Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

pyrite

(Encyclopedia)pyrite pīrīˈtēz, pə–, pīˈrīts [key], pale brass-yellow mineral, the bisulfide of iron, FeS2. It occurs most commonly in crystals (belonging to the isometric system and usually in the form of...

metallurgy

(Encyclopedia)metallurgy mĕtˈəlûrˌjē [key], science and technology of metals and their alloys. Modern metallurgical research is concerned with the preparation of radioactive metals, with obtaining metals econ...

Eisleben

(Encyclopedia)Eisleben īsˈlābən [key], city, Saxony-Anhalt, E Germany, at the foot of the Harz Mts. It is ...

Estremadura, region, Portugal

(Encyclopedia)Estremadura əshtrəmədo͞oˈrə [key], region, W Portugal, formerly a province, now divided between the provinces of Estremadura and Ribatejo, with a small part in Beira Litoral. Estremadura provinc...

intrauterine device

(Encyclopedia)intrauterine device (IUD), variously shaped birth control device, usually of plastic, which is inserted into the uterus by a physician. The IUD may contain copper or levonorgestrel, a progestin (a hor...

Jaén

(Encyclopedia)Jaén häānˈ [key], city (1990 pop. 109,338), capital of Jaén prov., S Spain, in Andalusia. It is a marketing and distribution center for a fertile area producing olive oil and wine. Nearby lead mi...

Joensuu

(Encyclopedia)Joensuu yôˈĕnso͞o [key], city (1998 pop. 51,113), Eastern Finland prov., SE Finland. It is the trade center of the forest region of NE Karelia, has plywood mills, and is an important lake port. It...

Monreale

(Encyclopedia)Monreale mōnrāäˈlā [key], town (1991 pop. 26,256), NW Sicily, Italy, near Palermo. An agricultural market and tourist center, it commands a magnificent view of the fertile Conca d'Oro plain. A fa...

Ndola

(Encyclopedia)Ndola əndōˈlä [key], city (1990 est. pop. 376,311), N central Zambia, near the Congo. It is a commercial, mining, and manufacturing center, located in the Copperbelt. Copper mining in Ndola long a...

Rockhampton

(Encyclopedia)Rockhampton, city and region (2016 pop. 79,726), Queensland, E Australia, on the Fitzroy River. It is a rail center and, with its port at Port Alma, the principal trade center for the pastoral and min...

Browse by Subject