banana — /beuh nan euh/, n. 1. a tropical plant of the genus Musa, certain species of which are cultivated for their nutritious fruit. Cf. banana family. 2. the fruit, esp. that of M. paradisiaca, with yellow or reddish rind. [1590 1600; < Sp < Pg (perh.… … Universalium
Austronesian languages — formerly Malayo Polynesian languages Family of about 1,200 languages spoken by more than 200 million people in Indonesia, the Philippines, Madagascar, the central and southern Pacific island groups (except most of New Guinea; see Papuan… … Universalium
Niger-Congo languages — Family of some 1,400 languages of Africa. All of these are considered to be distinct languages and not simply dialects. The named dialects of these languages number many thousands more, not to mention the variant names for those languages and… … Universalium
The Languages of Africa — is a 1963 book of essays by Joseph Greenberg, in which he sets forth a genetic classification of African languages that, with some changes, continues to be the most commonly used one today. It is an expanded and extensively revised version of his … Wikipedia
literature — /lit euhr euh cheuhr, choor , li treuh /, n. 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. 2.… … Universalium
Central Africa — Introduction region of Africa that straddles the Equator and is drained largely by the Congo River system. It comprises, according to common definitions, the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), the Central African Republic, and the… … Universalium
Costa Rica — Costa Rican. /kos teuh ree keuh, kaw steuh, koh /; Sp. /kaws tah rddee kah/ a republic in Central America, between Panama and Nicaragua. 3,534,174; 19,238 sq. mi. (49,825 sq. km). Cap.: San José. * * * Costa Rica Introduction Costa Rica… … Universalium
Maldivians — ދިވެހިން … Wikipedia
Belize — Belizean /beuh lee zee euhn/, adj., n. /beuh leez /, n. 1. Formerly, British Honduras. a parliamentary democracy in N Central America: a former British crown colony; gained independence 1981. 224,663; 8867 sq. mi. (22,966 sq. km). Cap.: Belmopan … Universalium
Ecuador — Ecuadoran, Ecuadorean, Ecuadorian, adj., n. /ek weuh dawr /, n. a republic in NW South America. 11,690,535; 109,483 sq. mi. (283,561 sq. km). Cap.: Quito. * * * Ecuador Introduction Ecuador Background: The Republic of the Equator was one of three … Universalium
