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Socialism
Socialism: a social system in which goods are owned collectively, and the whole community exercises political power.
Category: Glossary
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Society
A group that shares a geographic region, a common language, and a sense of identity and culture.
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Softwood
Softwood: wood from cone-bearing trees, such as pine or cedar.
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Soil
The earth mantle is made of decomposed rock and decayed organic material.
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Soil erosion
Soil erosion: the natural wearing away of the soil by wind or rain.
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Solar system
It consists of the sun and nine known planets, and other celestial bodies that orbit the sun.
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Solstice
Either of two times of the year when the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon at the furthest points north or south, and that marks the beginning of summer and winter. In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice is the longest day, and the winter solstice the shortest.
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South America
South America, the fourth-largest continent, is defined by towering mountains, vast rainforests, rich cultures, and dynamic economies. Its blend of indigenous legacies, colonial histories, and modern innovations has forged a vibrant and influential region. For a detailed description, click on the article title.
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South China Sea
The South China Sea is the no. 8th contiguous open water surface on earth. It has a huge, 895,4 square mile (2,319,000 square km) area and 5,419 square feet (1,652 square meters) average depth. The South China Sea’s greatest known depth is 16,456 feet (5,016 meters), which can be found here: West of Luzon.
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South Slav
A person who migrated from Poland or Russia and settled in the Balkan peninsula around 500.
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South, the
A region that covers about one-fourth of the United States’ land area contains more than one-third of its population.
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Southern hemisphere
Southern hemisphere: the half of the Earth that lies south of the equator.
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Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean is the no. 4th contiguous open water surface on earth. It has a huge, 7,848,300 square mile (20,327,000 square km) area and 13,100-16,400 square feet (4,000-5,000 square meters) average depth. The Southern Ocean’s greatest known depth is 23,736 feet (7,235 meters), which can be found at South Sandwich Trench.
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Sovereign state
A political unit that has achieved political independence and maintains itself as a separate unit.
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Spanish conquest
The conquering of the native Americans by the Spanish.
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Spatial
Geographers recognize spatial distributions and patterns in Earth’s physical and human characteristics. The term spatial comes from the noun “space,” and it relates to the distribution of various phenomena on Earth’s surface. Geographers portray spatial data cartographically-that is, with maps.
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Special Economic Zones
In China, the urban areas designated after the 1970s to attract investment and boost production through tax breaks and other incentives.
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Sphere of influence
A method of dividing foreign control in china, after the country was forced to sign a series of treaties granting special privileges to the Europeans. China was partitioned for control by Britain, France, Germany, and Russia, among others.
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Spiritualism
The belief that souls and spirits communicate with the living, usually through intermediaries called mediums.
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Spodosols
Acidic soils that have a grayish, bleached appearance when plowed, lack well-decomposed organic matter, and are low in natural fertility. Also known as podzols.