(Encyclopedia) Gibbon, Edward, 1737–94, English historian, author of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. His childhood was sickly, and he had little formal education but read…
(Encyclopedia) Druze or DruseDruzedr&oomacr;z [key], religious community of Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, with important overseas branches in the Americas and Australia. The religious…
(Encyclopedia) PetraPetrapēˈtrə [key], ancient city, in present-day Jordan, known to the Arabs as Wadi Musa for the stream that flows through it. A narrow, winding pass between towering walls leads…
(Encyclopedia) William IV, 1765–1837, king of Great Britain and Ireland (1830–37), third son of George III. He went to sea in 1779, served under Admiral George Rodney in action off Cape St. Vincent (…
We all hear popular superstitions when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday. And no player wants to wear the number 13. It is said that superstitions have been…
HOW HAS OIL CHANGED THE GULF REGION? WHY IS THE MIDDLE EAST CALLED A TROUBLE SPOT? WHICH TURKISH CITY LIES HALF IN ASIA AND HALF IN EUROPE? WHERE IS THE LOWEST PLACE ON EARTH? WHO ARE THE KURDS? HOW…
U.S. Department of State Background Note Index: People History Government and Political Conditions Economy PEOPLEUnlike other people of the Arabian Peninsula who have historically been nomads…
(Encyclopedia) Mandaeans or MandeansMandeansmănˈdēənz [key], a small religious sect who maintain an ancient belief resembling that of Gnosticism and that of the Parsis. They are also known as…
(Encyclopedia) amber, fossilized tree resin. Amber can vary in color from yellow to red to green and blue. The best commercial amber is transparent, but some varieties are cloudy. To be called amber…
