Rwanda. The very name evokes troubling images of unparalleled violence, senseless human atrocities, and genocide. The country is best known as the scene for one of the world's worst ethnic-based conflict. Approximately 1 million people were killed in 100 days in 1994, and millions more fled the country, while the world looked on passively, watching the daily carnage of human butchery on television. Rwanda is a tiny, landlocked country about the size of Maryland, but has many names. Due to its mostly hilly terrain, it has been called the "Land of a Thousand Hills."Early European travelers...
Rwanda. The very name evokes troubling images of unparalleled violence, senseless human atrocities, and genocide. The country is best known as the sce...
A difficult environment with a harsh Arctic climate has made life for the Finns extremely challenging. But they have overcome more than just their environment. Religious divisions that developed between the Catholic and Orthodox churches also divided the country during the Great Schism. Later, the country was a battleground for fighting between the historical powers of Sweden and Russia. Today, Finland is a communications titan, and the country is no longer situated on the fringes of human activity. The use of technology has helped the Finns move to a point of virtual centrality in the...
A difficult environment with a harsh Arctic climate has made life for the Finns extremely challenging. But they have overcome more than just their env...
For a better part of its history, Poland's destiny has often been strongly influenced, if not determined, by actions of its neighbors. From the west, Germans often advanced eastward; from the east, Russians, and later Soviets, expanded toward the west. In both cases, Poland was in their path. Yet, despite attempts by others to integrate or divide Poland, its people managed to overcome countless obstacles, preserve their ethnic identity and unity, and remain independent. In that process, Poland has appeared as a country in transition, a country on a journey without an entirely clear final...
For a better part of its history, Poland's destiny has often been strongly influenced, if not determined, by actions of its neighbors. From the west, ...
The information-packed volumes in this series provide comprehensive overviews of each nation's people, geography, history, government, economy, and culture. Brimming with full-color photographs and maps that reflect current political boundaries, this series meets national social studies and geography curriculum standards.
The information-packed volumes in this series provide comprehensive overviews of each nation's people, geography, history, government, economy, and cu...
Once at the center of one of the world's most ancient civilizations, Syria has seen its share of turmoil. Occupied by many empires throughout its history, Syria became part of the vast Ottoman Empire in 1516. Following the breakup of the Ottoman Empire during World War I, Syria was put under French mandate by the League of Nations. It became independent in 1946, but continued to experience political instability until Hafez Assad gained power in a bloodless military coup on November 13, 1970. Since then, Syria has played a part in the Arab conflict in Israel and continued involvement in...
Once at the center of one of the world's most ancient civilizations, Syria has seen its share of turmoil. Occupied by many empires throughout its hist...
Inhabited by the Taino Indians since the seventh century, the Dominican Republic became the site of the first European settlement in the Americas when Christopher Columbus claimed the island for Spain in 1492. Santo Domingo proudly boasts the first cathedral, fortress, hospital, monastery, university, palace, and streets in the Americas. Once ruled by Spain, France, and Haiti, the country eventually gained its independence in 1844 and modeled its constitution after the U.S. Constitution. A legacy of unsettled, nonrepresentative rule followed, capped by the ironfisted dictatorship of General...
Inhabited by the Taino Indians since the seventh century, the Dominican Republic became the site of the first European settlement in the Americas when...
Though Nicaragua is today thought of as a developing, war-torn country rife with scandal, the country enjoys a long, rich history. In 1502, Christopher Columbus was the first European to reach present-day Nicaragua as he sailed along the coast of Central America. Later conquered by the Spanish, the local Indian civilizations suffered from diseases brought over by the conquistadores and were enslaved to work in valuable mines. Nicaragua gained its independence in 1838, but the region often became embroiled in civil wars. Violent opposition to the government and corruption spread to all classes...
Though Nicaragua is today thought of as a developing, war-torn country rife with scandal, the country enjoys a long, rich history. In 1502, Christophe...
