Culture & Society

The ocean takes up over 70 percent of our planet's surface and holds 97 percent of our water supply. This important ecosystem is as fragile as it is vast; pollutants can cause harm to all forms of...

The joy of having your own home can, at times, be lessened by the addition of less desirable inhabitants. Sometimes, you realize that your home contains residual energy that manifests as a...

Also called water witching, dowsing can be an effective way for a skilled and practiced dowser to find everything from lost objects to strong sources of spiritual energy. Dowsing is most commonly...

From the moment of our birth, we become part of the U.S. record system. Along with a Social Security number, we are given a birth certificate. There are a few times in life when a birth...

The Environmental Management Act of 2000 of Trinidad and Tobago was officially proclaimed on July 1, 2001 by President Arthur N.R. Robinson after a two-thirds vote from the Senate and the House of...

The term "Kaiser" originally referred to the leader of the Holy Roman Empire, Austria or Germany during a specific time period. The term has expanded into several other uses as well.

Mexico is a land of rich cultural diversity. As the third largest Latin American country, Mexico boasts ancient ruins, bustling modern cities and everything in between. It is most popular for...

Charles Darwin was a British scientist who lived in the 19th century. He is best known for developing the theories of evolution and natural selection.

Used magazines can be an ideal resource for learning about past world events, taking a peek into the fashion of by-gone eras or simply using them to make collages and pictures for friends and...

When describing sumptuous living, the world "opulence" encompasses the ultimate in ornate luxury. There are subtle differences in the meaning of the word, depending on the context in which it is...

The law of attraction claims that a person can obtain anything he desires by the power of positive thinking. Law of attraction proponents claim that our lives reflect our desires, whether those...

Stargazer lilies, like lilies in general, can represent purity and prosperity. The Stargazer lily has become varied in its symbolism, but its origins are rooted in spirituality.

Thanks to the Internet, there are now ways for people to light a church candle online. Although it may seem impersonal to some, online candle lighting can provide accessibility for people to share...

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, animals and other living organisms found in ecosystems. Biodiversity also extends to the genetic variations within species. The importance of...

The Amazon rain forest is the biggest rain forest in the world, covering 3.4 million acres. It extends into nine South American countries. Sixty percent of the Amazon rain forest is in Brazil; it...

Presidential debates help to shape elections and provide substance for public discussions of candidates. The effects of debates vary, depending upon the candidates; polls show changes in public...

The numbers that the United States and Europe use today were invented in India. They followed the trade routes west through Persia to North Africa, where Arabs referred to them as Hindu numbers....

Ask any American who made the first U.S. flag and you may hear that it was Betsy Ross. However, she is not as universally credited as many believe.

If you celebrate Christmas you are probably going to have a Christmas tree. However, it is not always feasible to use a live tree. Live trees take more work to get them into the house, require...

During the summer, a Renaissance Fair may come into your area. If that is an era in history that intrigues you, it might be fun to go dressed up. If you'd like to go as a warrior, you'll need a...

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created to prevent work-related injuries, sicknesses and deaths. To accomplish this, the agency issues and enforces rules...

Also called shisha or narghile, a hookah is a type of water pipe traditionally used in the Middle East and Asia. Hookahs can be used to smoke tobacco, but fruit-flavored tobacco-free hookah...

The Petronas Towers, in Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur, are one of Southeast Asia's most popular tourist attractions and two of the tallest buildings in the world.

The growth of cities and suburbs has drastically cut into the habitats of the nation's wildlife. Conservation efforts across the United States are striving to save and help indigenous species but...

Most of us are fairly easy to find. We have home phone numbers, business phone numbers, cell phone numbers, home addresses, work addresses, e-mail addresses and personal web pages. To find a...

While many religious traditions share a belief in an afterlife, the term "crossing over" is commonly used in a general, spiritual sense rather than being linked to a religious denomination or...

Even mountain men can make crafts that are manly and fun, and useful as well. Several mountain man crafts are very masculine, both in the finished product and in the process that crafters use to...

China is a large, extremely diverse country. For many years, China had been secluded from the rest of the world for political reasons, but with the reforms of Deng Xiaoping, China began to open up...

The French settlement of Quebec was a major turning point in the expansion of France's growing international empire, as it became the nation's first North American colony. The first French...

Saltpeter, or potassium nitrate, is a chemical compound with the formula KNO3. It is used as a fertilizer and explosive, according to Princeton's WordNetWeb online.

While Switzerland is well known as a source of high-quality watches, the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany has long been recognized for producing clocks distinguished by fine craftsmanship.

Mexico's colorful blend of European and Indian cultures is expressed in the traditional Mexican dance dress seen in the United States during a Folklorico festival. There is no one style, but many...

Like cocaine and heroin, amphetamines were sold in mass quantities during the first half of the twentieth century. Once such compound, Dexedrine, rose to prominence as a diet pill during the 1950s...

The Roman Catholic Church needs a steady supply of priests, but the route to priesthood can be arduous. Carefully consider the emotional and psychological requirements necessary for becoming a...

Human cloning is a controversial issue in the United States and around the world. In the U.S., some states have banned human cloning, while others allow it for reproductive purposes.

Fire departments often need funding to enable them to protect our natural resources and residents. Funding is often sought for staffing and equipment, which will allow a fire department to respond...

I have read about Rio de Janeiro, and seen movies, and it has always had a special attraction. When I finally visited RJ, it completely mesmerized me. RJ is one of the most spectacular cities in...

A second stimulus check worth $250 may soon be distributed to an exclusive portion of the American people. For the first time since the 1970’s the cost of living for the average American has gone...

Documenting every notable thing that happens in ones life can turn out to be a key to success. The more information you provide in your record is like being an architect--drawing up your very own...

Clairvoyance means clear seeing. Psychic powers lay latent in all humans and can be brought to the surface and utilized by anyone who desires this gift. Some people think that psychic powers are...

Reflexive verbs are a class of action words that indicate activity performed on oneself; hence the term "reflexive." Imagine looking at your reflexion in a mirror. In Spanish, reflexive...

Some people are rocks in the stream of life; they exist merely to get noticed and create turbulence all around. Ever felt like making the world wake up to your meager existence by being the grit...

Ever wonder how Einstein came up with the theory of relativity? Have you wished for a ‘Eureka!’ moment like Archimedes, settling into his bath? Then read on, as I guide you through some basic...

Humanity has been gathering oil from the earth for centuries, but drilling for it for only about 150 years. Early drilling could only pump oil out of sites directly below the oil derrick. Present...

Feng shui is an ancient method of creating harmony between our bodies and surroundings. Crystal healing is one component of feng shui, and is characterized by the belief that certain types of...

Wands have long been used by magic practitioners to direct energy. A wand is viewed as an extension of the practitioner's arm, allowing energy to flow into it and focus at the tip. A lot of energy...

You recently had a Alabama police officer at the scene of a crime or other incident. Or Alabama police were on the scene of an accident you had on a highway in Alabama. You now need a copy of that...

The role of Chinese women in China has continued to evolve over the centuries. In China, the role of Chinese women also varies by location and social status. Wealthy, poor, rural and urban Chinese...

Stories of the Old West are among the most-compelling aspects of American folklore. Because the United States shares a common border with Mexico, our histories are intertwined, and the...

The years 30 BC to 30 AD saw some of the most important events in ancient Roman history. These occurrences were highly influential in both Rome's immense prosperity and its tragic decline.