STEPPES Meaning and
Definition
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Steppes refer to vast, typically flat grassy plains found in temperate regions with a semi-arid climate. These landscapes are characterized by a lack of trees and a dominance of grasses and herbaceous plants. Steppes are often found in regions with low precipitation and limited tree growth due to factors such as low rainfall, high evaporation rates, or unstable soil conditions.
The grasses that thrive in steppes are usually drought-resistant, with long and deep root systems that help them survive in the dry environment. These grasslands support a wide variety of herbivores, such as gazelles, bison, and horses, that have adapted to the grasses as their main food source. Predators like wolves, foxes, and eagles can also be found in the steppes, preying upon the herbivores.
Steppes can be regarded as a transitional landscape between deserts and more fertile regions, as they are drier than most prairies but less arid than true deserts. They are often found in the interior of continents and cover extensive areas, such as the Eurasian Steppe and the Great Plains of North America. The climate of steppes is characterized by hot summers and cold winters, with temperatures varying greatly between seasons.
Steppes have played a significant role in human history, serving as important areas for pastoralism, agriculture, and trade routes. Nomadic cultures, such as the Mongols and Huns, relied on the steppes for their pastoral way of life and used them as strategic routes for conquest. Today, steppes continue to be ecologically important and are also valued for their scenic beauty and wildlife diversity.
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One of the vast flats or plains of Europe and Asia, corresponding to the prairies, savannahs, and pampas of America.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for STEPPES *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for STEPPES
Etymology of STEPPES
The word "steppes" is derived from the Russian word "step'". This term originates from Old Russian, which in turn traces back to the Proto-Slavic word "*stěpa", meaning "a plain" or "an open grassy area". The word eventually made its way into English, and today it refers to vast, flat grasslands with few trees, often found in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
Similar spelling words for STEPPES
- stepwise,
- stop sign,
- stopgap,
- steeves,
- stops,
- stoppage,
- steveson,
- stapes,
- stypsis,
- steffes,
- stopes,
- steepish,
- steps,
- stepson,
- steves.
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