Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

419 results found

milkwort

(Encyclopedia)milkwort, common name for the Polygalaceae, a family including herbs, shrubs, and trees found in all parts of the world except New Zealand and the polar regions. Several milkworts (genus Polygala), pe...

Carle, Eric

(Encyclopedia)Carle, Eric, 1929–2021, American children's book author and illustrator, b. Syracuse, N.Y. Although born in the U.S., Carle was raised in Stuttgart, G...

Arctic Circle

(Encyclopedia)Arctic Circle, imaginary circle on the surface of the earth at 661⁄2°N latitude, i.e., 231⁄2° south of the North Pole. It marks the northernmost point at which the sun can be seen at the winter ...

Antarctic Circle

(Encyclopedia)Antarctic Circle, imaginary circle on the surface of the earth at 661⁄2°S lat., i.e., 231⁄2° north of the South Pole. It marks the southernmost point at which the sun can be seen at the winter s...

Drygalski, Erich von

(Encyclopedia)Drygalski, Erich von āˈrĭkh fən drēgälˈskē [key], 1865–1949, German polar explorer. A professor of geography at the Univ. of Munich, he led an expedition that wintered (1892–93) in W Green...

sweepstakes

(Encyclopedia)sweepstakes, contest or race, usually a horse race, on which a lottery is run. Prizes are awarded to the holders of winning tickets. In the case of a horse race, the draw is made from the names of all...

Prince Albert National Park

(Encyclopedia)Prince Albert National Park, 1,496 sq mi (3,875 sq km), central Sask., Canada, NW of Prince Albert, in a forested area; est. 1927. The numerous streams and lakes afford excellent fishing and canoeing....

Bantry Bay

(Encyclopedia)Bantry Bay, inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, 21 mi (34 km) long and 4 mi (6.4 km) wide, Co. Cork, SW Republic of Ireland. It is one of Europe's best natural anchorages. At the head of the bay is Bantry. B...

Nuzi

(Encyclopedia)Nuzi no͞oˈzē [key], site near Kirkuk, N Iraq. Thousands of clay tablets unearthed there bear inscriptions said to have been made by the Horims (or Horites) of the Bible. The tablets, which are in A...

MacMillan, Donald Baxter

(Encyclopedia)MacMillan, Donald Baxter, 1874–1970, American arctic explorer, b. Provincetown, Mass., grad. Bowdoin College, 1898, and studied at Harvard. After a decade of teaching, he went on the expedition (190...

Browse by Subject