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Campaign 2008
John McCain
U.S. Election 2008
Sarah Palin and Joe Biden squared off last night in St. Louis. Britannica provides background on the campaign in its election feature.
Canada Election 2008
Canada's party leaders debated the issues last night in English, as voters get set to head to the polls on October 14. Learn more in Britannica's feature.
Campaign Blog 
Get election background and commentary from leading political scientists at the Britannica Blog.
Britannica Store
Great Books of the Western World
Great Books of the Western World
The greatest literary achievements in one elegant set.
Andy Warhol DVD
Andy Warhol (DVD)
An in-depth look at an American artist.
Britannica Blog
Advocacy for Animals
School & Library
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Learn more about our products at our Educator's site.
Geography & Travel
California (Popular Search)
Explore America's most populous state, which has for centuries been a laboratory for testing new modes of living.
Fiji (Featured Destination)
The archipelago consists of some 300 islands and 540 islets scattered over about 1,000,000 square miles.
China & Pollution
China's pollution problem and how its environment affects global weather.
Côte d’Ivoire (Revised)
This Western African country is home to Taï National Park, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982.
Riyadh (Revised)
Life in Saudi Arabia's capital is concentrated around more than 4,000 mosques and its numerous shopping centres.
Science & Technology
smoking (In the News)
India has become the latest country to ban smoking in public places. Learn about the history of and health issues associated with smoking.
René-Théophile-Hyacinthe Laënnec (New)
Learn about the French physician who invented the stethoscope.
Kudzo Blob as Fuel
How the invasive pest may soon be fueling your car.
Mars (Popular Search)
It has almost no oxygen, and its surface is frigid; it takes half a year to fly there. Yet humans plan to land on Mars this century.
Mauna Kea Observatory (New)
Learn about one of the world's most important astronomical observatories.
virtual reality (Popular Search)
Explore the world of VR, a term coined in 1987 by Jaron Lanier.
History & Society
Asif Ali Zardari (New)
Learn about Pakistan's new president, who took over control of the PPP after the death of his wife, Benazir Bhutto.
The "Bell Curve" and Education
The controversial Charles Murray and his thoughts on education.
Kgalema Motlanthe (New)
Get background on South Africa's new president.
Great Depression (Popular Search)
As financial turmoil causes concern, look back at the worldwide economic downturn that began nearly 80 years ago.
Gilles Duceppe (In the News)
He leads the Bloc Québécois in its campaign for elections on October 14.
Arts & Entertainment
MLB Playoffs 2008 (Special Feature)
The Rays, Red Sox, Phillies, and Dodgers all lead their respective divisional series. Who will win this year's World Series? Get background in Britannica's feature.
James Bond author Raymond Benson & his "Top 10 Films of 1968."  
stage design (Revised)
All the world's a stage! Learn about scenic design, stage machinery, lighting, sound, costume design, and makeup.
Vernon and Irene Castle (Popular Search)
Who was Vernon's dancing partner? Learn about the team that originated the one-step and the turkey trot.
Ko Un (Revised)
This prolific Korean poet gained an international readership with verse informed by both his political activism in Korea and a broader concern for humanity.