Britannica Educational Publishing imprint: 818 books

The development and evolution of all species can, in many ways, be traced to a few biochemical reactions that facilitate metabolic and/or photosynthetic changes in each life form. Indeed, advances in the field of biochemistry have intimately depended on the study of these processes and the way basic...

Catalyzed by the introduction of writing and the unifying force of Christianity, prehistoric European societies became flourishing civilizations in the early stages of European history. This period ushered in new technologies and advances in economic, political, and scientific thought that created...

Described as craggy, rocky, or glacial, among a host of other descriptors, the Earth’s geosphere—that is, its solid foundation—is subject to incredible variation. It is these permutations that inform the study of the geological sciences. This field involves not only the study of rocks, minerals,...

As a fixture in recent headlines, the Earth’s climate has commanded much attention. While environmental and atmospheric conditions in large part determine the climate of a region, the impact of human activity has increasingly become a significant factor as well. This is especially true concerning...

Anyone who has marveled at the glimmer of a perfectly cut diamond, tended a garden, or consumed a nutritious meal has appreciated some of the many roles that minerals play in our lives. Present in many natural substances, minerals are highly structured entities, each with a unique chemical composition...

While we may often find them nestled in the corners of our attics or traversing our yards, rodents and bats are more frequently found in nature and originate in a large variety of shapes and sizes. Together they make up over half of the planet’s mammal species. While there are only 29 species of...

This encyclopedic volume is a thorough examination of the history of religion in ancient India, detailing each of the gods and goddesses, his or her origins, and how the gods continue to be worshipped today. The history of religion is directly tied to the history of the past one thousand years. World...

Crossing geographic and cultural boundaries at a time when much of the world remained uncharted was a challenge faced by ancient explorers. Long before the Golden Age of Exploration, an assortment of travellers ventured into the unknown, uncovering untapped riches of land and resources in the process....

Though smaller than most other Arab countries, the gulf states of Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates represent some of the most fascinating areas of the Middle East. A blend of traditional and modern, most of these states have become wealthy with oil money, which has allowed...

Mesopotamian religion was one of the earliest religious systems to develop with—and in turn influence—a high civilization. Followed by the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, Mesopotamian religion and mythology reflected the complexities of these societies and has been preserved...

With their eyes set on distant horizons, explorers from across Europe—including Leif Eriksson, Sir Francis Drake, and Alexander von Humboldt—voyaged to the New World. They discovered the lands that would later be known as the Americas—motivated by curiosity, commercial interests, or scientific...

Contained in the immensity and depths of the Earth’s oceans, many of the planet’s species and resources thrive far away from the reaches of human civilization. With expanses that have yet to be discovered and enormous reservoirs of untapped potential, oceans provide fodder for all manners of research....

Perhaps the most iconic representation of Americana, baseball captured the hearts of the American public when it first gained traction around the country in the mid-19th century. The sport continues to enthrall audiences both in the United States and around the world through informal games, regional...

Governance is a complex process, often divided among various structures and institutions. Local, regional, national, and even supranational entities each have their own formal and informal institutions that comprise a political system. Readers will use this comprehensive volume to examine the various...