Columbia Encyclopedia

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Flagstaff

(Encyclopedia)Flagstaff, city (2020 pop. 76,831), seat of Coconino co., N Ariz., near the San Francisco Peaks; inc. 1894. Lumbering, ranching, and a lively tourist tr...

jet stream

(Encyclopedia)jet stream, narrow, swift currents or tubes of air found at heights ranging from 7 to 8 mi (11.3–12.9 km) above the surface of the earth. They are caused by great temperature differences between adj...

White Sea

(Encyclopedia)White Sea, Rus. Beloye More, c.36,680 sq mi (95,000 sq km), NW European Russia, an inlet of the Barents Sea. Its northern section, opening into the Barents Sea between the Kola and Kanin peninsulas, i...

Thatcher, Margaret Hilda Roberts Thatcher, Baroness

(Encyclopedia)Thatcher, Margaret Hilda Roberts Thatcher, Baroness, 1925–2013, British political leader. Great Britain's first woman prime minister, nicknamed the “Iron Lady” for her uncompromising political s...

jig

(Encyclopedia)jig, dance of English origin that is performed also in Ireland and Scotland. It is usually a lively dance, performed by one or more persons, with quick and irregular steps. When the jig was introduced...

Clew Bay

(Encyclopedia)Clew Bay, inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, c.15 mi (25 km) long and 10 mi (16.1 km) wide, Co. Mayo, W Republic of Ireland. Nearly 300 islands are found in the eastern part of the bay, some of which are cu...

Tuatha De Danann

(Encyclopedia)Tuatha De Danann to͞oˈəthə dā däˈnän [key], in Irish mythology, invaders of ancient Ireland before the Milesians. They were endowed with great supernatural powers, which enabled them to defeat...

Columba, Saint

(Encyclopedia)Columba, Saint kŏlˈəmkĭlˌ [key] [Irish,=dove of the church], 521–97, Irish missionary to Scotland, called the Apostle of Caledonia. A prince of the O'Donnells of Donegal, he was educated at Mov...

Childers, Robert Erskine

(Encyclopedia)Childers, Robert Erskine chĭlˈdərz [key], 1870–1922, Irish politician and author. Born into a Protestant family, he was a clerk in the House of Commons (1895–1910). Gradually becoming convinced...

Shannon

(Encyclopedia)Shannon, principal river of the Republic of Ireland and longest (c.240 mi/390 km) in the British Isles. It rises near Cuilcagh Mt., NW Co. Cavan, and flows S through the Central Plain into Co. Limeric...