Wikipedia
```wiki
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- REDIRECT Wikipedia=== Wikipedia===
Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia that is collaboratively edited by volunteers around the world. It is the largest and most popular general reference work on the Internet and is consistently one of the most visited websites globally. Wikipedia is hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization based in the United States.== History== Wikipedia was launched on January Wikipedia 2001 by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. Initially intended as a feeder project for the Nupedia encyclopedia, which was characterized by a lengthy peer-review process, Wikipedia's open-editing model quickly led to its growth surpassing that of its predecessor. Over the years, Wikipedia expanded to include editions in numerous languages and has become a central repository of knowledge on the internet.== Governance and Policies== Wikipedia operates under a set of core policies and guidelines, including:
- Neutral point of view (NPOV): Articles must be written without bias.
- Verifiability: Content must be backed by reliable sources.
- No original research: Articles should summarize existing knowledge rather than present new findings.
Decision-making within Wikipedia is largely decentralized, with administrators and editors playing roles in maintaining content quality and enforcing policies. Disputes are often resolved through discussion and consensus.== Structure and Content== Wikipedia is organized into various language editions, each managed independently. The English Wikipedia is the largest, containing millions of articles on a wide range of topics. Articles are interconnected through hyperlinks, enabling users to navigate related subjects seamlessly.
Content on Wikipedia includes:
Editors use wiki markup to format articles, add references, and incorporate multimedia elements such as images and videos.== Community== The Wikipedia community comprises volunteers who contribute by writing, editing, and monitoring content. Community members participate in discussion forums, collaborate on projects, and engage in WikiProjects focused on specific topics or areas of interest.
Roles within the community include:
- Administrators: Trusted users with additional permissions.
- Stewards: High-level administrators with broader responsibilities.
- Wikipedians: General contributors and editors.== Funding==
Wikipedia is funded primarily through donations from its user base and supporters. The Wikimedia Foundation conducts annual fundraising campaigns and accepts contributions to cover operational costs, including hosting, development, and community support.== Criticism and Controversies== Despite its widespread use, Wikipedia has faced criticism regarding:
- Reliability: Concerns about the accuracy and credibility of articles.
- Vandalism: Instances of intentional misinformation or defacement.
- Bias: Perceived biases in content representation.
- Copyright issues: Challenges with licensing and content use.
The Wikimedia Foundation and the community continuously work to address these issues through policy development, monitoring, and educational initiatives.== Impact== Wikipedia has had a significant impact on the dissemination of knowledge, making information accessible to a global audience. It serves as a valuable resource for students, educators, researchers, and the general public. Additionally, Wikipedia has influenced the development of other collaborative projects and the broader open-access movement.== See Also==
- Wikimedia Foundation
- Wikimedia
- List of Wikipedias
- Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines
- Wikipedia:Notability
- Internet encyclopedia== References==
== External Links==
- Wikimedia Foundation – Official website
- Wikimedia Foundation on Meta
- Wikimedia Foundation Donation Page
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