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rabbitbrush

(Encyclopedia)rabbitbrush, name for shrubby plants of the American genus Chrysothamnus of the family Asteraceae (aster family). They grow in arid regions of the W United States and in Mexico and are characteristic ...

Ordos

(Encyclopedia)Ordos ôrˈdōs [key], Mandarin Erdesi, sandy desert plateau region, c.35,000 sq mi (90,650 sq km), Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, N China; almost encircled by the great northern bend of the Huang...

Dorchester, town, England

(Encyclopedia)Dorchester dôrˈchĭstər [key], town, county seat of Dorset, S central England. Dorchester is a ...

Downpatrick

(Encyclopedia)Downpatrick dounˌpătˈrĭk [key], town, Down dist., E Northern Ireland, at the southwest extremity of ...

Joshua Tree National Park

(Encyclopedia)Joshua Tree National Park, 1,022,703 acres (414,050 hectares), S California. Lying between the high Mojave Desert and the low Colorado Desert, this park has a unique ecosystem in which are preserved r...

Kirkwall

(Encyclopedia)Kirkwall kûrkˈwôl, –wəl [key], town (1991 pop. 5,867), N Scotland, on the east coast of Mainland Island. It is the trading center and administrative seat of the Orkney Islands, with exports of e...

Briard

(Encyclopedia)Briard brēärdˈ [key], breed of muscular, wiry working dog whose origins may be traced back to 12th-century France. It stands from 22 to 27 in. (55.9–68.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs betwe...

Wilton, town, England

(Encyclopedia)Wilton, town (1991 pop. 4,005), Wiltshire, S central England. Carpets have been made in Wilton for centuries. Felt and farm machinery are other important products. Three sheep fairs are held annually....

Rift Valley fever

(Encyclopedia)Rift Valley fever, acute viral disease that affects domestic livestock and can be transmitted to humans. The disease is most common in E and S Africa, but also occurs widely in sub-Saharan Africa and ...

Nullarbor Plain

(Encyclopedia)Nullarbor Plain [Lat.,=no trees], vast, barren limestone plateau, c.100,000 sq mi (260,000 sq km), S Australia, extending from the Great Victoria Desert (N) to the Great Australian Bight (S) in Wester...