Parents, teachers, and librarians consistently rank The World Book Encyclopedia the best general reference source becaus
480 118 155MB
English Pages 919 Year 2003
dr.'
N'0'14
Boston Public Library REFERENCE
N-O
Volume 14
The World Book Encyclopedia
World Book, a Scott Fetzer
Chicago
company
Inc.
The World Book Encyclopedia © World
Book,
Inc. All rights
World Book,
volume may not be any form without prior written
reserved. This
reproduced in whole or in part permission from the publisher.
in
Inc.
233 North Michigan Chicago,
IL
60601
www.worldbook.com
WORLD BOOK and the GLOBE DEVICE are registered trademarks or trademarks of World
Book,
Inc.
Copyright ©2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983 by World Book, Inc. Copyright© 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978 by World Book-Childcraft International, Inc.
Copyright©
1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965,
1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957 by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation.
Copyright©
1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, 1952, 1951, 1950, 1949, 1948 by Field Enterprises, Inc. Copyright 1948, 1947, 1946, 1945, 1944, 1943, 1942, 1941, 1940, 1939, 1938 by The Quarrie Corporation. Copyright 1937, 1936, 1935, 1934, 1933, 1931, 1930, 1929 by W. F. Quarrie & Company The World Book, Copyright 1928, 1927, 1926, 1925, 1923, 1922, 1921, 1919, 1918, 1917 by W. F. Quarrie & Copyrights renewed 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983 by World Book, Inc. Copyrights renewed 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978 by World Book-Childcraft International, Inc. Copyrights renewed 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1958 by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation. Copyrights renewed 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, 1952, 1950 by Field Enterprises, Inc.
Company
International Copyright© 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983
Copyright© International Copyright© International
by World Book,
Inc.
1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978
by World Book-Childcraft International,
Inc.
1975 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957 by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation. International Copyright© 1957, 1956, 1955 1954, 1953, 1952, 1951, 1950, 1949, 1948 by Field Enterprises, International Copyright 1948, 1947 The Quarrie Corporation. 1977, 1976,
ISBN 0-7166-0103-6 Library of
Congress Control Number 2002068987
Printed in the United States of
03 5 4 3 2
1
America
Inc.
N
N
is
the 14th letter
letter in
once
in
our alphabet.
It
was
also the 14th
the alphabet used by the Semitic peoples,
lived in Syria
came from
and
Palestine.
Its
who
symbol apparently
the Egyptian hieroglyphic (picture symbol)
Western Semitic traditions called this nun, which was the word for fish. The Greeks took over the letter from the Phoenicians and called it nu. See
for snake. Later letter
Alphabet. Uses. N or n\s about the fifth most frequently used letter in books, newspapers, and other printed material in English. In mathematics, n represents an indefinite number. As an abbreviation, n may stand for noun, neuter, noon, name, or not. N, in chemical formulas, means nitrogen; in geographic descriptions, north or northern.
Development of the
letter
N
In
Roman numerals,
medieval
pronounces n by gums behind the front teeth and making the sound through the nose. In such words as hymn, the final n is silent. But in such words as gnostic or mnemonic, the first n is pronounced, and the letter before it is silent. Double n, in words such as manner, is pronounced like n. In words Wke pen-name, each n is pronounced. The letter has much the same sound in classical Greek and Latin, and in French and German. In Spanish, when written with a tilde, h, it has a ny sound, as in the English word canyon. See Pronunciation. Marianne Cooley Pronunciation.
In English,
The small letter n developed about A.D. 500 from Roman writing. Monks who copied manuscripts modi-
•'^
its
sym-
A.D.
letter in this
1
500
n
n
800
Today
500 B.C, wrote the
form.
Special
i
By about 1 500, the n had
present shape.
bol of a snake about 3000 B.C
The Semftes, about
a person
placing the tip of the tongue against the
fied the letter during the 80Os.
i^
N represented 90 and N,
90,000.
^^^^^^^^^^|
The ancient Egyptians drew this
1
The Phoenicians
ways
of expressing the letter
simplified the Semitic
N
• • • •
symbol about TOGO B.C International
Morse Code
N
N
The Greel(s changed the
Braille
and alphabet about 600 B.C letter
added it to their They called it nu.
The Romans, about A.D. letter
N with
114,
A fV
wrote the
straight lines. Internati onal
Flag
Semapho re Co de
Cod e
Sign Language Alphabet
Common forms of the letter N
Nn Nn Handwritten letters vary
Roman letters
from person to person. Manu-
finishing strokes called serifs
script {printed) letters,
that extend
Sans-serif letters are also called gothic letters. They have no serifs. The type face
strokes.
shown above
/eft,
have simple curves and straight lines. Cursive letters, rigfit, have flowing lines.
have small
from the main The type face shown above is Baskerviile. The italic form appears at the right.
The
italic
is
called Futura.
form of Futura ap-
pears at the
right.
U Computer letters
have spe-
shapes. Computers can "read these letters either optically or by means of the magnetic ink with which the letcial
"
ters
may be
printed.
NAACP
2
NAACP. See ment
were the dangers
National Association for the Advance-
Colored People.
of
Nabokov, NAH boh kawf, Vladimir, VLAH duh meer (1899-1977),
was
a Russian-born author. His novels are
noted for their complicated plots and the complex attitudes they express toward their subjects. Critics praised Nabokov's novels for their wit, intricate word use, and rich language. His novels, often satirical, include Invitation to a Belieading (published in the Soviet Union, 1938; United States, 1959), The Real Life of Sebastian Knight (1941), Z.o//fa (published in France, 1955; United States, 1958), Pninmsi), Pale Fire (^9^1), and Adamm). Nabokov published collections of stories and poetry and
translated several Russian literary classics into English.
Memory (AS^^, expanded
Speak, phy.
A collection
1966)
is
his autobiogra-
of his lectures at Cornell University in
was published as Lectures on Literature {}980). The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov was published in 1995. Nabokov was born in St. Petersburg. The family fled to Western Europe in 1919 because of the Bolshevik revolution. Nabokov attended Cambridge University in England from 1919 to 1922. From 1922 to 1940, he lived in
the 1950's
among other Russians who had left because of the revolution. He wrote his Russian, and most were later translated into
and
Berlin
Paris
their country
novels
in
English. In 1940,
Nabokov
and began to write live in 1959.
Nabrit,
in
settled in the United States
English.
Marcus
He returned
to
Europe
1
to the
1
969, he
first
1967, while
900-1 997),
won fame From
was president
black to
on leave from Howard.
was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Morehouse College and Northwestern University Law School, in 1936, he joined the faculty of Howard Nabrit
University. At his suggestion, the university estab-
lished—and he taught— the first civil rights course in an American law school. Nabrit served as secretary of the university from 1939 to 1960, and as dean of its law school from 1958 to 1960. As president of Howard, he encouraged greater student involvement in the university. As a lawyer, he specialized in civil rights cases, especially
school desegregation cases.
Edgar Allan Toppin
Nader, NA Y duhr, Ralph (1 934an American lawyer, became famous for fighting business and gov),
ernment practices he felt endangered public health and safety. Nader also is an outspoken critic of the influence of large corporations on the American political system. In 1996 and 2000, he ran as the Green Party candidate for president of the United States. The Green Party's platform stresses environmental responsibility, respect for diversity, and social justice. Nader won only a small percentage of votes in either election, but his candidacy brought increased attention to the Green Party's causes. In his book Unsafe at Any Speed ('\'9^5), Nader argued that the U.S. automobile industry emphasized profits and style over safety. The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, which established safety standards for new cars, resulted largely from his work. Nader's studies of the meat and poultry industries, coal mines, and natural gas pipelines also resulted stricter health
and
safety laws.
rays.
Nader's operating funds
come
mainly from his
writings and speeches,
from foundation grants, and from contributions. In 1971, Nader founded an organization called Public
which he headed until 1980. The
Citizen, Inc.,
ganization specialized
photos
Ralph Nader orin
energy problems, health care, tax reform, and other consumer issues. Nader and his staff conducted a major study of Congress in 1972. In 1982, another Nader group published a study of the Reagan Administration. In 1988, Nader's efforts helped bring about the passage of California's Proposition 1 03, a law that provided for lowering some auto insurance costs. Nader won another battle in 1989 when General Motors announced it would make air bags standard equipment on many 1990 models. Nader had promoted the use of the safety fea-
more than 10 years. In the 1990's, Nader also spoke out on such issues as campaign finance reform,
trade policy, globalization, corporate abuse, universal (1
of Howard University. He become deputy U.S. representative United Nations (UN). He held the post in 1966 and
960 to
from color TV sets, and excessive use of X ation
ture for to
Klein
James Madison, Jr.
as a lawyer, university president, and diplomat.
was the
of pesti-
cides, food additives, radi-
He
in
publicized what he
felt
and criminal justice reform. Nader was born in Winsted, Connecticut, the son of Lebanese immigrants. He graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Frederick Webster, Nadir, NAY duhr, is the point in space directly below where one stands. To an observer on the earth, the sky appears to be a half-dome whose edge forms a great circle resting on the flat surface of the earth. Imagine a plumb line suspended from the center of this dome, directly above your head, and passing through the center of the earth and into space as far as the central point of the invisible half-dome beneath the earth. The two points marking the ends of the imaginary plumb line are, respectively, the zenith and the nadir. They are the poles of the horizon, and each is 90° from the horizon. See also Zenith. Lee Rickard NAFTA. See North American Free Trade Agreement. Nagana. See Tsetse fly. Nagasaki, nah guh 5/4/7 Aree (pop. 444,599), is the Japanese city with which Westerners have had the longest contact. Its harbor was opened to foreign trade in 1 571 After 1 637, it was the only Japanese port where Westerners were allowed to trade. Dutch traders were permitted to set up a trading post on an island in the harbor, and one Dutch ship each year was allowed to call at the post. In 1 857, it was one of the six Japanese ports opened to foreign trade. Nagasaki is on the west coast of the island of Kyushu. health care,
E.
jr.
j.
.
is important as the Japanese port city closest to the mainland of China. Nearby coal fields provide a source of soft coal for export. Nagasaki is on a landlocked bay, which is deep and large enough to hold many ships. For location, see Japan (political map). Because Nagasaki has a large steel rolling mill, it is an important shipbuilding center. Many of its factories were destroyed on Aug. 9, 1945, by the second atomic It
r
Nail in warfare (see Nuclear weapon [picture]). destroyed 1.8 square miles (4.7 square kilometers) in the heart of the city. It injured 40,000 people, and 40,000 were killed or missing. Since the war, most of NaKenneth B. Pyle gasaki has been rebuilt
bomb used
woods
The
used to attach
blast
Nagoya, nuh COYuh (pop. largest cities in Japan.
It is
2,1 71 ,378), is
one
of the
the capital of Aichi prefecture
on the island of Honshu. It stands on Nobi Plain, facing Ise Bay (see Japan [political map]). Nagoya was once the seat of the powerful daimyo (baron) of Owari, a province of early Japan. In
1
61 0, a
was built in Nagoya by the powerful feudal lord Tokugawa leyasu. The castle was destroyed during World War (1939-1945), but was rebuilt in 1959. Nagoya is famous as a manufacturing center. It has an great castle
II
important
textile industry.
It
also manufactures
ma-
chines, pottery, porcelain, lacquerware, clocks, fans,
and embroidery. Nagoya's industries and are crowded into a closely packed area. Nahuatl. See Aztec (Language).
Nahum, NAYuhm, Book of,
is
a
book
its
population Kenneth
of the
b.
Pyie
Hebrew
Old Testament, named for an Israelite prophet Nahum lived in the kingdom of Judah during the second half of the 600's B.C The book has three chapters. Chapter 1, a hymn, is a vision of Cod that may be the work of another author. In chapters 2 and 3, Nahum praises the capture and destruction in 612 B.C of Nineveh, the capital of the hated and feared Assyrian empire. His description of the city is so vivid that some people believe he actually lived to witness Nineveh's fall. The poetic style of the book is among the most elegant in the Bible. Nahum's striking images of Cod's wrath along with images of God's refuge and safety lend great power and immediacy to the prophet's words. Eric m. Meyers See also Bible (Books of the Hebrew Bible). Naiad. See Nymph (in mythology). Nail is the most widely used fastener for attaching one piece of wood to another. Nails also join wood and such materials as cloth, sheet metal, and wire. Special nails hold wood and other materials to brick and concrete. Bible, or
Most
nails are
made
of steel, but
some
are
made
3
or of thin boards. Nails with a square shank are wood flooring to concrete.
Most kinds
of nails have a broad, flat head.
A
nail
with
narrow head can be hidden in the wood by driving it completely below the surface with a punchlike tool called a nailset The hole left by the nail can be filled with putty and then painted. Roofers use a nail with an extra wide head to install shingles. Upholsterers use tacks with decorative heads if the tacks can be seen. Sizes of nails. Nails are usually measured in units called pennies, designated by the letter d. Nails measured in this way range in size from 2-penny nails that are 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) long to 60-penny nails 6 inches a
(15 centimeters) long. Nails that are shorter or longer than those are measured in inches or centimeters. The system of measuring nails in pennies probably began in
England several hundred years ago. How nculs are made. The earliest nails were made about 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Artists used them to fasten sheets of copper to wooden frames to
make statues. In the early 1700's, American colonists hammered nails by hand from a bar of hot iron. About Cumberland, developed a process for cutting nails
1775, Jeremiah Wilkinson, an inventor in
Rhode
Island,
from a sheet of cold first
machine
for
About
iron.
machinist
(or Hersel), a
making
1
851
William Hassall invented the
,
New York City,
in
from wire.
nails
Today, almost all nails are made from wire by a machine that can produce more than 500 per minute. Wire is
fed into the machine from a large
coil.
A
set of cutters
trims off a length of wire and forms the point of the nail at
one end. At the same time, a hammer shapes the head
Some nail sizes '^—
of
aluminum, brass, copper, or stainless steel. Steel nails may be plated with aluminum, copper, nickel, or zinc to resist rust Some nails have a coating of resin, an adhe-
makes them hold more tightly. Carpenters generally use a claw hammerxo drive nails. This kind of hammer has a clawioT removing nails. Many carpenters who build or remodel houses use a power tool called an automatic nailer. This tool can drive nails more quickly than a regular hammer. The parts of a nail. A nail has three main parts: (1 the point; (2) the shank, or body; and (3) the head. The point acts as a wedge that separates the fibers of wood as the nail is driven. After the nail is in place, the fibers grip the shank and keep the nail from loosening. The head covers the hole made by the nail. The most common type of nail point is the diamond point, a sharp point that works well in most kinds of wood. A blunt point works better in some hardwoods, such as maple and oak. This point breaks off some of the wood fibers and helps keep the wood from splitting. Most nails have a smooth, round shank. Nails with a twisted, threaded, or ringed shank hold better but cost more. A narrow shank helps prevent splitting of hard-
2d
sive substance that
1
(2.5
in.
cm)
3d 1
'/4
(3.2
in.
cm)
4d 1
Vl
(3.8
in.
cm)
5d
)
1
%
in.
(4.4 cm)
6d 2 In. (5.1
cm)
8d 2 'A (6.4
in.
cm)
The length of a nail may be specified in inches or cen-
penny size. illustration shows the
lOd
timeters, or by
This
3 in.
ac-
tual size of various nails, using
the various measurements.
The
letter fy stands for
penny.
(7.6
cm)
V 12d 3V4 In. em)
(8.3
WORm BOOK illustration
Nail
4
Some types of nails
nition with his satirical novel (1961).
The novels
A House for Mr Biswas A Bend in the River
Guerrillas {^975),
A Way in the World {^994), and Haifa Life (200}) have political themes. Naipaul's many travel books include An Area of Darkness (}965), about India; Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey (}98} about the Middle East; and A Turn in the South (1989), about the Southern United States, as well as books about Africa and the Caribbean. He has also written short stories collected in A Flag on the Island (\9G7] and journalism pieces. (1979),
Common 1
Casing
nail
I^
1111)11111111111
nail
Ql^znmiiaiiniiiBTOiii'i'^^
),
Box
Annular grooved
nail
Q"
Anchor
I
nail
3>-
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijiiiiiimi
Finishing nail
nail
X> Screw
Ringed shank
nail
nail
Nails have various shapes, depending on the purposes for which they are used. The different types of nails can be distinguished by their head, shank ihody), and point
Michael Seidel
Nairobi, ny ROH bee [pop. 1,162,189), is the capital of Kenya and the most important commercial center in eastern Africa. The city lies on a high plateau in southcentral Kenya (see Kenya [map]). The central area of Nairobi has many modern buildings, and its main streets are lined with trees. This area includes the parliament buildings, the Kenyatta Confer-
ence Center, the Holy Family Cathedral, the Jamia Mosque, and hotels and commercial buildings. The National Museum and the University of Nairobi are north of the central area. Railroad yards and an industrial area
IX Shoe
Brad
nail
e
lie
to the south.
south, but
still
About 5 miles
within the
(8
city, is
kilometers) farther
Nairobi National Park.
The park covers 44 square miles (114 square kilometers) of open land where lions, gazelles, gnus, zebras, and Upholstery
other wild animals
Tack
Roofing
Staple
nail
Many of
nail
WORLD BOOK
illustration
Specialty nails and other metal fasteners are made for specific jobs. For example, they may be used in making shoes, in upholstering furniture, or to hold roofing materials.
live.
Nairobi's people live in large, low-cost apart-
ment complexes
called estates. Other residents occupy homes. The Kenyan government is a major employer in Nairobi. Industries in Nairobi produce beverages, cement,
single-family
chemicals, clothing, foods, furniture, glass, machinery, at
the other end. The nails are then polished, plated, or
coated.
a tough plate that covers the upper surface at the each finger and toe. It is a special growth of the epidermis {outer portion of the skin) and is made up of hardened cells. The skin below the nail, from which it grows, is called the matrix Near the root of the nail, where growth begins, the blood flow in the cells is less visible. The white, crescent-shaped spot indicating this
Nail
end
is
of
area
is
the lunula.
regrow if the matrix has not White spots on the nail are due to bruises or other injuries. They will grow out as the nail grows. The state of a person's health is often indicated by the nails. Illness often affects their growth. The horns, claws, talons, and hoofs of birds and animals are made of the same materials as the nails on the fingers and toes of the human body. Deer antlers are a If
a nail
is
torn
been severely
off,
it
will
injured.
different kind of growth.
Naipaul, ny PA WL, V. S. born
Paul R. Bergstresser (1
932-
and writes about many cultures and novelist, travel writer,
current
theme
is
),
is
social
a
West
Indian-
commentator. He
societies. Naipaul's rethe clash of older traditions and prac-
raw aggressiveness of modern political the 2001 Nobel Prize in literature. Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul was born in Chaguanas on the island of Trinidad to descendants of immigrants from India. He was educated in the West Indies and at Oxford University in England. After completing his studies, he settled in England. His early fiction tended toward the lightly comic. Naipaul first gained recog-
tices with the life.
Naipaul
won
and textiles. Tourism is an important economy. Many people visit Nairobi National Park and take trips to other Kenyan game reserves. Nairobi is a center for banking, trade, and other compaint, shoes, soap,
part of the
Alva H. Jared
city's
an important railroad center. water hole called Enkare Nairobi, which means cold water The city became a railroad center in the early 1900's. In 1963, when Kenya became independent from the United Kingdom, the area of Nairobi was expanded from about 35 square miles (91 square kilometers) to 266 square miles (689 mercial
activities.
Nairobi
was
It
also
is
originally the site of a
square kilometers). Stephen K. Commins See also Kenya (pictures). Naismitti, NAY smihth, lames (1861-1939), invented the game of basketball in 1891 (see Basketball). He wanted to develop a game that could be played indoors during the winter months. He tacked up two peach baskets and used a soccer ball for the first game. He invented the game when he was a physical-education teacher at the International YMCA Training School (now Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts. Naismith was born in Almonte, Ontario. He graduated from McCill University in Montreal. Naismith was one of Canada's greatest rugby and lacrosse players. He studied for the ministry but became a physical-education teacher. He was director of physical education at the University of Kansas from 1898 to 1937. He became a United States citizen in 1925. Bob Logan Namatli, NAY muhth, joe (1943became one of ),
professional football's most successful and colorful
quarterbacks while playing for the
New York Jets
from
Name known for his accurate passing and He passed for 27,663 yards and 173 touchdowns during his pro career. In 1967, Namath became the first pro quarterback ever to pass for more 1965 to 1976. He was
skillful
play selections.
than 4,000 yards in a single season. Joe William Namath was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He starred at quarterback at the University of
Alabama, which he attended from 1961 to 1965. Namath was drafted by the Jets when the team was a member of the five-year-old American Football League (AFL). His success helped lead to the merging of the AFL and the established National Football League (NFL) in 1970. In 1969, Namath helped lead the Jets to a 16-7 upset over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Namath played his last NFL season in 1977 with the Los Angeles Rams. He
was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in became a TV sports commentator and actor.
1985.
He
Name.
Everyone has a name, unless some extraordi-
nary circumstance has isolated a person from all human contact. Some people have many names. In Western na-
most people have three names— two given names and a family name. The given name consists of a first name and a middle name. It is often called a Christian name. The family name is also called the surname or fast name. All three names together make up the legal name. A person may also have one or more nicknames. All names have meanings, though people today may not be aware of them. Documents reveal that early peoples gave someone a name with a definite knowledge of the meaning of the name. In the Bible, for example, a tions,
widow
exclaims, "Call
me
not
Naomi
[pleasant], call
me
Mara [bitter]: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly me" (Ruth 1: 20). People in India, Israel, and some African nations still give names with specific meanings. with
This article discusses the cultural and national characteristics of
names and describes
mation about proper etiquette Address, Forms of.
in
their origins. For infor-
the use of names, see
of the
common
brew, Greek, or
Latin,
given
and Spain, double Christian names appeared in the Middle Ages. The Germans in Pennsylvania used several forenames in colonial times. But middle names did not
become common
or from Teutonic languages.
Hebrew names taken from
(1
the United States until after the 775-1 783).
now
recognized Christian names. Some of the outin the United States, including Washington Irving, Hamilton Fish, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Jefferson Davis, had such names. Traditionally, Roman Catholic parents have given a saint's name to a child. This is not difficult, because most common Christian names now have been borne by one are
standing leaders
or
more
saints.
Ethnic
Black names. Before the Americans resembled those
names 1960's, the
names
of black
of the white population. But
movement in the 1960's, names for religious reasons
after the rise of the civil rights
some
blacks changed their
or to reflect their African heritage.
A number
of blacks have converted to the Muslim reand taken Muslim names. For example, the basketball star Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr., became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The boxer Cassius Marcellus Clay ligion
Some
names come from He-
in
War
Other given names. In the United Kingdom and the United States, family names may often be used as Christian names. Such names as Percy, Sydney, and Lincoln
changed
Given names
Most
without regard to their relationship. For example, 147/liamls composed of two name elements, IVille (w'lW, or resolution) and helm (helmet). But the name William does not mean "helmet of will" or "resolute helmet." it means "will, helmet." Some of these name elements are found at the beginning, as eadirich) in Edwin and Edmund. They may also occur at the end, as weardiguardian) in Howard and Edward. Middle names, or second Christian names, occur frequently today. Many people have as their middle name the maiden name oi the mother— that is, the surname the mother had before her marriage. In France
Revolutionary
Carlton Stowers
5
his
name
to
Muhammad
Ali.
names from such African languages as Arabic, Igbo, Kikuyu, Swahili, or Yoruba. Children have such African names as Aba blacks have given their children
the Bible have traditionprovided the most important source of Christian names. The most commonly used Hebrew names are John (gracious gift of God), Mary(\N\sUed for), and MichaeKwho is like God). Other common Hebrew names
(born on Thursday), /4£/fy/re(much loved), Mar/a/?/
include David iheloved), Elizabeth (oath oi Cod),
Greek names include Alexander {helper of humanity), ^ar^ara (stranger), Ceor^e (farmer), Helen (light), Margaret ipead), P/?////? (lover of horses), and Stephen (crown or garland). Common Latin names include
speaking countries, a child traditionally takes the surname of both the mother and the father. The father's name comes first. These names were formerly joined by /, the Spanish word for and. For example, Julio, the son of Rodrigo Ruiz y Gonzalez and Maria Lopez y Chavez, would have been known as Julio Ruiz y Lopez. This custom, however, is no longer followed. Among Spanish-speaking people in the United States, a hyphen may join the two names, as in Julio Ruiz-Lopez. The name may also be shortened to Julio Ruiz to conform to the standard method of naming in the United
C/arence (famous),
States.
ally
James
(may God protect, or one who takes the place of another), Joseph (the Lord shall add), Hannah (God has favored me), and SamueliGod has heard). These Biblical names occur in various forms among all Christian nations.
Greek and ties.
Latin
names
often refer to abstract quali-
Common
£/77///(flattering), Patricia (of
birth), l//cfor (conqueror),
and
IZ/r^f/n/a
noble
(maidenly).
Teutonic names are widely used and are among the most popular Christian names, especially boys' names. They usually consist of two elements joined together
(coral),
The writer LeRoi Jones changed his name to Imamu Amiri Baraka. Imamu means spiritual leader \n Swahili. Amiri Baraka is an Arabic name. Hispanic names. In Spain and other Spanish-
or
Z?aA:ara/ (happiness).
American Indian names reflect the culture of a parNames are always symbolic, though each tribe has its own naming tradition. Sometimes names ticular tribe.
are kept secret because of religious laws.
Name
6
Generally, Indians have a birth name, such as Sunrise
Smooth Water; and an adult name. White Mountain. Another name may be occupational. For example, a construction worker may be called High Walker For legal identification purposes, many Indians assume Americanized names, such as Willard Beauty; a family name,
Countryman or Frank Beaver. In
many
tribes, a child has
other names
new name,
in later
one name at birth and life. As individuals take
stages of
a
they discard the earlier one.
names
History of family
Beginnings. The Chinese were the first known peomore than one name. The Emperor Fuxi is said to have decreed the use of family names, or surnames, about 2852 B.C The Chinese customarily have three names. The family name, placed first, comes from one of the 438 words in the Chinese sacred poem Baijia Xing (also spelled Po-Chia Hsing). It is followed by a^re^eration name, taken from a poem of 20 to 30 characters adopted by each family; and a milk name, corresponding to a Christian name. In the United States, the Chinese often follow Western practice and put the family ple to acquire
name
the Romans had only one name, but they also used three names. The praenomen stood first as the person's given name. Next came the nomen, which indicated the gens, or clan. The last name, the cognomen, designated the family. For example, Caesar's In early times,
later
name was Gaius Julius Caesar A person sometimes a fourth name, the agnomen, to commemorate an illustrious action or remarkable event. Family names became confused by the fall of the Roman Empire, and single names once again became customary. Tiie Middle Ages. Family names came into use again in northern Italy about the late A.D. 900s, and became
full
added
about the
1200's. Nobles first adopted family them apart from the common people. The nobles made these family names hereditary, and they descended from father to children. The nobility called
names
to set
A family name person, so the common
attention to their ancestors in this way.
became
the mark of a well-bred
people began to adopt the practice too. The Crusaders carried the custom of family names from Italy to the other countries of Western Europe. Throughout Europe, wealthy and noble families first adopted family names. At first, these were not hereditary, but merely described one person. For example, the son of Robert Johnson might be known as Henry Robertson, or Henry, son of Robert.
Origin of family It
ily
is difficult
to
work out
names
ish
Names
Many
in spell-
words are now obsolete or have obsolete meanings. For many years, the spelling of names depended on the discretion of the writer. The same name might be spelled in different ways in the same document. Some names appear to old
come from
English words, but they are from another language. Foreign names are often altered into more miliar words. The Dutch Roggenfelder idweWer in or near a rye field) became the American Rockefeller
names have come down
to us in a variety of
fa-
like
pronunciation of
quite
Baker, Carpenter, Clarke (the clerk).
Brit-
Cook, Miller, and Taylor d^re
common. The most common surname in English It is also common in many other countries. It
is
Smith.
takes the form of Schmidt
in Germany, Lefevre in and Kuznetzvo in Russia. Ancestor's name. Many people took surnames from their father's given name. Practically every language has a suffix or prefix meaning "son of." Some names that include the term "son of include Irish names beginning with Mc or Mac, German names ending in -sohn or -son, and Scandinavian names ending in -sen or -son. Russian and Serbian names ending in -ovitch and Romanian names ending in -escu have the same meaning. Those describing the bearer of the name as the son of John mdude Johnson and Jackson in England; yo/7/75 and Jones in \/\/a\es; Jensen, Jansen, and Hansen in Denmark; Jonsson and Johanson in Sweden; ya/7omc2 in Poland; Ivanovin Russia and Bulgaria; /a/705^' in Hungary; and MacEoin in Ireland. Irish names beginning with O'signiin Italy,
fied a grandson. Less
common names
tionships include Brothers,
Fames
indicating rela-
(uncle),
mought {Wat's brother-in-law). Many surnames came from terms
and Wat-
that described an
most Europeans lived in small villages, and needed only a single name. When the village clerk had to note in his records that a villager named Robert had paid a tax, he often had to identify just which Robert was meant. The clerk would then add ancestor. In the Middle Ages,
some
descriptive
word without
volved. For example, he might
consulting the
call
a
man
man
in-
Robert, the
small Cross and Croth come from the German, and indicate a fat or large person. Names like Reid, Reed, and early spellings of "red" and refer to a man with These red-haired men probably received the nickname of "Red." Other family names may have more than one origin. For example, the common English surname Bell may designate one who lived or worked at the sign of the bell, or it may refer to the bell maker or bell ringer. It may also indicate the descendant of Bel, or pet form of Isabel, or it may be a nickname for the handsome one, from the Old French word bel, or beautiful. Jewish family names were the last to develop in most countries. In Europe, Jews usually lived apart from others. Many did not feel the need for family names. Laws
Read are
a simple classification of fam-
names, because of corruption and changes
ing and pronunciation.
Family
son's job.
France, Ferraro
last
common
may have developed from a person's surroundings or job, or from the name of an ancestor. Place names came from a person's place of residence. For example, if a man lived on or near a hill or mountain, he might be Mr. Maki, if from Finland; Mr. Dumont or Mr. Depew in France; Mr. Zola in Italy; Mr. Jurek in Poland; or Mr. /////in England. In England, people might be known as Wood, Lake, Brook, Stone, or for "O
I
^WOBKS
-
ft
NAUllU
^
Papua
Ms^GulQea
NAURU
Hudson, William Wallace, Alfred
R.
naturalists
Fabre, Jean H. Lamarck, Chevalier de
C
Cuvier, Baron Vries,
above sea
C
Adamson,
De
R.
Durrell, Gerald
Joy Asbjornsen, Peter
Ansbx, .Uatioe
Settlement
'
W
Anelan
Railroad
British naturalists
Henry
Bates,
North
Point
Ewa.
Peterson, Roger Tory Seton, Ernest Thompson
C
Ocean
Pacific
Road
Beebe, William Burroughs, John Muir, John
Agassiz, Louis
Bailey, Liberty
Nauru
3 Kilometers
Linnaeus, Carolus
Hugo
WORLD BOOK maps
Some
nature study subjects
Flag (picture: Flags of Asia and the
Government Nauru
Pacific).
member of
Animal
Earth
Insect
Seed
Astronomy
Fish
Lake
Star
Balance of na-
Flower
Leaf
Forest Forestry
Mountain Ocean
Tree Vegetable Volcano
elected by the people to three-year terms. All Nauruans
Botany
Fruit
Plant
Water
who
Butterfly
River
Waterfall
elects a president to a three-year term.
Conservation
Gardening Geology
Hobby
Weather Zoology
lects a Cabinet.
Constellation
Rock Season
ture Bird
Desert
Audubon
Society, National
Boy Scouts Girl
Commonwealth
ment makes the
a republic
of Nations.
country's laws.
are 20 years old or older
may vote. The
Fire
Boys and
Girls
Walton League of America Scouts Canada
Scouts
Other related
articles
Aquarium, Public Arbor Day Botanical garden
National Park
Planetarium
System Observatory
Telescope Terrarium
Museum
Park
Zoo
National forest
island, lies
own
food.
Now, they import most
of their food
and
other products they need. Nauru has a tropical climate that
is
cooled by trade winds. Temperatures range from °C). About 80 inches (200 cen-
76 "F (24 °C) to 93 °F (34
groups of the Pacific Islands. Nauru consists of a single island, which has an area of only 8 square miles (21
school, and a teacher training college.
square kilometers). It is the third smallest country in the world. Only Vatican City and Monaco are smaller. Nauru
phosphates— \/a\u&h\e chemical compounds making fertilizers. Phosphate exports earn a large part of the Nauruan government's revenue. Nauru has no capital city. The main government offices of the country are located on the southwestern part of the island. The Australian dollar is Nauru's basic rich in in
unit of currency. For a picture of the flag of
about
south of the equator. Most of the island is a plateau, 200 feet (61 meters) high, which contains deposits of phosphates. Near the center of the plateau is a lagoon surrounded by a small area of fertile land. Another belt of fertile land lies along the coast. Most of the people live along the 12-mile (19kilometer) coastline. In the past, the people raised their (65 kilometers)
timeters) of rain falls yearly.
used
se-
The president and the Cabinet carry out
Nature worship is a religious practice that has been followed by various cultures throughout history. It is based on the belief that nature is a god or a group of gods that can grant people favors and protect them from evil. Some peoples have worshiped all of nature in the form of one god or goddess. Others worshiped specific natural forces, such as the sun or the winds. In most cases, a community has worshiped the parts of nature most important to the group's survival. For example, early American Indians in agricultural areas asked the rain god for rain to make their crops grow. See also Animism; May Day; Pantheism. Christopher Mcintosh Nauru, NAH roo, is a small island country in the central Pacific Ocean. It is part of Micronesia, one of the three
is
Parliament
The president
the executive functions of the government.
40 miles
Izaak
and a
An 18-member ParliaParliament members are
Land. Nauru, an oval-shaped coral Nature study organizations
Camp
the
is
Nauru, see
People. About half of Nauru's population of 12,000 Nauruans— people of mixed Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian ancestry. They are Christians. Most of them speak both the Nauruan language and English. The rest of Nauru's people are from Kiribati, Tuvalu, China, and Australia. They come for limited periods of time are
mine the phosphates. The government provides Nauruans with modern homes at low rents, and 2 government hospitals and 1 1 clinics give them free medical care. The law requires Nauruan children between the ages of 6 and 1 7 to attend school. Nauru has five nursery schools, an elemen-
to help
tary school, a high school, a
Roman
Catholic mission
The government
pays the expenses of students who attend universities in other countries. Economy. Phosphates are Nauru's only important resource and its only export. A government-owned shipping company in Nauru serves many regions in the Pacific Ocean. A government-owned airline provides service to many Pacific areas. Nauru's government en-
courages such
and canoe automomachinery, medicine, and shoes.
local industries as fishing
building. Products that are imported include biles, food, furniture,
Navajo Indians Nauru also imports water
for
its
69
needs.
History. Captain John Fearn, an English explorer, was the first European to visit Nauru. He came in 1798. In 1888, until
1
Germany took over the island and administered it 91 4 when Australia took control. After World War
(1914-1918), Australia began to administer the island under a League of Nations mandate held also by Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Japan seized Nauru during World War II (1939-1945). I
In 1945, Australian forces retook the island. In 1947, the United Nations (UN) provided for Australian control of the island under a trusteeship held also by Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. In 1964, Nauru began to work for independence and control of the phosphate industry. Nauru became independent in 1968 after a UNsupervised plebiscite (popular vote). In 1970, the Nauruan government gained control of the phosphate industry. Since then, the government has used revenue from phosphate exports to build homes, schools, and hospitals. It has also saved and invested much of the revenue to help support the Nauruan people after all the phosphates have been mined. Michael r. ogden Nausea, shuh or shee uh, is a disagreeable sensation in the area of the stomach. It is often followed by vomiting. In nausea, the muscles of the stomach wall slow or stop their movement. In turn, digestion of the contents of the stomach slows or stops. This action can help prevent the body from absorbing a poisonous substance that has been swallowed. If vomiting takes place, most of the substance will be expelled. Nausea also may result from many other causes, both mental and physical. Mental causes of nausea include unpleasant sights, disgusting odors, and severe anxiety. Physical causes include severe pain, obstruction or irritation of the digestive tract, excessive physical exercise, and unnatural stimulation of the vestibular system, the organs of balance of the inner ear. Nausea that results from disturbances of the vestibular system is called motion sickness (see Motion sickness). Nausea often ac-
NAW
in
the mornings of the
three months.
Some poisonous
substances cause nausea by stimulating nerve endings in the lining of the stomach or intestine. Other poisons cause nausea after being absorbed into the blood. The blood carries the poison to special cells in the medulla, the lower part of the brain stem. These cells create nausea by sending impulses to higher parts of the brain, where sensations are received. Various drugs, including chlorpromazine and Dramamine, are used to control certain types of nausea (see
Chlorpromazine; Dramamine). k. e. Money See also Vomiting. Nautical mile. See Knot; Mile. Nautical terms. See Ship. Nautilus. See Submarine (Early submarines; Nuclear submarines); Connecticut (picture: The Nautilus). Nautilus, tub luhs, is a marine animal whose soft body is partly covered with a coiled shell. The nautilus belongs to the same class of animals as the squid and octopus. A nautilus shell contains about 30 chambers which are lined with a rainbow-colored substance called mother-of-pearl or nacre. Because of this substance, the animal is often called a pearly nautilus. The nautilus lives at depths of 20 to 1,000 feet (6 to 300 me-
NAW
E.
Townsend,
Jr.,
Photo Researchers
nautilus has a spiral shell. The animal adds a new, larger chamber to Its shell each time It outgrows its old one. Its cone-shaped head Is surrounded by short tentacles.
NAW
companies pregnancy, especially first
W.
The chambered
the South Pacific and Indian oceans. It eats crabs and other crustaceans. About six species of nautilus are living today. At least 2,000 fossil forms are known. The body of a full-grown nautilus is about the size of a person's fist. Its cone-shaped head is surrounded by about 90 short tentacles (feelers). As the animal grows, its shell develops in the form of a spiral. The nautilus adds a new chamber to its shell each time it outgrows its old one. Each new chamber is closed at the rear, so the animal always lives in the outermost chamber of its shell. The closed chambers behind the animal are filled with nitrogen and other gases. The siphuncle, a coiled, blood-filled tube that is enclosed in a limy covering, extends through all the chambers of the shell. ters) in
is In the phylum Molbelongs to the nautilus family, Nautllldae. The pearly
Scientific classification. The nautilus lusca.
It
nautilus
See
Is
Nautilus pompilius.
Robert Robertson
also Argonaut; Shell (Octopuses
and squids;
pic-
tures: Nautilus shell).
Navajo Indians, NAVuh
boh, also spelled Navabo, in the United States. Only the Cherokee tribe has more members. The Navajo reservation, which covers 16 million acres (6.5 million hectares), is the nation's biggest reservation. It includes
are the second largest Indian tribe
New
Mexico, and Utah. The growth of make the Navajo one of the wealthiest tribes in America. The Navajo call themselves Dine (pronounced dibn EH], meaning tbe people. About 150,000 Navajo live on the Navajo reservation. Some of the people live in traditional tribal houses called bogans, which are made of earth and logs (see Hogan). Many Navajo practice the tribal religion. Large numbers of the tribe are farmers or sheep ranchers, but parts of Arizona,
industry on the reservation promises to
others are engineers, miners, teachers, or technicians.
weave wool blankets and The Navajo earn millions of dol-
Skilled Navajo craftworkers
make turquoise
jewelry.
mainly from the mining of their vast coal delumber mill and a manufacturing plant leased by an electronics firm. Navajo Community College, the first college owned and operlars yearly,
posits.
The
tribe also has a
Naval Academy, United States
70
ated by Indians,
is in
Tsaile, Arizona,
near Lukachul^-
'-
1 ^
73
w^ j^l
ifcg
i
'
^
^
Ik' ^'
^"^
fftir^^
rk,
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands,
ways throughout the Netherlands and help drain the country's low-lying
is
northwestern Europe.
It is
name
on the North Sea in bordered by Belgium and is
often called Holland, but
only to the western part of the country. The people of the Netherlands call themselves
this
officially refers
Nederlanders. They are also
known
as the Dutch.
"God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland," according to an old Dutch saying. More than twofifths of the country's land was once covered by the sea, or by lakes or swamps. The Dutch "created this land by pumping out the water. These drained areas, called '
polders,
became some
of the richest farmlands of the
Netherlands.
To make
a polder, the
land.
large inlet of the North Sea,
a small country
Germany. The Netheriands
Wys
The Zuider Zee (pronounced ZY duhrZAY), once a was cut off from the sea in
Netherlands Netheriands
Leo de
crisscrossed by canals. Canals serve as water-
is
Dutch build a dike around the
is then pumped drainage canals. Windmills were once used to run the pumps, but electric motors have replaced mo.st of them. Most polders are below sea level, and they collect excess water through seepage. As a result, pumping must continue after the polders are built.
area to be drained of water. The water into a series of
Ian de Vries, the contributor of this article, is Professor of History and Economics at the University of California at Berkeley.
1932 by a dike 20 miles (32 kilometers) long. This develthe Zuider Zee into a freshwater lake called the IJsselmeer (EYE suhl mehr). Much of the lake was then drained to make several large polders. This project added 637 square miles (1,650 square kilometers) of land for new farms and cities. The Netherlands gained an entire new province, Flevoland (FLEE voh lahnt). The people of the Netherlands have great pride in their long battle against the sea. Because their country is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, they take extreme care to protect their hard-won land and to plan wisely the use of every acre. Several times during their history, however, the Dutch have opened the dikes and flooded the land to save their country from invaders. Most of the Netherlands is flat, though it has some uplands. Many canals cut through the country. They not only drain the land but also serve as waterways. Dairy farming is the most important form of agriculture in the Netherlands. The processing of dairy products is a major branch of Dutch manufacturing. The country's rulers have included the Romans, a Germanic people called the Franks, the Spanish, and the French. The Dutch declared independence from Spain
opment changed
in 1581,
and Spain recognized
their
independence
in
Netherlands 1648. In 1815, the Netherlands became an independent kingdom united with Belgium. The two countries sepa-
when Belgium declared its independence. The Dutch experienced a period of great prosperity and power— a Golden Age— during the 1600's. At that time, the country was the world's leading sea power, and it ruled a great colonial empire. Amsterdam was an important trading center, and Dutch businesses thrived. The Golden Age was also a time of cultural achievement, rated in 1830,
I
i
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy. It has a democratic government that is based on a constitution. Citizens aged 18 and older may vote. National government. A king or queen is the country's head of state, but the monarch's duties are mostly ceremonial. The monarch signs all bills that are passed by the parliament and appoints government officials upon the advice of various government bodies. Dutch monarchs, unlike those of other countries, are not crowned. Instead, they go through a ceremony called investiture, in which power is given to them by the people. This practice is based on a medieval tradition. In the Middle Ages, new leaders traveled from town to town in their realm. They asked for oaths of allegiance from local authorities and, in return, promised to respect the rights of the townspeople. The investiture
Amsterdam, the official capital. Another The Hague (hayg), is the seat of government. A prime minister, appointed by the monarch, heads the government. The prime minister selects members of a Cabinet to run the government departments. If the Cabinet and the parliament cannot agree, either the Cabinet resigns, or the parliament is dissolved and a new city.
election
is
The parliament of the Netherlands, the States-General, two houses. The First Chamber has 75 mem-
bers,
who
are elected to four-year terms by the legisla-
The Second Chamber proposes new laws. It has 150 members, who are elected to four-year terms by the people. The members are chosen under a system called proportional representa-
tures of the country's provinces.
tion.
This system gives each political party a share of
seats in the
Second Chamber according
to
its
share of
the total votes cast.
Local government. The Netherlands is divided into each governed by a commissioner and a council. The monarch appoints the commissioner. Council members are elected by the people to four-year terms. The number of council members varies according to population. The provinces are made up of municipalities. Each municipality has an elected council and an executive called a burgomaster, who is appointed by the monarch. 1
\
2 provinces,
all
judges.
Armed forces. The
Netherlands has an army, a navy, women serve in
About 75,000 men and the country's armed forces. and an
air force.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands. The is
part of a larger political unit called the
kingdom
Netherlands
Kingdom
of the
also includes the Netherlands
the Caribbean
in
Sea—
island of Aruba, also in the Caribbean. Both the
Netherlands Antilles and Aruba have an appointed governor and a Council of Ministers headed by a prime minister. Each Council of Ministers is responsible to a
one-house
legislature,
whose members
are elected by
the islanders.
People
in
About 40 percent of the people of the Netherlands live two coastal provinces— North Holland and South Hol-
land. In these provinces are the three largest cities— Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. Ancestry. Most of the people in the Netherlands are of Dutch ancestry. The largest non-Dutch groups in the country include people from Indonesia, Morocco, Suri-
name, and Turkey. Language. Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands. The Dutch language belongs to the Germanic language group. The people of the northern province of Friesland (FREEZ lahnt) speak Frisian (FRIHZH uhnj, another Germanic language. Most people of the Netherlands also speak English, and many speak French or
German
as well.
Way of life
held.
consists of
;
and the Supreme Court. The monarch appoints
and the
takes place in
^
the Netherlands consists
in
Antilles— two groups of islands
Government
39
of subdistrict courts, district courts, courts of appeal,
Netherlands. The
especially in painting.
'[
Courts. The court system
1
The Netherlands countries lies
in
below sea
uous
is
one
of the
most densely populated
the world. Nearly half of this small country level,
so the Dutch must carry on a contin-
battle against the sea. Life in this
environment has
given the Dutch a practical, matter-of-fact outlook. To make the best use of their limited land and avoid over-
crowding, the Dutch have developed a highly organized society. Neatness and self-control are prized. The Dutch tend to frown on extravagance and displays of wealth. Although public life in the Netherlands is highly organized, there
is
a great deal of
The Dutch value personal for their good fellowship, ihk
hyt).
privacy.
freedom in private life. They are also known
called gezelligheicKguh
This cozy friendliness
among
ZEHL
close friends and
Politics. The largest political parties include two leftwing groups called Democrats 66 and the Labor Party, a centrist party called the Christian Democratic Appeal, and the right-wing People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (also called the Liberal Party). There are also
most frequently found at gatherings celebratand anniversaries. The Dutch are also interested in foreign countries, and many of them travel and work outside the Netherlands. City life. For centuries, the Netherlands has been one of Europe's most urbanized regions. Nearly all Dutch cities were founded in the Middle Ages. The historic centers of these cities still have many shops and business and government offices. Public transportation is readily available, including subways and streetcars in the
many
large cities.
small parties.
No
party has held a majority of seats
relatives
is
ing such occasions as birthdays
Second Chamber since 1945, when World War ended. Therefore, all governments are formed by party
houses. Because of high land prices, the
coa//r/o/75 (partnerships).
single-family houses.
in
the
II
Most
city
dwellers
live in
modern apartments and row
The older
cities
have few
residential sections of
140
Netherlands
w^
Netherlands
Climate: The Netherlands has a mild, damp climate, with moderately warm summers and gentle winters. Temperatures average from 60 to 65 F (16 to 18 °C) in summer, and a little above 30 °F {- 1 °C) in winter. Extremely hot or cold tempera-
in brief
General information Capital: Amsterdam.
Summer is the wettest season, though precipevenly distributed throughout the year. Most regions of the country receive about 25 to 30 inches (63 to 76 centimeters) of precipitation a year.
tures are rare.
Seat of government: The Hague. Official language: Dutch. Official name: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (Kingdom of the
itation
is
fairly
Netherlands)
National anthem: "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe" ("William of Nassau").
Largest population centers: (1994
official
estimates)
Metropolitan areas
Cities
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
(724,096)
(1,100,120)
Rotterdam
(598,521)
Rotterdam
(1,074,387)
The Hague
(445,279)
The Hague
(695,21
7)
Utrecht (545,796)
Utrecht (234,106)
Government Form of government: Constitutional monarchy. Ceremonial head of state: Monarch (king or queen). Head of government: Prime minister. Legislature: States-General of two houses: 75-member Chamber and 150-member Second Chamber.
First
Executive: Prime minister and Cabinet Political subdivisions: 12 provinces.
People
The Dutch flag
dates from
about 1630.
Until then,
ange
was
stripe
at
an orthe top in-
stead of a red one.
The coat of arms
has old
symbols of the Dutch royal family. The sword and arrows represent strength
Population: Estimated 2002 popu/ation-\5,M9,000. 1991 cen5ty5 -15,01 0,445. Population density: 989 per mi' (382 per km'). Distribution: 61 percent urban, 39 percent rural. Major ethnic/national groups: Almost entirely Dutch. Largest non-Dutch groups include people from Indonesia, Morocco, Suriname, and Turkey. Major religions: About 30 percent Roman Catholic, about 30 percent Protestant (mostly Dutch Reformed Church), small percentage Muslim. Nearly half of the Dutch are not members of any church.
in unity.
Population trend
Land and climate Land: Netherlands is on the North Sea in northwestern Europe. It is bordered by Belgium and Germany. Most of the Netherlands is flat, though it has some uplands. Part of the country is made up oi polders, land below sea level that was once covered by water. The Dutch built dikes around these areas and drained the water.
Millions
Year
Population
17.5
1816 1829 1839 1849 1859 1869 1879 1889 1899 1909 1920 1930 1940 1947 1960
2,047,000 2,613,000 2,861,000 3,057,000 3,309,000 3,580,000 4,013,000 4,511,000 5,104,000 5,858,000 6,865,000 7,936,000 8,923,000 9,625,000 11,556,000 13,060,000 13,653,000 14,144,000 14,492,000 14,952,000 15,503,000
/
1971
1975 1980 1985 1990
Economy Chief products: /^^r/cu/fi/re— barley, beef and dairy cattle, flowers and flower bulbs, hogs, milk, potatoes, poultry, sheep, sugar beets, vegetables, wheat Fishing— ee\s, herring, mackerel, mussels, plaice, shrimp, sole. Manufacturing— chemicals, dairy products, electronic equipment, machinery, processed meats, transportation equipment Mining— ndXurd\ gas, petroleum, salt Basic unit— euro. One hundred cents equal one euro. The guilder was taken out of circulation in 2002. Foreign trade: Ma/or exported goods— auXomohWes, chemi-
Money:
Area: 16,033 mi' (41,526 kmO, including 2,929 ml'
(7,587 km')
of inland water. Greatest distances— nox^-sou'Cn, 196 mi (315 km); east-west, 167
mi (269 km.) Coast/tne-228 mi (367
km).
Elevation: Highest— Vaaher Berg, 1,053 level.
sea
ft
(321
Lowest— Pvins Alexander Polder, 22
level.
m) above sea m) below
ft (6.7
cals, dairy
leum,
products, electric machinery, flowers, meat, petro-
plastics, precision instruments, vegetables.
Major
imported goods— automobWes, chemicals, clothing, electric machinery, iron and steel, paper and paper products, petroleum, plastics, and precision instruments. Main trading partners— Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, United States.
Netherlands the major cities house
many immigrants
141
as well as uni-
and young adults. Rural life. Because every region of the Netherlands has several cities, few rural areas are truly remote. Farms are commercial businesses, and rural life is not too different from life in the towns. Most villages are accessible by water and are well provided with services and public versity students
transportation.
People in farm areas and fishing villages sometimes wear the famous Dutch wooden shoes, called klompen IKLAHMP uhn). These shoes are noisy, but they protect the feet from damp earth better than leather shoes do. The Dutch do not wear wooden shoes in their homes. They leave them outside and change to leather shoes. In a few rural areas, the people still wear the traditional Dutch costume, which includes full trousers for men and full skirts and lace caps for women. These areas include the islands of the province of Zeeland (ZAY lahnt), coastal fishing communities, and the towns of Staphorst (STAMP hawrst) and Spakenburg (SPAN kuhn burk). Food and drink. The Dutch diet is similar to that of other northern European countries. Breakfasts often con-
© Arthur M. Greene, Bruce Coleman,
Inc.
Bicycle riders cross an intersection in Gouda, above. Bicycling is popular among Dutch people of all ages, both as a recreational activity and as an important means of transportation.
bread, cheese, and cold meat. Most people eat a lunch of a sandwich or salad. Most dinners include meat or fish, potatoes, and vegetables. Indonesian food is also popular. Traditional dishes include hutspotia stew of meat, vegetables, and potatoes, pronounced HUTS paht); raw herring sprinkled with onions; and large, thin pancakes covered with toppings. Beer and jenever(a juniper-flavored gin, pronounced yuh NAY fur) sist of
light
are popular alcoholic drinks.
Holidays and recreation. Most people in the Netherown a bicycle, and bicycle riding is a popular recreational activity. The Dutch also enjoy boating, sailing, and windsurfing on their many lakes, rivers, and canals. Miles of sandy beaches along the North Sea coast provide many places to swim. lands
Ice skating is extremely popular. But the Netherlands has mild winters, and the ice often does not get thick enough for skating. When the ice is hard enough,
schools sometimes close to
let
the children skate. In ex-
ceptionally cold winters, an ice-skating race called the
Elfstedentocht (ehlf STEHD uhn tahktjtakes place on the waterways of Friesland. The 124-mile (200-kilometer) course connects 11 cities of the northern province. Every community has sport clubs that organize team sports for youths and adults. The most popular sports include field hockey, soccer, and tennis. The people of the Netherlands are famous for raising tulips and other flowers, and they hold many spectacular flower festivals each spring. Long parades of floats covered with blue, pink, red, and yellow blossoms wind through the towns near the bulb fields. Homes along the way are also decorated with beautiful floral designs. The Dutch celebrate Queen's Day, the birthday of former Queen Juliana, on April 30 with local parades, games, and flea markets. Most towns hold a fair called a kermis (KEHR mihs) with carnival attractions and other
© Glen Allison, Tony Stone Images
A Queen's Day celebration, held annually on April
30, Includes
a variety of entertainment Above, people gather for festivities at a World War II monument in Amsterdam's Dam Square.
entertainment
The Dutch exchange gifts on St. Nicholas's Eve, December 5, instead of on Christmas. The children believe that Saint Nicholas visits their homes with presents for
.
1
42
......
.
......
F
,
Netherlands
good boys and
girls.
A man
dressed
Amsterdam
a bishop repre-
like
white horse. In Amsterdam, he is greeted by ringing bells and During the 1600's, the Dutch Saint Nicholas's visit with them
arrives by steamship
and
Flevoland
Brunssum Bussum
Friesland
.
Croningen
Umburg
5 5 5
Castricum*
.B
6
Cuijuk
H
5
Culemburg
.2,259,779
c;
4
.2,457,329 .1,044,648
D
3
.
.
.
.
North Brabant North Holland
.1-
aen
Ijssel*
.
.
Coevorden
.
.b
6
}
3
.e
4
.G
2
.
.59,,364
.
.F
.
.
.22,,674
.
.E
.
.
.
.
.
.3,313,913 .1,056,033 .363,867
..
....
Zeeland
.
.
.
.
Aalsmeer
...12,902
Aalten Achtkarspelen"
.E
3
.
,
Domburg Dongen
.
Alkmaar Almelo Almere .... Alphen aan den Rijn Amersfoorl Amstelveen .
.
.
.
.
.
y
6 5
Edam
.
.
.
ij
3
Ede
b
6
Egmond
58,444
b
4
aan Zee Eindhoven
.66,143
b
.110,117
b
74,059
b
3 4 3
b
3
.
Amsterdam
724,0%
.
11,100,120 149,449
Apeldoom Appingdam .12,364 Arnhem .133,670
.
b
5
6
.61
,024
.
C .
22 ,052 ... .3,,971
.
.113,,394 >213 ,074 50 ,440 78 ,754 18 ,608 ,
.
.25,,640
98 ,220 .
.
93 ,476 .
.
...16 ,037
Epe
Helmond Hengelo
H
5 5 5
D
4
Hoogeveen
F
5
Hoogezand-
D
3
Sappemeer Hoorn
D .
.
.
.
.
Ermelo'
?fi ,705
.
b
5
Elten
33 ,863
.
6
Celder
Baam
.
.
.
.
Barendrechf
Bameveld
.
Bergen Bergen op
.
.
.
Bolsward Borne
Boxmeer Breda
.
.
(
.->
D (;
n
35,535 9,553
.D (.
2 4 3 4
.21,509
b
b
C,
.>
.
19,795 25,566 129,125 1165.729
3
.G
.
.22,,792
.
.
.
.26,,784
.
...34,,090
Cllze
«185,,278 ,467 23 ,494
Goes
3? ,281
Grave Groningen
.
.
69 ,917 11 ,976 .
3
'Doei not appear on map; key shows general localion tPopulatlons are for municipalities, which may Include
.
.
.
.
.
72,293 77,514 84,213 (102,369 46,598
Hllversum
.
.
.33,937
4
Katwiil
G D D D
.
.c;
.
Nlikerk
Huizen* .
Tegelen
445,279 *695,217 33,463 36,776 15,250. 34,555 26,303 38,936 .
Heerhugowaard Heerlen
3
C b
3
Heemskerk Heemstede Heerenveen
Heesch* Heiiendoorn
Stein'
Monster
.
Harderwijk Harlingen
.C
»31 1,755 .52,268
.24,626 .21,317 .44,506 .14,532
1
Middelharnis .16,269
Nieuwegein*
Hardenberg
.F
...15,772
malsen'
3
.
Naaldwijk
hage)
.
Asten
5 4
E
..147,,624
»?S4 ,063 33 ,558
103,684
Hague, The I's Craven-
.
.21 ,089
.
5 5
1% ,130
Emmen
Haarlemmei^ meer*
Heiievoetsluis*
...11,,518
.
Elburg
E
G C
.
Assen
.
C
.
.to ,611
,69 ,079
.
Enkhuizen
.B
.30,,880
(393 ,326
Enschede
F
.
21 ,479 .
Drachten Dronten
.