Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2023 i Faces People, Places, and World Culture for Kids and Children

SOME OF THE MOST DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES IN THE WORLD can be found in the Rocky Mountains of North America. They stretch 3,000 miles from New Mexico to western Canada near the border with Alaska. Here are five rugged facts to get you started. 1 The highest Rocky Mountain peak is Mount Elbert in Colorado. In fact, of the 100 highest peaks in the mountain range, 78 of them are in Colorado. Colorado Rockies, indeed! 2 Of all the dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth, nearly a quarter of them were found in or around the Rocky Mountains. The Tyrannosaurus Rex, the largest and fiercest dinosaur, ruled over North America and Asia 68 million years ago. 3 The eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, typically called the Front…

Some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world can be found in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States and Canada. The mountains themselves were formed millions of years ago when sections of the Earth’s crust collided. There are many different mountain ranges that are part of the Rockies, and they stretch thousands of miles from Canada to New Mexico. The mountains pass through portions of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. (Although the Rocky Mountains do not run through Nevada, the U.S. Census Bureau recognizes it as a Mountain State.) In Canada, the Rockies run through the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The mountains of the Canadian Rockies differ in appearance from the American Rockies. The peaks are more jagged, and the tree line is much…

Whether celebrating huckleberries, ice castles, or a frozen dead guy, Rocky Mountain towns know how to party. In New Mexico, the Rocky foothills swell up near Pie Town, where the Pie Festival is celebrated each September. There is a fun run, horseshoe tournament, and folk bands. At noon, the music pauses to announce Pie Royalty and the Kids’ Games winners. Next is a no-hands pie eating contest and a horned toad race (bring your own toad). The night ends with dancing under the stars and taking one last bite of pickle upside-down pie. In 1989, a Norwegian died. His body was frozen in a cryonics facility and shipped to his grandson’s backyard in Nederland (ned-er-land), Colorado. Locals, sick of giving directions to the media, put up a sign: “Directions to…

Did climate change influence the cliff dwellers of the American Southwest? Imagine stepping outside your home and finding yourself hundreds of feet high, perched dangerously on the edge of a steep cliff. In the 13th century, this was daily life for many families in the American southwest. After living for more than 1,000 years on fertile canyon floors and mesas, people suddenly moved into homes built into the recesses of vertical canyon walls. Some of these remaining adobe structures are nearly impossible to reach even by today’s most experienced rock climbers. Within a couple of generations, however, the cliff-side homes were abandoned. For decades, archaeologists have been scratching their heads with their trowels wondering what exactly happened. Could a changing climate have been the culprit? Hard Times and Hard Climbs…

ROCKY MOUNTAINS LOCATION: The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 3,000 miles from Canada to New Mexico along western North America. They are the continent’s largest mountain system. AREA: 382,894 square miles HIGHEST PEAK: Mount Elbert (14,400 feet) in Colorado MINERALS PRESENT: copper, silver, gold, lead, zinc, molybdenum, beryllium, uranium Mountain Zones by Mike Weinstein Climbing a mountain is like traveling to a faraway place. On a mountain, the scenery changes as you go higher because it gets colder and wetter at higher elevations. In the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, each zone of elevation has its own lifeforms. Alpine tundra Above 11,500 feet, the alpine tundra marks the timberline. No trees grow above the timberline because it is too cold and windy. Plants in the tundra are tiny and hardy. Rodents,…

From season to season, day to day, even minute to minute, it’s quite a challenge to predict weather in the Rockies. At different times during the year, you might find an umbrella, a bottle of sunscreen, a windbreaker, or a hat and gloves lying around your house. In other regions, these items identify the current season. In the Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada, those same items can mark the weather patterns of a single day. When you think of the Rocky Mountains what comes to mind? Typical responses are mountains, skiing, and lots of snow. Heavy snows and avalanches do threaten the Rockies. The weather patterns in this region, however, might surprise you. Colorado and Wyoming boast more than 300 days of sunshine each year. The summer…

The Rocky Mountains are one of the most amazing natural features in North America, stretching 3,000 miles from New Mexico all the way to western Canada. And because this mountain range includes so many different ecosystems, with a huge variety of animals, plants, and geological features, it’s no surprise it hosts many national parks in both the United States and Canada. The oldest—Yellowstone National Park—was founded in 1872, but other parks followed quickly. The newest is Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, created in 1999. Here are a few of the national parks in the region dedicated to preserving the unique environments of the Rocky Mountains. Rocky Mountain National Park The first of the great national parks in the Rocky Mountains, this park includes 415 square miles of land…

February 2023 Life in Spain “Say, do you know a good barber?”—Nikhil K. “I need a haircut!“—Sarah A. “My world is so gray.”—Ingrid N. “...8...9..10...ready or not hair I come!”—Silas W. Answer Page ANSWER TO MYSTERY PHOTO ON INSIDE FRONT COVER: Skiers use poles to help them keep their balance and for timing. ANSWER TO WHERE IN THE WORLD ON PAGE 23: The Beatles and U2 are among the famous acts who have performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The open-air venue is about 10 miles west of Denver. ANSWERS TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN CROSSWORD ON PAGE 40: ACROSS: 2. Big Sky; 4. Banff; 6. Louisiana; 7. Mesa Verde; 8. Elbert; 10. Triceratops. DOWN: 1. montane; 3. Yellowstone; 5. Great Basin; 9. Meriwether.…

CRITTER CORNER A dove wings its way across the morning sky. Whoomf ! In an instant, an unseen predator from above swoops down, stuns it, and carries it away in its sharp talons. What just happened? The unsuspecting dove has been caught by a peregrine falcon, the fastest animal on the planet. The peregrine falcon can reach speeds of 240 miles per hour when diving for prey. What makes this prized predator one of nature’s top hunters? Read on! Characteristics The powerful, fast-flying peregrine falcon hunts medium-sized birds, waterfowl, and sometimes small mammals, lizards, and fishes. Extra prey is cached (hidden for later), especially during breeding season. The feathers on the topside of the peregrine’s body are bluish gray. Its underparts are white with black bands, and its wings are…

Of all dinosaurs, nearly a quarter of them were found in or around the Rocky Mountains. Using fossil evidence, scientists can tell the story of three prehistoric time periods in which they lived, the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. About 250 million years ago, the continents and oceans were in different places on Earth than they are today. So, a dinosaur might have lived near a shallow sea in the past, which is now the top of a mountain. Also, not all species of dinosaur lived at the same time, and not all became extinct at the same time. Read on to find out which dinosaurs lived near the Rockies and how they lived. THE RISE OF THE DINOSAURS IN THE TRIASSIC PERIOD: 252-201 Million Years Ago (MYA) Our dino story…

A playground for casual athletes and pros alike, the Rocky Mountains are the perfect place for outdoor adventure. National parks across the mountain range are home to peaceful hikes, thrilling summits, and enough snow to board, ski, shoe, and anything else you can imagine. These parks have activities for all skill levels, at all elevations, and in all seasons—each with their own thrilling nature views. Climb up the mountains and take a look at all the sports the Rocky Mountains have to offer. On the Ground For a beginner, the best place to start is on the ground. Hiking, or walking in nature, can often start at the base of the mountains. Hiking trails are everywhere across the Rockies, and while their difficulty varies, hikes can be some of the…

The Mile High City Denver, the capital of Colorado, is a city filled with history, beauty, and fun. It has a population of 715,000 people, making it among the 20 most populated cities in the United States. Denver is often referred to as the Mile High City because of its altitude. A small plaque on a step of the State Capitol Building marks 5,280 feet above sea level. In Denver air, golf balls go about 10% higher and water boils at only 202 degrees Fahrenheit—it boils at 212 degrees at lower altitudes. Denver is home to six professional sports teams—baseball, lacrosse, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer. Good Day Sunshine! The dry and sunny Denver climate experiences 300 days of sunshine per year. That’s more than beach towns like San Diego…

Most of what we know about dinosaurs comes from the study of their fossils. But what are fossils, and where do they come from? There are many kinds of fossils. Fossilized animal bones and teeth are formed when an animal dies and its soft parts, such as skin and muscles, rot away. As time passes, the remaining hard parts get buried under water and mud. Slowly, more and more layers of mud build up. Eventually, the bones and teeth turn to stone. These are called body fossils. There are also plant and shell fossils. A trace fossil is evidence that an animal was there—like a footprint. Fossils are found all over the world. Materials: fist-size lump of clay paper plate shell or bone paper cup plastic spoon plaster of Paris…