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doldrums

(Encyclopedia)doldrums dŏlˈdrəmz [key] or equatorial belt of calms, area around the earth centered slightly north of the equator between the two belts of trade winds. The large amount of solar radiation that arr...

Cliburn, Van

(Encyclopedia)Cliburn, Van (Harvey Lavan Cliburn) klīˈbərn [key], 1934–2013, American pianist, b. Shreveport, La. Until 1951, Cliburn studied with his mother, a concert pianist; he later was a pupil of Rosina ...

mother-of-pearl

(Encyclopedia)mother-of-pearl or nacre nāˈkər [key], the iridescent substance that forms the lining of the shells of some fresh-water and some salt-water mollusks. Like the pearl it is a secretion of the mantle,...

pampas grass

(Encyclopedia)pampas grass, any species of the genus Cortaderia, tall South American plants of the family Poaceae (grass family) cultivated in warm climates for ornament. The common pampas grass (C. argentea or sel...

yungas

(Encyclopedia)yungas yo͞ongˈgäs [key], region of lowland valleys in the eastern piedmont of the Andes Mts., 5,000–8,000 ft (1,524–2,438 m) high, extending from the Peru-Bolivia border SE into central Bolivia...

Hakone

(Encyclopedia)Hakone häˌkōˈnā [key], resort region, Kanagawa prefecture, central Honshu, Japan. Famous for its mountains, lakes, and hot springs, it is included in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, of which the c...

Pantelleria

(Encyclopedia)Pantelleria pänˈtāl-lārēˈä [key], volcanic island, 32 sq mi (83 sq km), S Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Tunisia. Sweet wine, capers, raisins, and dried figs are exported. A...

Cañon City

(Encyclopedia)Cañon City kănˈyən [key], city (2020 pop. 16,693), seat of Fremon...

Blount, Winton Malcolm, Jr.

(Encyclopedia)Blount, Winton Malcolm, Jr., 1921–2002, U.S. postmaster general (1969–71), b. Union Springs, Ala. A successful building contractor, he was (1946–68) president and chairman of the board of Blount...

Gauteng

(Encyclopedia)Gauteng, province, 7,019 sq mi (18,178 sq km), NE South Africa. In 1994, under South Africa's post-apartheid constitution, Gauteng was created from the ...