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After football, basketball is the biggest (and tallest!) team sport in the world! But how much do you know about this great game and the legendary NBA?

Basketball basics

Teams of five players have to score points by throwing a ball through a hoop (called a basket) ten feet (about 3m) off the ground at the end of the court. Players can run with the ball, but only if they're bouncing it (called dribbling). You get two points for a basket but three points if the ball is thrown into the hoop from outside the three point arc, which is a whopping 23ft 9in (7.24m) from the basket. Whoa!

Founded back in 1946, today there are 30 teams in the NBA, spread across North America including one in Canada. Because North America is so huge, teams are split into two Conferences - the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. At the end of the season, the eight best teams from each Conference qualify for the Playoffs and the winners of each Conference play each other in the NBA Finals. The first team to win four games is crowned NBA Champions! Last season's champs were the Golden State Warriors!

YOUR turn to play!

Did you know there's a Junior NBA league? So yup, you can take part in all the brilliant, bouncing action!

The Jr. NBA is the league's global youth basketball program for boys and girls, teaching super basketball skills as well as the important values of this brilliant sport. During the 2017-2018 season, the NBA will reach more than 26 million youngsters in 71 countrie s around the world through sports camps, basketball games and challenges and exciting events!

Check out this video to find out why kids love taking part in the Jr. NBA!
To find out more, ask your parents or a teacher to dribble over to jrnbaleague.uk
WIN!

We have ten awesome goody bags up for grabs. Click here to enter the competition. Good luck, gang!
To watch NBA highlights and follow your favourite teams and players visit nba.com/uk

To check out awesome NBA jerseys and goodies go to nbastore.eu

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Bonkers about basketball - National Geographic Kids

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Get the lowdown on the NBA. Learn all about this legendary basketball league and find out how you can take part in the Jr. NBA Basketball England League!

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Cheltenham Sports is a volunteer athletic program offering youths in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania the opportunity to participate in Soccer, Basketball, and Roller Hockey!

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Educational Videos for Students (Cartoons on Bullying, Leadership & More)

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Jordan vs LeBron Debate... Who is the GOAT? | Black History Facts

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Clemens Maier-Wolthausen | Live animals for the Berlin Zoological Garden, Aquarium, and Tierpark have always come from a variety of sources. They have their own histories, and present political, logistical, and moral challenges for these institutions.

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When you think about a zoo, what kinds of careers come to mind? Zookeeper? Veterinarian? Concession vendor? How about Guest Services? Or Educator…

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When everyone goes to the zoo, they all have different feelings towards the conditions. Many are excited and amazed that they're able to see such amazing animals, but some see a very different situation. Some are worried about the animals, whether it may seem like there is too little space, the animals don't get enough food, or maybe even the origins of the animals. While in very few areas these concerns may be true, in the majority they are not, many zoos actually participate in various conservation programs. Your zoo is most likely even participating in at least one program. The most common effort that zoos put forward is breeding programs. Zoos will take in a variety of different species and care for them. While caring for them, endangered, extirpated, and sometimes even animals extinct in the wild participate in a breeding program. The program is an effort to reintroduce animals back into their native homes. Many zoos have to work together to make this possible, if they don't they wouldn't be able to achieve high levels of biodiversity, because it would be the same animals being bred, causing unintentional inbreeding. Once bred, zoos end up preparing the young animals for a life in the wild through enrichment, then release them into areas of their native range. The new numbers are closely monitored to see what new efforts may be needed.

Mazie was found in her dead mothers pouch, now she help teach people about opossums.

Many people don't know where the animals in a zoo originate from, so some people assume that the animals are taken out of their natural habitats for the sole purpose of being in the zoo, seemingly contrasting other conservation efforts. Rest assured, this is not the case. Many animals in zoos were at one point patients due to various injuries. Many times the animals had been taken in due to injuries caused by human actions, alternately if someone finds a struggling animal in the wild they may also bring it into the zoo vets. Other animals are typically given to the zoo by an owner who couldn't care for them, rescues (from when people just release a pet into the wild), or they may have been born and raised in captivity. Animals in a zoo aren't just there to entertain families, they are also there to educate people. Animals on exhibit allow people to learn and become aware of more animals, as well as learning about the conservation of each animal. It is also quite common to see animals that aren't a part of the zoo. As predators are kept out, it makes a great safe haven for many prey species, and migratory birds (especially if there are wetlands).

Amelia is a raptor rehab patient who couldn't be released due to her injury, now she can help teach people about bald eagles

If a person still isn't sure if their zoo is truly good, they can always check for an AZA (association of zoos and aquariums) accreditation. To get accredited, a zoo has to be performing the best practices according to the set standards. This includes ensuring that all of the animals have adequate space, enough food and water, proper safety, and, in general, proper care. Every accredited zoo takes part in conservation programs, and undergoes evaluations multiple times a year to ensure that they truly deserve to be AZA accredited. While zoos tend to have a bad reputation, they truly are beneficial to society and nature. As they can provide safety for native wild animals, a healing place for the injured, as well as attempt to conserve and reintroduce animals who have been extirpated. They also allow for public education, which spreads awareness about the endangered species and can spark a lifelong love for animals.
All photos in this blog belong to the author.

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When everyone goes to the zoo, they all have different feelings towards the conditions. Many are excited and amazed that they're able to see such amazing animals, but some see a very different situation. Some are worried about the animals, whether it may seem like there is too little space, the animals don't get enough food, or maybe even the origins of the animals.

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A zoo is a place where animals live in captivity and are put on display for people to view. The word "zoo" is short for "zoological park."

Subjects

Biology, Social Studies, World History

A zoo is a place where animals live in captivity and are put on display for people to view. The word "zoo" is short for "zoological park." Zoos contain wide varieties of animals that are native to all parts of the Earth.

Though people have kept wild animals for thousands of years, those collections have not always resembled modern zoos. The first zoos were created as private collections by the wealthy to show their power. These private collections were called menageries.

Wall carvings found in Egypt and Mesopotamia are evidence that rulers and aristocrats created menageries as early as 2500 BCE. They left records of expeditions to distant places to bring back exotic animals such as giraffes, elephants, bears, dolphins, and birds. There is evidence that ancient zoo owners hired animal handlers to make sure their animals thrived and reproduced.

Zoos also existed in later civilizations, including China, Greece, and Rome. The Aztec emperor Montezuma II, in what is today Mexico, maintained one of the earliest animal collections in the Western Hemisphere. It was destroyed by Hernan Cortes during the Spanish conquest in 1520.

Modern Zoos

The model of the modern, public zoo became popular in 18th century, during the Age of Enlightenment. The Age of Enlightenment was a period in European history when science, reason, and logic were promoted as ideals of society and government. The scientific focus of the Age of Enlightenment extended to zoology.

During this time, people started wanting to study animals for scientific reasons. Scientists wanted to research animal behavior and anatomy. To do this, scientists and zookeepers had to keep animals in places that were close to, or resembled, the animals' natural habitats.

The first modern zoo, built in 1793, opened in Paris, France. The menageries of French aristrocrats, including the king and queen, were taken by leaders of the French Revolution and relocated to the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes. The facility is still a busy and popular zoo in downtown Paris.

Early zoos like the Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes were more like museums of living animals than natural habitats. Animals were kept in small display areas, with as many species as space would allow.

Today, zoos are meant to entertain and educate the public but have a strong emphasis on scientific research and species conservation. There is a trend toward giving animals more space and recreating natural habitats. Zoos are usually regulated and inspected by the government.

Types of Zoos

Urban and Suburban Zoos
Urban zoos, located in large cities, still resemble the smaller zoos that were popular 200 years ago. Often, these zoos sit in the middle of cities, making expansion difficult. There is little room for urban zoos to grow, and many of the zoo's buildings are historic landmarks that cannot be destroyed or redesigned.

In many urban zoos, animals are kept in relatively small enclosures. Some animal activists argue that keeping animals in urban settings is cruel because of cramped conditions, noise, and pollution.

Urban zoos are common in Europe, while many zoos in the United States developed as sprawling parks in suburbs outside cities. These open-range zoos give animals more territory to roam and provide more natural habitats. This popular technique of building realistic habitats is called landscape immersion.

The San Diego Zoo, in southern California, is the largest zoo in the United States. It is a suburban zoo that houses more than 4,000 animals (800 different species) in its 0.4 square kilometers (100 acres). Landscape immersion divides animals into their natural habitats, such as the tundra (with reindeer and polar bears) or bamboo forest (featuring pandas.) The San Diego Zoo also includes a wild animal park, which is even more expansive (almost 8 square kilometers or 2,000 acres.)

Larger than urban and open-range zoos, safari parks are areas where tourists can drive their own cars to see non-native wildlife living in large, enclosed areas. These attractions allow the animals more space than the small enclosures of traditional zoos.

Fuji Safari Park, in Susono, Japan, offers a traditional zoo as well as a drive-through safari park. Visitors can take their own cars or one of the park's buses. Fuji Safari Park offers night tours, so visitors can see nocturnal animals, or animals that are active at night. At the park, visitors can also feed some animals, such as lions, from bus windows. Not all parks encourage or even allow visitors to feed animals.
Safari Parks

Safari parks, especially in Europe, are often part of larger theme parks or resorts. They include golf courses and fairground attractions, such as games and rides.

Game reserves are large Game Reserves swaths of land whose ecosystems and native species are protected. The protections allow animals to live and reproduce at natural rates. Animals are allowed to roam free.

In the 1800s, a trip to hunt "big game" (large animals such as elephants or lions) was called a safari. While some game reserves allow traditional hunting safaris today, others limit visitors to a "photo safari," where visitors can shoot photographs, not animals.

Animals in all game reserves are protected from illegal hunting, which is a threat to many endangered species. Legal hunts are regulated by the government. Hunters must purchase licenses and are strictly limited to the type and number of animals they can hunt. Poachers, or hunters without licenses, kill animals for valuable body parts. Elephants, for example, are killed by poachers for their ivory tusks.

There are game reserves in Asia, the Americas, and Australia. However, most game reserves are in Africa. Millions of visitors flock to sites across Africa to see the same animals that captivated audiences thousands of years ago. The biggest attractions are Africa's "Big Five" species-lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and water buffalo. The Big Five are not Africa's largest species (although the elephant is): They are the most difficult to find and, when legal, to hunt.

Only recently has a single zoo, Gondwana Game Reserve in South Africa, offered all Big Five animals in one place. Gondwana sits on 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) near the center of South Africa's southern coast. Like many large game reserves, Gondwana has diverse ecosystems that occur naturally and has no need for landscape immersion. In Gondwana, grasslands coexist with shrubland called fynbos. Visitors to Gondwana, like many game reserves, can stay in hotels right in the park.

Petting zoos feature domesticated animals that are gentle enough for children to pet and feed. Sheep, goats, donkeys, and rabbits are common petting zoo animals.

These types of zoos are found at parks and inside of larger zoos. Sometimes mobile petting zoos travel with fairs or carnivals from city to city.

Specialization

Most zoos have specialized enclosures and habitats for specific animals. Zoos in cold climates, such as Novosibirsk, Russia, must recreate warm ecosystems for animals like lemurs. Lemurs are a type of primate native to the island of Madagascar, off Africa's east coast. The summer temperatures of both Siberia and Madagascar are about the same-around 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit). Petting zoos

However, Madagascar receives about 200 to 250 millimeters (8 to 10 inches) of rain each summer, making it a humid jungle environment. Novosibirsk gets just 60 to 65 millimeters (2 to 3 inches) of rain and snow. The difference in winter temperatures is even more drastic: Madagascar is about 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). Lemurs' fur can keep them warm at this temperature. Winter in Novosibirsk is -10 degrees Celsius (13 degrees Fahrenheit). The Novosibirsk Zoo has two species of lemur with a specialized heated enclosure with high humidity.

Some zoos are dedicated entirely to certain species. Aquariums are types of zoos that exclusively house aquatic animals. The Sydney Aquarium in Australia has exhibits of all of Australia's major water systems and is home to more than 650 native Australian species.

Aviaries and bird parks are another type of specialized zoo. The Jurong Bird Park in Singapore has more than 8,000 birds of 600 species from around the world. Jurong has more than 1,000 flamingoes in an African wetlands exhibit that features a daily simulated thunderstorm.

Conservation

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the international organization for zoos, is concerned with the health of animals in zoos. The focus of environmental efforts takes the form of research, captive breeding of rare animals, and conservation.

Researchers at zoos can study animals up-close. They can observe behavior such as mating and nutrition choices. Biologists and veterinarians are also available to treat sick or injured animals.

Captive breeding of endangered species makes zoos valuable places for animal survival. Animals such as the black soft-shelled turtle, native to India and Bangladesh, are extinct in the wild. But they survive in several zoos around the world, with their health looked after by biologists.

The goal of many captive breeding programs at zoos is the re-introduction of animals into the wild. The California condor, a very large bird native to the west coast of the United States, has been re-introduced to its native habitat after breeding in zoos and wildlife parks. There are several breeding pairs of California condors in the wild today.

Critics of captive breeding programs say that releasing a few animals into the wild does little to help the species population. Animals are extinct in the wild largely due to loss of habitat. The re-introduction of animals, especially large mammals that require vast territory for survival, does nothing to recover lost habitat. People continue to develop land for homes and businesses.

Zoos often have conservation projects in the native habitats of the animals they keep in captivity. For instance, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums established a partnership with people in rural Papua New Guinea to save tree kangaroos. These rare species are threatened by loss of habitat and the growing population of Papua New Guinea: Villagers hunt the tree kangaroo for meat. A zoo program introduced a rabbit-farming program to address the nutritional needs of the villagers. Zoos also set up conservation sites where the hunting of tree kangaroos was outlawed.

While zoos have put more importance on conservation and humane animal treatment in recent decades, some critics say it is cruel to keep animals in captivity. Critics argue that living in captivity takes away wild animals' natural behavior and instincts. Supporters of zoos say they play an important role in protecting endangered species.

Fast Fact

Modern Menageries
People still enjoy collecting animals to display in their private homes. The American entertainer Michael Jackson, for instance, had a menagerie that included tigers, giraffes, parrots, and, of course, his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles.

The Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar kept an enormous private zoo that included elephants, buffalo, and camels. Some of Escobar's hippopotamuses, native to Africa, escaped into the Colombian jungle. After Escobar's death, the rest of the animals were sold or donated to zoos around the world.

Fast Fact

City of Brotherly Animals
The first zoo in the United States opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1874. The Philadelphia Zoo remains one of the most important zoos and facilities for breeding rare and endangered animals.

Fast Fact

Zoo-Literacy
Many books of fiction, nonfiction, and historical fiction concern zoos.

Life of Pi is a novel by Canadian author Yann Martel. The father of the main character, Pi, is a zookeeper at the Pondicherry Zoo in India. When traveling across the Pacific Ocean, from India to Toronto, Canada, the boat carrying Pi, his family, and all the animals of the zoo sinks. The only survivors, alone on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean, are Pi and the zoo's Bengal tiger, whose name is Richard Parker.

Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War is a nonfiction book written by Yukio Tsuchiya and illustrated by Ted Levin. The book tells the story of three elephants of the Uneo Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, in the time leading up to World War II.

Pride of Baghdad is a graphic novel written by Brian K. Vaughn and illustrated by Niko Henrichon. The factual story, of lions that escaped from the Baghdad Zoo as the war in Iraq began, is told from the lions' point of view.

Media Credits

The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.

Illustrators

Mary Crooks, National Geographic Society

Editors

Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing, Emdash Editing

Producer

National Geographic Society

other

Last Updated

October 19, 2023

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A zoo is a place where animals live in captivity and are put on display for people to view. The word "zoo" is short for "zoological park."

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Home > Course schedule > Dinosaurs, crocodiles and birds > What is a reptile?

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Download FREE teacher-made resources covering 'Reptile'

What are reptiles?

Reptiles are cold-blooded animals that are characterised by their scales and their ability to lay eggs.

They include animals like crocodiles, snakes, lizards and turtles. Snakes are reptiles!

Reptiles are tetrapod vertebrates, meaning that they all have back-bones and that the majority have four legs, with snakes being the exception. As most reptiles' skin is made up of scales, this means that they often shed the outer layer of their skin. Some do this quicker than others, but it's usually all down to the temperature of their environment - so, where they live!

Some well-known examples of reptiles include animals like crocodiles, snakes (check out our Dangerous Snakes of the World Worksheet), lizards and turtles. You will have heard of these, but did you know that there are many types of reptiles that you might not have heard of? Let's explore the different types of reptiles below!

Types of reptiles

Snakes

Snakes are reptiles with long, thin bodies and no legs. There are more than 3,000 species of snakes in the world, and they live everywhere except in Antarctica, Iceland, Ireland, Greenland, and New Zealand.

There are some lizards that look like snakes because they have no legs, but the way to tell the difference between them is that lizards have eyelids and snakes don't!

Nearly all snakes are covered in scales, which serve two main purposes: they help trap moisture in arid climates and reduce friction as the snake moves.

Crocodilians

Crocodilians comprise a range of large reptiles, including alligators, crocodiles, caiman and gharials. They are ferocious predators and can be found all around the world. The larger species are able to devour large mammals, from antelope to bison. Others prey on smaller animals, and some feed on fish.

There are two types of crocodiles, depending on the environment in which they live: freshwater and saltwater. The saltwater crocodile is one of the biggest reptiles in the world!

Alligator species are mostly found in the Americas, while crocodile species can be found in Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Chameleons

Chameleons mostly live in the rain forests and deserts of Africa. Lots of chameleons are able to change colour, which helps them attract mates, regulate their body temperature, and keep intruders away.

A veiled chameleon is also known by its scientific name Chamaeleo calyptratus. They live up to eight years and can grow up to 24 inches. You'll be happy to hear that the veiled chameleon isn't close to going extinct - this means we can expect to see these cool reptiles around for many years to come! They have a very distinct look as they have a pointed head, but what makes this even more interesting is that they use this structure to channel water into their mouths.

One of the most fascinating things about the veiled chameleon is that it can change colour! How cool is that? This makes the chameleon one of the more popular types of reptiles, as lots of us find the colour changing nature captivating. These reptiles can change colour by loads of pigmented cells in their skin. The colour they change to can often mimic their surroundings or to assert their dominance. In other words, show others who's boss! This makes this type of reptile pretty unique.

Tortoises and turtles

Tortoises and turtles have been around for nearly 200 million years, and very little has changed about them in that time!

Though they look similar, tortoises are usually found living on dry land and have round, stumpy legs. Turtles, on the other hand, spend much of their time in the water, and many have adapted webbed feet to help them swim in ponds and rivers. In fact, feet are a useful way of telling apart a tortoise from a turtle! Tortoise feet typically look like tiny elephant feet, whereas semi-aquatic and aquatic turtles have webbed feet. It is only the sea turtle that has true flippers.

The Indian Star Tortoise is another popular type of reptile and can be found in Asia. They can live up to 80 years and can only travel less than one mile per hour. This means that they are very slow! This tortoise, like many others, is actually popular in the exotic pet trade, so you can expect many people to have tortoises as pets in their own homes.

Lizards

Lizards are one of the most common types of reptiles, with over 6,000 species worldwide. Many lizards live on the ground, but there are also some species that live in trees, and others underground, like the worm lizard.

A lizard's diet usually consists of insects and other small animals, and some lizards simply enjoy plants. However, there are larger lizards, like the monitor lizard, that preys on animals as big as deer!

Similar to snakes, lizards shed their skin. However, unlike snakes, their skin usually peels off in large chunks rather than all at once.

Here at Twinkl, we create excellent resources to make lessons as engaging and enjoyable as possible. Of course, we make sure that our activities fit nicely into the curriculum, too! To get your classroom excited about different types of reptiles, check out our teacher-made Differentiated Reading Comprehension Activity all about British reptiles. In this resource, you can expect to find three pages of informative content about reptiles and some questions to follow.

Other types of reptiles include animals such as iguanas, geckos, tortoises and so much more! They can either live on land or water.

Location

Reptiles can be found on most continents except Antarctica.

In Britain, common reptiles include Britain's only venomous snake, the adder, as well as grass snakes and common lizards. There are six native species of reptiles in the UK: three snakes (grass, smooth, and adder) and three lizards (common, sand, and slow worm). There are some species that have been introduced to the UK.

Reptiles can be found in a variety of habitats, from compost heaps to woodland areas.

In Britain, reptiles are easier to see basking in sunny areas. Chances are that if you ever see a snake, as a reptile, it will be enjoying the sunshine to warm itself up.

Body temperature

Unlike birds and mammals, reptiles do not maintain constant body temperature.

They do not have fur or feathers to keep warm, or sweat glands and the ability to pant to help them cool down.

Because of this, they actively need to seek sunlight or shade to help maintain their body temperature.

This makes them cold-blooded animals with slow metabolisms. Snakes are reptiles, as you might have guessed, because they are scaly creatures who mostly lay eggs to reproduce.

Laying eggs

Reptile reproduction is also dependent on temperature.

Most reptiles lay their eggs in a simple nest and leave, waiting for them to hatch.

This can take as little as a few days or as long as a few months, depending on the species.

The soil temperature around the nest helps determine what proportion of the eggs will hatch to be male or female.

Most infant reptiles can walk, move or swim within hours of their birth.

Although snakes are reptiles and therefore lay eggs, boas and pythons give birth to live young.

Reptile facts

Reptiles first appear in fossil records 315 million years ago

Because the mother leaves the eggs, reptiles have to fend for themselves from birth

They use methods like biting, hissing and camouflage to defend themselves from predators.

The size of reptile's brains relative to their body is much smaller than that of mammals.

The heaviest reptile alive today is the Komodo dragon, weighing in at up to 92kg!

Vocabulary for teaching about reptiles

Adaptation - a characteristic of an organism that increases its chance of survival in its environment.

Camouflage - the colouration and/or shape of an organism that allows it to blend in with its surroundings (also known as "cryptic colouration").

Cold-blooded - an animal that is unable to automatically control its body temperature. Instead, body temperature is dependent on the temperature of its environment.

Environment - the conditions that affect an organism, such as plants, animals, water, soil, weather, landforms, and air.

Food chain - the transfer of energy through various stages as a result of the feeding patterns of a series of organisms.

Habitat - a place in an ecosystem where an animal, plant, or other organism lives.

Mammal - a warm-blooded, vertebrate animal.

Predator - an organism (usually an animal) that preys on and consumes other animals.

Prey - an organism caught or hunted for food by another organism

Scales - the shield of skin that protects a reptile. Reptilian scales are made of keratin, like hair, and are found in an overlapping arrangement.

Vertebrates - an animal that has a vertebral column (backbone or spinal column).

Resources for teaching about reptiles

Reptiles Display Photos - This fantastic set of colour photographs features some of the most well-known reptiles, from reptiles native to Britain, to the magnificent Komodo dragon from the islands in southeastern Indonesia!

Reptile Word Mat - This word mat is excellent for supporting children alongside their independent writing about reptiles. Each word is paired with a colourful, hand-drawn illustration to help your children remember the key words.

KS1 Crocodiles Fact File - This fact file explains all about crocodiles, including their appearance, habitat and diet. Children can learn interesting facts about these ancient predators in a simple, easy-to-read way. A great kick-starter activity for a research project.

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What is a Reptile? Are Snakes Reptiles? | Types of Reptiles

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Explore what a reptile is, the different types of reptiles and their characteristics and more with this informative Teaching Wiki!

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Learn about reptiles and their characteristics

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Learn about reptiles and their characteristics

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Reptiles for Kids | What is a reptile? Learn all about reptiles and their characteristics

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Climate Change for Kids | A fun engaging introduction to climate change for kids

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Weather for Kids | What is weather, and how does it work?

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Weather or climate...what's the difference?

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Weather or climate...what's the difference?

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While weather refers to short-term changes in the atmosphere, climate refers to atmospheric changes over longer periods of time, usually 30 years or more.

Subjects

Earth Science, Meteorology

Image

Lightning Grand Canyon

Weather-like this lightning storm in the Grand Canyon, Arizona-refers to short-term changes in the atmosphere, whereas climate refers to atmospheric changes over longer periods of time.

Photograph by Michael Nichols

Contrary to popular opinion, science is not divided on the issue of climate change. The overwhelming majority (97 percent) of scientists agree that global warming is real, and that it is largely caused by human activity. And yet we seem to be experiencing record-breaking cold winters; in January 2019, a polar vortex plunged parts of North America into Arctic conditions. It may seem counterintuitive but cold weather events like these do not disprove global warming, because weather and climate are two different things.

Understanding Weather

Weather refers to the short-term conditions of the lower atmosphere, such as precipitation, temperature, humidity, wind direction, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure. It could be sunny, cloudy, rainy, foggy, cold, hot, windy, stormy, snowing ... the list goes on.

The sun drives different types of weather by heating air in the lower atmosphere at varying rates. Warm air rises and cold air rushes in to fill its place, causing wind. These winds, along with water vapor in the air, influence the formation and movement of clouds, precipitation, and storms.

The atmospheric conditions that influence weather are always fluctuating, which is why the weather is always changing. Meteorologists analyze data from satellites, weather stations, and buoys to predict weather conditions over the upcoming days or weeks. These forecasts are important because weather influences many aspects of human activity. Sailors and pilots, for example, need to know when there might be a big storm coming, and farmers need to plan around the weather to plant and harvest crops. Firefighters also keep track of daily weather in order to be prepared for the likelihood of forest fires. Weather forecasts are also useful for military mission planning, for features of trade, and for warning people of potentially dangerous weather conditions.

Understanding Climate

While weather refers to short-term changes in the atmosphere, climate refers to atmospheric changes over longer periods of time, usually defined as 30 years or more. This is why it is possible to have an especially cold spell even though, on average, global temperatures are rising. The former is a weather event that takes place over the course of days, while the latter indicates an overall change in climate, which occurs over decades. In other words, the cold winter is a relatively small atmospheric perturbation within a much larger, long-term trend of warming.

Despite their differences, weather and climate are interlinked. As with weather, climate takes into account precipitation, wind speed and direction, humidity, and temperature. In fact, climate can be thought of as an average of weather conditions over time. More importantly, a change in climate can lead to changes in weather patterns.

Climate conditions vary between different regions of the world and influence the types of plants and animals that live there. For example, the Antarctic has a polar climate with subzero temperatures, violent winds, and some of the driest conditions on Earth. The organisms that live there are highly adapted to survive the extreme environment.

By contrast, the Amazon rainforest enjoys a tropical climate. Temperatures are consistently warm with high humidity, plenty of rainfall, and a lack of clearly defined seasons. These stable conditions support a very high diversity of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.

Our Climate Is Changing

The global climate has always been in a state of flux. However, it is changing much faster now than it has in the past, and this time human activities are to blame. One of the leading factors contributing to climate change is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil, which we use for transport, energy production, and industry.

Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere; CO2 is one of a group of chemicals known as greenhouse gases. They are so named because they allow heat from the sun to enter the atmosphere but stop it from escaping, much like the glass of a greenhouse. The overall effect is that the global temperature rises, leading to a phenomenon known as global warming.

Global warming is a type of climate change, and it is already having a measurable effect on the planet in the form of melting Arctic sea ice, retreating glaciers, rising sea levels, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and a change in animal and plant ranges. The planet has already heated by about 0.8°C (1.4°F) in the last century, and temperatures have continued to rise.

Scientists cannot directly attribute any specific extreme weather event to climate change, but they are certain that climate change makes extreme weather more likely. In 2018, at least 5,000 people were killed and 28.9 million more required aid as a result of extreme weather events. The Indian state of Kerala was devastated by flooding; California was ravaged by a series of wildfires; and the strongest storm of the year, supertyphoon Mangkhut, crashed into the Philippines. It is likely that more frequent and more severe weather events are on the horizon.

Climate change is not a new concept, and yet little seems to have been done about it on a global scale. The greenhouse effect was first discovered in the 1800s, but it was not until 1988 that the global community galvanized to form the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Since then, leaders from around the world have committed to a series of goals to combat climate change, the latest of which is the Paris Agreement in which 185 countries have pledged to stop global temperatures from rising by more than 2°C (3.6°F) above preindustrial levels. In 2015, all United Nations member states agreed to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) designed to "provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future." SDG 13 in particular commands member states to "take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts."

Part of the reason the global community has been so slow to act on climate change could be the confusion surrounding distinctions between weather and climate. People are reluctant to believe that the climate is changing when they can look outside their window and see for themselves that the weather appears typical.

Media Credits

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Director

Tyson Brown, National Geographic Society

Author

National Geographic Society

Production Managers

Gina Borgia, National Geographic Society

Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society

Program Specialists

Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society, National Geographic Society

Margot Willis, National Geographic Society

other

Last Updated

October 19, 2023

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Weather or Climate ... What's the Difference?

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While weather refers to short-term changes in the atmosphere, climate refers to atmospheric changes over longer periods of time, usually 30 years or more.

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Weather is a specific event—like a rainstorm or hot day—that happens over a few hours, days or weeks. Climate is the average weather conditions in a place over 30 years or more. NASA has observed that Earth’s climate is getting warmer.

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Biographies (search a specific person/player)

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Biographies (search a specific person/player)

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Animals Fine Arts Language Arts Places Plants and Other Living Things Science and Mathematics Social Studies Sports and Hobbies World Religions

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What is a wildfire?A wildfire also known as a wildland fire, forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, peat fire, bushfire (in Australia), or hill fire is an uncontrolled fire often occurring in wildland areas, but which can also consume houses or agricultural resources. Wildfires often begin unnoticed, but they spread quickly igniting brush, trees and homes.What causes a wildfire?Common causes of wildfires include lightning, human carelessness, arson, volcano eruption, and pyroclastic cloud from active volcano. Heat waves, droughts, and cyclical climate changes such as El Niño can also have a dramatic effect on the risk of wildfires. Although, more than four out of every five wildfires are caused by people.Where can wildfires occur?Wildfires can occur anywhere, but are common in the forested areas of the United States and Canada. They are also susceptible in many places around the world, including much of the vegetated areas of Australia as well as in the Western Cape of South Africa. The climates are sufficiently moist to allow the growth of trees, but feature extended dry, hot periods. Fires are particularly prevalent in the summer and fall, and during droughts when fallen branches, leaves, and other material can dry out and become highly flammable. Wildfires are also common in grasslands and scrublands.What are the Santa Ana winds?The Santa Ana winds are hot, dry winds that aggravate the fire danger in forests and bush lands. These winds characteristically appear in Southern California and Northern Baja California weather during autumn and early winter. In southern California, under the influence of Santa Ana winds, wildfires can move at tremendous speeds, up to 40 miles in a single day, consuming up to 1,000 acres per hour. Dense clouds of burning embers push ahead of the flames crossing firebreaks without a problem.What is a fire tornado?A fire tornado or fire whirl is just a tornado made of fire. It happens when certain conditions (depending on air temperature and currents), acquires a vertical vorticity and forms a whirl, or a tornado-like effect. Fire tornadoes may be whirlwinds separated from the flames, either within the burn area or outside it. A fire tornado can make fires more dangerous.How do firefighters put out the wildfires?Firefighters use a tool known as a pulaski. Its a combination of an ax and hoe used to dig a fireline. A fireline is a strip of land from which all brush and debris have been cleared to rob a wildfire of its fuel. Firefighters also use hotshots and smoke jumpers to clear a large path in a big circle around the fire so the blaze is contained in a ring of dirt. When the fire reaches this area, it runs out of fuel and starves to death. If the fire is too large, however, planes and helicopters fly overhead, dropping water and special chemicals that smother the flames. This pink, fire-retardant chemical is called sky jell-o.Click Here to get the latest wildfire information.

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Videos for Kids - Wildfire and Home Fire Facts for Kids

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Wildfires and home fires are the most common disasters impacting California. Help your kids learn about preparedness and what to do in an emergency with our Pedro the Penguin videos.

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In September 1939, Britain entered into what would become the world's most devastating war to date. Learn all about the events that changed the lives of millions in our World War 2 facts....
World War 2 facts

1. World War 2 was a battle between two groups of countries

- the " Allies" and the " Axis ". The major Allied Powers were Britain, France, Russia, China and the United States. The major Axis Powers were Germany, Italy and Japan.

(AD)

2. Before World War 2 began, Germany was ruled by a man named Adolf Hitler

Together with the Nazi Party, he wanted Germany to rule Europe. To gain more land and power, on 1 September 1939 German troops invaded Poland. After Hitler refused to stop the invasion, Britain and France declared war on Germany - World War II had begun.

3. During the course of the war, German forces advanced through Europe.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Second World War primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

4. Millions of Germans were imprisoned and killed because they didn't fit the image of the 'perfect' German

Hitler wanted to create what he thought was the "best" and strongest race - and to the Nazi Party, this excluded certain groups, such as Jews, Gypsies and those with physical and mental disabilities. In an attempt to eliminate a "racial enemy" outside of Germany, such groups were also persecuted in the countries invaded by German forces.

5. The group most heavily targeted by the Nazis were the Jews

Around six million Jewish people were killed during World War 2 in one of history's most terrible events - the Holocaust. Racist in his views, Hitler blamed Jewish people for Germany losing World War I and claimed they were dangerous to German people and society.

6. Around the same time that Germany fought for power in Europe, Japan wanted to control Asia and the Pacific

In 1937 (before World War 2 had officially begun) under Emperor Hirohito, Japan attacked China, bringing the two nations into years of conflict.

7. The US didn't join the war until 1941, when Japan attacked the United States

- at their Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. On 8 December 1941 (the very next day), the US declared War on Japan and, in turn, its German allies.

8. Some countries remained 'neutral' in World War 2

Such countries were Spain, Sweden and Switzerland - who chose not to join either side.

9. The Germans surrendered on 8 May 1945

In 1944, an Allied army crossed from Britain to free France from Nazi rule. One year later, Allied armies invaded Germany, forcing the Germans to surrender. After nuclear attacks on Japan's major cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan also surrendered to Allied forces in August the same year. World War 2 had ended.

10. Around 64 million people died in World War 2

- that's more than the entire population of the United Kingdom.

Find out more about the countries involved in World War 2 with our Germany, Japan and USA facts. Plus, learn about the life of Anne Frank, a young German girl who wrote a world-famous diary...

*Yugoslavia was a country established in 1918 in south-east Europe, which included modern-day Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

*USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or the Soviet Union) was a former country which included modern-day Russia, Ukraine and Estonia, as well as other socialist states.

What did you think of our World War 2 facts? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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Learn astonishing World War 2 facts with Nat Geo Kids. When did the war start? Who fought in in the war and why? How did it change the course of history?

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Kids learn about World War II in history. Educational articles for teachers, students, and schools including WWII battles, leaders, generals, countries, Allied vs. Axis powers, Europe, Germany, Hitler, Holocaust, atomic bomb, daily life, weapons, and causes.

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World War 2: Facts & Information for Kids - History for Kids

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World War 2 was the biggest war in global history. It lasted 6 years, involved over 30 countries and killed millions. Learn all about it!

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Adolf Hitler's rise to power began during Germany's interwar period, a time of great social and political upheaval. Within a matter of years, the Nazi Party was transformed from an obscure group to the nation's leading political faction.

April 20: Adolf Hitler is born in Braunau am Inn, Austria-Hungary. His family later moves to Germany.

August: Hitler joins the German military at the start of World War I. Some historians believe this is the result of an administrative error; as an Austrian citizen, Hitler should not be allowed to join the German ranks.

October: The military, fearing the blame from an inevitable defeat, encourages a civilian government to form. Under Prince Max of Baden, they sue for peace.

November 11: World War I ends with Germany signing an armistice.

March 23: Benito Mussolini forms the National Fascist Party in Italy. Its success will be a huge influence on Hitler.

June 28: Germany is forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles, which imposes strict sanctions on the country. Anger at the treaty and the weight of reparations will destabilize Germany for years.​

July 31: A socialist interim German government is replaced by the official creation of the democratic Weimar Republic.

September 12: Hitler joins the German Workers' Party, having been sent to spy on it by the military.

February 24: Hitler becomes increasingly important to the German Workers' Party thanks to his speeches. The group declares a Twenty-Five Point Program to transform Germany.

July 29: Hitler is able to become chairman of his party, which is renamed the National Socialist German Workers' Party, or NSDAP.

October 30: Mussolini manages to turn luck and division into an invitation to run the Italian government. Hitler notes his success.

January 27: Munich holds the first Nazi Party Congress.

November 9: Hitler believes the time is right to stage a coup. Aided by a force of SA brownshirts, the support of WW1 leader Erich Ludendorff, and browbeaten locals, he stages the Beer Hall Putsch. It fails.

April 1: Having turned his trial into a grandstand for his ideas and become known across Germany, Hitler is given a derisory five-month prison sentence.

December 20: Hitler is released from jail, where he has written the beginning of " Mein Kampf."

February 27: The NSDAP had moved away from Hitler's influence during his absence; now free, he reasserts control, determined to pursue a notionally legal course to power.

April 5: Prussian, aristocratic, right-leaning war leader Paul von Hindenburg is elected president of Germany.

July: Hitler publishes "Mein Kampf," a ranting exploration of what passes as his ideology.

November 9: Hitler forms a personal bodyguard unit separate from the SA, known as the SS.

May 20: Elections to the Reichstag yield just 2.6 percent of the vote to the NSDAP.﻿﻿

October 4: The New York Stock Market begins to crash, causing a great economic depression in America and around the world. As the German economy was made dependant on the United States by the Dawes plan, it begins to collapse.

January 23: Wilhelm Frick becomes the interior minister in Thuringia, the first Nazi to hold a notable position in the German government.

March 30: Heinrich Brüning takes charge of Germany via a right-leaning coalition. He wishes to pursue a deflationary policy to counter economic depression.

July 16: Facing defeat over his budget, Brüning invokes Article 48 of the constitution, which allows the government to pass laws without Reichstag consent. It is the start of a slippery slope for failing German democracy, and the start of a period of rule by Article 48 decrees.

September 14: Boosted by the rising unemployment rate, the decline of center parties, and a turn to both left and right extremists, the NSDAP wins 18.3 percent of the vote and becomes the second-largest party in the Reichstag.﻿﻿

October: The Harzburg Front is formed to try to organize Germany's right wing into a workable opposition to the government and the left. Hitler joins.

January: Hitler is welcomed by a group of industrialists; his support is broadening and gathering money.

March 13: Hitler comes a strong second in the presidential elections; Hindenburg just misses out on the election on the first ballot.

April 10: Hindenburg defeats Hitler at the second attempt to become president.

April 13: Brüning's government bans the SA and other groups from marching.

May 30: Brüning is forced to resign; Hindenburg is talked into making Franz von Papen chancellor.

June 16: The SA ban is revoked.

July 31: The NSDAP polls 37.4 percent and becomes the largest party in the Reichstag.﻿﻿

August 13: Papen offers Hitler the post of vice-chancellor, but Hitler refuses, accepting nothing less than being chancellor.

August 31: Hermann Göring, long a leading Nazi and a link between Hitler and the aristocracy, becomes president of the Reichstag and uses his new power to manipulate events.

November 6: In another election, the Nazi vote shrinks slightly.

November 21: Hitler turns down more government offers, wanting nothing less than to be chancellor.

December 2: Papen is forced out, and Hindenburg is influenced into appointing the general, and prime right-wing manipulator, Kurt von Schleicher, chancellor.

January 30: Schleicher is outmaneuvered by Papen, who persuades Hindenburg than Hitler can be controlled; the latter is made chancellor, with Papen vice-chancellor.

February 6: Hitler introduces censorship.

February 27: With elections looming, the Reichstag is set on fire by a communist.

February 28: Citing the attack on the Reichstag as evidence of a mass communist movement, Hitler passes a law ending civil liberties in Germany.

March 5: The NSDAP, riding on the communist scare and aided by a now tame police force boosted by masses of SA, polls at 43.9 percent.﻿﻿ The Nazis ban the communists.

March 21: During the "Day of Potsdam," the Nazis open the Reichstag in a carefully stage-managed act which tries to show them as heirs of the Kaiser.

March 24: Hitler passes the Enabling Act; it makes him a dictator for four years.

July 14: With other parties banned or splitting up, the NSDAP becomes the only political party left in Germany.

June 30: During the "Night of the Long Knives," dozens are killed as Hitler shatters the power of the SA, which had been challenging his goals. SA leader Ernst Röhm is executed after trying to merge his force with the army.

July 3: Papen resigns.

August 2: Hindenburg dies. Hitler merges the posts of chancellor and president, becoming the supreme leader of Nazi Germany.

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Adolf Hitler's rise to power began during Germany's interwar period, a time of great social and political upheaval. Within a matter of years, the Nazi Party was transformed from an obscure group to the nation's leading political faction. April 20: Adolf Hitler is born in Braunau am Inn, Austria-Hungary.

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Most common natural disasters across the US

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Most common natural disasters across the US

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Some disasters, like home fires, can occur anywhere. Others, like hurricanes, are more common in certain regions. Click on our map to learn about possible disasters in yours.

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What is a Disaster? Disasters can be natural or man-made. Natural disasters are caused by nature, such as tornadoes, ice storms, severe weather and…

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Most natural disasters are impossible to prevent. The forces of nature that cause them are beyond the control of humans. Their effects, however, may be reduced in several ways: by preparing for natural disasters, by preventing them where possible, and by reducing the impact they have on people.

Preparing for Natural Disasters

Developed countries that suffer from earthquakes, such as Japan and the United States, have buildings that can stand up to all but the most powerful earthquakes. Storm shelters can be built to provide a safe place for people to stay during hurricanes and tornadoes.

The Thames Barrier, in England, was built to protect London from flooding. This type of preparation is less common in developing countries because it can be very expensive.

Preventing Natural Disasters

Natural disasters that occur because of the movement of Earth's plates cannot be prevented, but some others may be preventable. Protecting the environment, for example, may prevent disasters such as avalanches and landslides. Trees on hillsides help keep snow and soil in place. If too many trees are cut down, then avalanches and landslides are more likely to happen. Flooding can be prevented in some places by strengthening a river's edges, building dams, and redirecting floodwater away from towns.

Reducing the Effects of Natural Disasters

The effects of natural disasters can be reduced in two main ways. Warning systems can tell people to prepare for a disaster, and relief agencies can help deal with the problems caused by the disaster.

Sensible planning can also prevent deaths from natural disasters. For example, people can choose not to build towns on the sides of volcanoes, in active earthquake zones, or on floodplains.

Early Warning Systems

Early warning systems can pick up clues that a natural disaster may occur. They can then send a warning message to the people it might affect. Flood and severe weather warning messages are often broadcast on television, radio, and the Internet.

Places at risk of natural disasters often have evacuation plans in place so people can get out of the area before the disaster happens. People are also taught how to cope when disaster strikes, such as keeping supplies of food and water nearby.

Relief Agencies

Relief agencies, such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent and Oxfam, help support the victims of natural disasters. These organizations set up temporary camps; provide food, medical care, and education; and help people rebuild their lives if necessary.

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Natural disasters are violent events that are outside the control of humans. They are caused by the forces of nature and may result in loss of life, injury, and damage to...

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Hurricane, or Tropical Cyclone, Katrina struck the southeastern United States in late August 2005. The hurricane and its aftermath claimed more than 1,800 lives, and it ranked as the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.

The storm began as a tropical depression over The Bahamas on August 23, 2005. Over the next two days it gathered strength, becoming a tropical storm that was named Katrina. It made landfall between Miami, Florida, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as a category 1 hurricane. Such hurricanes are capable of producing winds in the range of 74-95 miles per hour (119-154 kilometers per hour). Winds recorded at 70 miles per hour (115 kilometers per hour) whipped over Florida, and rainfall totals of 5 inches (13 centimeters) were reported in some areas. After less than eight hours over land, the storm moved off into the Gulf of Mexico, where it quickly intensified due to the warm waters.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Christine McCabe and Kenny Chmielewski

On August 27 Katrina strengthened to a category 3 hurricane (with winds capable of exceeding 115 miles per hour [185 kilometers per hour]) and covered nearly the entire Gulf of Mexico. By the following afternoon Katrina had become one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, with winds in excess of 170 miles per hour (275 kilometers per hour). On the morning of August 29, the storm made landfall as a category 4 hurricane at Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, approximately 45 miles (70 kilometers) southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana. It continued moving to the northeast, crossing the Mississippi Sound and hitting land a second time later that morning near the mouth of the Pearl River. A storm surge more than 26 feet (8 meters) high slammed into the coastal cities of Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi, destroying homes and resorts along the beachfront.

New Orleans, where much of the metropolitan area is below sea level, had been spared a direct hit. However, the levee system designed to hold back the waters of Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne failed after being inundated with 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain and Katrina's storm surge. Areas of the city began to flood. By the afternoon of August 29, some 20 percent of the city was underwater.

A mandatory evacuation of New Orleans was ordered the previous day, and an estimated 1.2 million people left ahead of the storm. However, tens of thousands of residents either could not or would not leave. Some stayed in their homes while others sought shelter at the New Orleans Convention Center or the Louisiana Superdome. In the meantime, the levee system continued to give way, and by August 30 the city was 80 percent underwater. Many local agencies, with their own headquarters and control centers under 20 feet (6 meters) of water, were unable to respond to the dire situation. Without an organized effort to restore order in the city, looting became widespread.

The Red Cross set up a shelter at the Houston Astrodome, some 350 miles (560 kilometers) away from New Orleans. Although the first evacuees began to arrive on August 31, tens of thousands of people remained in the city. By September 1 an estimated 30,000 people had fled to the damaged Superdome, and an additional 25,000 had gathered at the Convention Center. Shortages of food and potable water quickly became an issue, and daily temperatures reached 90° F (32° C). A lack of basic sanitation as well as bacteria-laden floodwaters created a public health emergency.

By September 2 an effective military presence was established in the city to restore order. National Guard troops also were used to distribute food and water. Hurricane victims were still being evacuated, and crews began to rebuild the breached levees. On September 6, local police estimated that there were fewer than 10,000 residents left in New Orleans. As the recovery began, dozens of countries contributed funds and supplies, and Canada and Mexico deployed troops to the Gulf Coast to assist with the cleanup and rebuilding. The last of the floodwaters were pumped out of the city on October 11, 2005, some 43 days after Katrina made landfall. Ultimately, the storm caused more than $100 billion in damage, and it reduced the population of New Orleans to a fraction of its former size.

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Hurricane, or Tropical Cyclone, Katrina struck the southeastern United States in late August 2005. The hurricane and its aftermath claimed more than 1,800 lives, and it ranked as the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. The storm began as a tropical depression over The Bahamas on August 23, 2005.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Hurricane, or Tropical Cyclone, Katrina struck the southeastern United States in late August 2005. The hurricane and its aftermath claimed more than 1,800 lives, and it ranked as the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.

The storm began as a tropical depression over The Bahamas on August 23, 2005. Over the next two days it gathered strength, becoming a tropical storm that was named Katrina. It made landfall between Miami, Florida, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as a category 1 hurricane. Such hurricanes are capable of producing winds in the range of 74-95 miles per hour (119-154 kilometers per hour). Winds recorded at 70 miles per hour (115 kilometers per hour) whipped over Florida, and rainfall totals of 5 inches (13 centimeters) were reported in some areas. After less than eight hours over land, the storm moved off into the Gulf of Mexico, where it quickly intensified due to the warm waters.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Christine McCabe and Kenny Chmielewski

On August 27 Katrina strengthened to a category 3 hurricane (with winds capable of exceeding 115 miles per hour [185 kilometers per hour]) and covered nearly the entire Gulf of Mexico. By the following afternoon Katrina had become one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, with winds in excess of 170 miles per hour (275 kilometers per hour). On the morning of August 29, the storm made landfall as a category 4 hurricane at Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, approximately 45 miles (70 kilometers) southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana. It continued moving to the northeast, crossing the Mississippi Sound and hitting land a second time later that morning near the mouth of the Pearl River. A storm surge more than 26 feet (8 meters) high slammed into the coastal cities of Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi, destroying homes and resorts along the beachfront.

New Orleans, where much of the metropolitan area is below sea level, had been spared a direct hit. However, the levee system designed to hold back the waters of Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne failed after being inundated with 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain and Katrina's storm surge. Areas of the city began to flood. By the afternoon of August 29, some 20 percent of the city was underwater.

A mandatory evacuation of New Orleans was ordered the previous day, and an estimated 1.2 million people left ahead of the storm. However, tens of thousands of residents either could not or would not leave. Some stayed in their homes while others sought shelter at the New Orleans Convention Center or the Louisiana Superdome. In the meantime, the levee system continued to give way, and by August 30 the city was 80 percent underwater. Many local agencies, with their own headquarters and control centers under 20 feet (6 meters) of water, were unable to respond to the dire situation. Without an organized effort to restore order in the city, looting became widespread.

The Red Cross set up a shelter at the Houston Astrodome, some 350 miles (560 kilometers) away from New Orleans. Although the first evacuees began to arrive on August 31, tens of thousands of people remained in the city. By September 1 an estimated 30,000 people had fled to the damaged Superdome, and an additional 25,000 had gathered at the Convention Center. Shortages of food and potable water quickly became an issue, and daily temperatures reached 90° F (32° C). A lack of basic sanitation as well as bacteria-laden floodwaters created a public health emergency.

By September 2 an effective military presence was established in the city to restore order. National Guard troops also were used to distribute food and water. Hurricane victims were still being evacuated, and crews began to rebuild the breached levees. On September 6, local police estimated that there were fewer than 10,000 residents left in New Orleans. As the recovery began, dozens of countries contributed funds and supplies, and Canada and Mexico deployed troops to the Gulf Coast to assist with the cleanup and rebuilding. The last of the floodwaters were pumped out of the city on October 11, 2005, some 43 days after Katrina made landfall. Ultimately, the storm caused more than $100 billion in damage, and it reduced the population of New Orleans to a fraction of its former size.

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Hurricane, or Tropical Cyclone, Katrina struck the southeastern United States in late August 2005. The hurricane and its aftermath claimed more than 1,800 lives, and it ranked as the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. The storm began as a tropical depression over The Bahamas on August 23, 2005.

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Kids who survived Hurricane Katrina share their stories

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Kids who survived Hurricane Katrina share their stories

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Kids who survived Hurricane Katrina share their story

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New documentary shares the stories of children who lived through Hurricane Katrina

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Join a new generation of social activists and civic leaders taking action on the issues of equity and justice, climate and sustainability, and safety and wellbeing. Get involved, volunteer, make a difference, and jumpstart your community impact with DoSomething.org!

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Foodwise Kids: Where Does Food Come From?

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Foodwise Kids: What Plant Parts Do We Eat?

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Farms and Food for Kids | Learn how food comes from a farm to your table

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Ever thought about how food gets from the farm to the supermarket and ultimately onto your plate? Whether it's a plant-based or animal-based food, there's a process that involves many systems including manufacturing and transportation, and it often involves countries around the world. Let's explore plant-based and animal-based foods, including what they are, how they're produced and where they come from.

Plant foods

Simply put, plant foods come from seeds. Some seeds can be eaten on their own, such as sunflower seeds, but most grow into plants. The edible portions of those plants are considered "plant foods." Some plant foods grow on trees, while others grow on bushes or vines - some even grow underground or in the water.

Each variety of plant grows best in a specific climate, so it's important that farmers know how to help each of their crops grow well. The United States produces a variety of crops such as corn, wheat and potatoes, but these (and other foods) are also grown throughout the world and may be sent to the U.S. during different times of year. Sometimes food travels far distances by train, airplane or cargo ships to get to your local store.

Some foods that come from plants include:

Beans and other legumes, such as peanuts and soy

Nuts and seeds, such as walnuts, almonds, pistachios and sesame

Fruits such as berries, peaches, plums, apples, pears, citrus and tropical fruit such as pineapples and bananas

Grains including rice, oats, quinoa, barley and wheat

Vegetables such as leafy greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, carrots, corn, broccoli

Plant foods also may be used to make other products such as oil (for example corn, peanut, canola and avocado oils). Additionally, plant foods can be combined to create other commonly eaten foods. For example, wheat can be used to make pasta, crackers or bread, and rice can be used to make plant-based beverages, cereal or noodles.

Animal foods

Animal foods include any food that comes from an animal, such as milk or meat. Animals and other animal products are raised and processed on farms, factories and lots. Sometimes they are raised and slaughtered in the same location, while other times they are raised in one place, then shipped via truck or train somewhere else to be processed for food. Fish and shellfish can be caught in the wild or farmed in the ocean, rivers or tanks.

Some foods that come from animals include:

Dairy milk, yogurt and cheese

Eggs

Meat from land animals including cows, pigs and sheep

Poultry from chickens and turkeys

Fish and shellfish

Honey

Collagen or gelatin

Sour cream, butter, ice cream

Like plant foods, animal foods often are ingredients in familiar foods. Eggs are used to make noodles, cakes, cookies and baked goods, such as bread. Dairy products can be used to make chocolate and other desserts or incorporated into baked goods such as bread, muffins and croissants. Dairy is often included in salad dressings and sauces. Byproducts from are used for gelatin, which is an ingredient in many puddings, gum and candy, among other foods.

Where in the world does food come from?

Although the United States imports (brings in) many foods, the country's diverse soils and environments allow us to grow and export (send away) many foods. In fact, in 2016, close to 90% of the food and beverage products consumed in America were produced in the U.S. According to the USDA, in 2021 the top five producing states were California, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas and Minnesota and the leading farm products in the U.S. were cattle, corn, soybeans, milk and other dairy products, chicken, pigs and wheat.

The U.S. sends food to other countries as well. In fact, 2022 was the highest export year ever for U.S. agriculture for food products. The top 10 countries the U.S. exports to include China, Mexico, Canada, Japan, the European Union, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Colombia and Vietnam. The United States also imports food from countries around the world. For example, barley, chickpeas and almonds may come from the Mediterranean region and West Africa. Soybeans may be imported from East Asia, and corn and avocados are often imported from Mexico and Central America.

Countries around the world, including the U.S., can influence the selection of foods that are available to consumers by participating in agricultural trade. Studies have shown that countries have relied on each other for up to 69% of the crops they use. This demonstrates a global connection that centers around food.

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Ever thought about how food gets from the farm to the supermarket and ultimately onto your plate?

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Why space exploration is always worthwhile

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Why space exploration is always worthwhile

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The Planetary Society * Aug 30, 2021

Your guide to advocating for space in a complicated world

Most people who love space and believe in exploration have probably heard this once or twice: "We shouldn't waste money on space exploration when there are problems to deal with here on Earth."

While public health concerns, social injustices, climate change, and other urgent issues are important to address, solving these problems doesn't depend on defunding space programs.

This can be a difficult conversation to navigate, so we've outlined a few ideas here that you can share when advocating for space.

Space spending pays off

If someone is arguing that public funds should be spent on solving the world's problems, they should know that money spent on NASA positively impacts the U.S. economy. We get the same kind of payoff for space spending in other countries. Spending on space supports highly skilled jobs, fuels technology advancements with practical applications, and creates business opportunities that feed back into the economy. This in turn grows the pool of public money that can be spent on solving the world's most pressing problems.

Space research directly impacts Earthly problems

When people apply themselves to the challenges of exploring space, they make discoveries that can help the world in other ways too. Studying how we might grow food in orbit or on Mars yields insights into growing food in extreme conditions on Earth, generating knowledge that can help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Medical research conducted on the International Space Station helps us understand the human body in new ways, helping save lives and improve quality of life.

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Studying space helps us understand our own world

Studying the cosmos gives us an important perspective shift. When we learn about what lies beyond Earth, it gives us context for understanding our own planet. Studying the other worlds of our solar system and beyond makes it clear that Earth is a precious oasis for life. When we sent spacecraft to Venus we saw how a runaway greenhouse effect turned the world from a habitable planet to an absolute hellscape. When astronauts travel into space they see just how thin and tenuous Earth's atmosphere is, appreciating the fragile balance in which we live. A cosmic perspective underscores the importance of protecting our planet's habitability and encourages investment in that effort.

Studying space may one day save us all

All the social and environmental progress in the world won't help us if an asteroid impacts the Earth. We have to explore space to find and study the asteroids and comets in our cosmic neighborhood if we want to make sure we can defend our planet if an object ever heads our way.

NEO Surveyor Artist's Concept The NEO Surveyor mission will look for asteroids and comets with orbits that come close to EarthImage: NASA/JPL-Caltech/The Planetary Society

Space is inspiring

Not every child who dreams of becoming an astronaut will get that opportunity. This is a sad truth that many of us know from experience. But to be inspired to aim for something so grand gives kids the motivation to study hard and gain skills in science, engineering, medicine, or other fields that benefit humanity and directly help overcome problems that we face as a species.

And inspiration isn't just for kids. When we marvel at the beauty of Jupiter's clouds or the mystery of Enceladus' oceans, we get an opportunity to appreciate the wonder and majesty of this cosmos that we inhabit. The idea that life might exist elsewhere in the universe reminds us that we might not be the only planet struggling to achieve balance, justice, and sustainability. And even in the bleakest of times, there's something beautiful about still striving to achieve something great and discover something that could change how we see ourselves and our cosmos forever.

The plumes of Enceladus The mysteries of the cosmos are waiting to be solved. What new insights will the future of exploration uncover?Image: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SSI / Gordan Ugarkovic

There's plenty of room at the table

There's no denying that there are many important issues facing humanity that need fixing. But to deal with those problems doesn't mean we have to stop looking up, stop exploring, and stop making discoveries.

Human civilization has astonishing capacity, and we can do more than one important thing at a time. If someone thinks that a particular issue should get more attention and investment, they can and should advocate for that. The problems we face don't persist because we're spending money on space science and exploration. And there's no reason to pit our aspirations against one another.

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Why space exploration is always worthwhile

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A toolkit to help you advocate for the value of exploring space even when there are important problems to be solved here on Earth.

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Through space exploration humans have learned a great deal about the planets, stars, and other objects in space. More than 5,000 spacecraft have been launched into space to...

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Sports are physical activities that people play for fun or for competition. There are many different kinds of sports. Some sports require two people to compete against each other. These are called individual sports and include boxing and wrestling. Other sports are team sports. In team sports, two teams play against each other. Each team may have more than 10 players or as few as two. Team sports include doubles tennis, basketball, baseball, and cricket.

The list below is divided into three sections. The first section is an alphabetical list that provides links to sports articles. The second section is a list of major sporting competitions that take place all around the world. The last section provides links to individual athletes. They are grouped according to sport.

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Sports are physical activities that people play for fun or for competition. There are many different kinds of sports. Some sports require two people to compete against each other. These are called individual sports and include boxing and wrestling. Other sports are team sports. In team sports, two teams play against each other.

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The most popular sport in the world is a hotly debated topic. There are many different opinions on what the most popular sports might be and why they are so popular. Do you know where soccer ranks? How about golf or hockey? These three sports, for example, have fans all over the globe, and there are competitions of all levels for people of all ages to enjoy. But, which is the most favored? Here is a breakdown of the most popular, must-watch sports in the world!

Most Popular Sports Ranked By Total Fans

Football (Soccer) - Over 3.5 Billion Fans

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, with over 3.5 billion fans around the globe. Known as football in many parts of the world, this exciting sport has gained a huge following due to its thrilling gameplay and fast-paced action. Whether you are a casual spectator or an avid player, there is no denying that soccer is one of the greatest sports out there.

Soccer originated over 3000 years ago when it was first played by the Aztecs. They called it Tchatali and played with a rock for a ball. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries BCE, the first ball game, called Cuju, took place in China. They played with a leather ball filled with feathers. In ancient Greece and Rome, ball games were also played, however, not at the Panhellenic Games or in amphitheaters.

Over time, it evolved into its current form and became popular all over Europe before spreading to other parts of the world. Today, millions of people enjoy watching soccer games and playing them on a regular basis.

So why is soccer so popular? There are many factors that contribute to its continued success, including its speed and unpredictable outcomes. This leads to exciting and tense games that keep fans on the edge of their seats. In addition, soccer is also a very social sport, with spectators gathering together in stadiums and bars to cheer on their favorite teams.

Cricket - Over 2.5 Billion Fans

This exciting and fast-paced sport has a long history, dating back to the 13 th century when it was first played on village greens and in fields across England. Today, cricket is especially popular in Australia and the United Kingdom, but people of all ages and from all corners of the world enjoy and participate in leagues and tournaments. Whether you are new to cricket or an experienced player, there are plenty of ways to get involved in this thrilling sport!

There are many reasons why cricket has become so popular. For one thing, this game is incredibly dynamic, with batsmen running between the wickets and bowlers spinning the ball at high speeds. Additionally, cricket is a strategic game, with players having to make quick decisions on the fly in order to succeed.

Cricket also has a strong social aspect that makes it so popular. This sport is often played as part of a team or community, bringing people together from all walks of life. Whether you are cheering for your local club or international team, there is something truly special about bonding over this beloved game.

This fast-paced, action-packed sport requires a lot of skill and precision but can be fun for both players and spectators.

The origins of hockey date back to the 18th century in England. Over time, different variations of the sport developed as people played their own versions of the game. Some notable examples include field hockey (played on grass or turf fields), street hockey (played on asphalt or concrete), and roller hockey (played on roller skates). Ice hockey originated in Canada and was quickly adopted around the world as the predominant form of this sport in Canada, the U.S., the Scandinavian countries, and Eastern Europe. While field hockey popularity remains strong in South Asia and South America and parts of central Europe.

So how exactly is hockey played? Well, it can vary depending on the type of hockey. For instance, in field hockey players use curved sticks to hit a small ball into their opponent's goal. Ice hockey players do the same thing. They use sticks to hit a puck but play on an ice rink instead of a field and wear skates rather than cleats. Street and roller hockey are also fairly similar. Both involve hitting a puck with sticks and playing on surfaces like asphalt or cement rather than grass or turf.

Despite its popularity across the globe, there are still some people who do not know much about this beloved sport. If you are one of them, then now is the perfect time to learn more about hockey and all that it has to offer. Whether you are a long-time fan or discovering it for the first time, there is no better way to spend your free time than by tuning in to watch some high-quality ice hockey games!

Known for its fast-paced action and high-stakes competition, tennis is a favorite among people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are an avid player or just enjoy watching from the sidelines, there are many reasons why tennis is such a treasured sport.

One of the main reasons that tennis has become so popular over the years is that it is an accessible sport that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy. Unlike some other competitive sports, which require costly equipment or extensive training, all you need to play tennis is a racket and a ball. Additionally, there are countless public courts available in cities around the world, making it easy for people to find a place to play.

Another reason why tennis is so beloved is that it is competitive. From the grand slams like Wimbledon and the US Open to local club championships and high school tournaments, there are countless opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities to compete against each other. Whether you are playing singles or doubles, going up against your opponents can be an exhilarating experience that pushes you to perform your best.

This exciting sport creates a dynamic and thrilling game that appeals to players and spectators alike. Whether you are a casual fan or an avid player, here is everything you need to know about volleyball.

First and foremost, it is important to understand what volleyball actually is. At its core, this sport involves two teams facing off against each other on a court divided into halves by a net. The object of the game is to use your hands or arms to hit a ball over the net so that it lands inside your opponent's half of the court. You score a point every time you do this, and the first team to reach 25 points wins the game.

Of course, there is more to volleyball than hitting a ball over the net. To be successful at this sport, you need to have excellent hand-eye coordination and strong reflexes. Additionally, it helps to know how to serve, receive, pass, block, and set the ball.

So, whether you play on a professional team, compete in local leagues, or just for fun, there are always opportunities to get out on the court and show off your skills.

Table Tennis - Over 850 Million Fans

Part of what makes table tennis so appealing is its simple rules and easy-to-learn techniques. Anyone can pick up a paddle and start playing, regardless of age or physical ability. Whether you are an experienced player or just starting out, you will find that table tennis is a fun and challenging sport that anyone can enjoy.

So, if you are looking for an activity that will keep you active and entertained for years to come, then look no further than table tennis! Whether it is at home with friends or at your local club, you are sure to have a great time playing this exciting and fun sport.

This energizing and thrilling sport, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, has become a popular activity among both professional athletes and casual players alike. After American football, which did not make this list, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the United States.

There are many reasons why basketball is cherished by so many people. First, it requires little equipment to get started. All you need is a ball and a hoop or some other target for scoring points. Second, the game itself is easy for beginners to pick up but challenging enough to keep even advanced players on their toes. And finally, basketball is a fun way to stay active and socialize with friends and family!

So, if you are looking for a fun, low-cost way to get more active and enjoy some time with your loved ones, why not give basketball a try? Whether you join a local team or just practice on your own in the driveway, there is no doubt that this popular sport will provide you with countless hours of enjoyment.

Known for its high-scoring games, baseball has become an iconic symbol of athletic competition and a popular pastime for people from all walks of life. Whether you are an avid fan or just getting started in your love for the sport, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your baseball experience!

First, it is important to understand the basic rules of the game. At its core, baseball is relatively simple. Two teams try to score more runs than their opponents by hitting a ball with a bat and running around a set number of bases until they reach home plate. Each team can have up to nine players on the field at once, and they switch between batters and fielders regularly in order to keep things moving.

One of the most exciting aspects of baseball is the high-scoring nature of the game. Even small mistakes can lead to big plays and potentially huge runs for your team. This means that you need to always be alert and focused when playing - no matter what level you are at! Additionally, baseball requires a lot of teamwork. It is important for each player on the field to know their role within the team in order to ensure success.

If you want to get started with playing baseball, there are lots of different ways. You could join a local league or pick up a casual game with your friends at the park, or you could try out for one of the many amateur and professional teams that are always looking for new talent!

This exhilarating and, at times violent sport requires immense strength and skill, making it fun and challenging.

At its core, rugby is a combination of many different sports - including football, soccer, and American football - that require speed, agility, strength, teamwork, and stamina. If you are just starting out on your rugby journey, you will need to focus on building up these skills through regular practice and training. You will also want to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of the game and the various player positions.

The best way to get started on your rugby journey is by signing up for a local league or finding a training club in your area. This will allow you to learn from experienced rugby players and hone your skills under their guidance.

Golf - Over 450 Million Fans

Known for its graceful precise movements, this sport requires players to hit balls into small targets from long distances on a grassy surface known as a golf course. While many people may assume that this sport is only enjoyed by high-income individuals, this is not the case. People of all backgrounds and ages, from children to seniors enjoy golf.

There are many reasons why golf has become so popular around the world. One reason is that the sport is a great way to get out into nature and enjoy the beautiful scenery while getting some exercise at the same time.

In Summary

Now that you have explored the ten most popular sports in the world, it is time for you to decide! Which of these sports is your favorite? Do you have a different opinion? Be sure to share this article with your friends and family and see what they think.

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Discover the top 10 most popular sports in the world, their history, and what makes them so captivating - from soccer and cricket to basketball and golf.

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The decline of shark populations continues around the world. Step up and help share these facts.

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Take a deep breath, gang, as we dive deep to get the lowdown on one of the ocean's deadliest predators, in our great white shark facts!
Great white shark facts

1) Great white sharks can be found throughout the world's oceans, mostly in cool waters close to the coast.

2) These super swimmers are the largest predatory fish (fish that eat other fish or animals) on our planet. On average, they grow to around 4.6m long, but some great whites have been measured at 6m - that's half the length of a bus!

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3) Great white sharks are grey with a white underbelly, from where they get their name. They have a streamlined shape and powerful tails that propel them through the water at over 60km per hour!

4) Any creature unlucky enough to find itself in the gob of a great white is in for a nasty shock! Because this marine beast's mouth is equipped with a set of 300 sharp, triangular teeth arranged in up to seven rows. Yikes! Let's take a closer look, if you dare...

5) Whilst many think of these beasts as fearsome man-eaters, humans aren't, in fact, on the great white's menu. Phew! There are around 5-10 attacks a year, but researchers believe that, rather than preying on humans to eat them, the sharks are instead taking a "sample bite" out of curiosity, before swimming off.

6) So what do they eat? Well, when they're young, they feed on small prey, such as fish and rays. But when they're older and bigger, they generally feast on sea mammals such as sea lions, seals and small whales.

7) Great white sharks have such a strong sense of smell that they can detect a colony of seals two miles away. And check this out - if there was only one drop of blood in 100 litres of water, a great white would smell it!

8) These cunning creatures like to take their prey by surprise. They usually position themselves underneath their unsuspecting victims before swimming up and...chomp! They often burst out of the water in a leap (called a breach) before falling back in with their meal in their mouths.

Great white sharks are at the top of the food chain and aren't likely to be killed by other sea creatures. Sadly, however, they are under serious threat by human activity. Illegal hunting of these beautiful beasts, and overfishing, have meant that today great white sharks are a
9) When a great white gives birth, she usually has two to ten youngsters, called " pups". But she shows no care for her offspring - in fact, she may even try to eat them! Taking care of themselves, the newborn pups will immediately swim off into the ocean.

10) species on the vulnerable IUCN Red List.

Love reading about magnificent marine life? Sink your teeth into our super , check out our ocean's weirdest creatures and 10 facts about bottlenose dolphins!

Image ⓒ Picture of great white shark near surface: Photograph by Natursports, Dreamstime. Picture of great white shark underwater: Photograph by Willtu, Dreamstime. Picture of great whie shark with mouth open: Photograph by Peternile, Dreamstime.

What did you make of our great white shark facts? Let us know by leaving us a comment, below!

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10 facts about great white sharks! - National Geographic Kids

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Join us here at NG Kids to learn ten facts about great white sharks! What do great white sharks eat? How big are they? Find out all about these fierce fish!

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All About Sharks for Kids | What is a shark? Shark facts for kids

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The 15 Tallest Mountains in the World | Ultimate Kilimanjaro

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Most people know that Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. But which peaks make up the rest of the tallest mountains on earth? The majority of them are neighbors of Everest, located in the Himalayan mountain range, near the…

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Making Mountains

Some mountains form when the big slabs of rock-called tectonic plates-that make up the Earth's crust crash into each other. Over millions of years, the sheets of rock push up and over one another, creating the mountain. Others form when vents in the Earth's surface erupt and spew lava out onto the ground. The lava piles up and cools. Over millions of years, the many layers of hard lava become a mountain.

Mountains are on every continent. The longest mountain range is over 40,000 miles long-and 90 percent is under the ocean! Called the Mid-Ocean Ridge, it wraps around the globe like the seams of a baseball. The longest aboveground mountain range is the Andes. Running along the entire west coast of South America through seven different countries-including Argentina, Chile, and Colombia -it's 4,700 miles long.

Mount Everest, on the border of Nepal and China in Asia, is the highest mountain above sea level in the world. Towering at just over 29,000 feet it would take almost 5,000 grown men stacked on top of each other to reach that high.

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What is a mountain?

A mountain is something that's part of the land, but that rises above everything else. Mountains can join up with other mountains to make up a range.

Mountains are very rocky and difficult to grow things on. Also, the higher the mountain goes up, the colder it gets - this means different kinds of plants and animals might live at the top of a mountain than at the bottom, depending on just how high it is.

Top 10 facts

1. Most mountains are formed when things happen inside the Earth to push rocks up - the longer this happens, the higher the rocks are pushed, and the higher the mountains can be.

2. While some mountains are getting taller, you can't see them grow. It takes a very, very long time for mountains to form.

3. The top of a mountain is called the summit.

4. It means two different things to say how high a mountain is and how tall it is - measure from sea level to summit to find out how high a mountain is, and measure base to summit to find out how tall it is.

5. Some very tall mountains aren't very high because a lot of the base is under the ocean. Some mountains are even completely underwater!

6. The highest mountain in the world is Mount Everest in Nepal - it's 8,850 metres high!

7. The tallest mountain in the world is Mauna Kea in Hawaii, USA - its base is below sea level, and when you measure from base to summit it's over 10,000 meters tall.

8. The highest mountain in the UK is Ben Nevis in Scotland - it's 1,344 metres high.

9. There are five different types of mountains - fold, fault-block, dome, volcanic and plateau.

10. Living on mountains is difficult because air gets thinner and colder the higher you go up. Different species of plants and animals can be found at different heights because they've had to adapt to the special conditions.

Did you know?

The top of a mountain is called the summit, and the bottom is called the base.

Mountins are built by the same forces that cause earthquakes.

Some mountains get a little bit higher every year, and some even get a little bit shorter. In time all mountains fade, worn away where the rocks are exposed to the weather. New mountains are formed by the constant movements of the Earth's crust.

A group of mountains is called a mountain range.

The highest mountain range in the world is the Himalayas in Asia.

The longest mountain range in the world is the Andes in South America.

Weather changes a lot on mountains. For example, it can be raining at the top but not at the bottom!

Some of the most common plants you can find on mountains are conifers (a type of evergreen tree).

Have a look through the gallery and see if you can spot all of the following:

A map showing where the Pennines are

The Rocky Mountains in Canada and the USA

Ben Nevis

The Himalayas

Mount Everest

The Pyrenees

The Alps

An Alpine building!

Mountains in Scotland

Snowdonia

Gallery

About

Mountains are formed when huge areas of land hit each other. The surface of Earth is made up of lots of different sections called tectonic plates, and mountains can be formed in different ways when these plates collide or when magma can get from the centre of the earth up to the surface.

There are five types of mountains:

This is the most common type of mountain. It's called 'fold' because when the tectonic plates collide, the edges crumple as they are pushed together and the rock of the Earth's surface is pushed up to create mountains. The Himalayas are fold mountains.

When cracks in the Earth's surface open up, large chucks of rock can be pushed up while others are pushed down. This creates mountains with a long slope on one side, and a sharp drop on the other. The Sierra Nevada mountains in California, USA are fault-block mountains.

Dome mountains are smooth and round-looking. They are formed when magma from in between the Earth's crust and mantle gets pushed up, but doesn't ever flow out - so, all the magma makes the land bubble up like a balloon. Bear Butte in South Dakota, USA is an example of a dome mountain.

Europe - Mount Elbrus (Russia)

Asia - Mount Everest (Nepal)

Australia - Mount Kosciuszko

Antarctica - Vinson Massif

South America - Aconcagua (Argentina)

North America - Mount McKinley (United States of America)

Africa - Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)

Volcanic mountains are formed around volcanoes, which are vents in the Earth's top layer that let through magma from between the crust and the mantle layers. Mountains are made of ash and cooled lava. Mauna Loa in Hawaii, USA is the largest active volcano in the world.

The Himalayas, Asia

The Rocky Mountains, North America

The Andes, South America

The Ural Mountains, Europe

The Alps, Europe

The Pyrenees, Europe

Plateau mountains are different from the other mountain types because they haven't formed because of rock or magma being pushed up. Instead, they've formed because of materials being taken away through erosion, which has left deep valleys or gorges next to high cliffs. The Columbia Plateau in the Northwest USA is an example of this type of mountain.

Ben Nevis in Scotland (which is also the highest in all of the UK)

Mount Snowdon in Wales

Scafell Pike in England

Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland

Mountain habitats have a lot of variety. Because mountains are mostly rock, there isn't much soil for growing things and the trees plants that do grow there are able to thrive in the rocky conditions. You can also find different plants and animals the higher you climb up a mountain, because temperatures get cooler. This also means that there is more rain at the top of a mountain than at the bottom. This is because hot air rises, but as it rises it cools down - as it cools down, it loses moisture and has to drop it off somewhere along the way up. If it's cold enough, this moisture will fall as snow rather than rain. You can tell just how cold it is at the top of a mountain by looking at how much snow you can see at the summit. Some mountains are so high that it's too cold for anything to grow at the top, and there is less oxygen at very high altitudes. Often all the trees stop at about the same altitude and the mountain is bare above that apart from scrub and grass - this altitude is called the tree line.

With conditions like that, living on mountains can be very challenging for both animals and people. Animals that live on mountains are used to the cold temperatures and the different types of plants that grow there. These are some of the animals that live on mountains:

The highest mountains in each continent are:

Some f amous mountain ranges around the world are:

The highest mountains in the countries of the UK are:

Mountain words to know

Altitude - a measurement of distance, going up
Erosion - when wind or water sweeps away rock or soil from one place on the Earth's surface to another
Gorge - a narrow valley, usually with a stream or river running through it
Mountain range - a group of mountains that form a chain or cluster
Slope - the slanted side of a mountain
Summit - the highest point on a mount
Tectonic plates - large pieces of rock that make up the Earth's surface
Valley - low ground in between mountains

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Interesting facts, images and videos all about mountains for primary school children.

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What is a mountain?

A mountain is something that's part of the land, but that rises above everything else. Mountains can join up with other mountains to make up a range.

Mountains are very rocky and difficult to grow things on. Also, the higher the mountain goes up, the colder it gets - this means different kinds of plants and animals might live at the top of a mountain than at the bottom, depending on just how high it is.

Top 10 facts

1. Most mountains are formed when things happen inside the Earth to push rocks up - the longer this happens, the higher the rocks are pushed, and the higher the mountains can be.

2. While some mountains are getting taller, you can't see them grow. It takes a very, very long time for mountains to form.

3. The top of a mountain is called the summit.

4. It means two different things to say how high a mountain is and how tall it is - measure from sea level to summit to find out how high a mountain is, and measure base to summit to find out how tall it is.

5. Some very tall mountains aren't very high because a lot of the base is under the ocean. Some mountains are even completely underwater!

6. The highest mountain in the world is Mount Everest in Nepal - it's 8,850 metres high!

7. The tallest mountain in the world is Mauna Kea in Hawaii, USA - its base is below sea level, and when you measure from base to summit it's over 10,000 meters tall.

8. The highest mountain in the UK is Ben Nevis in Scotland - it's 1,344 metres high.

9. There are five different types of mountains - fold, fault-block, dome, volcanic and plateau.

10. Living on mountains is difficult because air gets thinner and colder the higher you go up. Different species of plants and animals can be found at different heights because they've had to adapt to the special conditions.

Did you know?

The top of a mountain is called the summit, and the bottom is called the base.

Mountins are built by the same forces that cause earthquakes.

Some mountains get a little bit higher every year, and some even get a little bit shorter. In time all mountains fade, worn away where the rocks are exposed to the weather. New mountains are formed by the constant movements of the Earth's crust.

A group of mountains is called a mountain range.

The highest mountain range in the world is the Himalayas in Asia.

The longest mountain range in the world is the Andes in South America.

Weather changes a lot on mountains. For example, it can be raining at the top but not at the bottom!

Some of the most common plants you can find on mountains are conifers (a type of evergreen tree).

Have a look through the gallery and see if you can spot all of the following:

A map showing where the Pennines are

The Rocky Mountains in Canada and the USA

Ben Nevis

The Himalayas

Mount Everest

The Pyrenees

The Alps

An Alpine building!

Mountains in Scotland

Snowdonia

Gallery

About

Mountains are formed when huge areas of land hit each other. The surface of Earth is made up of lots of different sections called tectonic plates, and mountains can be formed in different ways when these plates collide or when magma can get from the centre of the earth up to the surface.

There are five types of mountains:

This is the most common type of mountain. It's called 'fold' because when the tectonic plates collide, the edges crumple as they are pushed together and the rock of the Earth's surface is pushed up to create mountains. The Himalayas are fold mountains.

When cracks in the Earth's surface open up, large chucks of rock can be pushed up while others are pushed down. This creates mountains with a long slope on one side, and a sharp drop on the other. The Sierra Nevada mountains in California, USA are fault-block mountains.

Dome mountains are smooth and round-looking. They are formed when magma from in between the Earth's crust and mantle gets pushed up, but doesn't ever flow out - so, all the magma makes the land bubble up like a balloon. Bear Butte in South Dakota, USA is an example of a dome mountain.

Europe - Mount Elbrus (Russia)

Asia - Mount Everest (Nepal)

Australia - Mount Kosciuszko

Antarctica - Vinson Massif

South America - Aconcagua (Argentina)

North America - Mount McKinley (United States of America)

Africa - Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)

Volcanic mountains are formed around volcanoes, which are vents in the Earth's top layer that let through magma from between the crust and the mantle layers. Mountains are made of ash and cooled lava. Mauna Loa in Hawaii, USA is the largest active volcano in the world.

The Himalayas, Asia

The Rocky Mountains, North America

The Andes, South America

The Ural Mountains, Europe

The Alps, Europe

The Pyrenees, Europe

Plateau mountains are different from the other mountain types because they haven't formed because of rock or magma being pushed up. Instead, they've formed because of materials being taken away through erosion, which has left deep valleys or gorges next to high cliffs. The Columbia Plateau in the Northwest USA is an example of this type of mountain.

Ben Nevis in Scotland (which is also the highest in all of the UK)

Mount Snowdon in Wales

Scafell Pike in England

Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland

Mountain habitats have a lot of variety. Because mountains are mostly rock, there isn't much soil for growing things and the trees plants that do grow there are able to thrive in the rocky conditions. You can also find different plants and animals the higher you climb up a mountain, because temperatures get cooler. This also means that there is more rain at the top of a mountain than at the bottom. This is because hot air rises, but as it rises it cools down - as it cools down, it loses moisture and has to drop it off somewhere along the way up. If it's cold enough, this moisture will fall as snow rather than rain. You can tell just how cold it is at the top of a mountain by looking at how much snow you can see at the summit. Some mountains are so high that it's too cold for anything to grow at the top, and there is less oxygen at very high altitudes. Often all the trees stop at about the same altitude and the mountain is bare above that apart from scrub and grass - this altitude is called the tree line.

With conditions like that, living on mountains can be very challenging for both animals and people. Animals that live on mountains are used to the cold temperatures and the different types of plants that grow there. These are some of the animals that live on mountains:

The highest mountains in each continent are:

Some f amous mountain ranges around the world are:

The highest mountains in the countries of the UK are:

Mountain words to know

Altitude - a measurement of distance, going up
Erosion - when wind or water sweeps away rock or soil from one place on the Earth's surface to another
Gorge - a narrow valley, usually with a stream or river running through it
Mountain range - a group of mountains that form a chain or cluster
Slope - the slanted side of a mountain
Summit - the highest point on a mount
Tectonic plates - large pieces of rock that make up the Earth's surface
Valley - low ground in between mountains

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Interesting facts, images and videos all about mountains for primary school children.

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Earth Science for Kids: Mountain Geology

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Kids learn about the Earth science subject of mountains including how they are formed, types of mountains, geological features, definition, and fun facts.

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Jai and Jonathan are into hoops big time, whether it’s one-on-one, three-on-three, in the gym or on the asphalt. They were working on our jump shots and noticed that kids younger than them shoot from their chin, but kids older than them do overhead shots. They wondered what the difference was between the two shots. Their DFTV question: At the start of a jump shot, how does your hand position affect your overall shooting?

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Pass, dribble and shoot! It is time for March Mania basketball - one of the most famous annual sporting events in the US. Whether you are watching college teams on TV or playing in the backyard, basketball is fun because of Science! I betcha' didn't know there was science involved in the sport of basketball!

Bouncing the ball on the ground, passing to your teammate, and shooting at the goal all depend on physics, math and the laws of motion.

Basketball is considered the first sport that completely originated in the United States. It was invented in December of 1891 when Dr. James Naismith nailed up some peach baskets in a gym. Basketballs today are designed to bounce around the court and soar in an orange arc from your hands into the basket. But were they always like this? Why do they have those bumps on them?

When the sport was first invented soccer balls were used and players had a harder time holding on to and dribbling the ball than they did shooting a basket. The orange, bumpy ball we know today was developed as a result of problems players were having trying to play this brand new game.

Changes they made to the ball included making them bigger and adding bumps to the leather surface. This added bounce and friction to the equation. Modern basketballs are hollow with an inflatable inner rubber bladder and have a small opening that lets you control the air pressure. This hollow center is generally wrapped in layers of fiber and finally covered with leather, which is usually bright orange so players can easily see them. They took a problem - slippery, not so bouncy ball - and engineered a solution!

Basketballs bounce because of the pressurized air inside of them, gravity and Newton's Laws of Motion.

When you dribble a basketball, your hand and gravity both push the ball towards the ground (Law #1). As it drops, the ball accelerates and speeds up (Law #2). It wants to stay in motion so the ball pushes into the ground when it hits, compressing the air inside. The ground pushes up with an equal, but opposite amount of force resulting in the ball bouncing back up in to your hand (Law #3). The energy in the compressed air is transferred back to the ball pushing it back into motion. If you were to take your hand away and stop dribbling, the ball would continue to bounce due to Newton's first law, but would slow down and eventually stop due to friction.

The more air pressure inside, the harder it will push on the sides of the ball and the more bounce you'll get. This is why an under inflated ball won't bounce very well because there is not enough air pressure inside to maintain the forces necessary for bounce.

So the last detail they added to their new ball was little bumps on the surface of the leather called pebbling. Adding these bumps was all about friction. When forces collide, friction naturally slows things down over time and the more points of contact an object has with another surface the more friction comes into play. So the bumps on the basketball basically increase the surface area of the ball and the amount of friction acting on it. This makes the pebbled ball ideal for a player to grip, pass quickly, and dribble without fear that the ball will slip away in a random direction.

Next time you shoot some hoops, observe all the features of the basketball that make it special. It's a great example of engineering and American innovation in action!

Try this fun, at-home STEM basketball activity: http://sciencemadefunwnc.net/downloads/basketball_STEM.pdf

Catogories: E-News HTHT

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Pass, dribble and shoot! It is time for March Mania basketball - one of the most famous annual sporting events in the US. Whether you are watching college teams on TV or playing in the backyard, basketball is fun because of Science! I betcha' didn't know there was science involved in the sport of basketball!

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A Chronological Look At The Major Refinements

Dr. Naismith, with all of his imaginative planning, could not have dreamed his "Peach Basket" game would develop into the world's greatest indoor sport. Although the original 13 rules have been expanded to over 100, the spirit and principles of the original rules are still in effect in today. Major rule changes over the years addressed the number of players, the court boundaries, dribbling, and the elimination of the center jump after made baskets. In the mid 1930's inter-sectional competition led to a standardization of rules throughout the country.

Team Size

Originally, there was no set rule on the number of players. The idea was that the game could be played by any number of players. However, that did not work out. After experimenting with teams up to 50 players, early games were primarily played by nine players on each side - the reason being that 18 students showed up for Naismith's class. In 1897 five players became the mandatory team size.

Substitutions

Initially, players were not allowed to re-enter the game. The rule was changed in 1920 to allow a player to re-enter the game one time. In 1934, the rule was expanded to allow players to re-enter the game twice, and, in 1945 the rule was finally changed to permit players to return to the game an unlimited number of times.

Baskets

Originally, the game was played with peach baskets or 18" square boxes hung from the balconies of the running tracks of most indoor facilities. At this time the basket height was established at 10 feet, which still stands today. Obviously, the peach baskets and boxes slowed the game down since the ball had to be retrieved after every goal either by someone on the running track or by ladder. The peach baskets were replaced first by heavy woven wire rims in 1892. Then, a year later, in 1893 cast iron rims were used. Open ended nylon nets were approved for use in 1912. This was a major milestone for basketball since the free falling ball after a made basket dramatically increased tempo and scoring of the game.

Backboards

Wire mesh backboards were introduced in 1895 to prevent spectators in the balconies from interfering with play. Wood replaced the easily dented wire mesh backboards in 1904, and plate glass backboard usage was approved in 1909. Backboards were mounted flat against walls. In 1916 to prevent players from running up the walls for easy lay-ups, a two foot gap was between the backboard and the endline was required. In 1939 this gap was increased from 2 feet to the present 4 feet to allow for more movement underneath the basket.

The Ball

The first basketball games were played with soccer balls. However, they proved to be unsuitable for dribbling and ball handling. The first manufactured basketballs were produced in 1894 by a bicycle manufacturing company. In the late 1890's Spalding took over as the official ball maker. In 1905 the choice of basketballs was left up to the teams. Because of their inability to maintain their shape and their laces, these early brown leather basketballs were hard to dribble. In 1929 basketballs were re-designed for more bounce and with concealed laces which eliminated erratic bounces. The balls were bigger, lighter and easier to handle. In 1942 molded basketballs that maintained a constant shape and size replaced the stitched balls. In 1967 the American Basketball Association (ABA) played with a red, white and blue basketball. Today, the WNBA and FIBA use contrasting panels. The men's ball is 30" in circumference and the smaller women's ball is 29" in circumference.

Scoring

Originally, a successful goal was counted as one point, and one point was also given to a team anytime three consecutive fouls were called on the opponent. Free throws were first introduced in 1894. Both a made field goal and a made free throw were counted as one goal. In 1896, rules were changed to count a made field goal as two points. In 1961 the short lived American Basketball League played with the three point shot. In 1967, the three point shot was introduced into International basketball by FIBA. The three point shot was adopted by the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1977 and by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1980.

Timing

The first games were played in two fifteen minute halves. Shortly later this was increased to two 20-minutes halves. There was no provision for extending the game if the score was tied. In fact, the first game ever played ended in a 2-2 tie. However, once leagues started to be formed, ties needed to be broken. The first tie breakers were "sudden death" with the first team to score a point, either a field goal or free throw, winning the game. Thus, games were decided without one team having a single ball possession. In the 1960's, in order to provide each team with an equal chance, Sudden Death was replaced by overtime periods.

Shot Clock

In 1954 the NBA instituted a 24-second shot clock. This was another milestone for basketball since it eliminated the common stalling tactics that were being deployed, sometimes as early as the third period, by teams' ahead in the game because there was no way for the team behind to catch up other than to foul. The shot clock curtailed the end of game fouling and ensuing parade of free throws which made for a dull game. A 30-second shot clock was deployed internationally by FIBA in 1956, and in 1985, after a USC vs UCLA game and a Missouri vs Kansas game where players actually sat down during the game. The NCAA 45-second shot clock was further reduced to 35 seconds in 1993. Women have used a 30-second shot clock since going to a full court game in 1971.

Fouls

Fouls were assessed for using a fist, traveling and physical contact (holding, pushing, tripping, or striking of an opponent). When a player committed two fouls they were disqualified until a goal was scored. For any flagrant fouls, just as today, players were disqualified for the whole game. When a team committed three consecutive fouls, without the opponent committing a foul, the opponent was awarded a goal - the predecessor to today's bonus rules. In 1911, player fouls for disqualification was increased from two to four, and increased again in 1945 to five fouls. In 1922, traveling or running with the ball was changed to a violation and no longer considered a foul.

Free throws

When free throws were introduced in 1894 the free throw line was established at 21 feet from the basket. Anyone could shoot the free throws. This resulted in teams deploying specialized free throw shooters. A year later, in 1895, the free throw line was moved closer, to a distance of fifteen feet from the basket. In 1924, the free throw rule was amended which required the player who was fouled to shoot the free throws.

Passing

Passing rules have not changed over time. Rules 1 and 2 of the original rules relating to passing the ball are still in effect today.

Dribbling

In the original rules players could not bounce the ball. In 1901, the rule was enacted permitting players to bounce the ball one time. However, players were required to pass the ball and could not shoot after bouncing it. This single dribble amounted to a pass more than a dribble since the ball had to be tossed higher than a player's head and then recovered. Players could use this one bounce tactic numerous times in succession since there was no rule limitation. In 1909, continuous dribbling and shots off dribble were instituted. Being able to shoot off the dribble transformed the dribble from a defensive maneuver to get out of trouble into a potent offensive weapon. Double dribbling was also eliminated at this time. Note: In 1927 there was a period when dribbling was outlawed, but then reinstated two weeks later.

Out of Bounds

In the beginning, boundaries were not defined. In most cases, they were just the walls. It was not until 1904 that boundaries became straight lines. The original rule regarding out of bounds situations turned out to be disastrous. Ball possession was awarded to the first player to touch the ball after it went out of bounds. This led to pushing, shoving, elbowing, desperate dives, and total bedlam. It was even worse when the ball ended up in the balconies, with all players making a mad dash to be first up the stairs which created log jams and fights. Teams resorted to forming wedges to block the opponents from going up the stairs. Teams even tried to bypass the stairs by hoisting players up to the balcony in an effort to be first to touch the ball first.

Basketball at one time was referred to as the "Cage Game" and players' "Cagers." This was a result of wire mesh (chicken wire) or chain-link fencing being hung around the entire court in an effort to make the game go faster by eliminating all the out of bounds delays. However, in reality, it served more as a barrier to protect the players and rowdy spectators from each other, as well as from the objects being thrown onto the court. The wire cage actually resulted in additional rough play with players body checking each other into the wire mesh as in hockey. Players often received cuts, bruises, and even incurred infections from the rusting wire mesh. Although, the use of cages were abandoned by 1933, the term "Cagers" is still used today.

In 1913, the out of bounds rule was changed to the current rule of the team causing or touching the ball last when it goes out of bounds loses possession. This rule change was a major impact in reducing the physical play that was common place in the early games.

Midcourt Line

The midcourt line was established in 1932 to eliminate stalling. Prior to this time, the offensive team had the luxury of the entire court at their disposal of which they took full advantage. This created dull, low scoring games with teams spreading the court and playing keep away rather than trying to score. Adding the midcourt line aided the defensive team by cutting down the area to defend to just half the court. A year later, in 1933, a rule requiring a team to advance the ball past the midcourt line in less than 10 seconds was enacted. FIBA and the NBA modified and reduced the 10 second rule to eight seconds in 2000. College women's rules do not have a 10 second rule.

Three Second Area

In 1936 the three second area was created to prevent the offensive players from camping around the basket, and to eliminate the ensuing rough play which commonly took place. The three second area was 6 feet wide. Because of its shape, it became know as the "Key" or "Key Hole" In 1951 the three second area was expanded to 12 feet. The NBA and International width is 16 feet.

Comparing the different free throw lanes:

Center Jump

In 1937 a center jump followed each successful basket. Teams with a good jumper had an advantage. Having a jump ball situation after every goal also slowed the game down considerably. Center jump still used today to start game and overtime periods. Alternating possession replaced jump balls in 1981. This was done to eliminate the multiple violations that were occurring on jump balls and officials inconsistency of tossing the ball up.

It should be noted that in the early days, jump balls were extremely physical. Like on the early out of bounds situations, players pushed and shoved in effort to gain possession of the ball. Even, the referee was often caught up in these jump ball skirmishes and sometimes injured.

The more recent rule changes have been instituted in an effort to curtail or neutralize the dominance of the exceptionally gifted, tall player. Namely: Bob Kruland, George Mikan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).

Goal Tending

In 1944 the goal tending rule was adopted making it illegal for a defensive player to touch the ball on its downward flight. This was in reaction to Bob Kurland (the first regular dunker) and George Mikan standing in front of basket and swatting practically every opponent shot attempt.

Offensive Basket Interference

In 1958 offensive basket interference was enacted. Mainly as a result of Bill Russell, who became known as the "Funneler" from using two hands to guide his teammates shots into the basket. Note: In international basketball, once the ball strikes the rim offensive basket interference and goal tending rules do not apply.

Dunking - "Alcindor" Rule

From 1967 to 1977, a no dunking rule was enacted in college basketball. The reasons given were to prevent basket damage and injuries. However, it was specifically aimed at stopping Lew Alcindor. Unable to dunk, Alcindor developed his unstoppable "Sky Hook."

Game Coaching

In 1949 coaching during game was officially allowed. Prior to this time, believe it or not, no coaching was allowed during the game or even during a timeout. However, coaching was allowed during half time.

Women's Basketball

Women's basketball was introduced in 1893 by Sendra Berenson, a gymnastic instructor, at Smith College, Northampton, MA. No male spectators were allowed since it was socially unacceptable at the time. What some say was a result of a misinterpretation of Naismith's court diagram led to three zones sections with two players stationary in each section. In 1938, the three court sections where reduced to two, with two stationary guards, two stationary forwards, and two "rovers that could move around the entire court.

The first intercollegiate women's game was played between Stanford and California in 1896. The first known interscholastic women's high school game was played in Illinois that same year. In 1971 women were finally allowed to play full court. The first ever women's national championship was conducted by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) in 1936. FIBA held the first women's world championship in 1969 and Louisiana Tech won the first NCAA championship in 1982. In 1995, Oklahoma was the last state to switch from court sections to full court play in high school games.

Perhaps the most important event to occur in women's basketball, as well as all women's sports, was the enactment of Title IX in 1972, equalizing men's and women's sports. Today, women's basketball is played with the same enthusiasm and intensity as men's basketball.

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A Chronological Look At Basketball's Major Refinements

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Weird Reptiles – List Of The Weirdest Reptiles, Pictures & Interesting Facts

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Weird reptiles - a list of the world’s strangest reptiles. Bizarre lizards, snakes and turtles with pictures and interesting facts.

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California Wildfires Questions and Answers

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California Wildfires Questions and Answers

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California fires: Facts, FAQs, and how to help

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As wildfires spread across the Los Angeles area, World Vision is working with local partners to help people affected by the California fires.

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A History Of California Wildfires

See the perimeters of more than 100 years of California wildfires recorded by Cal Fire.

Learn more about how climate change is fueling California's recent wildfires with CapRadio's coverage here and here.

Show all fires More about the data

Data: Cal Fire Fire Perimeters. Production by Emily Zentner and Chris Hagan

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See the perimeters of more than 100 years of California wildfires recorded by Cal Fire. Learn more about how climate change is fueling California's recent wildfires with CapRadio's coverage here and here. Show all fires More about the data Data: Cal Fire Fire Perimeters.

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Why does California have so many wildfires?

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Why does California have so many wildfires?

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If it seems like enormous wildfires have been constantly raging in California in recent summers, it's because they have. Eight of the state's ten largest fires on record-and twelve of the top twenty-have happened within the past five years, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Together, those twelve fires have burned about 4 percent of California's total area-a Connecticut-sized amount of land.

Two recent incidents-the Dixie fire (2021, above) and the August fire complex (2020)-stand out for their size. Each of these burned nearly 1 million acres-an area larger than Rhode Island-as they raged for months in forests in Northern California. Several other large fires, as well as many smaller ones in densely populated areas, have proven catastrophic in terms of structures destroyed and lives lost. Thirteen of California's twenty most destructive wildfires have occurred in the past five years; they collectively destroyed 40,000 homes, businesses, and pieces of infrastructure.

The total area burned by fires each year and the average size of fires is up as well, according to Keith Weber, a remote sensing ecologist at Idaho State University and the principal investigator of the Historic Fires Database, a project of NASA's Earth Science Applied Sciences program. The database shows that about 3 percent of the state's land surfaces burned between 1970-1980; from 2010-2020 it was 11 percent. The shift toward larger fires is clear in the decadal maps (above) of fire perimeter data from the National Interagency Fire Center.

"The numbers are really worrisome, but they are not at all surprising to fire scientists," said Jon Keeley, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist based in Sequoia National Park. He is among several experts who say a confluence of factors has driven the surge of large, destructive fires in California: unusual drought and heat exacerbated by climate change, overgrown forests caused by decades of fire suppression, and rapid population growth along the edges of forests.

The effects of all these fires are dramatic from the ground and from space. The false-color image at the top of the page, captured by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8, shows the burn scar left by the Dixie fire. The blaze destroyed 1,329 structures and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to fight. The photograph below shows charred forests in Plumas National Forest in the wake of the Dixie fire.

"The current drought is unprecedented," said Keeley. "Each of the past three decades has had substantially worse drought than any decade over the last 150 years." In the short-term, drought exacerbates fires by sapping trees and plants of moisture and making them easier to burn. Over the long-term, it adds vast amounts of dead wood to the landscape and makes intense fires more likely.

The 2020-2021 drought has been especially extreme. "The last two years in California have brought compound drought conditions-effectively, very dry winters followed by relentless summer heat and atmospheric aridity," explained John Abatzoglou, a climate scientist at the University of California, Merced. "This has left soil and vegetation parched across much of California, so the landscape is capable of carrying fire that resists suppression."

Data from the Western Regional Climate Center indicates that the northern two-thirds of the state received only half of normal rainfall over the past few years. The U.S. Drought Monitor has categorized about 85 to 90 percent of California as experiencing "exceptional" or "extreme" drought for all of summer 2021. And the period between September 2019 and August 2021 ranked as the second-driest on record for the state, according to data from the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Daniel Swain, a climatologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, added that one of the most direct ways that climate change is influencing California fires is by dialing up the temperature. "Heat essentially turns the atmosphere into a giant sponge that draws moisture from plants and makes it possible for fires to burn hotter and longer," he said. Meteorological data shows that the two-year period from September 2019 through August 2021 ranks as the third-warmest on record in California, with temperatures that were roughly 2.9° (1.6°C) degrees warmer than average. Air can absorb about 7 percent more water for every degree Celsius it warms.

Abatzoglou noted that some of the harrowing scenes across Northern California in 2020 were due to an extreme and unusual dry lightning siege in mid-August that ignited thousands of fires in one night. "But in 2021 I am less convinced of bad luck," he said. "Climate change is aiding in the warming and the more rapid drying of fuels that predispose the land to large fires."
This is the first part of a story about fires in California. Read part 2 here. NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens and Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey, fire perimeters from the National Interagency Fire Center, and drought conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor/University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Photograph courtesy of InciWeb. Story by Adam Voiland.

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What's Behind California's Surge of Large Fires?

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If it seems like enormous wildfires have been constantly raging in California in recent summers, it's because they have. Eight of the state's ten largest fires on record-and twelve of the top twenty-have happened within the past five years, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

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Wildfire scientist on cause of Southern California wildfires

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Unlike other species of sea turtles, which have hard shells, the leatherback's shell is leathery; it feels almost rubbery. The shell is black, often speckled with white or yellow spots. These huge reptiles lived 100 million years ago-during the age of dinosaurs-but their future is uncertain.

Leatherbacks are one of the more endangered creatures on Earth. They are often caught by accident in fishing nets. Stuck underwater, they drown. Sea turtle nesting habitats are also being destroyed, and the eggs they do lay are illegally collected by people for food.

Newly hatched sea turtles instinctively head from the nest to the sea, but in areas where people live, the hatchlings often become confused by lights from houses built along shore. Instead of heading to sea, they head toward the lights. Another hazard for sea turtles is floating plastic trash, which they often mistake for jellyfish, their main food. Leatherbacks must breathe air at the surface, but can stay underwater for up to 35 minutes at a time. Only females ever leave the ocean.

During nesting season, the female comes ashore on a sandy beach, where she digs a hole. She lays about 100 eggs in the hole, covers them with sand, and heads back to sea. Sea turtles do not guard their nests, so the babies are on their own. The eggs take about two months to hatch. The tiny hatchlings are only 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) long.

As soon as they hatch, they dig their way out of the sandy nest and scurry across the beach to the sea. Gulls and other birds often scoop up the hatchlings before they make it to the water. Other predators, such as large fish, await those lucky enough to make it into the sea.

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Leatherback sea turtles are the biggest turtles on Earth. An adult leatherback sea turtle is generally longer than an average-size man is tall. Unlike other species of sea turtles, which have hard shells, the leatherback's shell is leathery; it feels almost rubbery. The shell is black, often speckled with white or yellow spots.

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Learn what causes these deadly storms-and how to stay safe.

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Swishing through the deep sea, a goblin shark notices a small, yummy-looking squid. The animal inches toward its prey. But as the fish closes in, the snack starts to dart away. So the shark thrusts its jaw three inches out of its mouth! (The jaw is connected to three-inch-long flaps of skin that can unfold from its snout.) The predator then grabs the squid in its teeth. After scarfing down the meal, the shark fits its jaw back into its mouth and swims off.

SLOW GOING

Goblin sharks are a species of fish that usually live at the bottom of the ocean along continental shelves (or a continent's edges). These pink animals can grow 12 feet long and weigh up to 460 pounds. They have narrow snouts and fanglike teeth. Spotted mostly off the coast of Japan, they're named for their likeness to mythical goblins that appear in Japanese folklore.

Scientists don't know much about the behavior of these rarely seen animals. But they believe that goblin sharks are solitary, just like many other shark species. They also think the fish are most active in the morning and evening. These animals are likely sluggish creatures, which can make it hard to chase food. Luckily for the slowpokes, their special extendable jaws give them some extra bite.

BIG MOUTH

A goblin shark's top and bottom teeth are attached to ligaments, or bands of skin tissue, tucked into its mouth. When prey is just out of reach, the shark extends the elastic tissue out of the mouth to nab the grub. This allows the animal to chow down on snacks such as teleost fish and squid. It also makes the shark one jaw-dropping fish!

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Think all sharks are gigantic, toothy eating machines? Think again: With more than 500 species of sharks, you're sure to meet a few that surprise you. For instance, some sharks have teeth so small that they can't take a bite out of anything. Others are practically vegetarian! "You think you understand sharks, and then they do something that totally shocks you," says Lisa Natanson, a biologist who studies sharks for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Lemon sharks: Fishy friends

Can't wait to hang out with your BFF? Neither can these sharks. Young lemon sharks often stick together for protection, helping each other watch out for larger sharks and other predators. But scientists have learned that lemon sharks won't befriend just anybody. "They prefer to spend time with sharks that they've met before instead of strangers," says Clemency White, a researcher at the Bimini Biological Field Station in the Bahamas. The sharks hang out with the same friends for years, following each other or swimming next to each other. And when scientists studied the pups in a predator-free environment, these sharks still chose to swim together rather than alone. Maybe these fish need matching friendship bracelets.

Whale sharks: Gentle giants

A whale shark's mouth is so wide that a 10-year-old kid could fit inside. But don't worry: These sharks are mostly slurping up tiny shrimp like plankton about as small as a few grains of sand. Whale sharks feed by swimming slowly with their mouths open and filtering the tiny plants and animals out of the water. The largest fish in the world, whale sharks can be longer than a school bus and weigh 50,000 pounds-about four times as much as an African elephant. "They're so big that not many animals are going to bother them," Natanson says. "So they tend to be very easygoing sharks."

Chain catsharks: Green glowers

Through your eyes, the chain catshark seems to have brownish-yellow skin with black chain-shaped markings. But to another chain catshark swimming 1,600 to 2,000 feet below the surface, the fish glows in the dark! Pigments in the sharks' skin absorb the blue light in the ocean and reflect it as green. These sharks have special cells in their eyes-called receptors-to see it. Because the glow patterns are different for males and females, scientists think these shy sharks use this ability to attract mates. "In that deep, dark environment, the sharks need to be able to find each other," Natanson says.

Great white sharks: Picky eaters

Sure, great whites have 300 triangular teeth and the ability to smell a drop of blood in 25 gallons of water. But that doesn't mean these top predators will chomp everything in their path. In fact, when great whites bite people, they usually release them. Scientists think it could be because humans aren't on their menu, unlike seals, sea lions, and dolphins. "It'd be like if you picked up a drink thinking it's soda, and it turned out to be coffee-bleh!" Natanson says. But it might also be that these curious sharks are just investigating a new object the only way they can: with their mouths!

Greenland sharks: Ocean oldies

If you think your grandpa is old, just wait until you meet this fish. A Greenland shark swimming through deep, freezing Arctic water today might have been born when George Washington became the first president of the United States! This shark species can live for nearly 300 years-and possibly as many as 500 years. That's the longest of any vertebrate (an animal with a backbone). Experts are still trying to figure out how these sharks can survive so long, but they think their icy-cold habitat and seriously slow lifestyle (a Greenland shark's heart beats only once every 12 seconds; yours beats about once a second) might have something to do with their seemingly non-stop birthday parties.

Bonnethead sharks: Salad snackers

Bonnethead sharks are leafy-green eating machines. In fact, seagrass can make up over half of the bonnetheads' diet. Scientists aren't sure if these coastal sharks are trying to snack on the plants, or if they accidentally get a side salad while scooping up shrimp, mollusks, and blue crabs hiding in the seagrass. Unlike almost all other sharks, which are carnivores and don't eat plants, bonnetheads have a special digestive system that can absorb nutrients from greens. Hey, bonnethead-you have a leaf stuck in your teeth!

Spinner sharks: Airborne acrobats

Some sharks ambush their prey; others bump them before going in for a bite. But only one shark species flies: spinner sharks. These predators glide beneath a school of tuna or sardines, eyeing the tasty fish huddled together in a protective ball-like shape. With a burst of energy, the shark swims toward the surface with its mouth open, its slim body twirling through the water like a ballerina. Score! The shark nabs a fish-but the show's not over yet. The shark's momentum pushes it up to 20 feet out of the water, rotating several times before splashing back down. Now that's a fin-tastic show!

Text from the June / July 2020 issue of National Geographic Kids magazine.

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Dive in to discover seven species of sharks with mind-blowing traits.

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In one corner, swinging in ever so slowly, is the chillest dude himself: Sloth! And making a splash in the other corner is Shark, ready to sink her teeth into this competition! Get ready to rumble in this latest installment of the funny face-off series! Check out a sneak peek of the book Sharks Vs. Sloths by Julie Beer.

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In one corner, swinging in ever so slowly, is the chillest dude himself: Sloth! And making a splash in the other corner is Shark, ready to sink her teeth into this competition! Get ready to rumble in this latest installment of the funny face-off series!

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Rain is pouring hard and fast-more than eight inches in just an hour, turning river water brown with mud. Earthworms wiggle up to the ground as the soil becomes too wet for them. A flood might be coming.

Just about any place on Earth can experience flooding. When so much rain falls that the ground can't absorb it or waterways can't hold it, the overflowing water becomes a destructive force. In the United States, flooding causes more death and damage than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning.

How floods develop

During a rainstorm, precipitation-or the water that comes from rain or snow-goes to different places. Some of it flows into streams, lakes, or city water systems. Other precipitation evaporates and returns to the atmosphere.

But much of the rainwater is absorbed by soil. It flows through the top layer of the ground, to plant roots below the surface. This helps provides plants with the water and nutrients they need to grow. The excess water moves deeper into the ground through layers of dirt and rocks where until it becomes part of natural underground wells called groundwater.

A habitat can naturally absorb a healthy amount of rainfall it needs to thrive. But too much rain can cause lake and river levels to rise and overflow their banks, or the soil to become too wet to absorb more water. And though you might think extremely dry habitats would welcome too much rain, it turns out that the parched dirt can't absorb the rain fast enough to capture it all.

Severe coastal storms, quickly melting ice and snow, and collapsed barriers (like concrete dams) can also cause floods. Even damaged beaver dams can lead to an overflow of water that the surrounding earth can't absorb.

Different types of floods

Floods can form slowly over several days or overwhelm an area with little warning. How quickly a flood forms often depends on the habitat.

Slow-forming river flooding happens in regions called floodplains. These are large, flat areas of land along waterways with very shallow banks. When big storms hit, the water overflows the banks and spreads out across the plains.

This type of flooding isn't always bad. It brings nutrients to the surrounding soil, making it fertile for growing crops. That's why many people live in or near floodplains.

But too much water can destroy crops and damage homes. Rushing water can disrupt ecosystems by moving aquatic plants and animals to other habitats. And if flooding is so severe that it flows into local water treatment facilities, experts must monitor the incoming water to make sure the water is safe.

Another type of flooding is called a flash flood, when a flood happens within six hours of a heavy rainfall-as much as eight inches an hour. With no place to go, the moving water will tear through highways, valleys, and canyons, washing away vehicles, roads, bridges, and houses.

Quickly melting ice and snow can also cause flash flooding, especially when mountain snowmelt overflows the waterways below. On coastlines, hurricane rains cause water levels to rise, and the high winds push that water onto land. Called a storm surge, this also causes flash flooding.

Flooding in the future

Scientists believe that warming temperatures caused by climate change are increasing the risk of floods all over the world, especially in coastal and low-lying areas.

Warmer water changes the patterns of ocean currents, which changes global weather patterns. This means that some places will receive more rainfall than the ground can absorb. Other places will get less rain so the land will be drier-and unable to handle rainfall when it does occur.

Scientists think that climate change could also cause stronger hurricanes, with more rain and higher winds causing bigger storm surges. A warmer climate could also mean more snowmelt overwhelming the soil; melting polar ice could cause sea levels to rise and increase flooding. ( Find out how you can help slow climate change.)

How to survive a flood

Experts might issue a flash flood watch if weather conditions are right. It doesn't mean flooding will happen but that meteorologists want people to be prepared. When experts are sure a flash flood is on the way, they issue a warning so people can evacuate immediately. Here's how to keep you and your family safe.

Before a flood
* Know your neighborhood. Research how close you are to streams, drainage channels, canyons, and any other low-lying areas that might flood.
* Keep emergency contact phone numbers in one place so you can get in touch with family members.
* Put together an evacuation plan and share it with everyone in your household. Know what paths and routes you can use to quickly get to a high, dry place.
* Conduct flood drills to practice evacuating quickly.
* Maintain an emergency kit with a three-day supply of food and water. Experts recommend canned or dried foods that don't need to be cooked, and at least one gallon of water per day for each person and pet.

During a flood
* Never wait for orders to leave; if you think a flood might be coming, evacuate immediately.
* If flooding hasn't started, move important items to upper floors of your house.
* If flooding has already started where you are, move to the highest place you can find, like a roof of a house or car. Bring as much food, water, and sheltering blankets as possible.
* Never walk through flood water, especially if it's moving. Hazardous chemicals, sewage, and even wild animals are often in floodwater, and just six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
* If you must walk through water to escape, walk where the water is still. Never touch electrical equipment if you are standing in water, or even if you're wet.
* If water is quickly rising while you're in your car, leave your vehicle and move to higher ground, like a hill or bridge.

After a flood
* If you've evacuated your house, return only after you're given the all-clear from officials.
* If you stayed put, check your house for damage to electrical systems and appliances. Get rid of any food that might be contaminated from floodwater (or because it's been unrefrigerated for awhile).
* Check your home for wild animals, especially snakes. They can get washed into your home with the floodwater.
* Ask an adult before you use water to brush your teeth, make food, or even wash your hands. Flooding can contaminate water and make you sick.
Learn more about floods at National Geographic.
Flood safety tips from the Nat Geo Kids book Extreme Weather by Thomas Kostigen

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Learn about what causes flooding, different types of floods-and how to stay safe.

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Find lessons on World War II for all grades. Free interactive resources and activities for the classroom and home.

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Apollo 11 - The First Moon Walk | Things You Wanna Know | Nat Geo Kids

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Astronauts 🌕 | Weird But True! | S1 E17 | Full Episode | @natgeokids

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On July 20, 1969, millions of people gathered around their televisions to watch two U.S. astronauts do something no one had ever done before. Wearing bulky space suits and backpacks of oxygen to breathe, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first human beings to walk on the moon.

After the two stepped onto the lunar surface, Armstrong proclaimed these famous words: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

SPACE RACE

Humans were only able to make that small step after several other space firsts happened. In 1957 the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched into space by Russia. The United States launched several satellites of their own afterward. Both countries hoped to be the first to send a human into space.

It wasn't until 1961 that a person went to space: On April 12, Russia's Yuri Gagarin became the first. Less than a month later the United States' Alan Shepard became the first American in space. Following these milestones, President John F. Kennedy issued a challenge to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to put a human on the moon in 10 years or less.

NASA went to work. On July 16, 1969, the spacecraft Apollo 11 prepared to launch a crew of three astronauts into space ... and the history books.

MOON WALK

NASA officials selected Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins as the astronauts who would make the historic trip from Earth on Apollo 11. Just four days after launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the spacecraft neared the moon's surface.

Before touching down, the three men split up. Collins boarded Apollo 11's command module, the Columbia, where he would remain in orbit around the moon. Armstrong and Aldrin boarded Apollo 11's lunar module, the Eagle, and began to descend to the moon's surface.

The Eagle made a risky landing in a shallow moon crater named the Sea of Tranquility. (Most people watching the landing on TV didn't know that the Eagle had only 20 seconds of landing fuel left at this point.) Armstrong and Aldrin looked out the windows of the module at the lifeless and barren lunar landscape.

After six and a half hours pass, the pair inside the Eagle prepared to exit the module. As mission commander, Armstrong stepped out first ... and became the first person on the moon.

Twenty minutes later, Aldrin climbed down the ladder and joined his partner. After reading a plaque that said they "came in peace for all mankind," the two planted the United States' flag on the surface. President Richard Nixon called to congratulate the astronauts.

Armstrong and Aldrin went back to work collecting samples of moon rocks and dust. After over two hours, the astronauts brought 47 pounds back onto the lunar module and prepared to rejoin Collins. It was time to go home.

DOWN TO EARTH

The Apollo 11 crew returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Over the next several years, 10 astronauts would follow in Armstrong and Aldrin's footsteps. The last mission to the moon was in 1972.

Though humans haven't returned to the moon since, they have continued to explore space. They even built the International Space Station (ISS), a space research station, where they can conduct experiments and study space up close.

Today NASA is working on sending humans to another planet: Mars. Thanks to the Apollo 11 moon landing, NASA is hopeful about its chances. The act of putting three people on the moon-and then safely bringing them back home-proved that successful human exploration in space is possible.

Text adapted from Ladders Earth Science: Exploring Above and Beyond by Stephanie Harvey and Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond byDavid A. Aguilar and Patricia Daniels

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The historic event captivated the world-and helped people look to the future.

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What Is a Black Hole? (Grades K - 4) - NASA

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A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light can not get out. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space.

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Kids learn about the science of black holes in outer space. Mysterious powerful forces that absorb light.

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Kids learn about astronomy, the study of outer space including the stars, planets, comets, black holes, and the Solar System. History and astronomers in this astronomy for teachers and kids section.

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There are so many types of pets! As you learn more about your favorite cold-blooded buddies, you might start to wonder - are reptiles mammals?

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differences and similarities between mammals and reptiles

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differences and similarities between mammals and reptiles

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What Are The Differences & Similarities Between Mammals & Reptiles?

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Mammals and reptiles have some similarities -- for example, they both have spinal cords -- but have more differences, especially with respect to skin and temperature regulation.

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Poland

On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. This began World War II. The Germans used a new kind of attack. They called it blitzkrieg, or "lightning war." Blitzkrieg relied on fast-moving tanks and warplanes to shock the enemy into surrendering.

After this invasion, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, and South Africa joined Britain on the side of the Allies. But no one could help when the Soviet Union attacked Poland on September 17. Germany and the Soviet Union divided Poland between them. The Soviet Union also invaded Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland during 1939.

Scandinavia and the Low Countries

Between April and June 1940 the Germans took over Norway and Denmark. In May they moved into the Low Countries- Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

France

In mid-May 1940 the first German troops crossed into France. By June 14 the Germans had entered Paris, the French capital.

On June 22 France agreed to let Germans rule most of their country. However, many French people continued to fight the Germans. They were called the Free French. They took orders from Charles de Gaulle. De Gaulle's headquarters were in Britain.

As France was falling to the Germans, Italy declared war against France and Britain. On June 10, 1940, Italy entered the war as an Axis power.

Great Britain

Hitler's next target was the island of Great Britain. Starting in June 1940, German warplanes began bombing Britain. However, the British had a new invention called radar. Radar warned the British when German aircraft were nearing. British fighter airplanes shot down many attackers. This battle, called the Battle of Britain, was the world's first major battle fought in the air.

The Germans soon decided not to invade Britain. Instead, they dropped more bombs on London and other cities until May 1941.

The Atlantic Ocean

The British also fought the German navy. Early in the war, the Germans sank many of the supply ships that delivered food and weapons from North America. In 1943 the Allies began to use aircraft carriers to protect convoys, or groups, of supply ships. The number of supply ships reaching Britain then increased.

North Africa

In the autumn of 1940 the Italians invaded Egypt. They wanted to control the Suez Canal, which linked the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. However, the British drove the Italians back.

Then the German general Erwin Rommel led the Germans to victories in North Africa. In 1942 British forces finally stopped Rommel in two battles at El-Alamein, Egypt. By November 6 the British had driven the Germans from Egypt.

The Soviet Union

After conquering the countries on Germany's borders, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. The attack began on June 22, 1941. The Soviet Union joined the Allies soon afterward. The Soviets stopped the Germans on the edges of Moscow (the Soviet capital) and Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg).

In 1942 Hitler decided to take the Soviet city of Stalingrad (now Volgograd). The fight at Stalingrad was the largest single battle in World War II. About 1.9 million soldiers died on both sides. The Germans surrendered in January 1943. After Stalingrad, the Soviets gradually drove out the Germans.

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World War II started in 1939. By the time it ended in 1945, the war involved nearly every part of the world. The two sides that fought the war were called the Axis powers and...

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We are very sorry, but you have reached a page that has moved or no longer exists.

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(1) Includes losses sustained by private insurers and government-sponsored programs such as the National Flood Insurance Program. Includes events that occurred through 2021. All fires on this list occurred in California. Includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ranked on losses in 2021 dollars. Subject to change as loss estimates are further developed.

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The zoo began in 1868 with the donation of a pair of swans from the menagerie in New York’s Central Park. With the arrival of these waterfowl, the development of a formal animal collection in Chicago’s lakefront park began. The zoo’s first director, Cyrus DeVry, was hired in 1888. His tenure lasted more than 30 years.

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FOUR PAWS Australia - Animal Welfare Charity

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Illegal Trading in Fashion

While reptiles suffer enormously in the legal fashion trade, many suffer also due to illegal trading. Records show that 5,607 items of illegal wildlife products were seized at US ports between 2003 and 2013, destined for global fashion houses. Reptiles accounted for 84% of these seized items, many which were shoes, handbags and belts[13]. A recent study found that despite many layers of controls by both companies and countries, illegal wildlife products have infiltrated the supply chains of prominent fashion brands[14]. Similarly, retrospective research into snakeskins has found large discrepancies between the number of snakes legally killed and recorded, and the true number of snakes killed, indicating a large scale of illegal trading[15].

Progress in the Fashion Industry

While Australia remains a large exporter of crocodile skins for fashion, there has also been much progress within the fashion industry itself, who are recognising the cruelty inherent to exotic leather. In 2018, fashion house Chanel announced they would no longer use exotic skins such as crocodile leather in their items[14]. Similarly, brands such as Burberry, Victoria Beckham, Vivienne Westwood and Diane von Furstenburg and ASOS have also banned the sale and use of exotic leather[16,17].

FOUR PAWS is on a global mission to build a kinder fashion movement, having launched our Wear It Kind Campaign in 2019 to encourage brands to show leadership in improving their business practices and promoting how businesses can succeed when they value animal protection in fashion.

Together, we can show brands that we value animal protection in fashion as a priority. Follow this link to learn more about how you can make kinder choices to animals when shopping for fashion.

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Reptiles are dying for fashion. Crocodiles are farmed in Australia to meet global fashion trends, we can make a difference. Learn more.

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Climate Impacts in the Midwest | Climate Change Impacts | US EPA

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Sam Liu ’22, Communications and Engagement Assistant

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Climate Change and Chicago Winters: sustainNU - Northwestern University

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Whether you’re a Chicagoland native or a freshman from California experiencing your first Windy City winter, it’s not hard to understand why Chicago is infamous for having one of the harshest winters in the country. In the winter season, Chicago gets an average 28.1 inches of snowfall and has an average temperature of 26.4°F, but the wind from Lake Michigan can sometimes make it feel like it’s colder than Siberia. However, with climate change, Chicago winters are – well – changing.

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Why do different states have different weather?

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Why do different states have different weather?

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Why Do Different States Have Different Weather?

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Hang onto your umbrella! Today we’ll be exploring the wild world of weather in Wonderopolis.

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Learn about different weather and climate zones

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Learn about different weather and climate zones

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Climates for Kids | Learn about Different Weather and Climate Zones

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What Factors Determine the Climate? - Influences on Regional Climate

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Climate in the U.S. - Why's It Like That?

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The power of plate tectonics and mountains

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The power of plate tectonics and mountains

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Tornadoes: Spinning Thunderstorms | AMNH

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With its swirling column of wind, a tornado is one of nature's most destructive storms. Find out more!

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Van Gogh Starry Night | Van Gogh Gallery

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View Van Gogh’s famous Starry Night, learn about the features of this masterpiece and find out why this painting is one of the most famous images in the world.

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10 Secrets of Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

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The Starry Night: A Journey of Vincent van Gogh's Life

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Armadillos are in the Cingulata, an order of New World placental mammals. The living ones have a leathery armored shell. The word armadillo is Spanish for "little armored one".

There are about 10 living genera and about 20 species of armadillo. Their average length is about 75 centimeters (30 in), including the tail. The Giant Armadillo grows up to 100 cm (39 in) and weigh 30 kg (66lbs). All species live in the Americas. Most of the 20 species are found in open areas, such as grasslands, but some also live in forests.

Armadillos species are mostly found in South and Central America, especially around Paraguay. Many species are endangered.

Habitat and anatomy

Armadillos are small to medium-sized mammals. The smallest species, the pink fairy armadillo, is roughly chipmunk-sized at 85 g (3.0 oz) and 13-15 cm (5.1-5.9 in) in total length. The largest species, the giant armadillo, can be the size of a small pig and weigh up to 54 kg (119 lb), and can be 150 cm (59 in) long. They are prolific diggers. Many species use their sharp claws to dig for food, such as grubs, and to dig dens. The nine-banded armadillo prefers to build burrows in moist soil near the creeks, streams, and arroyos around which it lives and feeds. The diets of different armadillo species vary, but consist mainly of insects, grubs, and other invertebrates. Some species, however, feed almost entirely on ants and termites.

In common with other xenarthrans, armadillos, in general, have low body temperatures of 33-36 °C (91-97 °F) and low basal metabolic rates (40-60% of that expected in placental mammals of their mass). This is particularly true of types that specialize in using termites as their primary food source (for example, Priodontes and Tolypeutes).

The armour is formed by plates of dermal bone covered in relatively small, overlapping epidermal scales called " scutes", composed of bone with a covering of horn. Most species have rigid shields over the shoulders and hips, with a number of bands separated by flexible skin covering the back and flanks. Additional armour covers the top of the head, the upper parts of the limbs, and the tail. The underside of the animal is never armoured, and is simply covered with soft skin and fur.

This armour-like skin appears to be the main defense of many armadillos, although most escape predators by fleeing (often into thorny patches, from which their armour protects them) or digging to safety. Only the South American three-banded armadillos ( Tolypeutes) rely heavily on their armour for protection. When threatened by a predator, Tolypeutes species frequently roll up into a ball. Other armadillo species cannot roll up because they have too many plates. The North American nine-banded armadillo tends to jump straight in the air when surprised, so consequently often collides with the undercarriage or fenders of passing vehicles.

Armadillos have short legs, but can move quite quickly. The nine-banded armadillo is noted for its movement through water which is accomplished via two different methods: it can walk underwater for short distances, holding its breath for as long as six minutes; also, to cross larger bodies of water, it is capable of increasing its buoyancy by swallowing air, inflating its stomach and intestines.

Armadillos have very poor eyesight, and use their keen sense of smell to hunt for food. They use their claws for digging and finding food, as well as for making their homes in burrows. They dig their burrows with their claws, making only a single corridor the width of the animal's body. They have five clawed toes on their hind feet, and three to five toes with heavy digging claws on their fore feet. Armadillos have a large number of cheek teeth which are not divided into premolars and molars, but usually have no incisors or canines. The dentition of the nine-banded armadillo is P 7/7, M 1/1 = 32.

Gestation lasts from 60 to 120 days, depending on species, although the nine-banded armadillo also exhibits delayed implantation, so the young are not typically born for eight months after mating. Most members of the genus Dasypus give birth to four monozygotic young (that is, identical quadruplets), but other species may have typical litter sizes that range from one to eight. The young are born with soft, leathery skin which hardens within a few weeks. They reach sexual maturity in three to 12 months, depending on the species. Armadillos are solitary animals that do not share their burrows with other adults.

Images for kids

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Armadillos are in the Cingulata, an order of New World placental mammals. The living ones have a leathery armored shell. The word armadillo is Spanish for "little armored one". There are about 10 living genera and about 20 species of armadillo. Their average length is about 75 centimeters (30 in), including the tail.

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Fun Armadillo Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Armadillos