Random Image

You are here: Random Image > Words beginning with k > Random Image for kwela

Possible definitions for kwela

chelate
Any of a class of coordination or complex compounds consisting of a central atom of a metal (usually a transition element) attached to a large molecule (ligand). Any ligand that can bind to the metal at two or more points to form a ring structure, more stable than a nonchelated compound of the same general chemical formula, is a chelating agent. The process of binding to the metal is called chelation. Chelating agents such as EDTA salts are used in medicine to remove toxic metals (e.g., lead, cadmium) from the body. Others are used in analysis as indicators and in industry to extract metals. The iron-binding group of porphyrin in hemoglobin, the magnesium-binding chlorophyll, and the cobalt-binding vitamin B12 are natural chelators.


Iceland
Island country, located in the N Atlantic Ocean, lying between Norway and Greenland. Area: 40,000 sq mi (100,000 sq km). Population (1997) est.: 271,000. Capital: Reykjavik. The people are overwhelmingly Nordic. Language: Icelandic (official). Religion: Evangelical Lutheranism (official). Currency: krona. One of the most active volcanic regions in the world, Iceland contains about 200 volcanoes and accounts for one-third of the earth's total lava flow. One-tenth of its area is covered by cooled lava beds and glaciers, incl. Vatnajö kull. Its rugged coastline is 3,700 mi (6,000 km) long. The economy is based heavily on fishing and fish products but also includes hydropower production, livestock, and aluminum processing. It is a republic with one legislative house; its chief of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister. Iceland was settled by Norwegian seafarers in the 9th cent. and was Christianized by 1000. Its legislature, the Althing, was founded in 930, making it one of the oldest legislative assemblies in the world. Iceland united with Norway in 1262 and with Denmark in 1380. It became an independent state of Denmark in 1918, but severed those ties to become an independent republic in 1944. Vigdí s Finnbogadó ttir became the world's first female elected president in 1980. Much of Iceland's 1990s economic growth was in the expansion of its aluminum production capacity.


Ireland
Republic, occupying the greater part of an island west of England. The republic's only neighbor is Northern Ireland, which occupies the NE portion of the island. Area: 27,137 sq mi (70,285 sq km). Population (1997 est.): 3,644,000. Capital: Dublin. Although it has been invaded and colonized by Celts, Norsemen, Normans, English, and Scots, racial and ethnic distinctions are nonexistent. Languages: Irish, English (both official). Religions: Roman Catholicism (95%), Church of Ireland Episcopalianism, Presbyterianism, Methodism, Judaism. Currency: Irish pound. Ireland's topography consists largely of broad lowlands, drained by rivers that include the Shannon; its coasts are fringed with mountains. Almost 60% of the population is urban, and ...

Top words beginning with K: kramer, kogia, kilobit, kettles, kulang, kean, kazak, kreipe, kephalin, karabiner, karates, kolstad, kaifeng, korhonen, klei, keying, karten, kimura, knittings, keratoscopies

More words beginning with K.

Browse the alphabet: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z