organs. Linked organs work together as systems, and each system carries of amazing feats of balance and out one or more major functions. For example, the heart, blood vessels, and coordination. Many animals can blood form the circulatory system, which carries oxygen and nutrients around run faster or jump higher, but the body and carries away waste products. All the different systems work together, our bodies are very adaptable. An extremely complex brain controls the body and gives us the under the control of the brain, to produce a living, walking, talking human body. intelligence to use our physical abilities to the best advantage. Brain stem Hair Skull Epidermis SKIN Cerebrum Sweat The body is covered by skin. gland Skin is flexible and helps Neck vertebrae Hair protect the body. It keeps follicle water and harmful bacteria Nerves Rib cage out, and keeps body fluids Dermis in. Skin is also wear- Humerus resistant because it (upper arm Hair root continually renews itself. bone) The base of the upper layer, or epidermis, Spinal divides constantly to cord make new cells. The new cells move upwards as if Elbow on a conveyor belt, to joint replace cells that are worn out. Radius CELL Every second, millions of cells die and millions more replace them. An average cell measures about one-thousandth of an inch (0.025 mm) across, but there are many different kinds of Skin cell cells in the body, each adapted for a certain Metacarpal (bone joining wrist with job. Nerve cells are long and thin. Like wires, fingers) nerve cells conduct (carry) electrical nerve Red SKELETAL SYSTEM blood Two hundred and six signals. Red blood cells are doughnut- shaped and contain chemicals that carry cell bones form the body’s strong internal oxygen around the body. Epithelial cells framework. Some are Femur connected at flexible (thigh on body surfaces, such as Nerve cell joints; joints in the leg, bone) the lining of the mouth, for example, allow us to move. Others are fixed Patella are broad and flat  firmly together, as in the (kneecap) skull. The vertebral and fit together like Bone cell column, or backbone, Tibia supports the head at the (shinbone) paving stones. top and the limbs on either side. The backbone also Tarsal (bone joining Muscle cell encases and protects leg and foot) Fat cell the delicate spinal cord. NERVOUS SYSTEM The brain and the nerves make up the nervous system. Nerves extend from the brain and spinal cord to all body parts, carrying signals in the form of tiny electrical impulses. The signals bring information from the sense organs to the brain and take instructions from the brain to the muscles. The brain controls many processes automatically, such as breathing, heartbeat, and digestion, without us having to think about them. 262

HUMAN BODY There are several stages of development in everyone’s GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT In many older people, decrease in lifetime – from birth through childhood, adolescence, physical strength is offset by the wisdom and adulthood, to old age. As the human body grows, it develops and knowledge gained from a lifetime many skills. Babies learn to smile, sit up, of experience. crawl, walk, and talk. Learning continues at school. On average, the peak of physical abilities is reached between 18 and 25 years of age. Later, more changes occur with age. The skin becomes wrinkled and less elastic, the joints are less flexible, bones become more brittle, muscles are less powerful, and there is some loss of height and graying of hair. Neck Teeth Lung Trachea muscles tilt Heart (windpipe) Mouth and twist the head. Esophagus (gullet) Upper arm muscles bend and straighten elbow. Chest muscles Kidney help in breathing. Abdominal muscles Stomach shield digestive organs. Bladder Large intestine Small intestine Rectum RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Anus The lungs, airways, and throat and nasal passages Buttock and thigh make up the respiratory muscles are the most system. The lungs absorb powerful muscles. vital oxygen from the air. The blood transports this Muscles are joined oxygen around the body, to bones by tendons, pumped through the such as the Achilles blood vessels by the heart. tendon in the heel. URINARY SYSTEM The kidneys filter waste substances from the blood to form a fluid, urine, which is stored in the bladder. Veins return blood to the heart. MUSCULAR SYSTEM DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Arteries carry blood There are about 650 The mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines from the heart. muscles in the body. Some, are part of the digestive system. These organs such as the arm muscles, can work together to break down food into particles Find out more be controlled at will, to pull that are small enough to pass through the lining on the bones of the skeleton of the intestine and into the blood. The mouth Brain and nerves and move the body. Others, and teeth chop and chew food, and the stomach Ears such as the muscles of the churns it with powerful digestive chemicals. The Eyes heart and intestine, work liver is the main organ for converting absorbed automatically. nutrients into forms more suitable for use by the Heart and blood various organs. The large intestine deals with Lungs and breathing wastes and leftover food. Reproduction 263 Skeletons Teeth

www.children.dkonline.com >> human rights HUMAN RIGHTS MOST OF US BELIEVE that we have the right to be treated fairly and equally within society, regardless of our race, sex, religion, or social group. This equal treatment includes the right to vote, to work, and be educated. When these rights are protected by law, they are called legal or civic rights. In some countries, they are spelled out in a constitution. However, throughout history, many groups, including African Americans, black South Africans, Native Americans, and women, have not been considered equal to others, and have had few, if any, civil or human rights. This kind of targeted mistreatment is called discrimination. In the 20th century many different groups, including blacks, homosexuals, women, and people with disabilities, fought long and sometimes bitter campaigns to achieve their rights and MOHANDAS GANDHI obtain equal treatment within society, and these Human rights activists – those who struggles continue today. fight for civil rights – use peaceful methods. They unite and mobilize people. In 1915, Mohandas Gandhi NELSON MANDELA AFRICAN-AMERICAN RIGHTS (1869-1948) began to lead the In 1948, the South African government struggle against British rule in India. introduced apartheid, under which the Until slavery was abolished in 1865, African Using nonviolent civil disobedience, black majority had no civil rights. The African National Congress (ANC), headed by Nelson Americans were treated as property in the Gandhi’s fasts and marches helped Mandela (b.1918), led a long fight against Southern states. Following abolition, Southern lead to India’s independence from states introduced laws that segregated (separated) British rule in 1947. races, and made African Americans second-class citizens. apartheid. It was finally repealed in 1991. Under the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-68), a civil rights movement emerged. It used non-violent methods, such as sit-ins (see left), where African Americans peacefully occupied segregated public places. Finally, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965. These laws outlawed discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or religion in schooling, voting, and employment. AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Since the 1960s, Native Americans have become more forceful in demanding A worldwide human rights organization, equal rights. In 1968, the American Indian Amnesty International was founded in Movement (AIM) formed to fight for civil 1961 following a legal appeal by a rights and improved conditions on British lawyer, Peter Benenson, after he reservations. A militant organization, read about two Portuguese students AIM conducted a number of high-profile who were imprisoned for raising their protests. In 1973, they occupied Wounded glasses in a toast to freedom. Amnesty Knee in South Dakota, the site of a works to obtain prompt and fair trials massacre of Sioux people in 1890. Federal for all prisoners, to end torture and marshals surrounded the protestors, and executions, and to secure the release of people imprisoned a siege began in which two AIM members were killed. Since then, some Native solely for their political or religious beliefs and who have not Americans have won land rights, but used or advocated violence. The organization has more than discrimination still continues today. 2.2 million members and has its headquarters in London. In 1977, Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its work. Find out more Africa, history of King, Jr., martin luther Law Mandela, nelson Native americans Slavery Tubman, harriet 264

Reenacting a Pilgrim www.children.dkonline.com >> immigration harvest at Plymouth Rock, MA IMMIGRATION Eastern European FROM THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST COLONISTS in the 1600s, immigrants seek a new life in the the United States has been a nation of immigrants. People from all over the United States, 1900. world have come to the US, contributing to its rich ethnic heritage. Some hoped to escape poverty, war, or discrimination in their native lands, while others came to find adventure, a fresh start, and new opportunities. At first, the United States encouraged immigration – there were roads and railroads to be built, factories to run, and jobs to fill as the nation flourished. As the numbers of immigrants began to rise dramatically, however, pressure grew to limit the flow of newcomers and the first immigration laws were enacted. THE GREAT WAVE From the early 1900s to the Great Depression of the 1930s, a huge wave of immigrants – more than 30 million people – poured into the United States from every part of the world. Many came from Europe, where economic troubles, political changes, and restrictive religious laws drove them to seek new homes and new lives elsewhere. THE FIRST IMMIGRANTS Most of the early colonists who settled in what became the United States came from England in the 17th and 18th centuries. Some of these early immigrants could not afford the travel costs and came as indentured servants. These people agreed to work for a fixed number of years to pay for their passage, food, clothing, and lodging. CHINESE IMMIGRATION In the mid-1800s, many Chinese people crossed the Pacific to California in search of gold. They were met with violent anti-Chinese protests, unfair taxes, and laws to stop further immigration. However, labor shortages on the railroads led American companies to hire Chinese workers, who helped build the country’s first transcontinental railroad line in 1869. Chinese immigrants work on the railroad in California. FLEEING FAMINE AND POVERTY More than seven million people entered the US between 1820 and 1870, mostly from northern and western Europe. About one-third were Irish, seeking escape from a famine brought on by potato crop failures in the 1840s. Another third were from Germany, where political unrest forced thousands to flee. While most new immigrants settled on the East Coast, many Germans traveled to the rich farmlands in the middle of the country. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Many people came to America seeking the freedom to practice their chosen religion, a right guaranteed by the first amendment to the Constitution. In colonial times, religious groups such as the Quakers and the Puritans fled from harsh treatment in England and founded settlements in the New World. More than two and a half million Jews from Eastern Europe emigrated to the United States between 1880 and 1920, to escape ethnic and religious persecution. 265

IMMIGRATION An immigrant family arrives in New York in 1910. IMMIGRATION LIMITS ELLIS ISLAND By 1910, most immigrants had come from Southern Most immigrants who came to the United States during the mass and Eastern Europe. Their large numbers threatened migration of the early 1900s entered the country via New York City, the some native-born Americans. Consequently, Congress most popular destination for steamship companies. Ellis Island, just off passed the first quota laws limiting the number of the southern tip of Manhattan, near the Statue of Liberty, was the chief people allowed into the country. immigration station for the US from 1892 to 1954. More than 12 million immigrants passed through its doors. Today, Ellis Island is a museum celebrating the United States’ immigrant heritage. PRESERVING HERITAGE Many immigrants choose to settle in communities made up of people from their native lands. Most American cities contain ethnic neighborhoods, where residents continue to speak their native language as well as English. These neighborhoods have ethnic stores, places of worship, and businesses. They are also the site of many traditional festivals. El Salvadorian ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS girls celebrate In 1924, the Border Patrol was established to prevent people Central American Pride from crossing into the country Day in Chicago. without permission. Agents NEW IMMIGRANTS BECOMING A CITIZEN keep watch on the 8,000-mile Although the Constitution gives rights (13,000-km) long US border. The United States to noncitizens, only citizens are able to government limits the vote in elections and hold US passports. The 1996 Immigration Act number of new immigrants An immigrant who wants to become doubled the number of Border allowed each year. In 1990, a citizen of the United States must Patrol agents and denied social immigration laws were revised successfully pass a test on American to favor relatives of American history, answer written questions in services to illegal immigrants. citizens, workers with skills English, and take an oath of allegiance People still risk their lives to needed in the United States, to the United States. enter the country, especially and refugees from war zones. through Mexico (above). A lottery was established for Millions of illegal aliens, or permanent resident visas, also known as green cards. The noncitizens, live in the US today. largest groups of immigrants to the US today are from Latin Find out more America and Asia. Hispanic americans Statue of liberty United states, history of 266

www.children.dkonline.com >> Incas INCAS IN THE 12TH CENTURY, a tribe of Native Americans moved down from the Andes Mountains of South America to settle in the fertile Cuzco Valley. By the end of the 15th century they had conquered a huge territory of 440,000 sq miles South America (1,140,000 sq km) containing more than 10 million people. The Incas won this land with their powerful army and then controlled it with a remarkable system of Inca Empire communications. Inca engineers built a network of paved roads that crisscrossed the empire. Relays of imperial messengers ran along these roads (there were no horses or wheeled vehicles), traveling 150 miles (250 km) a day as they took messages to and from the capital city of Cuzco. At the head of the empire was the chief Inca, who was worshiped as a god and who held absolute power over all his subjects. But in 1525 the chief Inca, Huayna Capac, died, and civil war broke out between two rivals for his throne. In 1532 a small force of Spanish soldiers arrived in the country and found it in disarray. They quickly INCA EMPIRE overwhelmed the Incan army, and by 1533 In 1525, at its height, the Inca Empire was almost completely the Inca empire stretched under Spanish rule. for more than 2,000 miles (3,200 km) along the Pacific coast of South America, MACHU PICCHU including ruling over much of present-day Ecuador, Covering an area of 5 sq miles Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. (13 sq km), the fortress city of Machu Picchu was built on a series of terraces carved into Llamas have been the side of a mountain more used as pack animals than 7,500 ft (2,280 m) for 4,000 years. above sea level. QUIPU WEAVING An Inca woman weaving an The Incas wove lengths elaborately designed piece of cloth. The Incas did not have a written language. of beautiful, colorful cloth Instead, they used quipus – pieces of with elaborate patterns. TERRACE FARMING knotted string – to record every aspect of The wool they used came The Incas were expert at farming their daily life. Historic events, laws, gold from the mountain every available piece of fertile reserves, population statistics, and other animals – llamas, alpacas, land in their mountainous items of information were and vicunas – that the Incas empire. They built terraces along all stored accurately in kept on their farms. Many the steep hillsides and watered this way. of their designs depicted them with mountain streams so jaguars and pumas. that crops could be grown and Color of string, The Incas animals kept to feed all the number of were expert people who lived in the cities. knots, and goldsmiths length of string Find out more indicated what and often Conquistadors was recorded placed gold on the quipu. Farming figurines (right) South america in their graves. Much South america, history of of the Incan gold was melted down by Spanish invaders. 267

www.children.dkonline.com >> India INDIA AND SUBCONTINENT A TRAVELER IN INDIA would need to speak more than 1,000 languages to understand conversations in every part of the country. Hindi and English are the two official PRINTING BLOCKS languages, and 14 other languages are spoken nationwide. Traditional wooden Many people, however, speak a local language as well. The printing blocks are still majority of Indians are Hindu in religion, but there are used in the production of colorful textiles. many Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and Buddhists. Geographically, the country is very varied, too. The north is mountainous, and in the center the Ganges India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, River waters a rich plain of productive farmland. In the south a hot and Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka occupy fertile coastal region surrounds a dry inland plateau. With a population of the Indian subcontinent. China more than one billion, India is the second most populated country in the is to the north, and to the east lie world (China is the first). About 70 percent of the people live in small, the jungles of Southeast Asia. The often very poor villages, and work on the land. The rest live in big cities, Indian Ocean washes the southern where some work in modern factories and offices. Recent advances in shores; the mountains and deserts of Iran and Afghanistan enclose farming have made the subcontinent on the west. TEA the land more productive, and In 1824, tea plants were discovered after many in the hills along the frontier years of between Burma and the Indian state of Assam. The British first famine, India introduced tea culture to India in can now 1836 and Sri Lanka in 1867, and feed itself. today most of the world’s tea comes from the Indian subcontinent. The low tea bushes grow well on the sheltered, well-drained foothills of the Himalayas. Only the leaves near the tip Picking tea is laborious of the plant are picked; they and often painful work. are then dried, rolled, and heated to produce the final Most tea pickers are product. Tea also grows in women. They spend long days picking the crop by hand. southern India and Sri Lanka. TEXTILES KARAKORAM MOUNTAINS The production of textiles, carpets, and clothing is one of the major A high mountain range separates the Indian subcontinent from industries in India. Millions of people China to the north. Most of the range is part of the Himalayas. work at spinning, weaving, and At its western end, the Himalayas continue as the Karakoram finishing a wide range of cotton range, which forms Pakistan’s northern border. Few and other goods, often printed people have their homes in these mountainous regions. with designs that have been Nevertheless, the mountains have a great influence on in use for centuries. Many people living thousands of miles away. Most of the of these products are rivers that irrigate the fertile plains of the Indian exported. There are large subcontinent begin in the Himalayas. factories, but some people also work in their own homes. MODERN INDIA India is one of the most industrialized countries in Asia, with a wide range of engineering, electronic, and manufacturing industries. Its railroad system is one of the world’s biggest. Traditional costumes and ways of life, however, coexist with modern industries. 268

INDIA AND SUBCONTINENT PAKISTAN Pakistan was formed in 1947, when the end of British rule in India led to the creation of two separate states; the predominantly Hindu India, and the predominantly Muslim Pakistan. Pakistan originally included what is now Bangladesh, then known as East Pakistan. Bangladesh became independent in 1971 after a revolt against rule from West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan). India and Pakistan are in bitter conflict over the area at Pakistan’s northeastern border known as Kashmir; both India and Pakistan consider the region to be a part of their country. In the 2000s, Pakistan also faced problems with militants in the North-West Province, as the conflict in Afghanistan spilled over the border. Expansion of Mumbai is SHERPAS confined by its island location, The Sherpa people (right) of Nepal so the city has one of the are famed for their mountaineering highest population densities skills. They often act as guides for in the world. climbers and hikers on expeditions MUMBAI in the Nepalese Himalayas. One of India’s largest cities is Mumbai, which has a population of more than eight million. The city is the capital of the western state of Maharashtra, and is a major port for western commerce. Mumbai is built on an island, and has a superb natural harbor to the east. Cotton is grown nearby, and Mumbai is the largest cotton textile center in the country. In 2008, Mumbai suffered a terrorist attack in which more than 200 people died. KERALA The state of Kerala in southwest India borders the Arabian Sea. The eastern part of the state is hilly, but much of the land area is a flat plain. Kerala is one of the most densely populated states in India. Fishing is important for the local economy. Near the coast, the people of Kerala grow crops BHUTAN of cashew nuts, coconuts, Most people in Bhutan are descendants of and rice, and there are tea, Tibetans who migrated to the area centuries ago. rubber, coffee, and pepper plantations to the east. Like their neighbors, they are Although the government has predominantly Buddhist, encouraged modern farming and look on the techniques, traditional methods Dalai Lama as of agriculture and transportation their spiritual are common, such as the canoe in leader. The dense the picture (left). Forestry is also forests and high important in Kerala. In the mountains mountains that cover the there are forests of teak, ebony, and rosewood, country are home to many animals as well as a wide variety of wildlife. native to the Indian subcontinent, such as tigers (left), monkeys, and elephants. In an effort to protect Bhutan’s culture and natural environment the government of Bhutan does not allow many tourists to enter the country. INDIAN PEOPLE India has one of the most diverse populations in the world. Throughout history, one group after another has settled in India, each bringing its own culture, customs, and languages. The groups often intermarried, but not all aspects of society became mixed and diluted: many groups clung to their traditions. For instance, there is no one Indian language, and people in different parts of the country often have their own unique local language. 269

INDIA AND SUBCONTINENT BOLLYWOOD A still from a movie SACRED WATERS by Indian film director, The Indian movie industry produces even Satyajit Ray. His From its source in the Himalayas, the Ganges River more movies than Hollywood. About 800 work is shown and (below) flows eastward across India, then turns south. full-length feature films are shot each admired worldwide. The river’s 1,560-mile (2,510-km) course takes it year, mainly in Mumbai, nicknamed through Bangladesh to reach the sea in the Bay of “Bollywood.” Chennai (Madras) is also Bengal. Hindus consider the river to be sacred. They a center of the movie industry. believe that bathing in its waters washes away sins and cures illness. Indians rely on the waters of the Ganges for the irrigation of agricultural land. MUSIC DANCE Cows are sacred Traditional Indian music is very complex, with a wide range of Traditional Indian to Hindus in India rhythms. Melodies are based on ragas – a fixed series of notes dances have a variety and must not the performer must play as a basis for improvising (making of forms and rhythms. be harmed. up the tune). Bhangra – a new music combining traditional They differ according Indian music from Punjab with Western rock music – has to region, occupation, become popular among young people in recent years. and caste. The Taj Mahal is built of DELHI the finest white marble and is a supreme example The ancient city of Delhi lies on the of Islamic architecture. hot plains of northern India. In 1638 it became the capital city of the Indian Mogul Empire. When the British took control of India in the 1800s, they moved the capital to Kolkata (Calcutta), in the east of the country. In 1912, the British began to build a new city in the outskirts of Delhi from where they could govern their vast Indian empire. New Delhi has been the nation’s capital since India gained independence in 1947. TAJ MAHAL Find out more The Taj Mahal (left), at Agra in northern India, was built in 1631 by Shah Jahan, Asia the Mogul emperor of India. It was Asia, history of constructed as a tomb and memorial for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. She was Buddhism the mother of 14 children. The Taj Mahal Dance is built of white marble and inlaid with semiprecious stones. Hinduism Movies 270

INDIA AND SUBCONTINENT Volcano Mountain Ancient Capital Large Small monument city city/ city/ town town STATISTICS AMRITSAR SCALE BAR km 0 250 500 500 miles Area: 1,269,338 sq miles The city of Amritsar is in Punjab (3,287,590 sq km) in northwest India. It is the most 0 250 Population: important religious center for the Sikhs, 1,166,079,000 who live mainly in northern India. The Capital: New Delhi town surrounds a sacred pool, and on a small Languages: Hindi, island in the pool stands the Golden Temple (above). English Urdu, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, In 1984 Sikhs fighting for an independent Sikh Bihari, Gujarata, state in the area occupied the temple, and the Kanarese N government sent in troops to remove them. Religions: Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, WE Buddhist Currency: Rupee CS TAJIKISTAN (Claimed Aksai Chin NATURAL BORDER Main occupations: by India) A massive, towering wall of snow- Agriculture, industry (administered by China, claimed Main exports: Rice, iron by India) capped mountains stretches ore, cut diamonds, coal N Hindu Kush Kar Ranagkeoram H Demchok/ in an arc between the Indian Main imports: I S T AKhyber Pass Peshawar Demqog subcontinent and the Petroleum, coal, steel K2 8611m rest of continental Asia. (administered by N Srinagar China, claimed A 1080m ISLAMABAD by India) H Rawalpindi Jammu Ind I Gujranwala Amritsar us G Ravi IndusRange Lahore Arunachal Faisalabad Pradesh F H i NKakar (claimed by China) A Toba IRAN m Na El Pa Ay La s ATropic of Cancer I N D I A B a y o fBANGLADESH B e n g a lArea: 55,598 sq AC hMa gaaKCkHrieaanHyntrrNPdiaRalllaaecswnALrhgaaaePibrKboskdhuratahsbIasnQdaohafSnueddRuTtRaatsSraTanujnAhkkaookfrNtJuKAoKDradhecahNhsmlcpeyahruBMhsPaatVhraanduihlakliaaStdaJbwuBnoaaUairildkdppdaVBaaLuatuneiDriruSnpearaawrduedGtharlIKphANhrwynuoigaaiaradtlaraginRooaBpRaaNDrrhanueAgnnEoErgelgelpsLeWSanaaCLhHglhBuaaaBiIrbcJlnaaakKadbsrpednSraaiaulaolnpplmrywuupbrruaJalrpVRmuaGaDsrMnhrohBcaearhhaadanaBnilkpenabKihusarsahdparAPidiwtuPnTaaruRaHrtrganM8BiajM8(KsJahorC5heuPu0AosaanamsbhltlNoBbcakEiSrunnAvDDRehataeetNriaitUsaelnanish)gtGaTgBMwKutjphpLHaorHehuuuriADGItrruhMUaDsnlHognPETeGASSHaSAACuhyHslUwiKNhhlslaeoiAahBttnratmgaatIimgapopDuthnriabagrl uTgarorphicGasf In B U R M hm A MthoeuIn a b i a n of Cancer r Mumbai Pune e cca ats Brahmapur (Bombay) Godavar h i G KriHshnyadeerrnaVbijaaydawadVaisakhapatnamBangladesh miles (143,998 sq km) Western GhatsSolapurD BANGLADESH Population: 156,051,000 Hubli Ganges delta, where Capital: Dhaka East lies on the Sea the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers BHUTAN Mangalore Chennai split up into dozens of smaller rivers before Area: 18,147 sq miles flowing into the Bay of Bengal. The area is (47,000 sq km) (Madras) Population: 691,000 prone to monsoons, which are a type of Capital: Thimphu Amindivi Bangalore Pondicherry tropical storm, and floods are very common Islands throughout most of the country. Most people NEPAL Kavaratti Coimbatore live in wooden houses raised on stilts above Area: 56,757 sq miles (147,000 sq km) Laccadive Islands Madurai lk Strait the flood level, to avoid their homes being Population: 28,563,000 (Lakshadweep) Jaffna washed away in severe monsoons. Capital: Kathmandu S R IKochi/Cochin Pa Nine Degree Channel LANKAThiruvananthapuram/Trivandrum Gulf of Minicoy Island Eight Degree Channel Mannar Batticaloa Kandy I COLOMBO N D I A N O C E A NGalle PAKISTAN SRI LANKA Area: 310,403 sq Area: 25,332 sq miles (803,940 sq km) miles (65,610 sq km) Population: 172,243,000 Population: 21,325,000 Capital: Islamabad Capital: Colombo 271

www.children.dkonline.com >> Indian Ocean INDIAN OCEAN MORE THAN ONE BILLION PEOPLE live in the countries that fringe the Indian Ocean and on some of the 5,000 islands that are scattered across its surface. The world’s third-largest ocean provides a major link between Europe and Asia. The monsoon winds, which bring heavy rainfall to many of the countries surrounding the ocean, also have an impact on the currents, which reverse direction completely between March and August. The Indian Ocean is bounded Early navigators used the winds and currents to MONSOON by Africa to the west, India and carry them from Arabia to southern India and The lands around the Indian Australia to the east, and Asia to the Indonesia, bringing the Islamic religion and Ocean are dependent on monsoon north. In the south, it merges with culture with them. Malays and Indonesians took rainfall. Monsoons are seasonal winds, the Antarctic Ocean. In the north, the journey westward, settling in Madagascar. Most blowing from the southwest in the the Suez Canal gives access, via the of the islands of the Indian Ocean are small and summer and northeast in the winter, Red Sea, to the Mediterranean. that bring torrential downpours. Very uninhabited. However, many tourists are drawn heavy monsoon rains swell rivers, to their beautiful palm-fringed beaches, causing disastrous flooding often and in some places tourism is beginning accompanied by diseases such as to supplement traditional ways of life cholera. The Bay of Bengal is especially vulnerable to flooding. based on fishing and farming. SEYCHELLES The island republic of the Seychelles consists of 40 scattered mountainous islands. These are surrounded by over 70 coral islands, which are low-lying and sparsely populated. The main islands are outstandingly beautiful; their hillsides are blanketed with tropical STILT FISHERMEN vegetation, fringed by silvery-white beaches. Temperatures are constant There are fewer areas of shallow water, where fish breed, in the Indian Ocean throughout the year, reaching a than in the Pacific or the Atlantic. For daytime high of 86° F (30° C). The this reason large-scale fishing, using trawlers Seychelles attract year-round visitors and factory ships, has not developed in from the Northern Hemisphere. the region. Most fishing takes place on a MADAGASCAN VILLAGE local basis, near island coastlines. Tuna is Most Madagascans are descendants of Malays the most valuable catch. In Sri Lanka, and Indonesians who crossed the Indian fishermen – precariously perched on stilts – Ocean in the 7th century ce. These use poles and lines to catch their fish. villagers come from the southeastern coast. The east coast is densely populated and poor. Most of Madagascar’s ruling class come from the central plateau. MADAGASCAR Find out more The world’s fourth-largest Africa island lies off Africa’s eastern Asia coast. Most of the population is concentrated in the narrow strip of Corals fertile land along the east coast, which Oceans and seas has a humid, tropical climate. Farming Southeast asia dominates the economy. Rice and cassava are the main crops, while coffee and vanilla are grown for export. Poultry, sheep, pigs, and goats are all kept on a small scale. The government’s attempts to modernize livestock farming have not been successful. 272

INDIAN OCEAN CHRISTMAS MADAGASCAR MAURITIUS SEYCHELLES ISLAND Area: 226,660 sq Area: 788 sq miles Area: 176 sq miles Area: 52 sq miles miles (587,040 sq km) (2,040 sq km) (455 sq km) (134.6 sq km) Population: 20,654,000 Population: 1,284,000 Population: 87,476 Status: Australian external Capital: Antananarivo Capital: Port Louis Capital: Victoria territory Languages: Malagasy, Languages: English, French, Languages: English, French, Claimed: 1958 French French Creole French Creole Population: 1,400 Religions: Traditional Religions: Hindu, Roman Religion: Roman Catholic Capital: Flying Fish Cove beliefs, Christian, Muslim Catholic Currency: Seychelles rupee Currency: Malagasy franc Currency: Mauritian rupee COMOROS Area: 838 sq miles MALDIVES RÉUNION (2,170 sq km) Area: 116 sq miles Area: 972 sq miles Population: 752,000 (300 sq km) (2,517 sq km) Capital: Moroni Population: 396,000 Status: French overseas Languages: Arabic, Capital: Male’ department Comoran, French Language: Dhivehi Claimed: 1649 Religions: Muslim, (Maldavian) Population: 802,000 Roman Catholic Religion: Sunni Muslim Capital: Saint-Denis Currency: Comoros franc Currency: Rufiyaa Volcano Mountain Ancient Capital Large Small ARAB DHOW monument city city/ city/ town town Dhows are Arab trading boats made of teak or coconut planks, sewn together with twine. They are SCALE BAR 2000 km 0 1000 2000 miles lateen-rigged, which means that they have one, or sometimes two, triangular sails. Dhows are fast and 0 1000 maneuverable. They were a vital tool in the Arab exploration of the Indian Ocean from the 8th century ce. Using the monsoon winds, Arab merchants soon gained control of Indian Ocean trade and spread Islam as far as Indonesia. TigrEius phr Suez ates A Kuwait The G SInd C h a g o s - L a c c a d i v e us Gulf of Oman ulf Karachi I AGanges Red Arabian Kolkata (Calcutta) Peninsula Mumbai Irrawaddy (Bombay) Sea Arabian Rangoon THE MALDIVES Sea Bay of Bengal The Maldives consist of 1,800 low-lying coral GAuldf eofnAden Socotra Chennai Andaman Islands Gulf of Th islands, which form the crowns of ancient (to Yemen) (Madras) Andaman Sea submerged volcanoes. None of the Djibouti (to India) Carls Laccadive Is. islands are higher than 6 ft (1.8 m), and all but 20 have fewer than n (to India) 1,000 inhabitants. Rising sea levels, caused by global Somali Basi Chain Range Kochi/Cochin Nicobar Is. ailand warming, threaten to submerge berg ascaren e P l a t e au Colombo Sri Lanka (to India) Strait o George Sout h the islands. caTown Chin a A F RIC f Malac A Sea Ridge M i d - I n d i a n MALDIVES MALE Melaka Singapore Borneo Ridge Sumatra Celebes Mombasa VICTORIA Mahé Java Sea SEYCHELLES Java Amirante Islands BRITISH INDIAN Java Banda Dar es Salaam Aldabra Islands (to Seychelles) M OCEAN TERRITORY Investigator RidgeTrench Sea (to Seychelles) (to UK) Diego Garcia Grande Mid-Indian CHRISTMAS ISLAND Timor Comore COMOROS Basin Ninetyeast (to Australia) Timor ASHMORE & S e a Moroni Mamoudzou Ridg eINDIAN COCOS ISLANDS CARTIER ISLANDS MAYOTTE (to Australia) (to Australia) Za (to France) MADAGASCAR North Australia mbezi popo Mahajanga Toamasina Channel Basin A L I A O C E A NBeira R Lim T Durban Cape Town ANTANANARIVO MAURITIUS St. Denis PORT LOUIS Fianarantsoa RÉUNION Mozambique Toliara (to France) Ridge A US M adaga s c ar N Basin Indian Madagascar Southwest Broken Ridge Perth Natal Plateau Basin Fremantle Basin W E S 273

www.children.dkonline.com >> Industrial Revolution INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY, with its factories and huge cities, began less than 300 years ago in Britain, and then spread to Europe and the United States. Beginning in about 1760, great changes took place that altered people’s lives and methods of work forever, changes that are known today as the Industrial Revolution. Machines powered by water, and later steam, were invented to produce cloth and other goods more quickly. It took many workers to run these big machines, so poor people moved from the country into the new industrial towns to be near the factories. There were more jobs and higher wages in the cities, but life was often miserable. Although the Factory Act in 1833 banned young children in Britain from working in factories, there were no laws to control how long people worked each day, or to make sure the machines were safe. Factory workers lived Barges on new Chimneys FACTORY OWNERS in overcrowded houses, canals carried from the Robert Owen (1771-1858) which often became slums. factory goods new factories was a generous British from one town created a lot factory owner who tried to NEW TECHNOLOGY to another. of smoke. This improve working conditions. Stronger metals were needed to make made the towns Many other owners grew rich machines, so cast iron and steel were dirty and polluted. by demanding long hours of developed. Steam to drive the new work for low wages. engines was made by burning coal DAVY LAMP to boil water. Coal mines were driven In 1815 British NEW TOWNS deep into the ground. Cotton cloth inventor Sir was the first product to be made Humphry Davy Factory towns were built completely by machine. The new developed a as fast and as cheaply as goods were produced in large miner’s safety possible. Large families numbers so they were lamp. were crowded into tiny cheap to buy. houses, and the water Cotton replaced wool supply was often polluted. as the main material Diseases spread rapidly, and for making clothes. many people died young. BEDSTEAD Iron was even used for making beds. Cast iron, which could be molded into any shape, became common. 274

INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION The Clifton MILLS 1708 Englishman Abraham suspension Darby invents coke smelting bridge, Avon, The first factories were water-driven cotton mills that produced of iron. England cloth. They were noisy, dangerous places to work in. Mill owners employed many women and children because they could pay 1733 John Kay, of England, them lower wages than men. develops “flying shuttle,” which mechanizes weaving. STEAM HAMMER Unlike humans, steam-powered 1760 Start of Industrial machines could work tirelessly, Revolution, Britain. turning out vast quantities 1765 James Hargreaves, of of goods. This steam England, invents “spinning jenny.” It increases output of hammer, invented spun cotton. Scotsman James in 1839, could Watt develops steam engine, hammer iron which is used to drive forgings with machinery in cotton industry. tremendous power and 1769 Richard Arkwright’s great accuracy. water frame used to spin strong thread. Speeds up BRUNEL CO-OPS AND UNIONS production; early beginning Isambard Kingdom Brunel of Factory Age in England. (1806-59) was probably the Working people fought to improve their conditions. Some set up labor unions to fight 1779 English weaver Samuel greatest engineer of the for shorter hours and better pay. Others Crompton develops spinning Industrial Revolution. His created co-op stores to provide wholesome “mule,” which spins many most famous bridge was the food at reasonable prices. These stores later threads at once. Clifton suspension bridge grew into a cooperative movement. across the Avon Gorge, in 1784 Henry Cort, England, England. He also designed and 275 develops puddling furnace built the Great Western Railway and rolling mill. Produces and the Great Britain, which was high-quality iron. the first large steamship with an iron hull and a screw propeller. 1789 First steam-powered spinning loom, England. Speeds up textile production. 1793 Eli Whitney’s cotton gin mechanizes cotton production in the US. 1804 Englishman Richard Trevithick builds first railroad locomotive. 1825 First public railroad from Stockton to Darlington, England. 1828 Development of hot-blast smelting furnace in England. 1842 Mines Act in Britain bans women and children from working underground. 1851 Great Exhibition in London displays new industrial products and techniques. 1855 Bessemer converter developed in England. Changes pig iron into steel. 1870 Industrialization established in Britain, Germany, and United States. Find out more Farming Farming, history of Science Science, history of Trade and industry

www.children.dkonline.com >> Indus INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION ABOUT 4,500 YEARS AGO, one of the greatest ancient civilizations developed Harappa Mohenjo-daro along the banks of the Indus River in the western Punjab. The Indus Valley people occupied a huge area, bigger than Ancient Egypt and Sumer together. Many of them INDUS VALLEY lived in villages, farming the valley’s fertile soil. But the civilization centered on the The Indus River flows two large cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. These cities were carefully through eastern planned, with streets running in straight lines, similar to a modern Pakistan. The Indus American town. With their courtyard houses and walled citadels, people lived in a broad they were the most impressive cities of their time. But floods often damaged the walls, and the buildings needed repairing regularly. strip of land on It was probably a combination of water damage and poor harvests either side that led to the decline of the civilization. After 1600 bce, of the river. the Indus Valley civilization came to an end. SEAL Citadel area contained large Indus merchants carried buildings, such as the great bath and small seals such as this, which they probably used as granary, protected by a strong wall. stamps to sign documents or mark goods. Each seal has a picture of an animal, together with a few characters in the Indus Valley’s unique script. No scholar has been able to decipher this writing. Most houses had two storys and a central courtyard. Straight main streets WHEELED TOYS MOHENJO-DARO show that city was The children of the Indus Valley played with pottery toys carefully planned. such as this wheeled oxcart. It is probably a model of Flat-roofed, mud-brick similar, full-size carts that were used to houses lined the straight INDUS GODS take corn to the city’s great granary. streets of Mohenjo-daro. Each Archaeologists have also house had several rooms, with Many houses in found dice, marbles, and small windows to keep out Mohenjo-daro and small wheeled animals. the hot Sun. A courtyard Harappa contained small provided a shaded space for pottery statues of a female working. Most houses also had figure with a head-dress a bathroom, with a toilet that and jewelry. She was drained out into sewers beneath probably a mother goddess. the streets. The city also Indus Valley people may contained a great bathhouse, have worshiped her at home, which may have been used for hoping that she would bring religious purposes. Historians them good harvests and a think that Mohenjo-daro and plentiful food supply. Harappa each had about 40,000 inhabitants. Find out more Asia, history of Cities Religions Wheels 276

www.children.dkonline.com >> information technology INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY THE TERM “INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,” or IT for short, is used to An early describe technologies that handle, store, process, and transmit, or pass on, rotary-dial telephone information. When people talk about IT, they usually mean the use of computers to store and pass on information, but radio, television, telephones, fax machines, and DVD players are also examples of information Camera technology. Information technology in some form has existed since humans EARLY IT developed pictures and writing, while later inventions such as printing made The telephone and the camera information more widely available. Modern information technology is based were the information technology on electronics; vast amounts of information, including pictures and sounds, tools of the 19th century. They had a great impact on society. With the can be stored as electric signals and transmitted anywhere in the world. telephone, people could talk to each Information technology is used in every part of our lives from schools and other all around the world. Using the hospitals to shopping. Its impact camera, they could make a record of has been enormous, making the their lives and families. world truly a “global village.” USING INFORMATION Touching this icon produces TECHNOLOGY information as a piece of sound. To use information technology, you need access to hardware and This icon takes software. Hardware means the the user to actual machinery, namely computers. Software refers to the other similar programs or applications inside pages of the computer, which actually run it. Programs range from information. word processing to multimedia and games. They are constantly MULTIMEDIA being updated. Most computers take Digital Versatile Disks DESKTOP PUBLISHING (DVDs), which can give information in Software known as desktop publishing multimedia form – words, pictures, and sounds. programs (DTP) enable words and pictures to be moved around on screen. Multimedia programs are a good way to learn, DTP is used in publishing, but it also means because they give information in an interesting people can write and design fan magazines, way and allow you to see how things work. Using posters, and newsletters in their own homes. the computer’s mouse, you can move from one piece of information to another. SPREADSHEETS Some computers contain software programs called spreadsheets. A spreadsheet program stores figures or other information that needs to be shown in the form of tables or charts. The program can do calcuations, such as adding up, or determining percentages. Spreadsheets have many uses, including working out accounts or progress charts. EARLY ELECTRONICS An early wall-mounted The early telephone. domestic radio The use of electronics in was known as information technology Looking something like a has a long history. Materials weighing scale, this a “wireless” and designs used for early because it did technology may look dated, machine was used for not need to be but the the early inventions radar detection. The flat connected to a served the same purpose as today’s modern examples. canopy was used to signal wire. catch radar signals that bounced off objects. 277

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICE COMMUNICATION In the early 20th century, a new kind of workplace came into being – the office. Early offices contained manual typewriters and telephones. These were followed by machines powered by electricity, such as electric typewriters and photocopiers. Today, the modern office is absolutely computerized, and relies completely on information technology, from computers and email to fax machines and scanners. Online shoppers TRANSPORTATION can browse Information technology is important through pictures of items for sale in transportation, and is used to displayed in control airplanes, large ships, and virtual stores. even some cars. The cockpit of an ONLINE SHOPPING aircraft in particular has become E-commerce – buying and very sophisticated. The information selling over the Internet – is a recent development, and supplied by the technology to the many people now shop online. pilots is so accurate that pilots do not To do this, you must pay with need to look out of the aircraft to fly a credit card. Fraud is a risk, safely, but can rely on the technology. but special programs can keep credit card numbers safe. HOSPITALS Information technology is very useful in hospitals, and for medicine generally, and it is now possible to diagnose and treat many illnesses without physically looking inside the body. Scanning devices enable a doctor to monitor the development of an unborn baby on screen, checking on progress and identifying any problems at an early stage. By using the image displayed on a monitor, the doctor can show a woman how her baby is developing inside her. DISABILITY The scanning device is held in the doctor’s hand and moved Information technology has brought major over the woman’s stomach, advantages for people with disabilities. This is where it collects information because the technology can be designed to make that is shown on screen. the most of each person’s physical abilities. For example, word-activated processors are available Find out more for blind people, who can both receive and send Computers sound messages. People with physical disabilities Electronics can communicate via email, or access information Internet through the Internet, without leaving home. Technology 278

www.children.dkonline.com >> insects INSECTS EARTH IS CRAWLING with insects; in fact, they make up the Tubelike Casing is thin and casing of leg flexible at leg joint. largest group of animals. There are at least one million Leg joint Seta (touch- different species, including beetles, butterflies, ants, and bees. sensitive hair) Insects first appeared on Earth more than 500 million years ago and are found in almost every kind of habitat, from cold mountains to tropical rain forests. Although all insects have six legs and a body covered by a hard exoskeleton (outer Segment of abdomen skeleton), they vary enormously in size and shape. Thorax The goliath beetle weighs more than 3.5 oz (100 g); the tiny fairyfly is almost invisible to the human eye. Some insects cause problems for humans. Flies spread diseases, and weevils and locusts eat farm crops. Parasites such as ticks and lice live and feed on Head Wing farm animals and sometimes on humans, too. But insects are a vital part of nature. They pollinate flowers and other crops and are an important Back leg Middle leg source of food for many birds, bats, and reptiles. Eye Certain insects are also very useful to humans – Front leg without bees, for example, there would be no honey. Antenna (feeler) Antenna Malpighian Claw tubules (kidneys) Brain Heart help control Exoskeleton COCKROACH Crop water balance. (cuticle) A typical insect, such as the common Midgut cockroach, above, has a body in three main parts. At the front is the head, which Rectum encloses the brain and bears the antennae, Eye mouthparts, and eyes. In the middle is the thorax, where the six legs join. At the rear is Mouthparts the abdomen, which contains the digestive, Main nerves reproductive, and sex organs. The hard, Anus outer skeleton is made mainly Sex organs of a substance called chitin. Hindgut Spiracle Trachea Leg joint INSIDE AN INSECT Bugs such as aphids Housefly sucks up liquid Butterfly’s tubular The tough exoskeleton, have needlelike, food through its padded, mouthparts work like or cuticle, surrounds and piercing mouthparts. spongelike mouthparts. protects the soft internal a drinking straw. organs. An insect breathes through tiny air tubes called tracheae, which form a network inside its body. The tubes open at holes called spiracles in the cuticle. Water-dwelling insects such as the grubs of pond beetles breathe through gills, which are formed from delicate folds of cuticle. COMPOUND EYE Ommatidium Optic nerve FEEDING An insect’s eye is made up Corneal to brain of many rod-shaped units called lens Insects feed on almost anything – wood, blood, ommatidia. The eye of a housefly Facet nectar, paper, shoe polish, seaweed, and other has about 4,000 ommatidia. Each single ommatidium detects the Lens insects. The mouthparts of most insects, amount and color of light however, are specialized for a particular kind of entering the eye, but it cannot form an image by itself. food. Some mouthparts are adapted to bite, Together, all the thousands of others to pierce, suck, sponge, scrape, and probe. ommatidia in the eye produce a mosaic-like view of the outside The mouthparts have four main structures. The world made up of light and mandibles are hard jaws that bite and chew; dark patches. the maxillae are secondary jaws; the labrum and labium are the upper and lower lips. 279

INSECTS COURTSHIP ANTENNAE Some insects, such as the Sense organs called praying mantises shown here, have complicated antennae detect smells courtship behavior. After mating, the female mantis and vibrations in the often grasps and eats the male mantis; the nutrients air and in solid in the body of the male help the eggs develop. objects. Often, the male has larger, more branched antennae than the female. These help Indian beetle has Weevil has elbow- detect the scent antlerlike antennae. jointed antennae. that she releases into the air at The praying mantis mating time. Near is the only insect Adult emerges the antennae there from nymph are often several that can turn its head Emerging skin. to look directly behind it. nymph tiny single-lens eyes METAMORPHOSIS climbs up called ocelli. reed stem. Most insects hatch from eggs. Some Female insects, such as the butterfly, hatch damselfly into a larva or caterpillar, which lays eggs on stem feeds voraciously and moults (sheds of reed. its skin) several times. It then forms a chrysalis and pupates, finally emerging as a mature adult butterfly. These great changes in form are known as complete metamorphosis. Other insects, such Young nymph LIFE CYCLE as grasshoppers, hatch into nymphs, (larva) A damselfly which look like small versions of the begins life as an egg in a pond or a parent, but without proper wings. stream. It passes through 10 or more molts, taking up to two years They moult in order to grow and altogether, before changing into an adult. finally become adult after the final molt when they have wings. This is called incomplete metamorphosis. Older nymph (larva) develops wings. TYPES OF INSECTS Flies, mosquitoes, Fleas gnats (Diptera) (Siphonaptera) There are about 20 Cockroaches Dragonflies and main groups of insects. (Blattodea) damselflies (Odonata) Beetles and weevils form the largest single Earwigs Bugs such Grasshoppers, (Dermaptera) as greenfly, crickets, locusts group of insects, which Mantises shieldbugs, (Mantodea) cicadas, and (Orthoptera) contains more than water striders (Hemiptera) 300,000 species known Bees, wasps, to entomologists ants, ichneumons (scientists who study (Hymenoptera) insects). Most insects Termites (Isoptera) have wings at some Lacewings and stage during their Lice antlions (Psocoptera, (Neuroptera) life cycle; bristletails, Phthiraptera) silverfish, and firebrats Silverfish and Stick and do not. Fleas are also bristletails leaf insects (Phasmatodea) (Thysanura) wingless; their wings have disappeared Thrips (Thysanoptera) during the course of evolution. Weevils and beetles (Coleoptera) Scorpionflies (Mecoptera) Stoneflies Butterflies and (Plecoptera) moths (Lepidoptera) FLEA Legs kick Like other insects, fleas Find out more down for extra have powerful muscles, A flea can leap more acceleration. and the elastic springiness Animals than 12 in (30 cm) into of the cuticle helps the Ants and termites the air, which legs rebound quickly Beetles during movement. Butterflies and moths is similar to Flies and mosquitoes a person jumping 800 ft (245 m), Flight, animal or a 70-story building, like Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London, England. Saint Paul’s Cathedral 280

www.children.dkonline.com >> Internet INTERNET THE INTERNET IS A WAY for computers around the world to swap information. It started as a US military research project in 1969, but was opened to the public in 1988. At first, the Internet just carried email and simple data files. In the early 1990s the invention of the World Wide Web brought the Internet to the world’s attention. It gave anyone an easy way to access information across the Internet. Today, words, pictures, music, videos, and any other type of data can be passed across the Internet almost instantly. This has changed the way we live, and it is estimated that more than one-quarter of the world’s population now has Internet access. HOW THE INTERNET WORKS This diagram is a representation of a tiny Computers can exchange information with nearby section of the Internet. computers over connections called networks. Each small straight line The Internet (short for Inter-network) connects is a connection between together separate networks, enabling computers all two computers. over the world to swap data. To send a data file, such as an MP3 music file, to a particular computer, the file is broken into chunks that are passed between these computers until they reach their destination. Computers usually swap data through wires as electrical signals, or through fiber optic cables as pulses of light. A page from the Dorling Kindersley website. This transmitter/receiver is CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET knowns as a “dongle” and A device called a modem, shown below, is required WORLD WIDE WEB connects a computer to The World Wide Web (WWW, or “web”) is a standard the Internet using a to translate messages into electronic data that can be way of making information available over the Internet. cellular network. sent from one computer to another and displayed on When a user accesses information on the web, their screen. To use the Internet from home, normally the computer requests data files, called web pages, from Many cell phones other computers on the Internet, called servers. On can now connect user connects to a computer via an Internet Service the user’s computer, a program called a web browser to the Internet. This Provider (ISP), a company that offers Internet displays the words and pictures from the web page on Blackberry enables connections for a small fee. A telephone network the screen. Web pages include links that, when clicked, users to email while access related pages. Search engines are programs that is used to connect to an ISP. For people on the help users find useful pages. The user chooses words to on the move. move, mobile devices can connect to the search for – called search terms – and a special server Internet without using any wires by using a creates a clickable list of relevant pages. radio link, such as a cellular network. USES FOR THE INTERNET A modem is used to connect a computer to the Internet The ability to find information via via a telephone line. the World Wide Web is just one of many uses for the Internet. Text Find out more messages can be swapped between Computers messenger programs enabling real- Information technology time chat. Music and video can Telephones be compressed into manageable Satellites amounts of data so radio and television can be sent over the Internet. Video-phone calls, as shown, are also increasingly popular. Exchanging computer game data allows players across the the world to compete with one another. 281

www.children.dkonline.com >> Inuits INUITS Polar Inuits West Greenland Inuits THE FROZEN ARCTIC was one of the last regions of the North Alaskan Inuits world to be inhabited by humans. The Inuit (Eskimo) people, who originally came from Asia, settled in the Arctic GREENLAND about 4,000 years ago. A Native American tribe named them Eskimo, which means “eaters of raw meat;” but the newcomers called themselves Inuit, which simply means “real ALASKA men.” Inuits were nomadic. They moved around in family groups, hunting animals such as seals and caribou. Inuit CANADA families survived the bitter cold of winter by digging shelters into the ground. They made roofs for the shelters from driftwood or whalebone, with a covering of turf. For clothes, Pacific Inuits Caribou Inuits they used double layers of caribou or polar bear fur. Today most Inuits live in small settlements or towns, but they are proud Today Inuits hunt on of their culture. They preserve it INUIT COMMUNITIES snowmobiles instead of sleds. in language, art, and song, and Inuits live in Siberia in the Russian hunting is still an essential Federation, in Alaska, Canada, and part of Inuit life. Greenland. There are many different groups, each named after the area in which they live. The Polar Inuits of Greenland live A hunting trip takes many days, and the farthest north of all the world’s peoples. supplies are carried by snowmobile. To catch a seal, the Inuit cuts a hole in the sea ice. When the seal comes up to the hole to breathe, the Inuit shoots it. HUNTING Inuits eat raw and Inuits hunt for food to eat cooked seal meat. and furs to sell. They do not hunt animals for sport. They respect foxes, caribou, seal, walrus, and other Arctic wildlife, and their hunting does not threaten the long-term survival of these animal species. Hunting takes patience and skill, and some Inuits travel 3,000 miles (5,000 km) a year on hunting trips. When they are hunting away from home in the winter, they build temporary shelters, called igloos, from blocks of snow. Inuit artists use INUIT ART INUIT LIFE their skills to During the long winter months, there decorate everyday is little daylight in the Arctic, so the There are about tools, such as this 35,000 Inuits in arrow straightener. hours of hunting are limited. In the past, skilled Inuit carvers used the North America. Most time to work wood, bone, soapstone live in wooden houses (soft rock), and walrus tusks. equipped like a typical They created beautiful statues North American home. of animals, people, and especially favored hunting Some Inuits are still full-time scenes. Today, museums and hunters; most others work in many collectors eagerly seek good Inuit carvings. different businesses and industries. A team of 10 to Find out more 15 husky dogs pull the traditional Antarctica Inuit sled. With an Arctic expert driver at the Canada reins, a dog team can travel 50 miles (80 km) in a day. Canada, history of Polar wildlife 282

www.children.dkonline.com >> Iran IRAN Volcano Mountain Ancient Capital Large Small monument city city/ city/ town town A LAND OF RUGGED MOUNTAINS and Iran lies at the heart of Asia, harsh deserts, Iran was ruled for many centuries STATISTICS bordered by the Caspian Sea in the by the shah, or king. In the 1979 revolution, the north, and the Persian Gulf and Gulf shah was overthrown and Iran became an Islamic Area: 636,293 sq miles of Oman to the south. The Elburz republic, ruled according to strict religious laws. (1,648,000 sq km) Mountains and Zagros Mountains Between 1980 and 1988, border disputes led to Population: 66,429,000 enclose the central plateau, a land a devastating war between Iran and its western Capital: Tehran of barren, rocky deserts. neighbor, Iraq. The cost of the prolonged war Languages: Farsi has strained the economy. Although Iran has (Persian), Azerbaijani, very substantial oil reserves, it has very few other Gilaki, Mazenderani, industries. Eggs from sturgeon caught in the Kurdish, Baluchi, Caspian Sea are used to make caviar, an expensive Arabic, Turkmen delicacy, which is exported. Fine, handmade Religions: Shi’ite Muslim, Sunni Muslim Currency: Iranian rial carpets are also an important source of income for villagers, who grow wheat, barley, and rice, and herd sheep. Iran’s strict Islamic laws have discouraged tourists, although the country has a great wealth of historic buildings and magnificent mosques. THE KURDS CASPIAN SEA The Kurds are an ethnically and linguistically The Caspian Sea is a salt distinctive group who live in Iran, Iraq, and lake that lies between Turkey. They were once sheep- and goat-herding Europe and Asia. It sits 92 ft (28 m) below sea level. nomads in the Iranian highlands, although in ARME recent years they have turned to farming and AZERBAIJAN village life. There are about 25 million Kurds, the NIA largest group of stateless people in the world. In Iran, they are pressured to become part of TURKEY TURKMENI CARPET WEAVERS Khvoy Caspian S T mainstream society, and they are severely Iran’s famous carpets are discriminated against in Turkey. made by hand-knotting the Tabriz A wool, which is colored with SaqLaqkeezMUrZamraiaangjahneQhEAarlzdbvaiunbRirlazshtSAMemaooluQSnoaltrleiah-iyenDGsaomrBSagohvajaannhnurdrud5d6K7o1pSmpaebhzeDvaagrh a range of vegetable dyes. N Many of the patterns used are hundreds of years old, Mashhad and were created for the opulent carpets used in royal Sanandaj TEHRAN Semnan AFGHANISTA palaces and mosques. Each Zagros region prides itself on its Hamadan Qom Dasht-e Kavir carpets, specializing Tigris in unique designs and Kermanshah I R A NArak Kashan Birjand color combinations. IRAQ Khorramabad Isfahan N Shahr-e Kord I r a n i a n Dezful Dasht-e Lut WE un Kar S M Yazd Plateau ountains Anar Daryacheh ye Khorramshahr Ahvaz Sistan N Kerman KUWAIT Abadan Zahedan PA Mirjaveh Kazerun Shiraz Sirjan Bam The Bushire KISTAN Gulf Rud e Mand Hamun e Jaz Murian Kangan Gavbandi Bandar-e ’Abbas Strait of Hormuz G Makran Coast Oman ulf of MASHHAD Arabian SCALE BAR 0 100 200 300 km Most Iranians belong to the minority S e a 0 100 200 300 miles Shi’ah branch of Islam, and Mashhad is their main shrine, the place where the Shi’ah Find out more leader Riza (770–819) was martyred. Iran has a religious government that imposes severe Asia restrictions on the people. Women must wear Earthquakes the chador, a dress covering all but the face and hands, and public behavior is closely monitored. Islam Persians, ancient 283

www.children.dkonline.com >> Ireland IRELAND Ireland is the smaller of the two OFF THE NORTHWEST COAST of Europe lies one of the most main British Isles. The other – Britain – is to the east, and the beautiful islands in the world. For centuries, writers and singers Atlantic Ocean is to the west. have praised the lush countryside and wild mountains of Ireland. Ireland is divided into Ireland Despite its beauty, Ireland is not a rich country and has few natural (Eire), which is independent, and resources. It has no coal, no iron ore, or reserves of oil. the province of Northern Ireland, Nevertheless, Ireland’s influence has been far-reaching, for the which is part of the country is rich in its people and their distinctive Gaelic culture. Few corners United Kingdom. of the world lack an Irish community whose members keep alive the memory and customs of their homeland. In 1973, Ireland (Eire) joined the European Economic Community (now the European Union). Until then, its powerful neighbor and former ruler, the United Kingdom, had always dominated the country’s economy. As a member of the Union, Eire has become more prosperous and economically independent of the United Kingdom. New high-tech industries are replacing traditional agriculture and textiles as the main sources of employment. Blocks of peat – carbon-rich soil consisting of decomposed plant life – are dug up from the marshy countryside and left to dry before being used as fuel. DUBLIN The capital city of Ireland is Dublin. It lies on the Liffey River not far from the Irish Sea. The Vikings founded Dublin in the 9th century, and the city has many historic buildings and beautiful town squares. COUNTRYSIDE The Ha’penny Bridge, which Wet west winds blow across Ireland from the Atlantic Ocean, spans the Liffey soaking parts of the country with more than 80 in (200 cm) River, is accepted of rain each year. This makes the farmland very productive; as the symbol of about 16 percent of the people work Dublin. Opened in farming and food in 1816, its name processing industries. comes from the fee once charged GEOGRAPHY to use it. Mountains to the south, MUSIC west, and north surround Ireland has a strong musical tradition. Irish rock Ireland’s large central and classical artists are well known internationally. plain. The plain is marshy Westlife, U2, and Boyzone are all very successful Irish bands. in places, and there are Traditional Irish music and many lakes, called loughs. dancing is also very important to Ireland’s Lough Neagh (right) in cultural heritage. Northern Ireland, the biggest Find out more Celts lake in the British Isles, is famous Europe for its wildfowl and salmon. Trade and industry United kingdom Pipes, fiddles, United kingdom, history of and banjos Vikings are all used INDUSTRY in traditional Once renowned Irish music. for its traditional industries of glass, lace, and linen, Ireland now also produces medicine, electronics, and other modern goods. Many people work in the tourism industry. 284

IRELAND GLENDALOUGH Volcano Mountain Ancient Capital Large Small The vale of Glendalough in the Wicklow monument city city/ city/ town Mountains is famous for its association town with Saint Kevin, a hermit who founded a monastery there in the 6th century ce. Saint Kevin, who is credited with STATISTICS performing many miracles, was believed Area: 27,155 sq miles to be 120 years old when he died in 618. (70,280 sq km) Population: 4,203,000 SCALE BAR km Capital: Dublin 0 25 50 50 miles Languages: English, Irish Gaelic 0 25 Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Malin Head Jewish, non-religious Currency: Euro SLIEVE LEAGUE Aran Lough Main occupations: The cliffs of Donegal are Island Foyle Manufacturing, agriculture, food some of the highest in processing Europe. Rising vertically to Main exports: Cattle, its 2,197 ft (670 m) summit, beef, dairy products Slieve League has been cut Main imports: Textiles, machinery, vehicles away by sea erosion. Slieve Donegal NORTHERN League IRELAND OCEA Donegal Bay (to United Kingdom) N Sligo Bay Upper Lough Sligo Erne Achill Ballina Shannon Cavan Island Lough Lough Gowna Conn Longford HURLING Clew Bay Castlebar Carrick on Dundalk An outdoor stick-and-ball game, Shannon Dundalk Bay similar to field hockey, hurling is an A T LANTIC Lough Drogheda ancient Gaelic sport. References to the Mask game can be found in the oldest Irish manuscripts dating from the Lough Tuam Lough Ree Irish 13th century bce, and many heroes of ancient tales were expert hurlers. Corrib SlaneyAthlone BoyneLucan DUBLIN The stick used is called a hurley – Galway Suck iffey camán in Gaelic. The 18th century hannon L Dún Laoghaire was the golden age of hurling, but Galway Bay Newbridge between 1790 and 1800 the upper klow Mountains Sea classes withdrew support of the game. Aran I R E L A N DS The potato famine of 1845-47 Islands /XJQDTXLOOLD Wicklow Head further slowed its development. Glendalough Hurling enjoyed a revival with the Lough Portlaoise P foundation of the Gaelic Games Association in 1884. Ennis Derg Carlow Limerick Kilkenny Wic Tralee Tipperary Clonmel Barrow Wexford *DOW\\PRUH 0RXQWDGLQaltyMPountains Waterford ’s Dingle Bay Carrauntoohil Blackwater Celtic Channel 1038m Killarney Carnsore Point N Cork Macgillycuddy's Reeks Lee St George Caha Mountains Sea W E Bantry Bay Fastnet S Rock SHANNON RIVER The longest river in the British Isles, the Shannon is about 240 miles (380 km) long. It rises in northwest Ireland, and flows into the sea just west of Limerick. As it winds its way down the country, the river passes through numerous lakes, the largest of which is Lough Derg. 285

www.children.dkonline.com >> Iron Age IRON AGE IN SEVERAL EARLY LANGUAGES the word for iron meant IRON AGE “metal from the sky.” This was probably because the first iron 4000 bce First iron used to make tools and weapons came from meteorites This razor is objects, made from that fell to Earth from space. Ironworking probably began around 2,500 years meteoric iron, appear in the Middle East some 6,000 years ago. At first, people old and would have in the Middle East. been as sharp as c. 1500 bce People in a modern razor. the Middle East find out how to extract (smelt) hammered iron while it was cold. Later, they learned how HILL FORT iron from iron ore and to smelt iron – heat the iron ore so they could extract the The Celts fortified hill- how to work it by iron and work with it properly. Unlike bronze, which early heating and hammering tops with ditches and (wrought iron). The Hittites dominate people also used, iron did not melt. Instead, it was reduced ramparts. These forts the trade. were places of refuge to a spongy mass that people hammered and reheated 1000 bce Iron Age in wartime; they were begins in the Middle East and Greece. until it was the right shape. Special furnaces were needed also administrative Ironworking also to reach the right temperature. The Hittites, who and trading centers, develops in India. and enclosures for c. 800 bce Use of iron spreads across Europe. lived in what is now Turkey, were the first livestock. Celts become expert workers in iron. people we know of who traded in iron. c. 400 bce Chinese But it was not until around 1000 bce discover how to make cast-iron objects by that knowledge of smelting melting iron ore and pouring it into molds. spread and the Iron Age 1760 ce Industrial truly began. In western Revolution leads to a renewed use of iron. Europe, the Celts were Also leads to great advances in ironworking one of the first techniques. peoples to make and use iron. IRONWORKING Iron horseshoe Early furnaces were shallow stone hearths that people filled with iron ore and charcoal. Bellows helped raise the temperature to about 2,192°F (1,200°C), hot enough to make the iron workable. The Celts used deeper furnaces in which the iron collected at the bottom Heating iron ore in a furnace and impurities, called slag, gathered at the top. Hammering the iron into shape TOOLS People made useful Iron pin tools from iron such as a saw with a serrated Spring edge (far left) and tongs (left); the tongs were used to hold WEAPONS metal while beating Iron weapons it into shape. were greatly Brooch made of glass disks superior to bronze ones. They had much CLOTHING sharper edges and, thus, The Celts loved decoration. were more effective. Celtic clothes were woollen, This dagger has a handle often with checked patterns. shaped like a human figure. Richer men and women wore heavy twisted neckbands Find out more called torcs in gold or bronze, and cloaks fastened Bronze age with ornate brooches. Celts Industrial revolution Iron and steel 286

www.children.dkonline.com >> iron IRON AND STEEL HUGE STRUCTURES like Iron Limestone RAW MATERIALS ore Coke Ironmaking starts with iron ore, coke (a form oil tankers and bridges and of carbon from coal), and limestone. They are mixed and treated to make lumps called sinter. tiny objects like nuts and bolts are all made from steel. Blast The world produces about Sinter furnace BLAST FURNACE more than one billion tons of The ingredients enter the top of the blast furnace and move down inside. A blast of steel every year; it is the most Slag floats very hot air flows up the furnace. The heat widely used of all metals. Steel is above the molten iron. produces molten iron from the ore and coke. made from iron, one of the most Limestone removes common metals in Earth’s crust, and impurities, which form carbon, which comes from coal. Iron a layer called slag. has many uses, including making car Molten iron is drained from the furnace into engine parts and magnets. Our bodies large ladles. MAKING also need iron to work properly. Oxygen is blown IRON AND A healthy diet must include foods through a pipe STEEL such as green vegetables, which on to the surface contain iron. Pieces of iron fall to of pig iron. Making metals Earth in meteorites from space. by heating their Most iron, however, comes from After blowing with oxygen, the converter ores is called tilts to discharge smelting. Huge molten steel. factories smelt iron ore Iron and steel were iron ore in rock. Heating the ore Molten steel The molten steel by heating it with coke once used to make with coke (from coal) produces from converter may be cast into to produce iron, weapons and armor, iron. The Hittites of Turkey large blocks which is rich such as this perfected iron smelting about Continuous called ingots. in carbon. 16th-century helmet. 1500 bce. This was the beginning casting Removing most of the Iron Age, during which of the carbon produces steel. iron gained widespread use for making weapons and tools. Steels of different quality are made by adding metals, CONTINUOUS such as nickel. CASTING Casting uses Molten steel from the molten steel converter sets as it cools from the and is held in shape by converter. rollers. The long slab is then cut up into lengths and STEEL CONVERTER rolled into steel products. Molten iron from the blast furnace is poured into a steel converter where hot Forging RUST SHAPING STEEL air or oxygen is blown over Rolling Iron and steel Passing a hot slab it. The heat burns up most objects get rusty of the carbon from the when they are left between rollers iron, leaving molten steel. outside in damp presses the soft steel Steel from old cars and conditions. Moist air causes into plates or sheets. other waste can be recycled rust. It changes iron into by adding it to the iron oxide, a reddish-brown compound A forge presses the converter. of iron and oxygen. Rusting weakens the steel into more metal so that it crumbles away. complex shapes. USES OF STEEL STAINLESS STEEL Casting uses a mold, Adding the metals in which molten Different kinds of steel are made chromium and nickel steel cools and sets by varying the amount of carbon and other metals in it. produces stainless into shape. steel, which does Low-carbon steel goes into car bodies; stronger not rust. Cutlery Find out more medium-carbon steel is used for making ships and steel and cookware are often beams that support structures. High-carbon steel is very made of stainless steel. This Coal strong but difficult to shape, and is used for springs and metal is also used to make Industrial revolution rails that get much wear. Steel containing tungsten metal equipment that must be kept resists heat and is used in jet engines. Iron age very clean in places such Metals as hospitals and dairies. 287

www.children.dkonline.com >> Islam ISLAM IN THE 7TH CENTURY, the prophet Muhammad KORAN The sacred book of Islam is founded a religion in Arabia that was to become the Koran. Muslims believe the a powerful force in the world. The religion Koran is the direct word of God as revealed to his came to be known as Islam, and its followers messenger, Muhammad. are called Muslims (or Moslems). Muslims ISLAMIC FESTIVALS believe that many prophets or teachers Day of Hijrah First day of Islamic year. have been sent by God, including Moses Ramadan Month-long fast. and Jesus Christ, but Muhammad was the Eid ul-Fitr Feast to mark the end of Ramadan. last of them. Like Christians and Jews, Lailat ul-Qadr Revelation of Koran to Muhammad. Muslims believe in one God, Allah. Meelad ul-Nabi Muhammad’s birthday. Islam means “submission to the will of Lailut ul-Isra Death of Muhammad. God,” and Muslims commit themselves MOSQUES to absolute obedience to Allah. The Muslim place of Islamic life is based on a set of rules worship is the mosque. Before entering, Muslims called the five pillars of Islam. Muslims believe remove their shoes and wash. The faithful kneel that by following these rules, they will reach Heaven. to pray, with their heads touching the floor. At There is also a strict code of social behavior, and alcohol and prayer time Muslims face the mihrab, an empty gambling are forbidden. Some Muslim women wear clothes that cover recess that faces the direction of Mecca. MINARETS their bodies completely. Although they must attend Five times a day, muezzins, Today there are more than the mosque on Fridays, at or criers, stand at the top 1.3 billion Muslims living other times Muslims pray of tall towers called mainly in the Middle East, wherever they are. minarets to call fellow Asia, and Africa. Islam Muslims to prayer. is a rapidly growing faith. Its popularity has been increased by Islamic fundamentalists – extremely religious people who call for a return to strict, traditional Islamic values. BLUE MOSQUE Before kneeling in prayer The first mosques were very in the mosque, Muslims wash simple, but some later buildings their faces, hands, and feet. such as the Blue Mosque at Istanbul, Turkey (right), are MUHAMMAD magnificent examples of Islamic The shahada is the Islamic declaration of faith. “None is to be art. Islam forbids realistic worshiped save Allah: Muhammad images of humans or other living is his prophet.” things, so the tiled walls are decorated with intricate designs Find out more Crusades and beautiful calligraphy. Middle east MECCA Muhammad Religions The birthplace of Muhammad is Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and every Muslim pilgrims must walk seven times around the Kaaba. Muslim tries to visit the holy city at least once in a lifetime. The Kaaba, the sacred shrine, is the central point of this pilgrimage. Inside the Kaaba is a black stone that dates from ancient times. 288

ISRAEL Volcano Mountain Ancient Capital Large Small monument city city/ city/ town town THE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL has existed only since 1948. It was created on the sites where STATISTICS there had been Jewish settlements in earlier times. Area: 7,992 sq miles (20,700 sq km) Jews from all over the world flocked to the new Population: 7,234,000 Capital: Jerusalem state, especially the survivors of Nazi anti- Languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Yiddish, semitism. They revived the ancient language of German, Russian, Polish, Romanian, Hebrew as the national language of Israel. But Persian Religions: Jewish, Israel lies at the eastern end of the there have been many problems. The region had Muslim, Christian, Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon lies to Druze the north, Syria and Jordan to the previously been the land of Palestine, and many Currency: New Israeli east, and Egypt to the southwest. shekel Arab Palestinians had to leave when the country Main occupations: Agriculture, became Israel. However, others have remained, manufacturing, finance Main exports: Potash, and today they make up about 15 percent of bromine, salt, wine, citrus fruits Israel’s 7.2 million population. Israel has also Main imports: Fuels fought wars with neighboring Arab countries to secure its borders. It still occupies some territory gained in these wars, causing continual Palestinian unrest. Israel is now a wealthy country. The Israelis have developed many LEBANON SYRIA modern industries and converted large areas of desert into farmland. Mediterranean Sea Nahariya Tsefat Golan Wadi al ’Arabah’Akko Sea of Galilee HeightsN JORDANHaifa (Lake Tiberias) (Hefa) Tverya WAILING WALL Nazareth WE Israel occupies much of the “Holy Land” described in the Bible. The land is sacred, not only to Jews but also to Jenin Jordan S Christians and Muslims. The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem is the most sacred Jewish monument. It is all that Netanya West DEAD SEA remains of a temple built by King Herod 2,000 years The world’s saltiest sea, the Dead Sea, is ago. Visitors gave the wall its name when they heard Tel Aviv- Nablus also the lowest area of water on Earth; it the sad sound of devout Jews mourning the Yafo Petah Tikva is 1,312 ft (400 m) below the level of the destruction of the temple. Holon Bank Mediterranean Sea. The River Jordan TEL AVIV-YAFO flows into this hot, barren place. The water Rehovot Ramla Jericho evaporates in the heat of the sun, but the salt The main commercial and industrial in the water is left behind. Over the centuries center of Israel is Tel Aviv-Yafo, the Ashdod JERUSALEM country’s second-largest city. It was Ashkelon the salt has become very concentrated. once two separate towns, but Tel Aviv Bethlehem grew rapidly and absorbed its neighbor, Gaza Dead the ancient port of Yafo. Strip Gaza Hebron Sea -392 m Rafah ‘Arad New Zohar Be’er Sheva Telalim ISRAEL EGYPT Negev Sappir Mizpe Ramon Be’er Menuha Visitors to Dead Sea resorts bathe in mud because they believe it is good for their skin. Elat Find out more Tel Aviv’s center Gulf of Aqaba SCALE BAR km Christianity symbolizes the 0 25 50 50 miles Crusades modern, prosperous Islam face of Israel. 0 25 Judaism 289 Middle east

www.children.dkonline.com >> Italy Many Italian farmhouses are old and picturesque; the machinery is usually modern. ITALY SHAPED LIKE A BOOT, complete with heel and toe, Italy juts out far into the Mediterranean Sea from southern Europe. Between the country’s east and west coasts rise the Apennine Mountains, which divide Italy into two along its length. Northern Italy is green and fertile, stretching from the snowcapped Alps to the middle of the country. It includes farmlands in the great flat valley of the Po River, and large Italy is in southern Europe and industrial towns such as Turin and Milan. Factories forms part of the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It shares in the north produce cars, textiles, clothes, and AGRICULTURE borders with France, Switzerland, electrical goods. These products have helped Italian farmers grow almost Austria, and Slovenia. make Italy one of the most prosperous countries in enough to feed Italy’s population of Europe. Southern Italy, by contrast, is dry and rocky. 58.1 million. They also export fresh and processed food. Italy is famous There is less farming and industry, and the people for its olives and olive oil, tomatoes, wine, pasta, cheese, fruit, and meat are poorer. Sicily and Sardinia, the two largest products, such as salami and ham. islands of the Mediterranean, are also part of Italy. Italy also grows large quantities of grain, particularly wheat, as well Rome, the capital, lies at the center of the nation. as rice, potatoes, and sunflowers, It is the home of Italy’s democratic government which are used to make cooking oil. Almost one-third of Italians and also the Vatican, the headquarters of the live in rural areas. Roman Catholic Church. ROME A walk through Rome is like a walk through history. Since the city was first built more than 2,500 years ago, each new generation has added something. Today, modern city life goes on around ancient Roman arenas, 15th-century churches, and PASTA 17th-century palaces. Like many of There are Italy’s historic towns, Rome attracts at least 200 thousands of tourists every year. shapes of pasta, Ferrari makes one of the including ravioli, VENICE leading Grand Prix spaghetti, and racecars. macaroni. Pasta is a Venice is one of the world’s oldest cultural and tourist cities. From the late medieval period, it type of dough made from durum wheat flour, became Europe’s greatest seaport, serving as the which is rich in gluten, a kind of protein. continent’s commercial and cultural link to Asia. Served with a tasty sauce, it is Italy’s favorite dish. Marco Like many other Italian towns, Venice boasts Polo is said to have brought magnificent buildings from the past. Its ornate the recipe for pasta from marbled and frescoed palaces, towers, and domes China to Italy. attract thousands of tourists every year. The city CARS was built on about 120 small islands, in a lagoon The Italian auto industry that remains permanently flooded. A causeway produces some of Europe’s more than 2.5 miles (4 km) long connects Venice finest cars. Manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, with mainland Italy. Cars are not allowed in the and Lamborghini have always old city, and people travel by boat on more than had a reputation for speed 170 canals. The traditional boat, called a gondola (above), is still a common form of transportation. and stylish design. 290

ITALY The fairy-tale fortress of Rocca The Doric Temple (right) in Tower, perched high on a the Valley of the Temples, rocky outcrop, overlooks Sicily, was built during the San Marino. period 460-450 BCE. SAN MARINO SICILY Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean San Marino is the third-smallest Sea. It belongs to Italy, from that it is separated by independent state in Europe, after the Strait of Messina. The island’s highest point is Monaco and the Vatican City. It is Mount Etna, an active volcano which reaches a about 9 miles (14 km) long and 5 miles (8 km) wide, and is situated height of 10,930 ft (3,332 m). Farming and tourism are the primary sources of income. mostly on the slopes of Monte Titano Increasing numbers of tourists are attracted by the on the Adriatic coast. Tourism island’s beautiful beaches and ancient ruins. provides a great source of income to the country, as do the frequent issues of its own postage stamps. The Sammarinese, as the inhabitants of San Marino are called, are ruled by two capitani reggenti (“captains regent”) who are elected every six months. San Marino has had a treaty of friendship with Italy since 1862. Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican VATICAN CITY City, Rome, is the world’s Vatican City is a walled city in Rome, and the headquarters of largest Christian the Roman Catholic Church. It is the official residence of ROMAN CATHOLICS church. Shaped like the Pope, and the smallest independent state in the More than half of all Christians are a cross, it is nearly world, with an area of Roman Catholics. They follow the 700 ft (210 m) 0.17 sq miles (0.44 sq km). The long and Vatican has its own flag, national leadership of the Pope in the Vatican and, extends to anthem, stamps, and coins, as well together with other Christians, believe in about 450 ft as a newspaper and radio station. three beings in one God: the Creator and (137 m) at its Saint Peter’s Basilica, which overlooks a grand piazza (left), dominates the city. Father; Jesus Christ as God become man; widest point. and the Holy Spirit. More than 80 percent of Mary, the virgin mother Italians are of Christ, is regarded Roman Catholic. by Roman Catholics as the highest of all human beings. SARDINIA Sardinia is an island 109 miles (175 km) off mainland Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a self- governing political region of Italy with its own president and elected regional assembly. The central Italian government, however, controls education, justice, communications such as railroads and postal services, defense, and national taxation. This is the southernmost reach of the Gennargentu Mountains, Sardinia. MALTA Malta is a small country in the Mediterranean Sea just south of Sicily. Since ancient times, it has been a vital naval base because of its position on trade routes to the East. Romans, Arabs, French, Turks, Spanish, and British have all colonized or fought over the island. Malta finally gained independence from Britain in 1964, joining the EU in 2004. Tourism is a major source of the country’s income. Find out more Europe Europe, history of Renaissance Roman empire 291

ITALY Volcano Mountain Ancient Capital Large Small DOLOMITES STATISTICS monument city city/ city/ These high mountains are part of town town the same range as the Alps. They Area: 116,320 sq miles were formed 65 million years ago. (301,270 sq km) Population: 58,126,000 A U S T Capital: Rome Languages: Italian, SWITZERpLANDs Monte Marmolada RIA German, French, Rhaeto- 3354m SLOVENIA Romanic, Sardinian lomites Religions: Roman Mont Blanc l Lake Lago di Como Trento Catholic, Protestant, 4807m Maggiore Jewish, Muslim FRANCE Currency: Euro anaA Dufour Spitze Lago di Garda Piav Trieste Main occupations: Design, Do4634m communications, tourism, Vicenza agriculture Milan Brescia Ae (Tevere) Main exports: Designer Venice clothing, household (Milano) PAddao Verona Tib(Venezia) appliances, cars, plastics Turin Main imports: Oil, raw Po T Adige Gulf of materials, machinery l (Torino ) Piacenza V a l ey Venice Po ro Parma Ferrara T A Bologna Ravenna Genoa p c (Genova) i t Golfo di I e Rimini a Genova i Florence SAN MARINO r MONACO Pisa Arno (Firnenze) d AnconaA L i g u r i a n Livorno Siena n APENNINES Sea Lago Perugia This mountain range Trasimeno i forms the “backbone” of Italy, dividing the rocky Elba n S west coast from the Lago di e flatter, sandy east coast. Botsena a Corsica er Terni POPULATION Corno Grande Most of Italy’s (Corse) L3354m GULF OF TARANTO population lives During earthquakes, great in the industrial (to France) L north, mainly in s blocks of land have and around the Po VATICAN CITY ROME no broken away and sunk Valley. Southern Italy (Roma) into the sea, forming the is much more rural; e towns are smaller and life can be iri much harder. Strait of Bonifacio YVoltur Foggia Gulf’s square shape. Asinara S Bari Sassari Brindisi anto Vesuvio 1277m Salerno Mannu Naples trait of Otran Of(Napoli) Sardinia Capri Taranto Lecce (Sardegna) Tyrrhenian to Sea Tirso Punta La Marmora Golfo di 1834m Taranto SICILY San Pietro Cagliari TYRRHENIAN SEA Sicily has a famous Cosenza La Ionian San Antioco This sea, which divides active volcano, Sila Sea Golfo di the Italian mainland from Mount Etna, and often Stromboli Cagliari Sardinia, is gradually filling experiences earthquakes. Catanzaro with sediment from the MALTA rivers that flow into it. Ustica Area: 122 sq miles (316 sq km) Lipari Messina Vulcano Reggio di Calabria Palermo Strait of M Simet Population: 405,000 MCapital: Valletta eLanguages: Maltese, English Favignana Sicily essina d i t eSAN MARINO S t Marsala Monte Etna rArea: 24 sq miles t of S 3340m r a(61 sq km) r a ( S i c i l i a ) o Catania nPopulation: 30,200 e aCapital: San Marino i n S e aLanguages: Italian i c i l y Siracusa N Pantelleria WE VATICAN CITY S Pelagie MALTA VALLETTA Area: 0.17 sq miles (to Italy) MILAN (0.44 sq km) SCALE BAR With a population of 1.5 million, Milan Population: 900 0 40 80 km Capital: Vatican City 0 40 80 miles is the second-largest city in Italy. It has Languages: Italian, Latin grown rapidly since World War II due to the migration of workers from the impoverished south to the industrial north. 292

www.children.dkonline.com >> Japan JAPAN THE TOPS OF A SUBMERGED mountain chain form the islands of Japan. About three-quarters of the country is too steep to farm or build on. Japan has a population of 127 million, most of whom live in valleys and on the narrow coastal plain. Japan is a leading industrial nation, but its success is fairly recent: until 1853 the country was closed to BONSAI foreigners, and the government refused to import modern Japanese bonsai trees machines. More recently, Japanese companies have been are pruned so that they do not grow more than very successful in exporting their own goods, so a few inches high. Japan sells more than it buys and has become Japan is located in the Pacific Ocean, very wealthy. Western influence is strong, off the east coast of Asia. North and but the Japanese are very proud of their South Korea are to the west, and the traditional culture and religion. They continue to practice old customs while Russian Federation to the north. developing modern technology. Most There are four main islands, covering almost 144 sq miles (370,000 sq km). people follow both the Buddhist and Shinto religions. The head of state is an emperor, but the government is democratic. In the past the country was ruled by noblemen and samurai, professional soldiers who had a strict code of honor. Although the samurai have long been disbanded, TOKYO their code still influences everyday life. The largest city in Japan is the capital, Tokyo. About 35 million people live in the city and suburbs, and the whole area is extremely overcrowded. Fumes from cars and industry are a major problem, but effective measures are being taken to reduce pollution. INDUSTRY SUSHI SUMO WRESTLING Although Japan has few raw Traditional Japanese The national sport of Japan is sumo wrestling. It materials such as metal ores or food consists mainly attracts large crowds and is shown on television. coal, Japanese industry is among of fish and rice. Often the most successful in the world. the fish is eaten raw The two contestants try to push each other out The country’s main resource is its or lightly cooked in of a small ring. Success depends on strength and workforce. Japanese workers are dishes called sushi. very loyal to their companies, and weight, so sumo wrestlers go to schools where many workers take their vacations they train and follow a special diet. Successful together, exercise together, and sing the company song daily. wrestlers may become extremely rich and Managers are equally devoted famous. The sport is traditional and follows an to  the company and pride themselves on their cooperation elaborate pattern controlled by officials in with the workers. New technology decorative costume. and techniques are introduced quickly and help boost prosperity. Mount Fuji, a 12,388 ft (3,776 m) tall volcano, is BULLET TRAIN sacred to the Japanese. Japan has more than 16,000 miles (25,000 km) of railroads. The most famous train is the Shinkansen, or bullet train, which runs from Tokyo to Fukuoka. The train covers the 731 miles (1,176 km) in less than six hours at an average speed of 122 mph (195 km/h). Japanese people travel more by train than travelers in any other country. 293

JAPAN KYUSHU The southernmost island of Japan, Kyushu, is mountainous; the highest point is a volcano, Mount Aso. Kyushu is the most densely populated of the Japanese islands, and is linked to Honshu island by a railroad tunnel under the Shimonoseki Strait. RICE CAKES SAKE Rice cakes called chimaki are traditionally eaten Sake is a Japanese alcoholic throughout Japan. The rice cakes are cone-shaped beverage made from fermented and wrapped in a bamboo leaf. A similar snack, rice. It is the national beverage, called sasadango, is also eaten in some areas of and is served with special ceremony. northern Japan. Before being served, it is warmed in a small earthenware or porcelain VEHICLE INDUSTRY bottle called a tokkuri (right). Japanese vehicle manufacturers became world leaders in the 1980s, thanks to their stylish designs, new technology, and efficient production methods. Today, automobiles are the country’s biggest export. Japanese vehicle manufacturers have also opened a number of factories in Europe and the US. This Kawasaki ZZ-R1100 ZEN GARDEN has a top speed of 175 mph (282 km/h). Rock gardens, designed to represent the universe in miniature, are found in Zen Buddhist monasteries in Japan. These gardens are not literal representations of a landscape, but they give the impression of water and land. Sand or gravel symbolizes water, while rocks represent land. The Zen garden has no plants, trees, or water, only raked gravel or sand, and rock groupings. These “dry gardens” were introduced by Buddhist monks in the 1300s. KITES Zen Buddhists believe that performing Carp kites are flown on the fifth simple tasks such as raking pebbles in day of May to celebrate a Zen garden can bring enlightenment Kodomono-hi, or children’s day. The carp is a strong robust fish, to the mind. renowned for its energy and determination, because it must Find out more swim upstream against the current, often jumping high out Asia of the water. The carp is thought Democracy to provide a good example to Earthquakes Japanese boys in particular, who must overcome obstacles and be Robots successful. A group of carp kites Technology represent a family and the largest kite symbolizes the father. OSAKA Japan’s third-largest city is Osaka, on the south coast of the island of Honshu. Osaka is a major industrial center, with steel, chemical, and electrical industries. It is also one of the oldest cities in Japan, and has many Buddhist and Shinto temples. Osaka is the site of an impressive castle built in the 16th century by the shogun (warlord) Toyomoti Hideyoshi, who once ruled Japan. In 1970 Osaka was the host city for the World’s Fair. 294

JAPAN Volcano Mountain Ancient Capital Large Small PReroUuseSStSraiIt ANOFSkeEhaoDotsfEkRATIO monument city city/ city/ town town STATISTICS La N to Area: 145,869 sq miles Rebun Kurile Islands (377,800 sq km) Rishiri to (claimed by Japan) Population: Hokkaido Kitami 127,070,000 Capital: Tokyo Asahikawa Asahi dake Languages: Japanese, Korean, Chinese IsOhiktaarriuwan 2290m Religions: Shinto and Buddhist, Buddhist, Obihiro Kushiro Christian Currency: Yen Sapporo Horoshiri dake Highest point: Mount 2052m Fuji 12,389 ft (3,776 m) Tomakomai Okushiri to Uchiura N wan Hakodate COMMUTERS Tsugaru-kaikyo Hachinohe W E Most Japanese people live in the Sea Aomori Ou-sanmyaku cities, but few people can afford o f Hirosaki Main occupations: to live in the city centers, so most S Manufacturing, finance people have to commute to J a p a n Akita Morioka Main exports: Cars, work. Trains are fast and J A P A N( E a s tS e a )Niigata steel, electronic efficient, but they are so Sendai IshinomakiS equipment, iron, overcrowded that special textiles, ships, vehicles guards are employed to endai wan Main imports: Oil, push commuters machinery, coal, iron into the carriages. Fukushima Korea Stra Sado Koriyama Ok Iwaki a Hitachi ore, timber, wheat, food Shinan o-gawa Utsunomiya Nagano OToyama CE A NKanazawa Mito Honshu Maebashi oto TOKYO Chiba - s h Dogo Fukui Wakasa wan Gifu Iksoe-NwMaoOnau3gnk7tao7HFz6yuamajakimi ahImaznuaStoatgsaumYiK-Mnoaaidkywaaokaehjsimaaamkia i Dozen SOUTH Matsue Tottori Kyoto KOREA OkayamHaimeji Biwa Tsu GotoKrFSeiTttiuatSostsukhaesibhkumiomyoouaYknasaomhHsaeugikruiocKhshui imImyOoaanimKtaIauwdoraatkosuMhniakitisuKoysoaac-KmwhaSoainThbKoiieikksuuoWiskdOhaouikmsaayaakmaa Izu-shot MOUNT FUJI Hachijo jima Mount Fuji is o a huge cone-shaped Cheju Strait volcano that last erupted T in 1707. It is the highest point on the island of Honshu. The SCALE BAR km East China Nagasaki Nobeoka C mountain is considered sacred, and 0 100 200 I is the traditional goal of pilgrimage. Amakusa Kyushu 0 100 200 miles Sea nada F According to legend, an earthquake Koshikijima retto Miyazaki CI created Mount Fuji in 286 BCE. Kagoshima IWO JIMA PTeniga shima A The island of Iwo Jima was the scene of a Yaku shima RYUKYU ISLANDS fierce battle between Japan and America during World War II. A chain of islands called the Ryukyu Islands TOKYO stretches 700 miles (1,120 km) south from Yokohama KYUSHU Japan towards Taiwan. The largest The most southerly of Kózu shima Nii jima Japan’s major islands, island, Okinawa, has an area of Kyushu Miyake Miyake jima Kyushu is also the most 450 sq miles (1,165 sq km), but PAC IF I C most of the other islands are I densely populated island. smaller. Most of the islanders are farmers, and grow rice, sugar z Hachijo- Osumi-shoto Hachijo jima u Aoga-shima - cane, and sweet potatoes. s Satsunan-shoto hot Sumisu jima unto Ph Amami-g Amami- Naze o-shima o Tori-shima Sofu gan i l EARTHQUAKES i p OCEAN In Japan, earthquakes Ryukyu Islands are part of everyday life. p Ogasawara-shoto The islands lie on a fault (to Japan) Kazan-retto Okinawa i n Mukojima retto -shoto e line, and earthquake Senkaku- Naha tremors occur, on shoto Sea Chichijima- average, 5,000 times a Okin a wa retto year. Most of these are -shoto Hahajima- retto Kita-Io-jima 0 200 km Iwo-jima mild and go unnoticed, Sakishima Ishigaki-jima 0 100 km 0 200 miles but there is a constant Iriomote-jima Minami-Io jima threat of disaster. 0 100 miles 295

www.children.dkonline.com >> Thomas Jefferson THOMAS JEFFERSON THE AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE and the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson helped to shape the American spirit. Born in Virginia, Jefferson began his career as a lawyer. At 25 he joined the Virginia legislature, where he became a leading voice for 1743 Born in Shadwell, VA. colonial self-rule. In 1776, Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence; 1767 Begins law practice. its adoption led to the American Revolution. He took up a diplomatic post 1776 Writes the Declaration in Paris, France, in 1784. In 1801, Jefferson was elected to the first of two of Independence. terms as president. Jefferson’s policies were shaped by his belief in the 1785 Serves as minister to France. right of people 1789 Appointed US to govern Benjamin Franklin (left), John secretary of state. themselves. Adams (center), and Thomas 1796 Elected vice president. Jefferson (right) study the Declaration of Independence. 1801 Begins first of two terms as president. 1819 Founds the University of Virginia. 1826 Dies at Monticello. PRESIDENT PATRIOT Thomas Jefferson served as secretary Jefferson joined the Virginia legislature in 1769, of state under George Washington and and soon became one of those patriots leading vice president under John Adams. In the fight for fair representation in Britain. In 1800 he was nominated for president, 1775 and 1776, he was chosen as delegate to the Continental Congress. Because but the result was a tie. After a vote in of his knowledge of the law and Congress, Jefferson was named president his clear writing skills, he was asked to draft the Declaration the following year. In his first term, he of Independence. worked to reduce the government’s national role. He tried to make the presidency less formal, asking guests to shake his hand instead of bowing. He was elected to a second term in 1804, and managed to maintain the United States’ neutrality while the Napoleonic wars raged in Europe. CANADA Louisiana Territory MEXICO Before the MONTICELLO Louisiana Jefferson was a self-taught architect, and he built purchase, the his home, Monticello (above), on a hilltop near United States stretched from Charlottesville, VA. Inside were several of the Atlantic Jefferson’s own inventions, including a swivel chair, coast to the and an indoor weathervane connected to the roof. Mississippi River. LOUISIANA PURCHASE Jefferson holds Find out more One of the most important achievements the Declaration of Jefferson’s presidency was the purchase of Independence. American revolution of the Louisiana Territory from France in Declaration of independence 1803, which doubled the size of the United United states, history of States. Jefferson had always encouraged westward expansion. He sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their famous expedition (1804-08) from the Missouri River across the Rockies to the Pacific. 296

www.children.dkonline.com >> Jesus Christ JESUS CHRIST ONE OF THE WORLD’S MAJOR RELIGIONS – Christianity – was inspired by a man named Jesus Christ. We know about Jesus from the New Testament gospels, which were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The gospels declare that Jesus was a Jew born in Bethlehem, in the Roman province of Judea, and was believed by many to be the Son of God. At the age of 30, He began to travel around Palestine (then under Roman rule) preaching a new message. NATIVITY He told stories called parables to explain His ideas. The The birth of Jesus, which gospels also describe miracles – took place in a stable in amazing things He did such as Bethlehem, is called the raising the dead. However, Nativity. Every year, on some people thought His December 25, Christians ideas might cause celebrate Jesus’ birthday. rebellion against Roman rule. He was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death. Christians believe that Jesus then rose from the dead. The Christian Church was founded on this belief, and Christianity eventually swept across the Roman Empire. Sidon Tyre Galilee Nazareth Tiberias WHERE JESUS LIVED Caesarea SERMON Jesus spent His Samaria ON THE MOUNT childhood in Nazareth. Jericho Jesus taught that God was a kind, loving father, and that people should He preached mainly in not fight back when attacked, but should “turn the other cheek.” Judea and Galilee. Judea He stressed the importance of love. His Sermon on the Mount contained new ideas describing how ordinary people who were Jesus’ travels Jerusalem Dead humble, gentle, and poor would go to Heaven. He also taught around Bethlehem Sea His followers a special prayer – the Lord’s Prayer. Palestine Gaza LAST SUPPER CRUCIFIXION RESURRECTION Near the end of His life Jesus shared a last Jesus was accused of treason against Rome and According to the Bible, three days supper with his 12 disciples. Using bread and condemned to death by the Roman governor, Pontius after Jesus’ death, the tomb in wine as symbols of His body and blood, Jesus Pilate. He was sentenced to be crucified – nailed which His body had been placed told them to remember Him by this feast. To to a cross on a hill called Calvary, outside Jerusalem. was found empty. The gospels of this day, the last supper is reenacted during After His death, His body was sealed in a tomb. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell Communion, when Christians share wine and how He appeared to his disciples bread as part of church services. 297 and, after 40 days of teaching them, rose to Heaven. Find out more Christianity Religions

www.children.dkonline.com >> Joan of Arc JOAN OF ARC The banner IN THE EARLY 15TH CENTURY the French finally defeated the flown by Joan in battle English, who had ruled much of their country. The warrior who led them into battle was a woman who has since become one of the best- loved heroines of French history. Joan of Arc was born into a farming family in 1412. She could not read or write, but she was inspired and stubborn, and could debate with educated people. As a young girl, Joan heard “voices” of saints and angels. The voices told her that she must restore the rightful king to the throne of France. Joan convinced the heir to the throne (the Dauphin) – who later became King Charles VII – to support her. In 1429, when only 17, she led the French army to victory at Orléans. Joan led her country’s troops in other successful battles, but in 1430 she was caught by a powerful group of French people from Burgundy. They sold her to the English, who imprisoned her and put her on trial as a heretic – a person who does not believe in the official teachings of the Church. Joan was found guilty, and on May 30, 1431, she was executed in Rouen by being burned at the stake. After her death the English were driven out of France, and Joan’s reputation as a heroine flourished. Legends about Joan became widespread, and in 1920 she was made a saint. MEETING THE DAUPHIN This contemporary tapestry shows Joan’s arrival at the Château of Chinon in February 1429, in the company of six armed men. She is greeted by the Dauphin Charles, who wears a golden crown – a token of his claim to the disputed French throne. THE MAID OF ORLÉANS Joan of Arc was a brave fighter who wore a suit of armor like a man. She was deeply religious, and prayed for guidance before going into battle. She was known as the “Maid of Orléans” because she led the French army to victory at Orléans. JOAN’S HELMET Joan leads the CROSS OF LORRAINE Joan may have worn this French troops During World War II helmet in battle against the into battle at English. There is a hole in Orléans. (1939-45), France the side made by an arrow was occupied by or a crossbow bolt. Germany, partly THE FEARLESS LEADER under German military control Joan demonstrated that previous French and partly under a defeat had resulted from military error and pro-German French that, with better tactics, victories were possible. government. The fighters At first, the troops were reluctant to follow of the French Resistance Joan, but they soon realized that they won when movement adopted the obeying her commands. Joan’s first victory was the cross of Lorraine, originally lifting of the English siege of Orléans in 1429, Joan of Arc’s symbol, which swelled the troops’ confidence in their because they shared her aim – to rid young leader. The Orléans victory was followed by their country of foreign domination. similar success at Jargeau, Meung, Beaugency, and Patay. Her thrilling run came to an end when she Find out more was captured at Compiègne on May 24, 1430. France Medieval europe 298

www.children.dkonline.com >> Judaism JUDAISM JEWISH FESTIVALS THE HISTORY OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE and of their religion, Judaism, are closely linked. All Jews believe in one God who, more than Yom Kippur (Day of 4,000 years ago, made a special agreement with their ancestor, Abraham. Atonement) Tenth day They were to become God’s chosen people. In return, they promised to of New Year; holiest of obey his laws and worship no other gods. Jews believe that a Messiah, God’s festivals, with 24 hours messenger, will one day come to transform the world into a better place of fasting. and to restore the ancient Jewish kingdom that was destroyed in the Purim (Feast of Lots) 6th century bce. Judaism aims for a just and peaceful life for all people on Early spring festival. Passover (Pesach) Eight- Earth. Jewish scriptures explain that to achieve this aim, correct behavior is day spring festival. very important. Orthodox Jews – those who interpret the scriptures very Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) Harvest festival strictly – obey many rules about their day-to-day activities, including how to in the early summer. dress and what to eat. For example, they do not eat pork or shellfish. Many Rosh Hashanah (New Year) Early fall. Jews, however, are not orthodox and apply the rules less strictly. For all Jews, Sukkoth (Feast of Hebrew is the language of worship. It is also the national language of Israel, Tabernacles) Nine-day fall festival. the Jewish homeland. However, Jews live and Jews light candles in a menorah, or branched Hanukkah (Festival of work all over the world, speaking many Lights) Eight-day different languages. Their strong candlestick, during winter festival. family life and the laws that Hanukkah. guide them unite them wherever Jewish men they live. wear a skull cap called a yarmulke or kipa. TALMUD Jewish religious leaders are called rabbis. They are responsible for teaching and explaining the laws of Judaism. They study two holy books: the Talmud (right) and the Torah, which is kept as a scroll. The Talmud contains instructions for following a Jewish way of life and understanding Jewish laws. During prayers, Jewish The Talmud men wear a tallith, or contains prayer shawl, over instructions for their shoulders. following the Jewish way of life. TORAH The first five books of the Hebrew Bible – the Torah (left) – contain the laws of Judaism and the early history of the Jewish people. Other sections of the Hebrew Bible contain the psalms, the words of the prophets, and other holy writings. For Jews, the Torah is the most important of books. SYNAGOGUE Find out more Jews worship in the synagogue. Prayer, study, and special family occasions such as weddings and bar and bat mitzvahs Israel (the celebrations of children becoming adult Jews) take place Middle east here. A minyan (quorum of 10 males) is required to formally recite Kaddish (memorial prayers) and read from the Torah. Religions 299