1. Ecology is the study of the relationships among plants, animals, people, and their environment, and the balance among these relationships. Please look at http://www.ecostudies.org for more exciting information.
2. New England is the most northeastern region of the U.S.A., including the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. It was so named by John Smith when he explored it in 1614. A New Englander is a native or resident of New England. See http://newengland.com for more information about the region.
3. Grand Banks is a vast extension of the ocean off southeast Newfoundland（纽芬兰岛）in the North Atlantic, one of the world’s greatest cod-fishing grounds. Visit the website http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Heritage/NGB/ to learn more about Canada’s fishing industry.
4. Islam is a religion and social way of life based on the teachings of Mohammed as preserved in the Koran (可兰经) and the Sunna (伊斯兰教教规). It is centered in Mecca (麦加), and includes the worship of gods represented by holy stones called the Kaaba (建于麦加的伊斯兰教寺院内的圣堂). Look at the website http://www.islam-guide.com and you can find a thorough discussion about Islam.
5. Mecca or Makkah, with a population of 200,000, is the chief holy city of Islam, capital of the Hejaz (汉志省, 沙特阿拉伯省名), Saudi Arabia, in a valley surrounded by hills, 80 km. from the Red Sea. It was the birthplace of Mohammed. Its economy depends upon pilgrims (朝圣者). Visit the web site http://www.encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=06540000 and you would find a wealth of information about Mecca or Makkah.
