WIKIPEDIA
In the era of the internet, when information travels faster than ever, one platform has become synonymous with learning, research, and curiosity — Wikipedia. Whether it is a school project, general knowledge research, or a quick look-up about a historical figure, Wikipedia is the first destination for millions worldwide. But what exactly is Wikipedia? How did it start? Who founded it? Let’s explore the fascinating story behind this giant of information.
What Is Wikipedia?
Wikipedia is a free, online, multilingual encyclopedia that anyone can read — and almost anyone can edit. It contains millions of articles that cover virtually every topic on Earth: science, history, geography, arts, sports, culture, current events, biographies, and more.
The purpose of Wikipedia is simple yet powerful:
to make knowledge freely available to every person on the planet.
The name “Wikipedia” is formed from:
Wiki – a website where users can collaboratively edit content
Encyclopedia – a reference book covering all branches of knowledge
Thus, Wikipedia is a collaborative encyclopedia built “by the people, for the people.”
How Is Wikipedia Created?
One of Wikipedia’s most unique features is that it is written and maintained by volunteers from across the world — students, teachers, experts, hobbyists, and everyday readers who share an interest in knowledge.
These volunteers, known as Wikipedians, write new articles, update facts, correct mistakes, add references, translate content, and monitor accuracy.
Because of this collective effort, Wikipedia is constantly growing and improving.
Why Is Wikipedia Free?
Wikipedia is run by the Wikimedia Foundation, a charitable, non-profit organisation.
It accepts no advertisements and no subscription fees. The entire platform functions through donations from users who believe in open, accessible education.
This makes Wikipedia one of the most democratic and inclusive sources of knowledge ever created.
History of Wikipedia
Before Wikipedia, the founders began an online encyclopedia called Nupedia in 2000.
Nupedia articles were written by scholars and passed through a lengthy expert-review process. Although high in quality, the process was slow — only a few articles were completed.
To speed up the creation of content, the founders launched a new idea in 2001: an encyclopedia that anyone could contribute to instantly. This new platform was named Wikipedia.
Wikipedia grew so fast that it soon overtook Nupedia entirely. By 2003, Wikipedia had become one of the fastest-growing repositories of knowledge in history.
Founders of Wikipedia
Wikipedia was founded by two Americans:
1. Jimmy Wales
Internet entrepreneur
Strong advocate of free and open knowledge
Considered the "public face" of Wikipedia
Co-founded the Wikimedia Foundation
Jimmy Wales believes that information should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or financial conditions.
2. Larry Sanger
Philosopher and project developer
Co-founded Wikipedia and helped design its early guidelines
Came up with the name “Wikipedia”
Suggested using a “wiki” model so people could edit collaboratively
Together, Wales and Sanger built the foundation for a platform that would change global learning forever.
Why Wikipedia Became a Global Success
Wikipedia succeeded because it combined several revolutionary ideas:
Anyone can edit: Knowledge is not locked behind experts alone.
Free to access: Every reader is equal.
Neutral point of view: Articles must remain unbiased.
References required: All information must come from reliable sources.
Constant updating: Volunteers keep information current, often faster than news sites.
Today, Wikipedia exists in more than 300 languages and contains over 60 million articles, making it the largest encyclopedia ever created.
How Students and Teachers Can Use Wikipedia Wisely
Begin research with Wikipedia to gain a clear overview.
Use the references at the bottom for deeper study.
Explore linked topics for broader understanding.
Use images and diagrams with proper credits.
Always cross-check important facts with reliable sources.
Wikipedia is an excellent starting point for learning — not the final destination.
Conclusion: Wikipedia stands as a powerful symbol of collective learning. It proves that when people come together to share knowledge, they can build something extraordinary. What began as a small experiment in 2001 has grown into a global treasure — a living library that never closes, never stops updating, and never stops teaching.
Whether you are a student, teacher, researcher, or curious reader, Wikipedia opens a door to endless learning, completely free of cost.
Do You Know?
● Wikipedia was launched on 15 January 2001.
● It has over 60 million articles worldwide.
● The English version alone has more than 6.8 million articles.
● It is among the top 10 most visited websites in the world.
● Anyone can edit Wikipedia — but all edits are monitored.
● The content is available under Creative Commons license, meaning it can be reused with proper attribution.
● The word wiki comes from the Hawaiian word “quick.”
