Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Dyak

(Encyclopedia)Dyak or Dayak both: dīˈăk [key], name applied to one of the groups of indigenous peoples of the island of Borneo, numbering about 2 million. The Dyaks have maintained their customs and mode of life...

Campeche, state, Mexico

(Encyclopedia)Campeche kämpāˈchā [key], state, 21,924 sq mi (56,798 sq km), SE Mexico, on the Gulf of C...

Tupac Amaru

(Encyclopedia)Tupac Amaru to͞opäkˈ ämäˈro͞o [key], 1742?–1781, leader of indigenous peoples in the viceroyalty of Peru, baptized José Gabriel Condorcanqui. A man of some education and of high moral charac...

Rio Grande, river, United States and Mexico

(Encyclopedia)Rio Grande rēˈō grănd, rēˈō gränˈdē [key], river, c.1,885 mi (3,000 km) long, rising in SW Colo. in the San Juan Mts. and flowing south through the middle of N.Mex., past Albuquerque, then c...

Yucatán, state, Mexico

(Encyclopedia)Yucatán yo͞okətănˈ, –kätänˈ [key], state (1990 pop. 1,362,940), 14,868 sq mi (38,508 sq km), SE Mexico, occupying most of the northern part of the Yucatán peninsula. It lies between Campech...

Bouquet, Henry

(Encyclopedia)Bouquet, Henry bo͞okāˈ [key], 1719–65, British army officer in the French and Indian Wars. A French Swiss, he came to America in 1756 and distinguished himself as second in command to Gen. John F...

Cozumel

(Encyclopedia)Cozumel kōzəˈmel [key], resort island, c.190 sq mi (490 sq km), Quintana Roo state, Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea off the E coast of the Yucatán peninsula. It is famed for its beaches and coral ree...

Hermosillo

(Encyclopedia)Hermosillo ārmōsēˈyō [key], city, capital of Sonora state, NW Mexico, at the entrance to the ...

jackrabbit

(Encyclopedia)jackrabbit, popular name for several hares of W North America, characterized by very long legs and ears. Jackrabbits are powerful jumpers and fast runners. In normal progress leaps are alternated with...

stele

(Encyclopedia)stele stēˈlē [key], slab of stone or terra-cotta, usually oblong, set up in a vertical position, for votive or memorial purposes. Upon the slabs were carved inscriptions accompanied by ornamental d...

Browse by Subject