The World Factbook 2001; Center for International Research, U.S. Bureau of the Census; The Columbia Encyclopedia; The World Book Encyclopedia; Encyclopædia Britannica; U.S. State Dept., and various newspapers.Population figures are supplied by the U.S. Census Bureau. Definitions: Inflation is based on consumer prices.

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2moro: tomorrow 2nite: tonight BRB: be right back BTW: by the way B4N: bye for now BCNU: be seeing you BFF: best friends forever CYA: see ya DBEYR: don’t believe everything you read FUD: fear, uncertainty, and disinformation FWIW: for what it’s worth, or forget where I was GR8: great ILY: I love you IMHO: in my humble opinion IRL: in real life ISO: in search of J/K: just kidding L8R: later LOL: laughing out loud LYLAS: love you like a sister MHOTY: my hat’s off to you NIMBY: not in my backyard NP: no problem, or nosy parents NUB: new person to a game or site OIC: oh, I see OMG: oh my goodness OT: off topic POV: point of view RBTL: read between the lines RT: real time, or retweet THX or TX or THKS: thanks SH: tuff happens SITD: still in the dark SOL: out of luck, or sooner or later STBY: stinks to be you SWAK: sealed with a kiss RTM: read the manual TLC: tender loving care TMI: too much information TTYL: talk to you later TYVM: thank you very much VBG: very big grin WEG: wicked evil grin WYWH: wish you were here XOXO: hugs and kisses

What Is Evolution? Evolution means the changes that occur in a population over time. In this definition, a “population” means a group of the same species that share a specific location and habitat. Evolutionary changes always occur on the genetic level. In other words, evolution is a process that results in changes that are passed on or inherited from generation to generation. It does not, for example, describe how people can change their muscle mass by lifting weights....

Related Links Spotlight: Volcanoes!Volcanoes of the World External Links Volcanoes.comVolcano World: Mt. Saint Helens After a fissure appeared along the north side of the mountain, a great portion of the rock facing fell, followed by a blast of stone, ash, and poison gas from the mountain. Landslides ensued, covering local forestation and carrying debris nearly 20 mi (32 km). The disaster took 57 lives, wiped out substantial populations of elk, deer, bear, and coyote, and destroyed miles of vegetation....

Polar Bears Dirk Kempthorne, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, announced in May that the polar bear has been listed as threatened, thus protected by the Endangered Species Act. The protection is somewhat watered down since the Interior Department included provisions allowing for continued oil and gas development in polar bear habitats. By 2008, the estimated number of polar bears left in the wild was about 20,000. Reducing Greenhouse Emissions The Group of 8 nations —U....

Cuba enters World War I on the side of the Allies. The Provincial Revolutionary Government is overthrown by members of the military and civilians loyal to Batista, who is backed by the U.S. He remains in control of the country behind a series of puppet presidents. The Cuban Missile Crisis brings the U.S. and Cuba to the brink of nuclear war. The Soviets attempt to install medium-range missiles in Cuba—capable of striking targets in the United States with nuclear warheads....