The World Book Encyclopedia - N-O [14, 2003 ed.] 0716601036, 9780716601036

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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

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Copyright©

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1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957 by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation.

Copyright©

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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,

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1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978

by World Book-Childcraft International,

Inc.

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ISBN 0-7166-0103-6 Library of

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Printed in the United States of

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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

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