Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

General Aviation

2008-08-20T13:42:18Z

Hersman:

[[Image:L-5 Piper Cub.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Astronaut]] (Col.) [[Joe Engle]] and son Jon with a general aviation L-5 [[Piper Cub]]]]

General Aviation refers to all flying except the scheduled airlines, the military, and ultra light vehicles. All aviation in the United States in governed by the [Federal Aviation Administration(FAA.gov)]

General Aviation includes many forms of commercial, corporate, private, recreational, and sport flying.

Air Charter is a form of "on demand" commercial service in which the customer is flown to his destination on his own schedule, and to thousands of airports not served by the scheduled airlines.

Many corporations own, lease, or share aircraft of various sizes to transport their own executives and employees wherever they need to go.

Private pilots, usually flying single-engine airplanes, make thousands of flights every day to points all over North America. These usually have a speed range of between 70 and 250 mph. Within the range of the airplane, perhaps up to one-third of the continent, a small airplane is often quicker than the commercial airlines because it can be flown directly from the departure point to the ultimate destination. This eliminates the need to arrive at a large congested airline terminal two hours before the departure time, the need for stopovers and connecting flights, as well as the need for extended ground transportation after the flight. Small airplanes can utilize thousands of landing areas not available to larger aircraft, and serving hundreds of towns without commercial airline service.

General aviation is also responsible for thousands of missionary and humanitarian flight each day all over the world. In many countries, small airplanes are the only modern means of transportation between remote places.

Daily, often through the night hours, such carriers as FedEx and United Parcel Service move tens of thousands of packages by air. General Aviation is serving all Americans in ways that are not readily visible to us.

General Aviation also includes such occupations as agricultural spraying, pipeline, power line maintenance, forestry and wildlife management, law enforcement, and flight instruction. Most pilots, even of large aircraft, received their initial instruction in small single-engine airplanes.

The standard Pilot's License is a Private Pilot License, but in the United States there are two other lower levels of licenses: Recreational Pilot and Sport Pilot. A person interested in flying as a career could use one of these as a step toward his Private Pilot license, or he could get a the Private license as his first one. His next step would a an Instrument Rating which allows him to fly in clouds and restricted visibilities, then a Commercial License, which means he can now fly for pay in some cases. A Multi-engine Rating prepares him to fly airplanes with more than one engine. A Type Rating is required for each make and model of jet aircraft. or an aircraft weighing over 12,500 pounds. An Airline Transport Pilot license (ATP) is required to fly large transports such as commercial airline passenger airplanes.

General Aviation also includes gliders, seaplanes, and various vintage aircraft flown mostly for sport and historical preservation.

The [Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)] and the [Experiemental Aircraft Association (EAA)] are two of the most influential organizations representing General Aviation. See [Be-a-Pilot.com] for more on becoming a pilot yourself.

[[category:aviation]]

West Virginia

2008-08-20T04:29:41Z

Hersman:

{{USState
|name=West Virginia
|flag=West_Virginia_State_Flag.gif
|motto="Montani semper liberi" (Mountaineers are always free)
|nick=The Mountain State
|capital=Charleston
|language=English
|governor=Joe Manchin
|gparty=Democrat
|senator1=Robert Byrd
|s1party=Democrat
|senator2=Jay Rockefeller
|s2party=Democrat
|population=
|date=June 20, 1863 (35th)
}}
[[Image:West-virginia.gif|right|thumb|Map of West Virginia]]
'''West Virginia''' became the thirty-fifth state on June 20, 1863, after separating from [[Virginia]] during the [[American Civil War]]. Its official nickname is "The Mountain State," which is apt considering that West Virginia has the highest mean elevation of any state east of the [[Mississippi River]]. West Virginians commonly refer to themselves as Mountaineers. The team name of the state's flagship university-- West Virginia University-- is also the Mountaineers. "Montani semper libre," the state's slogan, means "Mountaineers are always free."

==Founding==

West Virginia was granted statehood during the [[American Civil War]]. The Commonwealth of [[Virginia]], which had since colonial times included the counties that now comprise West Virginia, voted to secede from the Union; however, the counties in western Virginia were more sympathetic to the Union. To avoid seceding from the Union, these counties seceded from Virginia in 1861 in order remain part of the United States. President Lincoln granted the counties of Western Virginia formal statehood in 1863.

==State Facts==

West Virginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny ridges of the Appalachian Mountains on the East. The northern border is formed by the North Branch Potomac River, the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, and the Ohio River. Its odd shape and long panhandles are the result of irregular borders with other states that follow rivers and ridges. A Mountaineer once quipped, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

The population is 1,818,470.[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54000.html]

The State Flower is the Rhododendron; the State Tree is the Sugar [[Maple]]; the State Bird is the [[Cardinal]]; and the State Animal is the Black [[Bear]].

Tourism brochures, driver's licenses, license plates, and road signs describe West Virginia with the slogan "Wild and Wonderful." John Denver's hit song 'Country Roads' has helped make West Virginia a symbol of Appalachian life throughout the world.

The capital city, [[Charleston]], has a population of 51,394[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/5414600.html] and is located on the Kanawha River in the south-central region of the state known as "Metro Valley." In addition to Charleston, there are nine other metropolitan areas in West Virginia(some include parts of bordering states):

* Cumberland, MD-WV
* Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
* Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
* Morgantown, WV
* Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH
* Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH
* Wheeling, WV-OH
* Winchester, VA-WV

The highest elevation in West Virginia is Spruce Knob in Pendleton County at 4,862 feet.

The state has been the birthplace of many notable men and woman, including [[Pearl S. Buck]], General [[Thomas J. Jackson|Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson]], General [[Charles Yeager|Chuck Yeager]], John Henry, Don Knotts, and Senator [[Robert Byrd]].

==Physical Geography==

West Virginia is about 80% forested and supports a strong timber industry. It is also one of the leading [[coal]] producing states, in past decades often rotating with [[Kentucky]] as the number one coal producer. [[Wyoming]] has recently surpassed both states as the #1 coal producer. West Virginia is also a productive agricultural state, and was a leader in steel and chemical production in the early and mid 20th century.

Because of the state's rugged terrain and vast wildlands, it has become an international attraction for campers, fisherman, hunters, spelunkers, whitewater rafters, hang gliders, and hikers.

==Politics==

Since 1928, West Virginia has usually voted for Democratic presidential candidates when a new president was being elected, but the state did help reelect [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] in 1956 and [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1984. In 2000 and again in 2004, Republican presidential candidate, [[George W. Bush]], won the state's 5 electoral votes. About half the the state's governors have been Republicans in spite of the strong leaning toward the Democratic Party. Much of this allegiance stems from labor disputes in which Demorcratic candidates sided with the coal miners unions more than 75 years ago. West Virginians are generally very conservative in such issues as gun control, abortion, and same-sex marriage, but their professed views are often not reflected in the elections.

{{USstates}}
[[Category:States of the United States]]

West Virginia

2008-08-20T04:23:40Z

Hersman:

{{USState
|name=West Virginia
|flag=West_Virginia_State_Flag.gif
|motto="Montani semper liberi" (Mountaineers are always free)
|nick=The Mountain State
|capital=Charleston
|language=English
|governor=Joe Manchin
|gparty=Democrat
|senator1=Robert Byrd
|s1party=Democrat
|senator2=Jay Rockefeller
|s2party=Democrat
|population=
|date=June 20, 1863 (35th)
}}
[[Image:West-virginia.gif|right|thumb|Map of West Virginia]]
'''West Virginia''' became the thirty-fifth state on June 20, 1863, after separating from [[Virginia]] during the [[American Civil War]]. Its official nickname is "The Mountain State," which is apt considering that West Virginia has the highest mean elevation of any state east of the [[Mississippi River]]. West Virginians commonly refer to themselves as Mountaineers. The team name of the state's flagship university-- West Virginia University-- is also the Mountaineers. "Montani semper libre," the state's slogan, means "Mountaineers are always free."

==Founding==

West Virginia was granted statehood during the [[American Civil War]]. The Commonwealth of [[Virginia]], which had since colonial times included the counties that now comprise West Virginia, voted to secede from the Union; however, the counties in western Virginia were more sympathetic to the Union. To avoid seceding from the Union, these counties seceded from Virginia in 1861 in order remain part of the United States. President Lincoln granted the counties of Western Virginia formal statehood in 1863.

==State Facts==

West Virginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny ridges of the Appalachian Mountains on the East. The northern border is formed by the North Branch Potomac River, the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, and the Ohio River. Its odd shape and long panhandles are the result of irregular borders with other states that follow rivers and ridges. A Mountaineer once quipped, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

The population is 1,818,470.[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54000.html]

The State Flower is the Rhododendron; the State Tree is the Sugar [[Maple]]; the State Bird is the [[Cardinal]]; and the State Animal is the Black [[Bear]].

Tourism brochures, driver's licenses, license plates, and road signs describe West Virginia with the slogan "Wild and Wonderful." John Denver's hit song 'Country Roads' has helped make West Virginia a symbol of Appalachian life throughout the world.

The capital city, [[Charleston]], has a population of 51,394[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/5414600.html] and is located on the Kanawha River in the south-central region of the state known as "Metro Valley." In addition to Charleston, there are nine other metropolitan areas in West Virginia(some include parts of bordering states):

* Cumberland, MD-WV
* Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
* Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
* Morgantown, WV
* Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH
* Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH
* Wheeling, WV-OH
* Winchester, VA-WV

The highest elevation in West Virginia is Spruce Knob in Pendleton County at 4,862 feet.

The state has been the birthplace of many notable men and woman, including [[Pearl S. Buck]], General [[Thomas J. Jackson|Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson]], General [[Charles Yeager|Chuck Yeager]], John Henry, Don Knotts, and Senator [[Robert Byrd]].

==Physical Geography==

West Virginia is about 80% forested and supports a strong timber industry. It is also one of the leading [[coal]] producing states, in past decades often rotating with [[Kentucky]] as the number one coal producer. [[Wyoming]] has recently surpassed both states as the #1 coal producer. West Virginia is also a productive agricultural state, and was a leader in steel and chemical production in the early and mid 20th century.

Because of the state's rugged terrain and vast wildlands, it has become an international attraction for campers, fisherman, hunters, spelunkers, whitewater rafters, hang gliders, and hikers.

==Politics==

Since 1928, West Virginia has usually voted for Democratic presidential candidates when a new president was being elected, but the state did help reelect [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] in 1956 and [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1984. In 2000 and again in 2004, Republican presidential candidate, [[George W. Bush]], won the state's 5 electoral votes. About half the the States governors have been Republicans in spite of the strong leaning toward the Democratic Party. Much of this alegiance stems from labor disputes in which Demorcratic candidates sided with the coal miners unions more than 75 years ago. West Virginians are generally very conservative in such issues as gun control, abortion, and same-sex marriage, but their professed views are often not reflected in the elections.

{{USstates}}
[[Category:States of the United States]]

West Virginia

2008-08-20T04:22:37Z

Hersman:

{{USState
|name=West Virginia
|flag=West_Virginia_State_Flag.gif
|motto="Montani semper liberi" (Mountaineers are always free)
|nick=The Mountain State
|capital=Charleston
|language=English
|governor=Joe Manchin
|gparty=Democrat
|senator1=Robert Byrd
|s1party=Democrat
|senator2=Jay Rockefeller
|s2party=Democrat
|population=
|date=June 20, 1863 (35th)
}}
[[Image:West-virginia.gif|right|thumb|Map of West Virginia]]
'''West Virginia''' became the thirty-fifth state on June 20, 1863, after separating from [[Virginia]] during the [[American Civil War]]. Its official nickname is "The Mountain State," which is apt considering that West Virginia has the highest mean elevation of any state east of the [[Mississippi River]]. West Virginians commonly refer to themselves as Mountaineers. The team name of the state's flagship university-- West Virginia University-- is also the Mountaineers. "Montani semper libre," the state's slogan, means "Mountaineers are always free."

==Founding==

West Virginia was granted statehood during the [[American Civil War]]. The Commonwealth of [[Virginia]], which had since colonial times included the counties that now comprise West Virginia, voted to secede from the Union; however, the counties in western Virginia were more sympathetic to the Union. To avoid seceding from the Union, these counties seceded from Virginia in 1861 in order remain part of the United States. President Lincoln granted the counties of Western Virginia formal statehood in 1863.

==State Facts==

West Virginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny ridges of the Appalachian Mountains on the East. The northern border is formed by the North Branch Potomac River, the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, and the Ohio River. Its odd shape and long panhandles are the result of irregular borders with other states that follow rivers and ridges. A Mountaineer once quipped, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

The population is 1,818,470.[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54000.html]

The State Flower is the Rhododendron; the State Tree is the Sugar [[Maple]]; the State Bird is the [[Cardinal]]; and the State Animal is the Black [[Bear]].

Tourism brochures, driver's licenses, license plates, and road signs describe West Virginia with the slogan "Wild and Wonderful." John Denver's hit song 'Country Roads' has helped make West Virginia a symbol of Appalachian life throughout the world.

The capital city, [[Charleston]], has a population of 51,394[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/5414600.html] and is located on the Kanawha River in the south-central region of the state known as "Metro Valley." In addition to Charleston, there are nine other metropolitan areas in West Virginia(some include parts of bordering states):

* Cumberland, MD-WV
* Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
* Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
* Morgantown, WV
* Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH
* Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH
* Wheeling, WV-OH
* Winchester, VA-WV

The highest elevation in West Virginia is Spruce Knob in Pendleton County at 4,862 feet.

The state has been the birthplace of many notable men and woman, including [[Pearl S. Buck]], General [[Thomas J. Jackson|Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson]], General [[Charles Yeager|Chuck Yeager]], John Henry, Don Knotts, and Senator [[Robert Byrd]].

==Physical Geography==

West Virginia is about 80% forested and supports a strong timber industry. It is also one of the leading [[coal]] producing states, in past decades often rotating with [[Kentucky]] as the number one coal producer. [[Wyoming]] has recently surpassed both states as the #1 coal producer. West Virginia is also a productive agricultural state, and was a leader in steel and chemical production in the early and mid 20th century.

Because of the state's rugged terrain and vast wildlands, it has become an international attraction for campers, fisherman, hunters, spelunkers, whitewater rafters, hang gliders, and hikers.

==Politics==

Since 1928, West Virginia has usually voted for Democratic presidential candidates when a new president was being elected, but the state did help reelect [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] in 1956 and [[Ronald Reagan]]in 1984. In 2000 and again in 2004, Republican presidential candidate, [[George W. Bush]], won the state's 5 electoral votes. About half the the States governors have been Republicans in spite of the strong leaning toward the Democratic Party. Much of this alegiance stems from labor disputes in which Demorcratic candidates sided with the coal miners unions more than 75 years ago. West Virginians are generally very conservative in such issues as gun control, abortion, and same-sex marriage, but their professed views are often not reflected in the elections.

{{USstates}}
[[Category:States of the United States]]

General Aviation

2008-08-20T04:02:13Z

Hersman:

[[Image:L-5 Piper Cub.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Astronaut]] (Col.) [[Joe Engle]] and son Jon with a general aviation L-5 [[Piper Cub]]]]

General Aviation refers to all flying except the scheduled airlines, the military, and ultra light vehicles. All aviation in the United States in governed by the [Federal Aviation Administration(FAA.gov)]

General Aviation includes many forms of commercial, corporate, private, recreational, and sport flying.

Air Charter is a form of "on demand" commercial service in which the customer is flown to his destination on his own schedule, and to thousands of airports not served by the scheduled airlines.

Many corporations own, lease, or share aircraft of various sizes to transport their own executives and employees wherever they need to go.

Private pilots, usually flying single-engine airplanes, make thousands of flights every day to points all over North America. These usually have a speed range of between 70 and 250 mph. Within the range of the airplane, perhaps up to one-third of the contenent, a small airplane is often quicker than the commercial airlines because it can be flown directly from the departure point to the ultimate destination. This eliminates the need to arrive at a large congested airline terminal two hours before the departure time, the need for stopovers and connecting flights, as well as the need for extended ground transportion after the flight. Small airplanes can utilize thousands of landing areas not available to larger aircraft, and serving hundreds of towns without commercial airline service.

General aviation is also responsibile for thousands of missionary and humanitarian flight each day all over the world. In many countries, small airplanes are the only modern means of transportation between remote places.

General Aviation also includes such occupations as agricultural spraying, pipeline, powerline maintenence, foresty and wildlife management, law enforcement, and flight instruction. Most pilots, even of large aircraft, received their initial instruction in small single-engine airplanes.

The standard Pilot's License is a Private Pilot License, but in the United States there are two other lower levels of licenses: Recreational Pilot and Sport Pilot. A person interested in flying as a career could use one of these as a step toward his Private Pilot license, or he could get a the Private license as his first one. His next step would a an Instrument Rating which allows him to fly in clouds and restricted visibilities, then a Commercial License, which means he can now fly for pay in some cases. A Multi-engine Rating prepars him to fly airpalces with more than one engine. A Type Rating is required for each make and model of jet aircraft. or an aircraft weighing over 12,500 pounds. An Airline Transport Pilot license (ATP) is required to fly large transports such as commercial airline passenger airplanes.

General Aviation also includes gliders, seaplanes, and various vintage aircraft flown mostly for sport and historical preservation.

The [Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)] and the [Experiemtnal Aircraft Association (EAA)] are two of the most influencial organizations representing General Aviation. See [Be-a-Pilot.com] for more on becoming a pilot yourself.
--[[User:Hersman|Hersman]] 00:02, 20 August 2008 (EDT)

[[category:aviation]]

General Aviation

2008-08-20T03:57:22Z

Hersman: Major new material on general aviation.

[[Image:L-5 Piper Cub.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Astronaut]] (Col.) [[Joe Engle]] and son Jon with a general aviation L-5 [[Piper Cub]]]]

General Aviation refers to all flying except the scheduled airlines, the military, and ultra light vehicles. All aviation in the United States in governed by the [Federal Aviation Administration(FAA.gov)]

General Aviation includes many forms of commercial, corporate, private, recreational, and sport flying.

Air Charter is a form of "on demand" commercial service in which the customer is flown to his destination on his own schedule, and to thousands of airports not served by the scheduled airlines.

Many corporations own, lease, or share aircraft of various sizes to transport their own executives and employees wherever they need to go.

Private pilots, usually flying single-engine airplanes, make thousands of flights every day to points all over North America. These usually have a speed range of between 70 and 250 mph. Within the range of the airplane, perhaps up to one-third of the contenent, a small airplane is often quicker than the commercial airlines becuase it can be flown directly from the departure point to the ultimate destination. This eliminates the need to arrive at a large congested airline terminal two hours before the departure time, the need for stopovers and connecting flights, as well as the need for extended ground transportion after the flight. Small airplanes can utilize thousands of landing areas not available to larger aircraft, and serving hundreds of towns without commercial airline service.

General aviation is also responsibile for thousands of missionary and humanitarian flight each day all over the world. In many countries, small airplanes are the only modern means of transportation between remote places.

General Aviation also includes such occupations as agricultural spraying, pipeline, powerline maintenence, foresty and wildlife management, law enforcement, and flight instruction. Most pilots, even of large aircraft, received their initial instruction in small single-engine airplanes.

The standard Pilot's License is a Private Pilot License, but in the United States there are two other lower levels of licenses: Recreational Pilot and Sport Pilot. A person interested in flying as a career could use one of these as a step toward his Private Pilot license, or he could get a the Private license as his first one. His next step would a an Instrument Rating which allows him to fly in clouds and restricted visibilities, then a Commercial License, which means he can now fly for pay in some cases. A Multi-engine Rating prepars him to fly airpalces with more than one engine. A Type Rating is required for each make and model of jet aircraft. or an aircraft weighing over 12,500 pounds. An Airline Transport Pilot license (ATP) is required to fly large transports such as commercial airline passenger airplanes.

General Aviation also includes gliders, seaplanes, and various vintage aircraft flown mostly for sport and historical preservation.

The [Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)] and the [Experiemtnal Aircraft Association (EAA)] are two of the most influencial organizations representing General Aviation. See [Be-a-Pilot.com] for more on becoming a pilot yourself.

[[category:aviation]]

Papua New Guinea

2007-09-09T00:31:14Z

Hersman:

'''Papua New Guinea''' (PNG), or Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in the southwestern [[Pacific Ocean]], immediately north of [[Australia]].

== Geography ==
The country occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, the world's second largest island.
PNG borders West Papua, formerly called Irian Jaya, on the west, which is part of [[Indonesia]].

Papua New Guinea also includes 1300 smaller islands. Many are very small, but major ones include New Britain, New Ireland, Buka, Manus, and [[Bougainville]]. Manam Island and Karkar Island are inhabited, but also are active volcanos. PNG is located in a region defined since the early 19th century as [[Melanesia]].

On a map, the main part of the country resembles the profile of a large foot, with the toes pointed to the southeast. Mountains reaching as high as 14,793 ft/4,509 [[metre]]s (Mt. Wilhelm) form a backbone the entire length of the country.
Coastal plains stretch from the mountains to the [[Bismark Sea]], on the north, and to the [[Coral Sea]] on the south. Both of these are part of the South Pacific Ocean.

Until the 1930s, the outside world did not know that these interior mountains were inhabited.

Its capital, and one of its few major cities, is [[Port Moresby]].
Another major centre is Lae, which was the last stopping point of [[Amelia Earhart]] in her attempt to fly around the world in 1937.

Mt. Hagen is the largest city in the Highlands. The other major town in the Highlands is Goroka. Thousands of people live in various smaller towns, and in thousands of remote villages. Many of the older people and pre-school age children speak only their native language. Since the people are tribally oriented, they throng together in the towns and along the roads in great numbers. They excel in group activities such as rugby and volleyball.

== Language and culture ==
Population-wise, PNG is one of the most diverse countries on [[Earth]], originally with over 850 indigenous [[language]]s, and at least as many traditional societies, out of a population of just under 6 million.

In 2001, officials stated that there were 817 native languages still in use. The most prominant spoken language in the Highlands is Melanesian Pidgin. It is a mixture containing about 1000 [[English]] words, many [[German language|German]] words, and of course various tribal words. Eighty percent of what is published in PNG is English, and that is the official language of business, government, and most education.

Most of the people are warm-hearted and friendly, but there is a very serious crime problem. [[Christianity|Christian]] [[missionary|missionaries]] have succeeded in bringing some peace among the highlands tribes, but tribal wars are still a major problem.

Major missionary endeavors, accompanied by faithful national workers, have provided [[health care]], [[education]], [[transport]]ation, and spiritual guidance, helping to bring a better, and healthier lifestyle to the people of Papua New Guinea.

The dominant sport is [[rugby league]].

== History ==

Germany colonised some coastal areas before [[World War I]], but lost her colonies as part of the settlement of the war. Australia became the colonists until PNG's independence in 1975.

Many of the older people estimate their ages by how old they were when the airplanes of [[World War II]] came over, and many can still remember before they had metal [[tool]]s.

== World War II ==

The Markham Valley was the first place in the world that great numbers of soldiers were dropped into an active war zone by [[parachute]]. The Allied armies, under the command of General [[Douglas MacArthur]], then liberated the city of Lae from the [[Japan]]ese. The Japanese were intending to use New Guinea as a base for their takeover of industrialised Australia. Many native New Guineans served with great honour and helped the Allied soldiers.

== Government ==

The [[government]] is a [[Parliamentary Democracy]], and the country is part of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. The 109 parliament members are elected by the people. National elections are held every 5 years, (years ending with 2 or 7) and are usually accompanied by much [[crime]], [[bribe]]ry, and [[violence]]. The Parliamentary members elect one of themselves to be the [[Prime Minister]], and another to be the [[Governor General]]. The Governor General is then [[knighthood|knighted]] by the British monarch, and is the king or queen's official representative in the country. Since Papua New Guinea became an independent state in 1975, [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth]] has been the only British monarch.

[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]

Mecca

2007-09-09T00:21:16Z

Hersman:

[[Image:Mecca.jpg|thumb|300px|Mecca at night]] '''Mecca''' (also spelled '''Makkah''') is the holiest city in [[Islam]]. All able-bodied [[Muslim|Muslims]] who can afford to go are required to make a pilgrimage--called the [[Hajj]]--to Mecca at least once in their life. During a Hajj, vast camps of pilgrims spring up, and huge crowds of people from all over the world complete a series of tasks required of all pilgrims.
[[category:cities]]

The term Mecca has become synonomous with any large gathering for a specific purpose, common cause, or interest, such as "Oshkosh has become the Mecca of aviation enthusiasts." However, Christians and American political conservatives usually refrain from such terminology so as to not legitimize the ancient Islamic tradition.

Mecca

2007-09-09T00:17:13Z

Hersman:

[[Image:Mecca.jpg|thumb|300px|Mecca at night]] '''Mecca''' (also spelled '''Makkah''') is the holiest city in [[Islam]]. All able-bodied [[Muslim|Muslims]] who can afford to go are required to make a pilgrimage--called the [[Hajj]]--to Mecca at least once in their life. During a Hajj, vast camps of pilgrims spring up, and huge crowds of people from all over the world complete a series of tasks required of all pilgrims.
[[category:cities]]

The term Mecca has become synomomous with any large gathering for a specific purpose, common cause, or interest, such as "Oshkosh has become the Mecca of aviation enthusiasts." However, Christians and American political concservatives usually refrain from such terminology so as to not legitimize the ancient Islamic tradition.

Papua New Guinea

2007-09-07T21:10:48Z

Hersman:

'''Papua New Guinea''' (PNG), or Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in the southwestern [[Pacific Ocean]], immediately north of [[Australia]]. The country occupies the eastern half of the world's second largest island. The name of the island is New Guinea, and the name of the country is Papua New Guinea. PNG borders West Papua, formerly called Irian Jaya, on the west, which is part of [[Indonesia]].

Papua New Guinea also includes 1300 smaller islands. Many are very small, but major ones include New Britain, New Ireland, Buka, Manus, and Bougainville. Manam Island and Karkar Island are inhabited, but also are active volcanos. PNG is located in a region defined since the early 19th century as [[Melanesia]]. Its capital, and one of its few major cities, is [[Port Moresby]]. Population-wise, it is one of the most diverse countries on [[Earth]], originally with over 850 indigenous languages, and at least as many traditional societies, out of a population of just under 6 million.

On a map, the main part of the country resembles the profile of a large foot, with the toes pointed to the southeast. Mountains reaching as high as 14,793 (Mt. Wilhelm) feet form a backbone the entire length of the country. Coastal plains streach from the mountains to the Bismark Sea, on the north, and to the Coral Sea on the south. Both of these are included in the South Pacific Ocean.

Germany colonized in some coastal areas before World War I. Germany lost her colonies as part of the settlement of the war. Australia became the colonists until PNG's independence in 1975.

Until the 1930s, the outside world did not know that these interior mountain were inhabited. Most of the people are warm hearted and friendly, but there is a very serious crime problem. Christian missionaries have succeeded in bringing some peace among the highlands tribes, but tribal wars are still a major problem.

Many of the older people estimate their ages by how old they were when the airplanes of World War II came over, and many can still remember before they had metal tools.

The Markham Valley was the first place in the world that great numbers of soldiers were dropped into an active war zone by parachute. The Allied armies, under the command of General Douglas McArthur, then liberated the city of Lae from the Japanese. The Japanese were intending to use New Guinea as a base for their takeover of industrialized Australia. Many native New Guineans served with great honor and helped the Allied soldiers.

Lae was earlier the last stopping point of Amelia Earhart in her attempt to fly around the world in 1937.

In 2001, officials stated that there were 817 native languages still in use. The most prominant spoken language in the Highlands is Melanesian Pidgin. It is a mixture containing about 1000 English words, many German words, and of course various tribal words. Eighty percent of what is published in PNG is English, and that is the official language of business, government, and most education.

The government is a "Parliamentary Democracy," and the country is part of the Bristish Commonwealth. The 109 parliament members are elected by the people. National elections are held every 5 years, (years ending with 2 or 7) and are usually accompiied by much crime, bribery, and violence. The Parliament Members elect one of themselves to be the Prime Minister, and another to be the Governor General. The Governor General is then knighted by the British monarch, and is the king or queen's official representative in the country. Since Papua New Guinea became an independent state in 1975, Queen Elizabeth has been the only British monarch.

Major missionary endeavors, accompanied by faithful national workers, have provided health care, education, transportation, and spiritual guidance, helping to bring a better, and healthier lifestyle to the people of Papua New Guinea.

dhersman

The dominant sport is [[rugby league]].

[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]

Papua New Guinea

2007-09-07T21:00:25Z

Hersman:

'''Papua New Guinea''' (PNG), or Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in the southwestern [[Pacific Ocean]], immediately north of [[Australia]]. The country occupies the eastern half of the world's second largest island. The name of the island is New Guinea, and the name of the country is Papua New Guinea. PNG borders West Papua, formerly called Irian Jaya, on the west, which is part of [[Indonesia]].

Papua New Guinea also includes 1300 smaller islands. Many are very small, but major ones included New Britain, New Ireland, Buka, Manus, and Bougainville. Manam Island and Karkar Island are inhabited, but also are active volcaos. PNG is located in a region defined since the early 19th century as [[Melanesia]]. Its capital, and one of its few major cities, is [[Port Moresby]]. Population-wise, it is one of the most diverse countries on [[Earth]], originally with over 850 indigenous languages, and at least as many traditional societies, out of a population of just under 6 million.

On a map, the main part of the country resembles the profile of a large foot, with the toes pointed to the southeast. Mountains reaching as high as 14,793 (Mt. Wilhelm) feet form a backbone the entire length of the country. Coastal plains streach from the mountains to the Bismark Sea, on the north, and to the Coral Sea on the south. Both of these are included in the South Pacific Ocean.

Germany colonized in some coastal areas before World War I. Germany lost her colonies as part of the settlement of the war. Australia became the colonists until PNG's independence in 1975.

Until the 1930s, the outside world did not know that these interior mountain were inhabited. Most of the people are warm hearted and friendly, but there is a very serious crime problem. Christian missionaries have succeeded in bringing some peace among the highlands tribes, but tribal wars are still a major problem.

Many of the older people estimate their ages by how old thet were when the airplanes of World War II came over. The Markham Valley was the first place in the world that great numbers of soldiers were dropped into an active war zone by parachute. The Allied armies, under the command of General Douglas McArthur, then liberated the city of Lae from the Japanese.

Lae was earlier the last stopping point of Amelia Earhart in her attempt to fly around the world in 1937.

In 2001, officials stated that there were 817 native languages still in use. The most prominant spoken language in the Highlands is Melanesian Pidgin. It is a mixture containing about 1000 English words, many German words, and of course various tribal words. Eighty percent of what is published in PNG is English, and that is the official language of business, government, and most education.

The government is a "Parliamentary Democracy," and the country is part of the Bristish Commonwealth. The 109 parliament members are elected by the people. National elections are held every 5 years, (years ending with 2 or 7) and are usually accompiied by much crime, bribery, and violence. The Parliament Members elect one of themselves to be the Prime Minister, and another to be the Governor General. The Governor General is then knighted by the British monarch, and is the king or queen's official representative in the country. Since Papua New Guinea became an independent state in 1975, Queen Elizabeth has been the only British monarch.

The dominant sport is [[rugby league]].

[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]

Papua New Guinea

2007-09-07T20:26:36Z

Hersman:

West Virginia

2007-09-07T20:00:20Z

Hersman:

[[Image:West-virginia.gif|right|thumb|Map of West Virginia]]
[[Image:West_Virginia_State_Flag.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of West Virginia]]

'''West Virginia''' became the thirty-fifth state on June 20, 1863, after separating from [[Virginia]] during the [[American Civil War]]. Its official nickname is "The Mountain State," which is apt considering that West Virginia has the highest mean elevation of any state east of the Mississippi River. West Virginians commonly refer to themselves as Mountaineers. The team name of the state's flagship university-- West Virginia University-- is also the Mountaineers. "Montani semper libre," the state's slogan, means "Mountaineers will always be free."

West Virginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny ridges of the Appalachian Mountains on the East. The northern border is formed by the North Branch Potomac River, the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, and the Ohio River. Its odd shape and long panhandles are the result of irregular borders with other states that follow rivers and ridges. A Mountaineer once quipped, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

The population is 1,818,470.[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54000.html]

The State Flower is the Rhododendron; the State Tree is the Sugar Maple; the State Bird is the Cardinal; and the State Animal is the Black Bear.

The capital city, [[Charleston]], has a population of 51,394[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/5414600.html] and is located on the Kanawha River in the south-central region of the state known as "Metro Valley." In addition to Charleston, there are nine other metropolitan areas in West Virginia(some include parts of bordering states):

* Charleston, WV
* Cumberland, MD-WV
* Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
* Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
* Morgantown, WV
* Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH
* Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH
* Wheeling, WV-OH
* Winchester, VA-WV

The highest elevation in West Virginia is Spruce Knob in Pendleton County at 4,862 feet.

West Virginia is about 80% forested and supports a strong timber industry. It is also one of the leading [[coal]] producing states, in past decades often rotating with [[Kentucky]] as the number one coal producer. [[Wyoming]] has recently surpassed both states as the #1 coal producer. West Virginia is also a productive agricultural state, and was a leader in steel and chemical production in the early and mid 20th century.

Because of the state's rugged terrain and vast wildlands, it has become an international attraction for campers, fisherman, hunters, spleunkers, whitewater rafters, hang gliders, and hikers.

The state has been the birthplace of many notable men and woman, including Pearl S. Buck, General Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson, General Chuck Yeager, John Henry, Don Knotts, and Senator Robert C. Byrd.

Since 1928, West Virginia has usually voted for Democratic presidential candidates and congressional representatives, with the notable exceptions of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan, and again in 2000, when a Republican presidential candidate, George W. Bush, won the state's 5 electoral votes. President Bush won West Virginia again in 2004.

'''West Virginia''' was granted statehood during the [[American Civil War]]. The Commonwealth of [[Virginia]], which had since colonial times included the counties that now comprise West Virginia, voted to secede from the Union; however, the counties in western Virginia were more sympathetic to the Union. To avoid seceding from the Union, these counties seceded from Virginia in 1861 in order remain part of the United States. President Lincoln granted the counties of Western Virginia formal statehood in 1863.

Tourism brochures, driver's licenses, license plates, and road signs describe West Virginia with the slogan "Wild and Wonderful." John Denver's hit song 'Country Roads' has helped make West Virginia a symbol of Appalachian life throughout the world.

{{USstates}}
[[Category:US state]]

God's Bible School

2007-05-08T04:35:00Z

Hersman:

'''God's Bible School and College''' is an independent liberal arts college in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded in 1900 by Martin Wells Knapp, and has specialized in ministerial and missionary training, as well as teacher preparation. Graduates from God's Bible School are laboring around the world in work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God's Bible School embraces a Wesleyan-Arminian theology, and has included among it's staff such writers as Elmer G. Marsh, Dr. Leslie Wilcox, and Oswald Chambers. Graduates include Mrs. Charles Cowman (Streams in the Desert) and C.B. Widemeyer (Come and Dine).

[[Category: Liberal Arts Colleges]]
[[Category: Colleges]]

God's Bible School

2007-05-07T14:11:16Z

Hersman:

God's Bible School and College is an independent liberal arts college in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded in 1900 by Martin Wells Knapp, and has specialized in ministerial and missionary training, as well as teacher preparation. Graduates from God's Bible School are laboring around the world in work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God's Bible School embraces a Wesleyan-Arminian theology, and has included among it's staff such writers as Elmer G. Marsh, Dr. Leslie Wilcox, and Oswald Chambers. Graduates include Mrs. Charles Cowman (Streams in the Desert) and C.B. Widemeyer (Come and Dine).

[[Category: Liberal Arts Colleges]]
[[Category: Colleges]]

West Virginia

2007-05-07T14:08:53Z

Hersman:

[[Image:West-virginia.gif|right|thumb|A map of West Virginia.]]
[[Image:West_Virginia_State_Flag.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of West Virginia.]]

'''West Virginia''' became a state on June 20, 1863, after separating from Virginia during the War Between the States. The official nickname is "The Mountain State" and the state has the highest mean elevation on any east of the Mississippi River. West Viriginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny ridges of the Appalachian Mountains on the East.

It's odd shape, most boundaries following rivers and ridges, has caused one Mountaineer to remark, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

West Virginia was the thirty-fifth state. The population usually hovers around, or just below the 2 million mark.

The State Flower is the Rhododendron; the tree is the Sugar Maple; State Bird is the Cardinal, and the State Animal is the Black Bear.

The capital city is Charleston, population approximately 100,000, located on the Kanawha River, about 60 miles from where it flows into the Ohio.

The highest elevation in West Virginia is Spruce Knob in Pendleton County at 4,862 feet.

West Virginia is about 80% forested which accounts for much logging industry. It was also one of the leading coal producing states, often rotating with Kentucky as the number one producer. It is also a very productive farm state, and formerly a leader in steel and chemical prodution - before so much industry moved oversees.

Because of the state's spectacular rugged terrain, it is an attraction to campers, fisherman, hunters, spelunkers, whitewater rafters, hang gliders, and hikers.

The state was the birthplace of many men and woman of reknown including Pearl S. Buck, General Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson, General Chuck Yeager, John Henry the "steel drivin' man," and Don Knotts.

Since 1928, West Virginia has generally voted mostly for Democratic candidates when a new President was being elected. However, the voters did help reelect some Republican presidents such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. In 2000, for the first time since 1928, the voters of West Virginia helped put a new Republican into the White House.

DHersman

'''West Virginia''' is the only state formed because of the [[American Civil War]]. The Commonwealth of [[Virginia]] wanted to secede from the Union, while many counties in western Virginia wanted to remain a part of the Union. To avoid seceding from the Union, these counties seceded from Virginia and created West Virginia. Sometimes called "Wild and Wonderful", "Wild and Woolly", John Denver's hit song 'Country Roads' has helped make West Virginia an icon of mountain life throughout the world.

[[Category:US state]]

West Virginia

2007-05-07T13:59:33Z

Hersman:

[[Image:West-virginia.gif|right|thumb|A map of West Virginia.]]
[[Image:West_Virginia_State_Flag.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of West Virginia.]]

'''West Virginia''' became a state on June 20, 1863, after separating from Virginia during the War Between the States. The official nickname is "The Mountain State" and the state has the highest mean elevation on any east of the Mississippi River. West Viriginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny rigdes of the Appalachian Mountains on the East.

It's odd shape, most boundaries following rivers and ridges, has caused one Mountaineer to remark, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

The State Flower is the Rhododendron; the tree is the Sugar Maple; State Bird is the Cardinal, and the State Animal is the Black Bear.

The capital city is Charleston, population approximately 100,000,located on the Kanawha River, about 60 miles from where it flows into the Ohio.

The highest elelvation in West Virginia is Spruce Knob in Pendleton County at 4,862 feet.

West Virginia is about 80% forested which accounts for much logging industry. It was also one of the leading coal producing states, often rotating with Kentucky as the number one producer. It is also a very productive farm state, and formerly a leader in steel and chemical prodution - before so much industry moved oversees.

Because of the state's spectacular rugged terrain, it is an attraction to campers, fisherman, hunters, spelunkers, whitewater rafters, hang gliders, and hikers.

The state was the birthplace of many men and woman of reknown including Pearl S. Buck, General Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson, General Chuck Yeager, John Henry the "steel drivin' man," and Don Knotts.

Since 1928, West Virginia has generally voted mostly for Democratic candidates when a new President was being elected. However, the voters did help reelect some Republican presidents such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. In 2000, for the first time since 1928, the voters of West Virginia helped put a new Republican into the White House.

DHersman

'''West Virginia''' is the only state formed because of the [[American Civil War]]. The Commonwealth of [[Virginia]] wanted to secede from the Union, while many counties in western Virginia wanted to remain a part of the Union. To avoid seceding from the Union, these counties seceded from Virginia and created West Virginia. Sometimes called "Wild and Wonderful", "Wild and Woolly", John Denver's hit song 'Country Roads' has helped make West Virginia an icon of mountain life throughout the world.

[[Category:US state]]

God's Bible School

2007-05-07T02:04:09Z

Hersman:

God's Bible School

2007-05-07T02:01:16Z

Hersman: New page: God's Bible School and College is an independent liberal arts college in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded in 1900 by Martin Wells Knapp, and has specialized in ministrial and missionary tr...

God's Bible School and College is an independent liberal arts college in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded in 1900 by Martin Wells Knapp, and has specialized in ministrial and missionary training, as well as teacher preparation. Graduates from God's Bible School are laboring around the world in work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God's Bible School embraces a Wesleyan-Arminian theology, and has included among it's staff such writers as Elmer G. Marsh, Dr. Leslie Wilcox, and Oswald Chambers. Graduates include Mrs. Charles Cowman (Streams in the Desert) and W.D. Widemeyer (Come and Dine).

DHersman

West Virginia

2007-05-07T01:50:32Z

Hersman:

[[Image:West-virginia.gif|right|thumb|A map of West Virginia.]]
[[Image:West_Virginia_State_Flag.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of West Virginia.]]

West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863, after separating from Virginia during the War Between the States. The official nickname is "The Mountain State" and the state has the highest mean elevation on any east of the Mississippi River. West Viriginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny rigdes of the Appalachian Mountains on the East.

It's odd shape, most boundaries following rivers and ridges, has caused one Mountaineer to remark, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

The State Flower is the Rhododendron; the tree is the Sugar Maple; State Bird is the Cardinal, and the State Animal is the Black Bear.

West Virginia is about 80% forested which accounts for much logging industry. It was also one of the leading coal producing states, often rotating with Kentucky as the number one producer. It is also a very productive farm state, and formerly a leader in steel and chemical prodution - before so much industry moved oversees.

Because of the state's spectacular rugged terrain, it is an attraction to campers, fisherman, hunters, whitewater rafters, hang gliders, and hikers.

The state was the birthplace of many men and woman of reknown including Pearl S. Buck, General Stonewall Jackson, and Don Knotts.

Since 1928, West Virginia has generally voted mostly for Democratic candidates when a new President was being elected. However, the voters did help reelect some Republican presidents such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. In 2000, for the first time since 1928, the voters of West Virginia helped put a new Republican into the White House.

DHersman

'''West Virginia''' is the only state formed because of the [[American Civil War]]. The Commonwealth of [[Virginia]] wanted to secede from the Union, while many counties in western Virginia wanted to remain a part of the Union. To avoid seceding from the Union, these counties seceded from Virginia and created West Virginia. Sometimes called "Wild and Wonderful", "Wild and Woolly", John Denver's hit song 'Country Roads' has helped make West Virginia an icon of maountain life throughout the world.

[[Category:US state]]

West Virginia

2007-05-07T01:48:48Z

Hersman:

[[Image:West-virginia.gif|right|thumb|A map of West Virginia.]]
[[Image:West_Virginia_State_Flag.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of West Virginia.]]

West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863, after separating from Virginia during the War Between the States. The official nickname is "The Mountain State" and the state has the highest mean elevation on any east of the Mississippi River. West Viriginia is comprised of 55 counties lying between the Ohio River on the west and the high Allegheny rigdes of the Appalachian Mountains on the East.

It's odd shape, most boundaries following rivers and ridges, has caused one Mountaineer to remark, "It is a pretty good state for the shape it's in."

The State Flower is the Rhododendron; the tree is the Sugar Maple; State Bird is the Cardinal, and the State Animal is the Black Bear.

West Virginia is about 80% forested which accounts for much logging industry. It was also one of the leading coal producing states, often rotating with Kentucky as the number one producer. It is also a very productive farm state, and formerly a leader in steel and chemical prodution - before so much industry moved oversees.

Because of the state's spectacular rugged terrain, it is an attraction to campers, fisherman, hunters, whitewater rafters, hang gliders, and hikers.

The state was the birthplace of many men and woman of reknown including Pearl S. Buck, General Stonewall Jackson, and Don Knotts.

Since 1928, West Virginia has generally voted mostly for Democratic candidates when a new President was being elected. However, the voters did help reelect some Republican presidents such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. In 2000, for the first time since 1928, the voters of West Virginia helped put a new Republican into the White House.

DHersman

'''West Virginia''' is the only state formed because of the [[American Civil War]]. The Commonwealth of [[Virginia]] wanted to secede from the Union, while many counties in western Virginia wanted to remain a part of the Union. To avoid seceding from the Union, these counties seceded from Virginia and created West Virginia. Sometimes called "Wild and Wonderful", "Wild and Woolly", The state was made famous by John Denver's hit song 'Country Roads'.

[[Category:US state]]