CZ:Featured article/Current: Difference between revisions

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(Europe)
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== '''[[Black mamba]]''' ==
== '''[[Europe]]''' ==
----{{Image|Dendroaspis polylepis.jpg|right|300px|A black mamba.}}
----
The '''Black mamba''' (''Dendroaspis polylepis''), also commonly known as the '''common black mamba''' or the '''black-mouthed mamba'''<ref name= 'ct'>[http://www.toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN0170 Dendroaspis polylepis] at [http://www.toxinology.com/ Clinical Toxinology Resource]. Accessed 6 May 2012.</ref> is a species of large, highly venomous snake belonging to the Elapidae family and is native to [[Africa]]. The black mamba is the longest venomous snake species in Africa, measuring between 2.5 and 3.2 m (8.2 and 10 ft) in length on average, and capable of growing to lengths of {{convert|4.45|m|ft}}.<ref name='Marais'>Marais, Johan. 2004. ''A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa''. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik Nature. 95-97 pp. ISBN 1-86872-932-X.</ref> This species is named for the black colouration inside the mouth rather than the colour of its scales, which varies from dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal grey. It is the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 metres per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph).<ref name= 'NGS'>[http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/black-mamba/ Black mamba] at [http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ National Geographic Society]. Accessed 6 May 2012.</ref> Black mambas are fast, nervous, lethally venomous and, when threatened, highly aggressive. They have been blamed for numerous human deaths, and African myths exaggerate their capabilities to legendary proportions. For these reasons, the black mamba is widely considered to be the world’s deadliest snake.<ref name= 'NGS'/><ref name='myths'>Smith, Roddy. [http://www.wildlife-pictures-online.com/black-mamba.html Black mamba myths and Other snake stories] at ''Wildlife Conservation - Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia''. The Witness. Accessed 6 May 2012.</ref> Before the advent of black mamba antivenom, a bite from this species was 100% fatal, usually within about 20 minutes in very severe cases of envenomation.<ref name= 'NGS'/><ref name= 'PBS'>Lee, Donald. [http://www.thirteen.org/pressroom/pdf/nature/season28/Nature28BlackMambarelease.pdf Black mamba envenomation] at ''[http://www.pbs.org/ Nature-PBS]''. Accessed 6 May 2012.</ref><ref name= 'OShea'>O'Shea, Mark. 2005. ''Venomous Snakes of the World''. United Kingdom: New Holland Publishers. 79 pp. ISBN 0-691-12436-1.</ref>
'''Europe''' is made up of 51 widely differing countries, nearly all of which are linked to the others by a treaty or other form of agreement. There are at least as many languages as countries, and there are large differences of size and prosperity, but nearly all have adopted some form of [[representative government]], and nearly all are committed to the preservation of a common code of human rights. 27 European countries are members of the [[European Union]], which is an association of [[sovereign state]]s that controls  defined aspects of their political, social and economic policies. 17 of its members are also members  of the [[eurozone]], membership of which involves the adoption of the [[euro]] as their common currency, the delegation of [[monetary policy]] to a [[European Central Bank]] and the acceptance of agreed limits on the conduct of  their [[fiscal policy|fiscal policies]].


''[[Black mamba|.... (read more)]]''
===Etymology===
According to [[Homer]] the name '''Europe''' (Ancient [[Greek language|Greek]]: ''Εὐρώπη, Eurṓpē'') was originally given to central Greece. Later it stood for mainland Greece and by [[500 BC]] its meaning was extented to all the lands of the north. The origin for the word Europe is usually given as from the Greek words for “broad” (''eurys'') and “face” (''ops''). In mythology, [[Europa (mythology)|Europa]] was a [[Phoenician]] princess who was abducted by a bull-shaped [[Zeus]].
Another theory derives the name from the Assyrian-Phoenician word ''ereb'' (sunset).
 
''[[Europe|.... (read more)]]''


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Revision as of 22:35, 18 May 2012

Europe


Europe is made up of 51 widely differing countries, nearly all of which are linked to the others by a treaty or other form of agreement. There are at least as many languages as countries, and there are large differences of size and prosperity, but nearly all have adopted some form of representative government, and nearly all are committed to the preservation of a common code of human rights. 27 European countries are members of the European Union, which is an association of sovereign states that controls defined aspects of their political, social and economic policies. 17 of its members are also members of the eurozone, membership of which involves the adoption of the euro as their common currency, the delegation of monetary policy to a European Central Bank and the acceptance of agreed limits on the conduct of their fiscal policies.

Etymology

According to Homer the name Europe (Ancient Greek: Εὐρώπη, Eurṓpē) was originally given to central Greece. Later it stood for mainland Greece and by 500 BC its meaning was extented to all the lands of the north. The origin for the word Europe is usually given as from the Greek words for “broad” (eurys) and “face” (ops). In mythology, Europa was a Phoenician princess who was abducted by a bull-shaped Zeus. Another theory derives the name from the Assyrian-Phoenician word ereb (sunset).

.... (read more)