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Alfisol soils

Alfisol soils, or chestnut soils, are fertile and versatile, supporting agriculture and biodiversity in steppe and temperate regions. Sustainable management ensures their productivity and ecological value. For a detailed description, click on the article title.

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Algeria

Location: North Africa Official name: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Formation (date of independence / date current borders were established): 1962 / 1962 Capital city: Algiers Population: 35.4 million / 38 people per sq mile (15 people per sq km) Total land area: 919,590 square miles (2,381,740 square km) Language(s) spoken: Arabic (official language), Tamazight (Kabyle, …

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Amazon river

The Amazon River, spanning 4,000 miles from the Andes to the Atlantic, sustains South America’s biodiversity and communities while influencing global ecosystems. Conservation is essential for this natural wonder. For a detailed description, click on the article title.

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AMU

The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), established in 1989, seeks to promote cooperation among North African states—Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia—despite political challenges. For a detailed description, click on the article title.

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Andaman Sea

The Andaman Sea, covering 308,000 square miles, is a biodiverse and economically vital water body in Southeast Asia, supporting fishing, tourism, and global trade. Sustainable management is crucial to preserving its ecosystems. For a detailed description, click on the article title.

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Andorra

Location: Southwest Europe Official name: Principality of Andorra Formation (date of independence / date current borders were established): 1278 / 1278 Capital city: Andorra la Vella Population: 84,825 / 471 people per sq mile (182 people per sq km) Total land area: 181 square miles (468 square km) Language(s) spoken: Spanish, Catalan (official language), French, …

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Angola

Location: Southern Africa Official name: Republic of Angola Formation (date of independence / date current borders were established): 1975 / 1975 Capital city: Luanda Population: 19 million / 39 people per sq mile (15 people per sq km) Total land area: 481,351 square miles (1,246,700 square km) Language(s) spoken: Portuguese (official language), Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo …

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Anticyclone

Anticyclones are high-pressure systems where descending, warming air leads to clear skies and dry weather. They shape regional climates but can cause droughts or air quality issues when prolonged. For a detailed description, click on the article title.

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Antigua and Barbuda

Location: West Indies Official name: Antigua and Barbuda Formation (date of independence / date current borders were established): 1981 / 1981 Capital city: St. John’s Population: 87,884 / 517 people per sq mile (200 people per sq km) Total land area: 170 square miles (442 square km) Language(s) spoken: English (official language), English patois Main …

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Apartheid

Apartheid in South Africa (1948–1994) institutionalized racial segregation to maintain white supremacy, denying rights to non-white populations. Its abolition marked a historic victory for justice. For a detailed description, click on the article title.

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Aquifer

Aquifers, underground layers of water-storing rock or sediment, are essential for drinking water, agriculture, and ecosystems. Protecting them is vital for sustainable freshwater resources. For a detailed description, click on the article title.