(Encyclopedia) SwabiaSwabiaswāˈbēə [key], Ger. Schwaben, historic region, mainly in S Baden-Württemberg and SW Bavaria, SW Germany. It is bounded in the east by Upper Bavaria, in the west by France,…
(Encyclopedia) Swabian League, association of Swabian cities and other powers in SW Germany for the protection of trade and for regional peace. The Swabian League of 1488–1534 is the best known of…
(Encyclopedia) SwahiliSwahiliswähēˈlē [key] [Arab.,=coast people], name for some of the inhabitants of the Kenya, Tanzania, Somali, and Mozambique coasts, Zanzibar, and E Congo. Descendants of black…
(Encyclopedia) Swahili language, member of the Bantu group of African languages (see African languages and Bantu languages). Swahili is spoken by 30 million people, chiefly in Tanzania, Kenya, Congo…
(Encyclopedia) Bazaine, Achille FrançoisBazaine, Achille Françoisäshēlˈ fräNswäˈ bäzănˈ [key], 1811–88, French army officer. He served in Algeria, Crimea, Lombardy, and Mexico, and in the Franco-…
(Encyclopedia) Swains Island, island, 1 sq mi (2.59 sq km), district of American Samoa, c.200 mi (320 km) N of Tutuila. It is a ring of sand and coral with luxuriant vegetation. Swains Island has…
(Encyclopedia) SwakopmundSwakopmundsfäˈkôpmənt [key], municipality (1991 pop. 17,681), W Namibia, on the Atlantic at mouth of Swakop River. A rail terminus and seaside resort surrounded by the Namib…
(Encyclopedia) swallow, common name for small perching birds of almost worldwide distribution. There are about 100 species of swallows, including the martins, which belong to the same family.…
(Encyclopedia) Swammerdam, JanSwammerdam, Janyän väˈmərdäm [key], 1637–80, Dutch naturalist. He was a pioneer in the use of the microscope. Before he turned to religious contemplation his chief…
(Encyclopedia) swamp, shallow body of water in a low-lying, poorly drained depression, usually containing abundant plant growth dominated by trees, such as cypress, and high shrubs. Swamps develop in…
