Vikipeedias

Vikipeedias, commonly known as Wikipedia, is a multilingual, web-based, free encyclopedia project supported by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. It was launched on January 15, 2001, by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, and has since grown into one of the largest and most widely used reference websites in the world. The name "Wikipedia" is a portmanteau of "Wiki" and "Encyclopedia," reflecting its collaborative nature and the wiki software that powers it.

Wikipedia operates on the principle of open collaboration, allowing anyone with internet access to create, edit, and update articles. Contributions are made through a web browser, and changes are moderated by a community of editors who enforce guidelines to maintain accuracy, neutrality, and reliability. Articles are written in a neutral point of view (NPOV), aiming to present facts without bias or advocacy.

The project is available in over 300 languages, with the English Wikipedia being the largest edition, containing millions of articles. It covers a vast range of topics, including science, history, culture, and current events, though it does not include original research or verifiable facts that are not widely accepted. Wikipedia relies on citations from reliable sources to support its content, and editors work to ensure that information is well-sourced and up-to-date.

Despite its widespread use, Wikipedia has faced criticism regarding the accuracy, completeness, and potential for vandalism or bias in its articles. To address these concerns, the Wikimedia Foundation employs automated tools, human reviewers, and community-driven policies to maintain quality. Additionally, Wikipedia is often supplemented by sister projects like Wiktionary (a dictionary), Wikibooks (textbooks), and Wikinews (news articles), which share a similar collaborative model.

Wikipedia has had a significant impact on education, research, and public knowledge, serving as a primary source of information for millions of users worldwide. Its open-access nature has made it a valuable resource for both general audiences and academic purposes, though it is often recommended to cross-reference information with other sources for verification.