Wikipedia - wikipedia.org

Wikipedia is a multilingual online encyclopedia based on wiki technology, collaboratively edited and maintained by global volunteers.

Official Website: wikipedia.org

Wikipedia is a free, open online encyclopedia aimed at providing a reliable source of information, covering almost all areas of knowledge. It is operated by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation and supports multiple language versions, making it one of the most visited websites in the world.

Creation and History

Wikipedia was created on January 15, 2001, by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, initially as a complement to another project, Nupedia. Nupedia was an expert-reviewed online encyclopedia that progressed slowly. The openness and rapid development characteristics of Wikipedia quickly surpassed Nupedia and made it the largest online encyclopedia in the world.

Operational Model

Wikipedia operates on wiki technology, allowing any user to edit and create articles. This model enables Wikipedia to update and expand rapidly, but also presents challenges such as the accuracy and reliability of content. To address these issues, Wikipedia has implemented a series of policies and mechanisms, including editing guidelines, review processes, and community oversight.

Language Versions

Wikipedia supports over 300 languages, with the English version being the most active and comprehensive. Other major language versions include German, French, Russian, Spanish, etc. Each language version has its own editing community and management structure, but follows similar basic principles and policies.

Contributors and Community

The success of Wikipedia is inseparable from the efforts of millions of contributors worldwide. These contributors include ordinary users, experts, scholars, and people from various backgrounds. The Wikipedia community formulates policies and resolves disputes through discussions, voting, and collaboration, ensuring the healthy development of the project.

Funding and Support

Wikipedia is operated by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization that primarily relies on public donations, corporate sponsorships, and individual contributions to sustain operations. The foundation also supports several other wiki projects, such as Wikimedia Commons and Wiktionary.