Grand Banks Portion of North American continental shelf, in the Atlantic Ocean. Lying southeast and south of Newfoundland, it is a noted international fishing ground and extends 350 mi (560 km) north-south and 420 mi (675 km) east-west. The cold Labrador Current and the warm Gulf Stream meet in its vicinity, causing heavy fogs. The banks were first reported in 1498 by John Cabot. In 1977 Canada extended its fishing claim to encompass most of the Grand Banks; it has since given limited fishing rights to other countries.
Grand Canal Series of waterways in northern China that link Hang¬ zhou with Beijing. Some 1,085 mi (1,747 km) in length, it is the world’s longest man-made waterway. It was build to enable successive Chinese regimes to transport surplus grain from the agriculturally rich Yangtze (Chang) and Huai river valleys to feed the capital cities and large stand¬ ing armies in the north. The oldest portion, in the south, may date from the 4th century bc. Expanded over the centuries, it continues to be used today for shipping and irrigation.
Grand Canyon Extensive canyon system cut by the Colorado River, northwestern Arizona, U.S. Noted for its rock formations and coloration, it is about 0.1-18 mi (0.2-29 km) wide and extends from northern Ari¬ zona to Grand Wash Cliffs, near the Nevada border, a distance of about 277 mi (446 km). The deepest section, 56 mi (90 km) long, is within Grand Canyon National Park, which covers the river’s length from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. The surrounding plateau is 6,000-9,000 ft (1,800-2,750 m) above sea level, and the canyon is in places more than 1 mi (1.6 km) deep. The national park, now containing 1,904 sq mi (4,931 sq km), was created in 1919. The former Grand Canyon National Monument, estab¬ lished in 1932, was added, with other lands, in 1975. In 1979 the Grand Canyon was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Grand Canyon series Major division of rocks in northern Arizona dating from Precambrian time. The rocks of the series consist of about 10,600 ft (3,400 m) of quartz sandstones, shales, and thick sequences of carbonate rocks. Spectacular exposures of these rocks occur in the Grand Canyon.
Grand Central Station Railroad terminal in New York City. It was designed and built (1903-13) by Reed & Stem in collaboration with the firm of Warren & Wetmore; the latter firm is credited with the aesthetics of the huge structure. The concourse, with its 125-ft (43-m) ceiling vault painted with constellations, was one of the largest enclosed spaces of its time. A gem of the Beaux-Arts style, the terminal looks as though it could have been transported from 1870s France. Atop the symmetrical main facade is a large clock and sculptures of an American eagle and Roman deities. In the late 20th century the station was lavishly restored; this res¬ toration effort brought national attention to the importance of preserving architectural landmarks.
Grand Falls See Churchill Falls
Grand Guignol \gra n -gen-'yol\ Short plays of violence, horror, and sadism popular in 20th-century Parisian cabarets. The name probably derives from the violent plots that featured the puppet Guignol. The plays were performed mainly at the Theatre du Grand Guignol from 1897 to 1962. The genre was introduced into England in 1908, but it remained mainly a Parisian theatrical form.
grand jury Jury that examines accusations against persons suspected of committing a crime and, if the evidence warrants it, issues formal charges on which the accused are later tried (see indictment). It does not decide guilt or innocence, only whether there is “probable cause” to believe that a person committed a crime. Public officials (prosecutors and police) provide information and summon witnesses for the jury. The pro¬ ceedings are usually secret. Some U.S. states have abolished the grand jury and authorize indictments by prosecutors.
Grand National British steeplechase horse-racing event held annually in Liverpool, Eng. Established in 1839, it attracts more attention through¬ out the world than any other such event, because of its extreme difficul¬ ties and dangers. The course is covered twice for a distance of 4.48 mi (7.2 km), including 31 jumps, some of them spectacularly hazardous.
Grand Ole Opry Country music radio show in Nashville, Tenn., U.S. Founded in 1925 by George Dewey Hay, the show was originally known as the WSM Barn Dance ; it acquired its lasting name in 1926. Its music developed from Dave Macon’s ballads of rural labourers in the 1920s, through the string bands, cowboy music, and western swing of the 1930s, and later back to the traditional music characterized by the career of Roy Acuff. After World War II, the honky-tonk style of Ernest Tubb and later Hank Williams, the bluegrass of Bill Monroe, and the singing of Eddy Arnold (b. 1918) and Kitty Wells all became Opry staples, as did comedy routines, notably those by Minnie Pearl (1912-96). In 1941 the Opry became a live stage show. In 1974 it moved to the Opryland amusement park and entertainment centre. The Opry initiated and promoted the cre¬ ation of Nashville as the centre of country music.
Grand Portage National Monument Historic site, northeastern corner of Minnesota, U.S. Located on Lake Superior near the Canadian border, it was designated a national historic site in 1951 and a national monument in 1958. It covers a 9-mi (14-km) overland trail from Lake Superior’s northern shore that bypassed the obstacles to early canoe travel. Used by early explorers, the portage marked the end of travel on the Great Lakes and the beginning of the interior river route. The portage trail now bisects the reservation of the Grand Portage tribe of the Minnesota Chippewa Indians.
Grand Prix Vgra n -'pre\ racing Automobile racing in which formula cars are run on closed highways or courses that simulate road conditions. Formula cars are open-wheel, open-cockpit, rear-engine vehicles and are generally smaller than those used in speedway races such as the India¬ napolis 500. Grand Prix racing began in 1906 and today comprises more than 15 major international events. Its popularity grew particularly from the 1950s, when world championships were established.
Grand Rapids City (pop., 2000: 197,800), western Michigan, U.S. Located on the Grand River, it was founded in 1826 as a trading post. Ample lumber from nearby forests soon fueled a woodworking industry. After Grand Rapids furniture was shown at the 1876 Centennial Exhibi¬ tion in Philadelphia, the city became known as the furniture capital of America. Its industry diversified with the advent of World War I, and metal-based manufacturing thereafter exceeded furniture. Its public library contains important collections of books on furniture design; its educational institutions include Kendall College of Art and Design (1928). It was the boyhood home of Pres. Gerald Ford.
Grand River See Neosho River
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument National preserve, southern Utah, U.S. Created a national monument in 1996, it covers 1.7 million acres (0.7 million hectares). Its western section has cliffs and plateaus, and its eastern section has canyons along the Escal¬ ante River. Dinosaur tracks have been found there. The area was once inhabited by the Anasazi people.
Grand Teton Vte-,tan\ National Park National preserve, northwest¬ ern Wyoming, U.S. In 1950 most of Jackson Hole National Monument (a fertile valley) was incorporated into the park, which was established in 1929 and now covers 484 sq mi (1,254 sq km). The snow-covered peaks of its Teton Range are 7,000 ft (2,100 m) above the nearby Snake River valley.