# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The #1 Kilimanjaro Climbing Guide - everything you need to know to prepare for your trek

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Want to climb Kilimanjaro? What's the best route? The best companies? The best season? All the answers from the author of the bestselling Kilimanjaro guide!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Newspaper Map | find and translate all newspapers in the world

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
These Religions Celebrate the Most Holidays

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With feasts, fasts, and prayers, the world's nine largest religions will collectively observe more than a hundred holidays in 2018, scholars estimate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This site requires Javascript enabled to retrieve and display data.

Northeast Midwest West South

Is this page helpful?

Yes

No

255 characters maximum 255 characters maximum reached

Thank you for your feedback.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Shows estimates of current USA Population overall and people by US state/county and of World Population overall, by country and most populated countries.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Billion: Are You Typical? -- National Geographic Magazine | National Geographic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
THE WORLD CIV CLOCK - The world faces many societal issues, including crimes, pollution, national debts, and water, land, and food shortages. Maybe that is why 200 billion liters of beer are consumed each year (that comes out to about 75 cans of beer per person, even the children)!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Billion, National Geographic Magazine | National Geographic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Definition of Push and Pull factors of Irish Migration to America
This article explains the Push and Pull factors of Irish Migration to America for kids. What are Push and Pull Factors that relate to Ireland and what do they mean? The push and pull definitions are as follows:

Push factors are the reasons why people left Ireland, such as persecution, fear, natural disasters, poverty and unemployment

Pull factors are the reasons why people moved to the United States of America in search of freedom, safety, stability and new opportunities

Push and Pull factors of Irish Migration to America for kids: Political, Economic, Social & Environmental Reasons
The push and pull factors of Irish Migration are dictated by economic, political, environmental and social reasons. Discover specific events in the history of Ireland that prompted Irish people to leave their homes to start a new life in America.

Examples of Push and Pull factors of Irish Migration to America

Economical and Political Factors: Immigration to the USA exploded in the 1880's due the Second Industrial Revolution that centered on Steel, Oil and Electricity and required unskilled labor to man the factories.

Examples and List of Push and Pull factors of Irish Migration to America

Push Pull factors of Irish Migration for kids: Pull Push factors of Ireland
To discover the full story of the Pull Push factors of Ireland go to Irish Immigration to America for comprehensive facts, laws and history.

Push and Pull factors of Irish Migration: Political Examples of of Push and Pull factors in Ireland
Find examples of Political Push and Pull factors such as significant historical events in Irish history such as political autocracy and violent conflicts which prompted the migration of Irish people to escape political or religious persecution such as the Anti-Catholic Penal Laws .

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
push and pull factors of irish migration

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Push and Pull factors of Irish Migration

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find EXAMPLES of Push and Pull factors of Irish Migration for kids. List of Push and Pull factors of immigration from Ireland to America. Economic, political, environmental, social Push and Pull factors of Irish Migration to America for kids, children, homework and schools.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Two-sided poster displays a timeline of events from when population was 1 billion (1804) to today, and infographics of population pressures and impacts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This site is dedicated to helping students understand the basics of major world religions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
World Population:

reached 8 billion on November 15, 2022 according to the latest United Nations estimates.

is projected to reach 9 billion in 2037, and 10 billion in 2058.

has doubled in 40 years from 1959 (3 billion) to 1999 (6 billion).

is currently (2023) growing at a rate of around 0.88% per year, adding around 70 million people per year to the total.

growth rate reached its peak in the late 1960s, when it was at 2.09%.

growth rate is currently declining and is projected to continue to decline in the coming years (reaching below 0.50% by 2048, reach 0 in 2086, and decline by -0.11% in 2100) .

a tremendous change occurred with the industrial revolution: whereas it had taken all of human history up to the year 1800 for world population to reach 1 billion, the second billion was achieved in only 130 years (1930), the third billion in 30 years (1960), the fourth billion in 15 years (1974), the fifth billion in 13 years (1987), the sixth billion in 11 years (1998), the seventh billion and eighth billion in 12 years each (2010 and 2022). During the 20th century alone, the population in the world has grown from 1.65 billion to 6 billion.

Sources for the world population counter: For more detailed information:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Worldometer - real time world statistics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Live world statistics on population, government and economics, society and media, environment, food, water, energy and health. Interesting statistics with world population clock, forest loss this year, carbon dioxide co2 emission, world hunger data, energy consumed, and a lot more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This article was most recently revised and updated by

religion, human beings' relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. It is also commonly regarded as consisting of the way people deal with ultimate concerns about their lives and their fate after death. In many traditions, this relation and these concerns are expressed in terms of one's relationship with or attitude toward gods or spirits; in more humanistic or naturalistic forms of religion, they are expressed in terms of one's relationship with or attitudes toward the broader human community or the natural world. In many religions, texts are deemed to have scriptural status, and people are esteemed to be invested with spiritual or moral authority. Believers and worshippers participate in and are often enjoined to perform devotional or contemplative practices such as prayer, meditation, or particular rituals. Worship, moral conduct, right belief, and participation in religious institutions are among the constituent elements of the religious life.

The subject of religion is discussed in a number of articles. For treatment of major and historical religious traditions, see African religion; Anatolian religion; ancient Iranian religion; Arabian religion; Baltic religion; Buddhism; Calvinism; Celtic religion; Christianity; Confucianism; Daoism; Eastern Orthodoxy; Eastern rite church; Egyptian religion; Finno-Ugric religion; Germanic religion and mythology; Greek religion; Hellenistic religion; Hinduism; Islam; Jainism; Judaism; Mesopotamian religion; Middle Eastern religion; Mormon; mystery religion; Native American religions; Neo-Paganism; new religious movement; Old Catholic church; Orphic religion; prehistoric religion; Protestantism; Protestant Heritage, The; Roman Catholicism; Roman religion; Shintō; Sikhism; Slavic religion; Syrian and Palestinian religion; Vedic religion; Wicca; Zoroastrianism. For discussion of perspectives on the existence or role within human life of a supreme God or gods, see agnosticism; atheism; humanism; monotheism; pantheism; polytheism; theism. For cross-cultural discussion of religious beliefs, phenomena, and practices, see angel and demon; ceremonial object; covenant; creed; dietary law; doctrine and dogma; dualism, religious; eschatology; ethics; evil, problem of; feast; Five Ways, the; heaven; hell; Last Judgment; meditation; millennialism; miracle; monasticism; Moon worship; mysticism; myth; nature worship; prayer; priest; priesthood; prophecy; Providence; purgatory; purification rite; reincarnation; religious dress; religious symbolism and iconography; rite of passage; ritual; sacrament; sacrifice; sacred; sacred kingship; saint; salvation; scripture; shamanism; sin; soul; Sun worship; theology; worship. For a review of the efforts to systematically study the nature and classify the forms of religious behaviour, experience, and phenomena, see religion, phenomenology of; religion, philosophy of; religion, study of; religions, classification of; religious experience.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Adam Augustyn.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Religion | Definition, Types, Beliefs, Symbols, Examples, Importance, & Facts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Religion, human beings' relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. Worship, moral conduct, right belief, and participation in religious institutions are among the constituent elements of the religious life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Hinduism is not only a religion but also a way of life. Hinduism is widely practiced in South Asia mainly in India and Nepal. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world and Hindus refer to it as Sanātana Dharma , "the eternal tradition," or the "eternal way," beyond human history.

Scholars regard Hinduism as a combination of different Indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots.

Hinduism has no founder and origins of Hinduism is unknown.

What we now call Hinduism have roots in cave paintings that have been preserved from Mesolithic sites dating from c. 30,000 BCE in Bhimbetka, near present-day Bhopal, in the Vindhya Mountains in the Madhya Pradesh.

Hinduism as a religion started to develop between 500 BCE and 300 CE, after the Vedic period (1500 BCE to 500 BCE).

Hinduism contains a wide range of philosophies, and is linked by the concepts, like rituals, cosmology, Texts, and pilgrimage to sacred sites. Hindu texts are divided into Śruti ("heard") and Smṛti ("remembered"). These texts discuss philosophy, mythology, Vedic yajna, Yoga, agamic rituals, and temple building, and many more. Major scriptures in Hinduism include the Vedas and Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Agamas.

There are 4 goals or aims of human life, namely Dharma (duties), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desires/passions), Moksha (liberation/freedom/salvation); karma (action, intent and consequences), Saṃsāra (cycle of rebirth), and the various Yogas (paths or practices to attain moksha). Hindu rituals include puja (worship) and recitations, meditation, family-oriented rites of passage, annual festivals, and occasional pilgrimages. Some Hindus leave their social world and become sanyasi to achieve Moksha. Hinduism prescribes the eternal duties, such as honesty, non-violence ( ahimsa), patience, self-restraint, and compassion, among others. The four largest sects of Hinduism are the Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smartism.

Hinduism is the world's third largest religion, There are approximately 1.15 billion Hindus which are 15-16% of the global population. The vast majority of Hindus live in India, Nepal and Mauritius. Hindus are also found in other countries.

Hindu beliefs include (but are not restricted to) Dharma (ethics/duties), (the continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth), Karma (Every action has a reaction), Moksha (liberation from samsara or liberation in this life), and the various Yogas (paths or practices).

Purusharthas (objectives of human life)

Hindism have accepted four proper goals or aims of human life: Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. These are known as the Puruṣārthas:

Dharma (righteousness, ethics)

Dharma is considered one of the most important goal of a human being in Hinduism. Dharma is considered Important because it is dharma which makes running of Universe and life possible, and includes duties, virtues and "right way of living". Hindu Dharma includes the religious duties, moral rights and duties of each individual, as well as behaviors that enable social order, right conduct, and those that are virtuous. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad states it as:

Nothing is higher than Dharma. The weak overcomes the stronger by Dharma, as over a king. Truly that Dharma is the Truth ( Satya); Therefore, when a man speaks the Truth, they say, "He speaks the Dharma"; and if he speaks Dharma, they say, "He speaks the Truth!" For both are one.

-Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 1.4.xiv

In the Mahabharata, Krishna says it is Dharma which is holding both this-worldly and other-worldly affairs. (Mbh 12.110.11). The word Sanātana means eternal, perennial, or forever; thus, Sanātana Dharma means that it is the dharma that has neither beginning nor end.

Artha (livelihood, wealth)

Artha is second goal of life in Hinduism which means pursuit of wealth for livelihood, and economic prosperity. It includes political life, diplomacy and material well-being. The Artha includes all "means of life", activities and resources that enables one to be in a state one wants to be in, wealth, career and financial security. The aim of artha is considered an important aim of human life in Hinduism.

Kāma (sensual pleasure)

Kāma ( Sanskrit, Pali; Devanagari: काम) means desire, wish, passion, pleasure of the senses, the enjoyment of life, affection or love. In Hinduism, Kama is considered an important and healthy goal of human life when pursued without sacrificing Dharma, Artha and Moksha.

Mokṣa (liberation, freedom from samsara)

Moksha ( Sanskrit: मोक्ष ) or mukti ( Sanskrit: मुक्ति) is the ultimate, most important goal in Hinduism. In one school Moksha means liberation from sorrow, suffering and saṃsāra (birth-rebirth cycle). In other schools of Hinduism, such as monistic, moksha means self-realization,"realizing the whole universe as the Self".

Karma and samsara

Karma means action, work, or deed, and also the vedic theory of cause and effect". The theory is a combination of (1) causality that may be moral or non-moral; (2) moralization, that is good or bad actions have consequences; and (3) rebirth. Karma theory means ''Whatever experience currently a man have is due to his/her past work''. These actions may be in a person's current life, or, in some schools of Hinduism, actions in their past lives. This cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth is called samsara. Liberation from samsara through moksha is believed to ensure lasting happiness and peace. Hindu scriptures teach that the future depends on the current action and our past deeds.

The ultimate goal of life,according to Hinduism is moksha, or samadhi, but is understood in different ways in different schools.For example, Advaita Vedanta says that after attaining moksha a person knows their "soul, self" and identifies it as one with Brahman (Ultimate reality or cause of everything). The followers of Dvaita (dualistic) schools,state that after attaining moksha a person identify "soul, self" different from Brahman but very close to Brahman, and after attaining moksha one will spend eternity in a loka (higher planes). According to theistic schools of Hinduism, moksha is liberation from samsara, while for other schools such as the monistic school, moksha is possible in current life and is a psychological concept.

Concept of God

Hinduism is diverse and Hinduism include monotheism, polytheism, panentheism, pantheism, pandeism, monism, and atheism among others; Basically it depends on individuals choice and that's why sometimes Hinduism is referred to as henotheistic (i.e., involving devotion to a single god while accepting the existence of others), but any such term is an over generalization.

Hindus believe that all living creatures have a soul. This soul or true "self" of every living being is called the ātman. The soul is believed to be eternal. According to the monistic/pantheistic (non-dualist) theologies of Hinduism (such as Advaita Vedanta school), this Atman is indistinct from Brahman. The goal of life, according to the Advaita school, is to realise that one's soul is identical to supreme soul, that the supreme soul is present in everything and everyone, all life is interconnected and there is oneness in all life. Dualistic schools (see Dvaita and Bhakti) sees Brahman as a Supreme Being separate from individual souls. They worship the Supreme Being variously as Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva, or Shakti, depending upon the sect. God is called Ishvara, Bhagavan, Parameshwara, Devadu or , and these terms have different meanings in different schools of Hinduism. Devi is typically used when refereeing to a female goddess.

The Hindu scriptures refer to celestial entities called Devas (or in feminine form; used synonymously for Deva in Hindi), which in English means demi- gods or heavenly beings.

The devas are an integral part of Hindu culture and are depicted in art, architecture and through icons, and stories about them are related in the scriptures, particularly in Indian epic poetry and the Puranas. They are, however, often distinguished from Ishvara, a personal god, with many Hindus worshipping Ishvara in one of its particular manifestations as their iṣṭa devatā , or chosen ideal. The choice is a matter of individual preference, and of regional and family traditions. The multitude of Devas are considered as manifestations of Brahman.

Main traditions

Hinduism has no central doctrinal authority and Hindus do not claim to belong to any particular sect or tradition. Four major sects in Hinduism are: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smarthism.

Vaishnavism is the tradition that worships Vishnu and his avatars, such as Krishna and Rama. The people of this sect are generally non-ascetic, monastic. These practices include community dancing, singing of Kirtans and Bhajans, with sound and music believed by some to have meditative and spiritual powers.

Shaivism is the tradition that focuses on Shiva. Shaivas are more attracted to ascetic individualism, and it has several sub-schools. Their practices include Bhakti-style devotion but they leaned to philosply such as Advaita and Yoga. Some Shaivas worship in temples, but some practice yoga, striving to be one with Shiva within. Shaivas visualize god as half male, half female, as a combination of the male and female principles (Ardhanarishvara). Shaivism is related to Shaktism, wherein Shakti is seen as wife of Shiva. Shaivism is mainly practiced in the Himalayan north from Kashmir to Nepal, and in south India.

Shaktism focuses on goddess worship of Shakti or Devi as cosmic mother, and it is mainly worshipped in northeastern and eastern states of India such as Assam and Bengal. Devi is depicted as in gentler forms like Parvati, the consort of Shiva; or, as warrior goddesses like Kali and Durga. Community celebrations include festivals, some of which include processions and idol immersion into sea or other water bodies.

Smartism worship all the major Hindu deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesha, Surya and Skanda. The Smarta tradition developed during the (early) Classical Period of Hinduism around the beginning of the Common Era, when Hinduism emerged from the interaction between Brahmanism and local traditions. The Smarta tradition is very much same as Advaita Vedanta, and consider Adi Shankara as its founder or reformer, who considered worship of God-with-attributes (saguna Brahman) as a journey towards ultimately realizing God-without-attributes (nirguna Brahman, Atman, Self-knowledge).

Hindu texts

Hindu text are world's oldest and had been written in Sanskrit and Tamil. The oldest Text is Rig Veda which is about 4000 years old.Hindu Texts can be divided in two parts:

Shruti (what is heard)

Smriti (what is remembered)

Shruti or Shruthi (Sanskrit: श्रुति; IAST: Śruti; IPA/Sanskrit: [ʃrut̪i]) in Sanskrit means "that which is heard" These ancient religious texts comprising the central canon of Hinduism includes the four Vedas including its four types of attached texts - the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas and the early Upanishads

Smriti (Sanskrit: स्मृति, IAST: Smṛti), means "that which is remembered" are a body of Hindu texts. Smriti were the texts which were remembered and were spread through mouth from generation to generation. Smriti includes (the Mahābhārata and Rāmāyana), the Dharmasūtras and Dharmaśāstras (or Smritiśāstras), the Arthasaśāstras, the Purānas, the Kāvya or poetical literature.

There are many Hindu Festivals celebrated throughout the world but mainly in India and Nepal. These festivals include worship, offerings to deities, fasting, rituals, fairs, charity, celebrations, Puja, etc. The festivals mainly celebrate events from Hindu mythology, changes in season, changes in Solar System. Different sects celebrate different festivals but festivals like Diwali, Holi, Shivratri, Raksha Bandhan, Janamashtmi etc. are celebrated by the majority of Hindus.

Periodisation

Hinduism can be divided in following ages

Prevedic religions (pre-history and Indus Valley Civilisation; until c. 1500 BCE);

Vedic period (c. 1500-500 BCE);

"Second Urbanisation" (c. 500-200 BCE);

Classical Hinduism (c. 200 BCE-1100 CE);[note 20]

Pre-classical Hinduism (c. 200 BCE-300 CE);

"Golden Age" (Gupta Empire) (c. 320-650 CE);

Late-Classical Hinduism - Puranic Hinduism (c. 650-1100 CE);

Islam and sects of Hinduism (c. 1200-1700 CE);

Modern Hinduism (from c. 1800).

The origins of Hinduism are unknown but the earliest traces of Hinduism come from Mesolithic in the sites such as the rock paintings of Bhimbetka rock shelters dating to a period of 30,000 BCE or older, as well as neolithic times. Some of the religious practices can be considered to have originated in 4000 BCE. Several tribal religions still exist, though their practices may not resemble those of prehistoric religions.

According to one view, the Varna, which later transformed into caste system during the British rule, shows how strongly many have felt about each person following his or her dharma, or destined path. Many Hindus say it goes against the true meaning of dharma. However, Varna plays a big role in Hindu society. It's later transformation as Caste system by the British rule of India lost favor and became illegal after the independence of India.

Puja (worship) takes place in the Mandir (temple). Mandirs vary in size from small village shrines to large buildings, surrounded by walls. People can also visit the Mandir at any time to pray and participate in the bhajans (religious songs). Hindus also worship at home and often have a special room with a shrine to particular gods.

Temple construction in India started nearly 2000 years ago. The oldest temples that were built of brick and wood no longer exist. Stone later became the preferred material. Temples marked the transition of Hinduism from the Vedic religion of ritual sacrifices to a religion of Bhakti or love and devotion to a personal deity. Temple construction and mode of worship is governed by ancient Sanskrit scriptures called agamas, of which there are several, which deal with individual deities. There are substantial differences in architecture, customs, rituals and traditions in temples in different parts of India. During the ritual consecration of a temple, the presence of the universal all-encompassing Brahman is invoked into the main stone deity of the temple, through ritual, thereby making the deity and the temple sacred and divine

Alternative cultures of worship

The Bhakti schools

The Bhakti (Devotional) school takes its name from the Hindu term that signifies a blissful, selfless and overwhelming love of God as the beloved Father, Mother, Child, or whatever relationship finds appeal in the devotee's heart. The philosophy of Bhakti seeks to tap into the universal divinity through personal form, which explains the proliferation of so many gods and goddesses in India, often reflecting the singular inclinations of small regions or groups of people. Seen as a form of Yoga, or union, it seeks to dissolve the ego in God, since consciousness of the body and limited mind as self is seen to be a divisive factor in spiritual realization. Essentially, it is God who effects all change, who is the source of all works, who acts through the devotee as love and light. 'Sins' and evil-doings of the devotee are said to fall away of their own accord, the devotee shriven, limitedness even transcended, through the love of God. The Bhakti movements rejuvenated Hinduism through their intense expression of faith and their responsiveness to the emotional and philosophical needs of India. They can rightly be said to have affected the greatest wave of change in Hindu prayer and ritual since ancient times.

The most popular means of expressing love for God in the Hindu tradition has been through puja, or ritual devotion, frequently using the aid of a (statue) in conjunction with the singing or chanting of meditational prayer in the form of mantras.

Devotional songs called bhajans (written primarily from the 14th-17th centuries), kirtan (praise), and arti (a filtered down form of Vedic fire ritual) are sometimes sung in conjunction with performance of puja. This rather organic system of devotion attempts to aid the individual in connecting with God through symbolic medium. It is said, however, that the bhakta, through a growing connection with God, is eventually able to avoid all external form and is immersed entirely in the bliss of undifferentiated Love in Truth.

Altogether, bhakti resulted in a mass of devotional literature, music and art that has enriched the world and gave India renewed spiritual impetus, one eschewing unnecessary ritual and artificial social boundaries. See bhakti yoga for more.

According to the most famous Western Tantrik scholar, Sir John Woodroffe (pseudonym Arthur Avalon): "The Indian Tantras, which are numerous, constitute the Scripture (Shastra) of the Kaliyuga, and as such are the voluminous source of present and practical orthodox 'Hinduism'. The Tantra Shastra is, in fact, and whatever be its historical origin, a development of the Vaidika Karmakanda, promulgated to meet the needs of that age. Shiva says: 'For the benefit of men of the Kali age, men bereft of energy and dependent for existence on the food they eat, the Kaula doctrine, O auspicious one! is given' (Chap. IX., verse 12). To the Tantra we must therefore look if we would understand aright both ritual, yoga, and sadhana of all kinds, as also the general principles of which these practices are but the objective expression." (Introduction to Sir John Woodroffe's translation of "Mahanirvana Tantra.")

The word " tantra" means "treatise" or "continuum", and is applied to a variety of mystical, occult, medical and scientific works as well as to those which we would now regard as "tantric". Most tantras were written in the late Middle Ages and sprang from Hindu cosmology and Yoga.

Important symbolism and themes in Hinduism

Ahimsa and the cow

Many Hindus are vegetarians (do not eat meat) because of their respect for life. About 30% of today's Hindu population, especially in orthodox communities in South India, in certain northerly states like Gujarat, and in many Brahmin areas around the subcontinent, are vegetarian.

Most Hindus who do eat meat do not eat beef. Some do not even use leather products. This is most likely because many Hindus have relied so heavily on the cow for all sorts of dairy products, tilling of fields and fuel for fertiliser that its status as a willing 'caretaker' of humanity grew to identifying it as an almost motherly figure. Thus, while most Hindus do not worship the cow, and rules against eating beef arose long after the Vedas had been written, it still has an honored place in Hindu society. It is said that Krishna is both Govinda (herder of cows) and Gopala (protector of cows), and Shiva's attendant is Nandi, the bull. With the stress on vegetarianism (which is usually followed even by meat-eating Hindus on religious days or special occasions) and the sacred nature of the cow, it is no wonder that most holy cities and areas in India have a ban on selling meat-products and there is a movement among Hindus to ban cow-slaughter not only in specific regions, but in all of India.

Hindu symbols

Hindus use many symbols and signs. The two most important symbols used by Hindus are the " Aum" and the " Swastika (Hinduism)".

Forms of worship: murtis and mantras

Contrary to popular belief, practiced Hinduism is neither polytheistic nor strictly monotheistic. The various Hindu gods and avatars that are worshipped by Hindus are understood as different forms of One truth, sometimes seen as beyond a mere god and as a formless Divine Ground ( Brahman), akin but not limited to monism, or as one monotheistic principle like Vishnu or Shiva.

Whether believing in the One source as formless (nirguna brahman, without attributes) or as a personal god (saguna Brahman, with attributes), Hindus understand that the one truth may be seen as different to different people. Hinduism encourages devotees to describe and develop a personal relationship with their chosen deity (ishta devata) in the form of a god or goddess.

While some censuses hold worshippers of one form or another of Vishnu (known as ) to be at 80% and those of Shiva (called Shaivaites) and Shakti at the remaining 20%, such figures are perhaps misleading. The vast majority of Hindus worship many gods as varicolored forms of the same prism of Truth. Among the most popular are Vishnu (as Krishna or Rama), Shiva, Devi (the Mother as many female deities, such as Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali and Durga), Ganesha, Skanda and Hanuman.

Worship of the said deities is often done through the aid of pictures or icons ( murti) which are said not to be God themselves but conduits for the devotee's consciousness, markers for the human soul that signify the ineffable and illimitable nature of the love and grandeur of God. They are symbols of the greater principle, representing and are never presumed to be the concept or entity itself. Thus, Hindu image worship is a form of iconolatry, in which the symbols are venerated as putative sigils of divinity, as opposed to idolatry, a charge often levied (erroneously) at Hindus. For more details on this form of worship, see murti.

Hindus use several prayers and group of words. Some group of words are called mantras. These words are said to give the speaker a deeper concentration and understanding, thus coming closer to Brahman. A well known mantra is om or aum. It symbolizes Brahman, and is often the opening word in many prayers. To pronounce a mantra well, you should say it slowly, and in a deep voice.

Geographic distribution

The nations of India, Mauritius, and Nepal as well as the Indonesian island of Bali have more people who are Hindus than people who are not Hindus.In these nations, specially Nepal and India Hinduism is very popular. These countries also have many Hindus:

There are also strong Hindu communities in the countries of the ex-Soviet Union, especially in Russia and Poland. The Indonesian islands of Java, Sulawesi, Sumatra, and Borneo also have big native Hindu populations. In its Yoga stream, Hinduism is even more widespread all over the world with 30 million (less than one percent can not be 30 million for US population) Hindus in the United States alone.

Images for kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hinduism is not only a religion but also a way of life. Hinduism is widely practiced in South Asia mainly in India and Nepal. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world and Hindus refer to it as Sanātana Dharma , "the eternal tradition," or the "eternal way," beyond human history.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Push and Pull factors of Immigration from European and Asian Countries to AmericaFind the Push and Pull Factors for Immigration of European and Asian Countries for kids. Including reasons for the migration of English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Scots-Irish, Filipino, Finnish, Danish, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Mexican, French, Norwegian, Dutch and German to the United States of America.

Push and Pull factors of Immigration for kids: Emigration, Migration and Immigration
This article provides Push and Pull factors of Immigration for kids, but to start let's clarify the differences between terms relating to immigration, which confuse people no end.

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another

Definition of Emigration:

Definition of Immigration:

List and Examples of Immigration for Kids by Country

The following articles provides a list, facts and information about specific examples of Push and Pull factors of Migration to America by individual country.

Push and Pull factors of Immigration for kids: Definition
The push and pull factors of Immigration are dictated by economic, political, environmental and social reasons.

Political push factors of migration include war, political autocracy - moving to escape conflict and political persecution

Economic push factors of migration include poverty and unemployment - moving to find work

Environmental push factors of migration include natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes and tsunamis - moving to safety

Social Push factors of migration include lack of education, medical facilities, high crime rate - moving somewhere for a better quality of life or to be closer to family or friends

Push and Pull factors of Immigration for kids: Immigration from LEDC's to MEDC's - Recent Migration trends
One of the most recent immigration trends has been from an LEDC (Less Economically Developed Country - poor countires) to a MEDC (More Economically Developed Country - rich countries). For facts and information refer to MEDC and LEDC Push and Pull Factors.

Examples of Push and Pull factors of Immigration to America for kids: Push Factors
Th e push and pull factors of immigration to the United States of America are dictated by economic, political, environmental and social reasons. Discover events in the history of each of the countries that prompted people to leave their homes to start a new life in America. Each article provides information about significant historical events such as wars, revolutions and violent conflicts which prompted people to escape political or religious persecution (Political reasons). Devastating natural disasters that led people to seek safety in a more settled climate and environment (Environmental reasons). The desire to achieve a better standard of living and improve educational opportunities and health facilities (Social Factors).

Examples of Push and Pull factors of Immigration to America for kids: Pull Factors
Th e following picture illustrates the economic, political, environmental and social reasons why people want to immigrate to the United States of America. The most common reason for immigration are the Economic factors as people moved to the United States of America to escape poverty and find work.

Push and Pull factors of Immigration: Everett S. Lee Theory of Migration
Dr. Everett S. Lee (1917-2007), a scholar and migration theorist, produced his Theory of Migration in 1966. His theory included the Push and Pull factors of migration which are used to determine the decision making process of migration. Everett S. Lee was born in Raines, South Carolina, on December 31, 1917. He obtained his Bachelor, Masters, and Doctor degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He conducted much of his work at the University of Georgia. Everett S. Lee died in Atlanta, Georgia on March 16, 2007 at the age of 89.

Push and Pull factors of Immigration for kids: List of Examples and Difference between Push and Pull Factors
Lee's laws divided factors causing migrations into two categories that Everett Lee called Push and Pull factors contained on the following list which provides Examples and the Difference between Push and Pull Factors.

List of Examples and Difference between Push and Pull Factors

Inadequate services and facilities

Famine, drought or crop failure

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
push and pull factors of immigration to america

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Push and Pull factors of Immigration for Kids ***

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find EXAMPLES of Push and Pull factors of Immigration to America for kids. List of Push and Pull factors of Immigration to America. Economic, political, environmental, social Push and Pull factors of Immigration to America for kids, children, homework and schools.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
They are fed up, truly fed up. Fed up with the constant bickering over the costs of wage benefits, social reforms, elimination of subsidies, store closing hours and all the other symbols of a country stuck in bureaucratic and legislative gridlock.

They are tired of living in country where landing a job is like playing the lottery, a country where not even half of citizens live from gainful employment and a country in which even academics in their mid-40s are already considered problem cases when it comes to job placement. In other words, they are fed up with living in a country where all opportunities already seem to be taken: opportunities to succeed in one's career, to own property and to achieve prosperity.

That is why they want to leave -- as fast as they can, in fact -- and move to places where they believe there is hope for a better future. One of those places is the Third World -- India, to be more precise. René Seifert, 35, still raves about Bangalore, India's booming metropolis, where young computer programmers spend their nights crowding into the city's dance clubs and where, during the days, cars share the streets with rickshaws and cows. And where, despite the seeming chaos, every thing has its place. "I'm fascinated by the pulse of Asia, the upbeat prevailing mood and the wealth of opportunities," he raves.

With a few thousand euros in starting capital Seifert, a businessman and former head of entertainment at Internet portal Lycos Europe, founded a company in Bangalore that provides accounting services for mid-sized German companies. He is so enamored of India that he can hardly imagine ever wanting to return to Munich. "Things are really starting to move here," he says.

"Why stay in Cottbus?"

Frank Naumann, a 38-year-old doctor, fled to Austria with his wife because of "miserable working conditions at home." German doctors, he says, "are in demand from North Cape" -- in northern Norway -- "to the Emirates, so why should I have stayed in Cottbus?"

Naumann worked at a hospital in the eastern German city of Cottbus for six years without ever being offered a permanent contract. Because his chances of being promoted to senior physician were so uncertain, Naumann and his wife decided to move to the Salzburg region, where he now has permanent contract as a senior physician at a hospital in the Austrian town of Schwarzach. Back in Cottbus, doctors are working multiple shifts because the hospital suffers from a shortage of qualified personnel.

Almost everyone in Germany these days knows people like Seifert or Naumann -- people who have decided to make a fresh start in the middle of their lives. Saying goodbye is difficult for almost anyone, but at some point the frustrations and the yearning for a new future become too overwhelming to ignore. Rarely have so many Germans decided to leave it all behind -- their houses and properties, parents and aunts, friends and co-workers. According to the German Federal Office of Statistics, 144,815 Germans left the country last year, a jump of almost 25 percent over 2002. At the same time, fewer and fewer Germans are returning from abroad. The most recent figure is 128,052. For the first time in a generation, more Germans are emigrating than returning. And these are only the official figures.

There are probably just as many who move away without bothering to notify officials in their local municipalities. And those who go are no longer only social dropouts, those seeking a tax haven or celebrities. Nowadays doctors are moving to Norway, engineers to the United States and agricultural experts to New Zealand. Germany is becoming a net exporter of people.

The typical emigrant is in his prime, between the ages of 25 and 45, has had a decent education and is already well into his career. "Those who go are often highly motivated and well-educated," says Stefanie Wahl of the Institute of the Economy and Society in Bonn. But immigrants are a different story altogether. "The people who come here are usually poor, unskilled and have little education."

A paucity of immigrants

This is precisely the problem. Not only are more people turning their backs on Germany, but those who go are typically the country's best and brightest. According to a study by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), hardly any other industrialized nation is losing so many academics to other countries. The percentage of emigrants with doctorates is 10 times as high as it is in the general population. And half of emigrants are younger than 35. "This is a warning sign," Ludwig Georg Braun, the president of the German Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said recently.

Meanwhile, the number of new immigrants is on the decline, and those who do choose to make Germany their home are often not exactly the kinds of workers companies actively seek out. While countries like Australia and Canada restrict immigration mainly to the kinds of people they can truly use, all it takes for someone to immigrate into Germany is proof that they already have family there or are Eastern Europeans of German descent.

It is failed policy with far-reaching consequences. Hamburg economist Thomas Straubhaar warns of what he calls a "DDR effect" if the country loses those who are the most flexible and open to innovation as happened to former East Germany. "Unless we do something about it," he says, "this country's problems will become more severe than almost anyone can imagine today."

The country's pension system is losing contributors just as vast numbers of baby-boomers are gradually entering retirement. The demographic crisis is getting worse, especially when one considers that deaths outnumbered births by 144,000 in 2005, and that this gap is continuing to widen.

Beyond the social system, the emigration of the country's elites represents a loss to the German economy as well. The government spends untold thousands of euros for the education and training of every biologist, computer scientist or engineer. And then these specialists become frustrated and leave the country.

Of the just under 12,000 students who enter medical school in Germany each year, fewer than 7,000 end up working in hospitals or private practice. Of those who find employment, about half of them find it outside of Germany, according to the Marburg Bund, the trade association of German hospital doctors. Training these 3,000 or so doctors who end up emigrating costs the government about €600 million -- an expense that ultimately benefits patients in Great Britain, Norway and Switzerland.

Fifty-seven thousand Germans in Austria

Ultimately, such an export of intellectual wealth weakens Germany as a site for investment. Many companies already lack specialized workers today, and 16 percent of German companies are unable to fill all their positions because of a lack of qualified candidates. There are about 7,000 unfilled engineering jobs in the machine building industry alone.

"We cannot simply look on as precisely those people emigrate who are valuable, well educated and motivated," says DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche, referring to what human resource experts call the "brain drain." Zetsche believes that the solution lies in the government changing its approach to immigration policy. "We should encourage people to immigrate who can help us solve our problems."

What was once an exotic dream has become a realistic option for many planning their lives. Three million Germans already live abroad today. Germany, the world champion when it comes to exports, began by moving its manufacturing facilities overseas, followed by outsourcing its jobs to lower-wage countries. Now its citizens are following suit.

Some are motivated by a yen for adventure in faraway places. Others are simply fed up with German idiosyncrasies, such as the propensity to constantly come up with new rules where none were necessary in the first place. But the most important motivation is often economic, as Germans facing a lack of career opportunities at home seek to build new lives in places where their skills are still in demand. And that is the case in a surprisingly large number of places in the world.

Australia has launched a campaign to recruit trained professionals from abroad, from hairdressers to mining engineers. New Zealand is also actively looking for qualified workers. But most emigrants are hesitant to move so far away; for them starting anew in a neighboring country is daring enough.

More than 57,000 Germans now work in Austria. And Switzerland is becoming increasingly popular: One in 10 emigrants opts for Germany's southern neighbor, and in 2005 Switzerland was the top destination for Germans emigrating abroad. Danish job recruiters even make the trip to job fairs in Germany to recruit sought-after German professionals.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bye Bye Deutschland: More and More Leave Germany Behind - SPIEGEL ONLINE - International

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
They are fed up, truly fed up. Fed up with the constant bickering over the costs of wage benefits, social reforms, elimination of subsidies, store closing hours and all the other symbols of a country stuck in bureaucratic and legislative gridlock.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
MapMaker is National Geographic’s free, easy-to-use, accessible, interactive, classroom mapping tool designed to amplify student engagement, critical thinking, and curiosity to tell stories about the interconnections of our world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the history of Ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Educational articles for teachers, students, and schools including religion, art, daily life, people and kings, Sumer, Babylon, Assyria, Persia, city-states, science, and more.

# data[].attributes.body
Mesopotamia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Search Results - National Geographic Society

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the unfolding mystery at the center of one of the greatest discoveries of all time-the Titanic wreckage-from the ship's discoverer, renowned oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer-at-Large Robert Ballard. The story, seemingly straight out of a Cold War thriller,...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
in 2015 I had the opportunity to spend 4 days exploring Shanghai. I feel like I only scratched the surface of this beautiful city, but here is my first impression through timelapse photography. I hope to make another trip out there to capture more of this incredible city.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ancient Mesopotamia covered an area that was about 300 miles long and about 150 miles wide. The villages, towns and cities in ancient Mesopotamia were built between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. These two rivers flowed into the Persian Gulf. With all this water, it's no wonder the ancient Mesopotamians invented the first sailboat. They also invented the wheel, the plow, the first written language, and the first super hero - Gilgamesh! They made beautiful pottery and built homes of sun-baked brick. They even built a library.

Ancient Mesopotamia is composed of three main civilizations - ancient Sumer, ancient Babylon, and ancient Assyria. These were the first real civilizations in ancient times. That's why ancient Mesopotamia is nicknamed the Cradle (or birth) of Civilization. It's other nickname is "the land between two rivers".

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ancient Mesopotamia for Kids and Teachers - The Cradle of Civilization - Mesopotamia for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ancient Mesopotamia covered an area that was about 300 miles long and about 150 miles wide. The villages, towns and cities in ancient Mesopotamia were built between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. These two rivers flowed into the Persian Gulf. With all this water, it's no wonder the ancient Mesopotamians invented the first sailboat.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
World Amazing Technology Emergency Water Power Dam Discharge USA

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Understanding Ancient Egypt

We really hope you enjoy these fun facts about Egypt. You will learn about the Pharaoh's who were the Kings of all the land. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians worshipped hundreds of gods and goddesses?

Or that they invented things like the calendar and glass blowing! Things that we still use each and every day. Learn about Pyramids like the great pyramid at Giza. It can be fun to learn about history and all that happened in the past.

Monuments and Geography

King Tut was a pharaoh in Egypt who lived from 1341 B.C. to 1323 B.C. His full name was Tutankhamun. King Tut was the 12 th pharaoh
Read More

The Valley of the Kings was a place in Ancient Egypt that was located in the Southern part of Egypt and it was located west of the Nile River
Read More

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ancient Egyptian History for Kids - Fun Facts to Learn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Understanding Ancient Egypt We really hope you enjoy these fun facts about Egypt. You will learn about the Pharaoh's who were the Kings of all the land. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians worshipped hundreds of gods and goddesses? Or that they invented things like the calendar and glass blowing!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
glossary landforms land form forms island peninsula isthmus cape strait bodies of water

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Landforms and Bodies of Water: Glossary.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Alluvial fan: land formation that occurs when sedimentary materials such as rocks, gravel, and silt, are deposited onto land as a result of decreasing or stopped water flow from a river or stream source.

Altitude (elevation): the height above sea level

Anabranch: a flowing part of the river that is separated, usually by an island, and rejoins back down stream.

Archipelago: a group of many islands.

Arête: a group sharp ridges of rocks on mountain tops usually caused by melting glaciers.

Aseismic Ridge: Chain of seamounts under the ocean created by a hotspot under the Earth's crust

Arroyo: a creek that is sometimes dry during the year from not having a constant water source such as rain.

Badlands: barren, battered and eroded land from water and shaped with the help of wearing and wind-driven sand and rain.

Barchan: is a sand dune that crescent-shape that faces the wind. The convex shape is formed by the constant blow of wind in one direction.

Barrier Island: an island or group of island, usually in the ocean, that protects the nearby mainland coast from erosion.

Basin: An area of land largely enclosed by higher land.

Bay: part of a body of salt water that reaches into the land; usually smaller than a gulf

Bayou: A slow moving body of water in a low lying area, usually near the coast, with swamp or marshland in some portions of the shoreline.

Beach: A sloping shoreline consisting of sand, gravel, soil or other sediment.

Beach Cusps: Beach formation in the form of an arc with a cusp or point at each end

Beach Ridge: Elevated formation of sand or other beach material running parallel to a shoreline

Bight: A curve like a bay landform that that has less curve than a bay.

Bluff: a cliff looking over a body of water or plain.

Bornhardt: a rock formation with steep or vertical sides and a round or dome-shaped top usually with little or no vegetation.

branch (tributary)
a river or stream that flows into a larger river or stream

Blowhole: a hole connected to a cave that is attached to a water system that builds up pressure through waves, current or wind. When the pressure is great enough, water is release, usually in a spouting manner.

Blowout: A depression or a major loss in vegetation in the ground where the wind has blown away sand or topsoil.

Braided River: A river that has three or move channels that come back together or drain into the same body of water.

Butte: A rock formation with vertical or nearly vertical sides that is flat on top and taller than it is wide

Canal: a man-made waterway connecting two bodies of water and is designed to shorten travel time or irrigate

Canyon: narrow valley with steep sides; usually created by erosion

Cape: a curved or hooked piece of land extending into a body of water

Cave: a hallow space in the ground or mountain with an opening to enter.

Cenote: a collapsed are, usually limestone, with exposed water.

Channel: a narrow deep waterway connecting two larger bodies of water; the deepest part of the waterway.

climate
the pattern of weather conditions (temperature, precipitation) over a long period of time

Cliff: A high, steep slope of rock or soil

coast
land along the sea or ocean

Confluence: Two or more bodies of water meet and their waters mix.

Continent: one of the seven largest bodies of land on earth

Continental shelf: plateau of land surface into the ocean but underwater extending from a continent.

Cove: a small bay with a restricted entrance.

Crater Lake: is a crater or caldera filled with water caused by a volcano eruption or meteor impact.

Crevasse: is a large crack in a glacier that can be seen from the surface.

Cuspate Foreland: a triangular extension from the coast

Cuesta: a gentle ground slope with a cliff.

Current: the flow of a stream of water

Dam: a wall built across a stream or river to hold back water

Dell: a valley with trees.

Delta: land built up by deposits of sand and silt at the mouth of some rivers

Dirt Cone: Done shape deposit of dirt caused by a glacier.

Desert: dry, barren region usually sandy and without trees, little rainfall or practical use of land unless irrigated

Divide: the highest ridge of land separating river basins

Dome: Oval or round land formation that is elevated from the surrounding areas.

downstream
the direction of a river's flow; toward the mouth of the river

Drainage Basin: All the water in the river exiting at a point usually into another water system like the ocean, lake or another river.

Dry Lake: a lake that is dry all year or most of the year with the dry layer being mud or salt.

Dune: a pile of sand created by wind or waves (underwater dunes)

Erg: a group of sand dunes usually found in a desert.

Estuary: where a river runs into the ocean or other types of salt water.

Escarpment: The edge of a cliff with a steep slope

fault
a fracture in the rocks along which there has been movement

fjord: a narrow inlet of the sea between high banks or cliffs created by glaciers

Flats or flat: a floodplain or former floodplain that has a flat ground surface.

Floodplain: a flat are of land around a river that floods when the river gets high.

Forest: a large tract of land covered with trees and underbrush; extensive wooded area

Fork: The place where a stream or tributary joins a river

Geo: a narrow inlet in a cliff usually caused by waves or glaciers.

Geyser: An opening in the ground that ejects hot water and steam due to volcanic activity.

Glacier: a large body of slow moving ice which alters the land around it through displacement

Glacier Caves: A cave at the bottom of a glacier.

Glen: a long and deep valley usually with steep sides. See also dale and valley.

Gully: a channel cut in the hillside or mountainside from

Gulf: part of a sea or ocean that reaches into land; usually larger than a bay.

Gorge: a deep valley with steep rocks on each side. Also referred to as a valley or canyon.

Graben: a ground depression between two faults.

Guyot: is a flat top seamount that is or once had volcanic activity.

Hanging Valley: A valley that is above another valley usually separated by a cliff.

harbor
a sheltered area of water where ships may anchor safely

Headland: a large area of land extending into a large area of water

hemisphere: half of the earth usually referred to as eastern or western; northern or southern

highland
an area of hills, plateaus, and mountains

hill: a raised part of the earth's surface with sloping sides; old mountain which because of erosion has become rounder and shorter

Hogback: an exposed rock range caused by erosion

Hoodoo: A irregular shaped rock formation that is tall and pillar-like

Iceberg: a large mass of floating ice that has broken off from a glacier, most of this is underwater

Inlet: a small part of a body of water that reaches into a coast

Island: an are of land completely surrounded by water

Islet: A island, usually all rock with little vegetation, that is uninhabitable.

isthmus: narrow strip of land with water on both sides connecting two larger pieces of land.

Karst: A soluble rock landscape shaped through erosion.

lake: a large body of water surrounded by land

Latitude: imaginary lines on a globe or map used to measure distance from the equator; parallel lines running east and west

Lava Dome: a rise in the ground or volcano caused by lava going through vents in the earth.

Lava Field: area of land covered by lava flow.

Lava Lake: molten lava in a crater or vent. (Like a lake filled with lava)

Lava Spine: vertical flowing lava that grows, usually in a sharp tower like shape.

Lava Tube: a sold cave tube caused by lava

Longitude: imaginary lines on a globe or map used to measure distance from the Prime Meridian; lines running from pole to pole.

Lowland: an area of low and usually level land

Marsh: a wetland with grasses and little or no trees

Meander: a major bend in a river or stream

Mesa: a land formation having a relatively flat top and steep rock walls

Moraine: deposits of rock and sediment left from a former or receding glacier

Mountain: high, rocky land, usually with steep sides and a pointed or rounded top, higher than a hill

Mountain Pass: the highest point in a mountain range that is passable by foot.

Mountain Range: a long chain of mountains; a row of connected mountains

Mouth (of a river): place where a river empties into a larger body of water; the end of a river

Mud Volcano: geothermal heated mud that bubbles like lava in a volcano.

Natural Arch: rock that forms together with a natural rock bridge usually caused by erosion.

Nunatak: Rocks coming from a glacier

Oasis: a fertile place in the desert where there is water and some vegetation

ocean: largest body of salt water; these cover 3/4 of the earth's surface.

Ocean Range or Mid-Ocean Range: two separating underwater tectonic plates separating with magma expelling creating mountain ranges.

Oceanic Basin: All the land in each specific ocean.

Oceanic Plateau: an elevated area of the seafloor that is higher than the surrounding area.

Oxbow Lake: a former meander of a river that has separated into a curved lake.

Peninsula: piece of land that extends into a body of water and is surrounded on three sides by water.

Pit Crater: a hole or crater with steep sides caused by volcanic activity.

Plain: a broad, flat or gently rolling area; usually low in elevation.

Plateau: flat highland area with one steep face; elevated plain.

Plunge Pool: a deep area of water under the waterfall.

Pond: a small body of water surrounded by land.

Port: man-made place along the coastline where ships can load and unload cargo; not a natural harbor.

Pothole: A hole in an exposed layer of rock that created by a river's flowing water.

Prairie: a large plains region with tall grass.

Proglacial Lake: a freshwater lake that forms behind a glacier.

Pyramidal Peak: Is where two or more arêtes meet and form a pyramid shape on top of a mountain.

Raised Beach: an area of land above the shore that is higher than high tide.

Rapids: a part of a river, generally shallow, where the currents move swiftly over rocks.

Ravine: a smaller form of a valley with steep sides.

Reef: a ridge of rock or sand at or near the surface of the water.

Reservoir: a lake where water is collected and stored for future use.

Ria: a valley that flows into a coastline's water and gets submerged.

Riffle: a shallow area of a river, lake or stream that has ripples caused usually by a rocky surface.

Rift Valley: two separating tectonic plates forming a valley by the land falling.

River: a large stream of water flowing through the land into a lake, ocean, or other body of water.

River Delta: a branching river extending into another body of water.

River Island: an island in a river.

Sea: a large body of water, usually salt water, partly or completely surrounded by land.

Sound: a wide channel connecting two bodies of water or an inlet between the mainland and islands

Source (of a river): the place where a river or stream begins.

Strait: a narrow waterway connecting two larger bodies of water.

Sandbar: an area of sand or sentiment that has been collecting and rises above or just below the water.

Sinkhole: Collapsed limestone or other softrock that forms a hole on the earth's surface.

Swamp: an area of land that is always soaked with water; low, wet land that supports grass and trees.

Terrace: a flat area of land like a step on landforms like a mountain, valley or beach.

Tide: the regular rising and falling of the water of the oceans and waters connected to the ocean.

Upstream: the direction toward a river's source; opposite to the rivers' flow.

Valley: low land between hills or mountains.

Volcano: a cone shaped mountain formed out of rock or ash thrown up from inside the arth, frequently with an opening or depression at the top.

Waterfall: place where running water makes a sheer drop, usually over a cliff.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Alluvial fan: land formation that occurs when sedimentary materials such as rocks, gravel, and silt, are deposited onto land as a result of decreasing or stopped water flow from a river or stream source. Altitude (elevation): the height above sea level Anabranch: a flowing part of the river that is separated, usually by an island, and rejoins back down stream.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This map shows the estimated net immigration (inflows minus outflows) by origin and destination country between 2010 and 2015.

Blue circles = positive net migration (more inflows). Red circles = negative net migration (more outflows). Each yellow dot represents 1,000 people.

Hover over a circle to see that country's total net migration between 2010 and 2015. Click a circle (or tap the circle twice on mobile) to view only the migration flows in and out of that country.

Country-to-country net migration (2010-2015)
The data for this map comes from the U.N. Population Division, more information on how it was calculated at the bottom of the post.
Immigration: the new Godwin's Law

If you're not familiar with Godwin's law, it is an old internet adage that states, " As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazism or Hitler approaches 1. "

Lately, I've found a similar principle applies to immigration. No matter what topic is being discussed online, if the conversation goes on for long enough, someone will inevitably tie it back to immigration.

Immigration has always been an important and frequently debated issue. And for many current events, the connection with immigration is clear, for example: terrorism / ISIS, the Brexit, Donald Trump and this year's presidential race, the refugee crisis. But at some point in the last year or two, I started noticing immigration being mentioned in connection with all sorts of topics I never would have expected.

To see what I mean, here are some of the topics I've posted about where immigration came up in discussion, either in the comment section of the post or on social media:

Why is immigration suddenly the cause / result / solution of everything? (Not meant rhetorically. If you have a good answer, I'd love to know.)

Who is migrating from where to where?

For a topic that comes up as often as immigration, I've found the debate to be really lacking in factual information. Hopefully this map is helpful is clearing up at least the simple, basic statistics: how many migrants are there? Where are they coming from? And where are they going?

Please keep in mind, these numbers are only estimates. You can find the full details of how they were calculated at the bottom of the post.

That said, here are a few of the pieces I found interesting.

Syria

Between 2010 and 2015, the net migration from Syria to Sweden was more than Syria's net migration to the rest of Europe and the Americas combined.

Many Middle Eastern countries have been criticized for allegedly accepting few Syrian refugees. In Qatar and the UAE, the net migration appears to actually be negative. Though of the Middle Eastern countries that are accepting Syrian refugees, the numbers they are dealing with are orders of magnitude higher than in the West.

The United Kingdom / Brexit

In the Brexit debate, the loudest arguments in favor of leaving the EU have been about immigration. What strikes me as interesting is how small a portion of the UK's net immigration is actually coming from Europe.

Australia

Australia, another country where immigration has become a highly charged political issue, jumps out as an interesting case.

By these estimates, Australia's net immigration is negative with every country in the world, except for a small positive immigration balance with Sudan. Australia is the only country in the world to have significant positive net immigration with the US.

United States

Last month, I posted a map visualizing 200 years of US immigration (inflows only). I would have liked to do the same with US emigration, which may be the more interesting direction since it is not nearly as well known. Unfortunately the US does not keep good emigration records and the best data I've managed to find goes back only a few decades. So, I don't foresee being able to make a historical US emigration map.

Still, I think it's pretty interesting to see what US net immigration flows look like in the present.

As mentioned above, according to these estimates, the US has significant positive net immigration with only one other country, Australia. The country with which the US has the largest negative net immigration is, perhaps unsurprisingly, Mexico. Though the amount by which Mexico leads is down substantially compared to a decade ago. Illegal immigration in particular has fallen off sharply, as demonstrated by this time series of border apprehensions from Pew Research.

When US immigration is viewed by region, the area that really stands out is Asia, which now accounts for just as much US immigration as North + South America (Mexico included).

Immigration between the US and Mexico is particularly complex, since it involves both legal and illegal immigration as well as temporary laborers, deportations, and a large number of people living in immigration detention facilities. For that reason, America's true net migration with Mexico is uncertain, and may actually be much lower than what's shown here. If you believe Pew's estimates, net migration with Mexico is now actually negative: more people are migrating from the US to Mexico than vice versa.

Immigration perceptions

Wherever you stand politically on immigration, you have to admit, it's pretty strange how rarely basic stats like these enter the debate. For all the discussion in the US about border fences and immigration limits, the simple question of "how many immigrants are there?" hardly ever even comes up.

Public opinion about immigration was likely a deciding factor in Britain's decision to exit the EU. And it may very well determine who becomes the next US president. Yet the majority of Brits and the majority of Americans misestimate the size of their country's immigrant population by a multiple.

The data for this map comes from the UN Population Division's estimates for Total Migrant Stock - the number of global migrants, broken down by country of residence and country of origin. The numbers are not fully consistent. In some cases, they represent foreign citizens and in others they represent foreign born. See the dataset itself for the full set of footnotes.

To convert those figures into immigration estimates, I took the difference between the migrant stock in 2015 and that in 2010. Since some of that difference is due to mortality, not immigration, I adjusted the 2010 numbers down assuming an annual mortality rate of 0.8%, the global average.

The map was made in Javascript using D3, three.js, and MapboxGL.

View the map as a Youtube video or embed the interactive version using the HTML below.
My latest project, Elementus, aims to bring transparency to the cryptocurrency market. Check out our blog for some crypto-related data visualizations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
All the World's Immigration Visualized in 1 Map

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn63.9KsharesThis map shows the estimated net immigration (inflows minus outflows) by origin and destination country between 2010 and 2015. Blue circles = positive net migration (more inflows). Red circles = negative net migration (more outflows). Each yellow dot represents 1,000 people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the civilization of ancient Egypt including the pharaohs, pyramids, art, government, geography, Nile River, mummies, religion, hieroglyphics, and clothing. Educational articles for students, schools, and teachers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Frightening Reality of Global Climate Change

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Earth Documentaries -RRB- Arctic Climate Change

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Bill Nyes Global Meltdown Climate Change Documentary National Geographic Explorer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NBC series edited to one short video. Global warming, climate change, extreme weather, heat, wildfires, prolonged drought, floods, extreme NH cold, severe coastal storms, and Arctic rapid warming and Arctic summer sea loss. There is a link.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
China Travel Agency, Tour with China Highlights - Since 1959!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
China travel agency offers China Tours, Yangtze River Cruises, Domestic Flights & Hotels. Helping over 10,000+ people tour China each year, maybe you?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Journals Through History  Ancient Egypt  Constructing Civilization

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Uploaded by mountainvillestorrs on 2014-10-02.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Shanghai's restaurants are among the finest in the country, offering quality food and superior service. The city has a plethora of food delights focusing on the traditions of Beijing, Sichuan, Hunan, Guangzhou and of course the local Benbang dishes. If visitors are homesick for Western food, this is also available in the downtown area.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Shanghai Travel China: Facts, Attractions, City Map, Weather, Tips

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
China Shanghai travel information on Shanghai facts, tours, maps, tourist attractions, weather, pictures, dining, shopping, nightlife as well as travel tips.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Largest dams in the world http://largest-dams-1.blogspot.com