Do You Know the History of Acid or LSD

Do You Know the History of Acid or LSD Addiction Drug Use Hallucinogens Print Do You Know the History of Acid or LSD? By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Updated on October 22, 2019 Getty Images / RapidEye More in Addiction Drug Use Hallucinogens Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery What exactly is acid? Acid, or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), is an illegal recreational drug derived from a parasitic fungus that grows on rye, known as ergot. Acid is the most well-known hallucinogenic drug, and due to the extended effects of the drug, the experience of taking or dropping acid is known as a trip or acid trip. The History of LSD The psychoactive properties of acid were discovered almost by accident by Dr. Albert Hofmann, a research chemist working for the Sandoz Company, in 1943. Dr. Hofmann had been synthesizing LSD-25, and some crystals of the substance had made contact with his fingertips and were absorbed through his skin. In the middle of the afternoon, while at work, Hofmann started to feel dizzy and restless. He went home, and experienced a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. Hofmann decided to experiment on himself and took a small quantity of the drug. After 40 minutes, he started feeling dizzy, anxious, noticing visual distortions, the symptoms of paralysis and the desire to laugh. An hour later, he went home by bicycle, which was difficult, given the effects of LSD. He requested milk from a neighbor, who appeared to be a malevolent, insidious witch with a colored mask. He also experienced unpleasant feelings about himself. Believing that lysergic acid had potential use in neurology and psychiatry, he proceeded with animal experimentation and further human studies. It was found that with both humans and animals, there seemed to be a capacity for breaking down the ego, and it appeared to show potential for people who are bogged down in an egocentric problem cycle [who] can thereby be helped to release themselves from their fixating and isolation. LSD also released long-forgotten memories and traumas into consciousness, which could then be worked through therapeutically.?? Using and Abusing LSD LSD was used in European psychotherapy clinics in an approach called psycholytic therapyâ€"meaning the dissolution of tension or conflicts in the human psycheâ€"in which patients expressed themselves through drawing and painting while under the influence of moderately strong doses of LSD, over a series of sessions. Another approach, known as psychedelic therapyâ€"meaning mind-manifesting or mind-expandingâ€"involved patients taking a single high dose of LSD, after a period of intensive psychological preparation, to attempt to restructure and cure the patients personality problems. LSD was also explored as a model for psychosis, and as a treatment for severe pain associated with cancer.?? LSD began to be used recreationally and was extremely popular during the 1960s when it was still legal. It was promoted by Drs. Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert at Harvard University. Many well-meaning people encouraged the use of LSD, believing it spread love and peace and broke down antiquated and oppressive social hierarchies. But this did not prove to be the case, and by the end of the 1960s, the dangerous side of LSD was revealed. Reports of accidents, mental breakdowns, criminal acts, murders, and suicide were reported, as well as psychotic reactions to the drug, resulting in social hysteria about LSD. Recognizing the dangers of the drug, Sandoz stopped LSD production and distribution in 1965, and psychotherapists abandoned its use in therapy.?? Although LSD has waxed and waned in popularity, it has remained a staple on the illicit drug scene. It regained popularity during the Acid House movement of the 1980s, but this was greatly superseded by the rise of the first ecstasy, then crystal meth.??

Biography of Harry S. Truman, 33rd U.S. President

Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884–December 26, 1972) became the 33rd president of the United States following the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 12, 1945. Not well known when he took office, Truman gained respect for his role in the development of the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan and for his leadership during the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War. He defended his controversial decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan as a necessity to end World War II. Fast Facts: Harry S. Truman Known For: 33rd president of the United StatesBorn: May 8, 1884 in Lamar, MissouriParents: John Truman, Martha YoungDied: Dec. 26, 1972 in Kansas City, MissouriPublished Works: Year of Decisions, Years of Trial and Hope (memoirs)Spouse: Elizabeth â€Å"Bess† TrumanChildren: Margaret Truman DanielNotable Quote: An honest public servant cant become rich in politics. He can only attain greatness and satisfaction by service. Early Life Truman was born on May 8, 1884, in Lamar, Missouri to John Truman and Martha Young Truman. His middle name, simply the letter S, was a compromise made between his parents, who couldnt agree upon which grandfathers name to use. John Truman worked as a mule trader and later a farmer, frequently moving the family between small Missouri towns before settling in Independence when Truman was 6. It soon became apparent that young Harry needed glasses. Banned from sports and other activities that might break his glasses, he became a voracious reader. Hard Work After graduating from high school in 1901, Truman worked as a timekeeper for the railroad and later as a bank clerk. He had always hoped to go to college, but his family couldnt afford tuition. More disappointment came when Truman learned that he was ineligible for a scholarship to West Point because of his eyesight. When his father needed help on the family farm, Truman quit his job and returned home. He worked on the farm from 1906 to 1917. Long Courtship Moving back home had one benefit: proximity to childhood acquaintance Bess Wallace. Truman had first met Bess at age 6 and had been smitten from the start. Bess came from one of the wealthiest families in Independence and Truman, the son of a farmer, had never dared pursue her. After a chance encounter in Independence, Truman and Bess began a courtship that lasted nine years. She finally accepted Trumans proposal in 1917, but before they could make wedding plans, World War I intervened. Truman enlisted in the Army, entering as a first lieutenant. Shaped by War Truman arrived in France in April 1918. He had a talent for leadership and was soon promoted to captain. Placed in charge of a group of rowdy artillery soldiers, Truman made it clear to them that he wouldnt tolerate misbehavior. That firm, no-nonsense approach would become the trademark style of his presidency. The soldiers came to respect their tough commander, who steered them through the war without the loss of a single man. Truman returned to the U.S. in April 1919 and married Bess in June. Makes a Living Truman and his new wife moved into her mothers large home in Independence. Mrs. Wallace, who never approved of her daughters marriage to a farmer, would live with the couple until her death 33 years later. Never fond of farming himself, Truman was determined to become a businessman. He opened a mens clothing store in nearby Kansas City with an Army buddy. The business was successful at first but failed after only three years. At 38, Truman had succeeded at few endeavors aside from his wartime service. Eager to find something he was good at, he looked to politics. Enters Politics Truman successfully ran for Jackson County judge in 1922 and became well known for his honesty and strong work ethic on this administrative (not judicial) court. During his term, he became a father in 1924 when daughter Mary Margaret was born. He was defeated in his try for re-election but ran again two years later and won. When his last term expired in 1934, Truman was courted by the Missouri Democratic Party to run for the U.S. Senate. He rose to the challenge, campaigning tirelessly across the state. Despite poor public speaking skills, he impressed voters with his folksy style and record as a soldier and judge, soundly defeating the Republican candidate. Sen. Truman Becomes President Truman Working in the Senate was the job Truman had waited for his entire life. He took a leading role in investigating wasteful spending by the War Department, earning the respect of fellow senators and impressing President Roosevelt. He was re-elected in 1940. As the 1944 election drew near, Democratic leaders sought a replacement for Vice President Henry Wallace. Roosevelt himself requested Truman. FDR then won his fourth term with Truman on the ticket. In poor health and suffering from exhaustion, Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, only three months into his last term, making Truman president of the United States. Thrust into the limelight, Truman faced some of the greatest challenges encountered by any 20th-century president. World War II was drawing to a close in Europe, but the war in the Pacific was far from over. Atomic Bomb Truman learned in July 1945 that scientists working for the U.S. government had tested an atomic bomb in New Mexico. After much deliberation, Truman decided that the only way to end the war in the Pacific would be to drop the bomb on Japan. Truman issued a warning to the Japanese demanding their surrender, but those demands werent met. Two bombs were dropped, the first on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and the second three days later on Nagasaki. In the face of such utter destruction, the Japanese surrendered. Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan As European countries struggled financially following WWII, Truman recognized their need for economic and military aid. He knew that a weakened country would be more vulnerable to the threat of communism, so he pledged to support nations facing such a threat. Trumans plan was called the Truman Doctrine. Trumans secretary of state, former Gen. George C. Marshall, believed that the struggling nations could survive only if the U.S. supplied the resources needed to return them to self-sufficiency. The Marshall Plan, passed by Congress in 1948, provided the materials needed to rebuild factories, homes, and farms. Berlin Blockade and Re-Election in 1948 In the summer of 1948, the Soviet Union set up a blockade to keep supplies from entering West Berlin, the capital of democratic West Germany but located in Communist East Germany. The blockade of truck, train, and boat traffic was intended to force Berlin into dependence upon the communist regime. Truman stood firm against the Soviets, ordering that supplies be delivered by air. The Berlin Airlift continued for nearly a year, until the Soviets finally abandoned the blockade. In the meantime, despite a poor showing in opinion polls, Truman was re-elected, surprising many by defeating popular Republican Thomas Dewey. Korean Conflict When Communist North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950, Truman weighed his decision carefully. Korea was a small country, but Truman feared that communists, left unchecked, would invade other countries. Within days, Truman had gained approval for U.N. troops to be ordered to the area. The Korean War began and it lasted until 1953, after Truman left office. The threat had been contained, but North Korea remained under communist control. Back to Independence Truman chose not to run for re-election in 1952, and he and Bess returned to their home in Independence in 1953. Truman enjoyed the return to private life and busied himself with writing his memoirs and planning his presidential library. He died at the age of 88 on Dec. 26, 1972. Legacy When Truman left office in 1953, the lengthy stalemate between North and South Korea had left him one of the most unpopular presidents in history. But that sentiment gradually changed over time as historians began to reassess his terms in office, crediting him with keeping South Korea independent from the communist neighbor to the north. He began to be respected as a folksy straight shooter and the ultimate common man for his leadership in troubled times and his willingness to take responsibility, exemplified by the plaque on his presidential desk that read â€Å"The Buck Stops Here!† Sources Harry S. Truman: President of the United States. Encyclopaedia Britannica.Harry S Truman: 1945-1953. The White House Historical Association.

Teaching Values And Moral Values - 880 Words

Teaching values is important. Values allow children to make ethical decisions, they teach them personal responsibility, and values promote moral integrity. Honesty, respect, responsibility, and love are just a few of the important values children should be taught. These values shape them into well-rounded individuals and help point the way of thinking and acting appropriately. Values define an individual’s behavior, ethical or unethical, and that’s why teaching children values is important. Ethical Decisions Children make sense of the world around them through stories. They use the contents of stories to depict insights to their own lives and moral dimensions. Storytelling in a classroom setting allows students to share personal experiences and gives them a chance to challenge or discuss their own ethical deliberations. (Simon Olds, 1976) explained that â€Å"children need to understand the range of possibilities for action, that there are consequences to actions and how to make choices based upon the awareness of options and consequences.† Allowing children to share based on their own personal experiences emphasizes that what they have to say is meaningful and valuable to the conversation. â€Å"The use of storytelling can offer a dramatic narrative that not only stirs the emotions but also contributes to the cognitive power of these emotions, making particular contributions to moral learning.† (Winston, 1991) As the storytelling process offers complexity to the discussio n ofShow MoreRelatedTeaching Values And Moral Values811 Words   |  4 Pagespaper on teaching values to children. It will also describe why values are important in society. Values need to be taught at home and at school as well; children spend more time at home than they do at school. Teaching values, not just rules allow children to make ethical decisions, they teach them personal responsibility, and they also promote moral integrity. Leading by example is important in justifying the subscription of values and moral education. Teaching Values Teaching values is importantRead MoreTeaching Moral Values in Schools2178 Words   |  9 PagesTeaching Moral Values in Schools Introduction Pornography! Premarital sex! Lying! Cheating! Drugs! Shoplifting! Stealing! High school pregnancies! What is wrong with all these things? Based on the values that are being taught in most schools to today’s children, nothing. Many teachers believe that students involved in these activities are just making bad choices out of the many choices they have. How can children know that George Washington was the father of their country but cannot tell the differenceRead MoreEssay Teaching Moral Values to Children1157 Words   |  5 PagesTeaching Moral Values to Children Morals are defined as expressing or teaching a conception of either behaviour. Teaching moral values to a child are usually the responsibility of the parents. A parent influences a child at a young age, although as they mature they have the ability to accept or reject their traits. In the play, A Taste of Honey, author Shelegh Delaney illustrates the impact a parent has on a child, and how their decisions can affect the way in which they control their livesRead MoreEfficacy of Team Learning on Cultivating Moral Value at Higher Secondary School1159 Words   |  5 PagesEFFICACY OF TEAM LEARNING ON CULTIVATING MORAL VALUE AT HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL ABSTRACT The present study highlights the efficacy of Team Learning on cultivating moral value of the students at Higher Secondary School. Parallel group Experimental method was adopted in the study. Eighty students ( control group – 40 students + experimental 40 students ) were selected as sample for the study. Researcher self –made achievement tool was considered as tool for the study. Pre test - Treatment - PostRead MoreThe Teacher As Role Models1659 Words   |  7 PagesAs an educator you get faced with the task everyday whether or not it is your responsibility to teach moral values and to develop good character traits in students in your classroom. What people do not realize is that teaching is much more than just the information in the textbooks and for that reason, I do believe that it is the educator’s job to teach moral values and to develop good character traits in students. As an educator, you have to be able to teach the whole student, you have to be willingR ead MoreThe Doctrine Of The Divine Command Theory1488 Words   |  6 PagesIs the churches moral teaching of value only to Catholics or to everyone, and either way, why? Christian morality is centered on assessing the ethical implications of us as people. Who we ought and be, and what actions we ought to take or avoid based on an understanding of the scripture and relevant human experiences. I do not subscribe to the divine command theory (DCT) of ethics, as I believe you can have ethics without God. The DCT proposes that what is morally right is what God has commandedRead MoreConfucian Values in Relation to Filipino Values1287 Words   |  6 PagesRelation of Confucian Values with Filipino Values Moral, values and ethics define who we are and what we believe. Culture, religion, and many other things affect our beliefs. One uses various types of ethics when surrounded by different groups. Knowing between right and wrong is a good foundation to practice goo ethics and morals. These things make morals, ethics and values important in society. many factors can contribute to what we think is morally right or wrong. Religion, for example, mayRead MoreMoral Values1269 Words   |  6 PagesMoral Values versus Academic Subject Matters Good morning faculty and Students â€Å"Welcome back to a new and rewarding School year† was the first thing I heard Principle Williams say as he made the announcements. The next thing on the agenda was to go over the rules of the school and classroom. It is the first day of school at Westover Elementary and the students are back in school for one hundred and eighty days. WOW! I just love my job. Well it is time to get down to business. We must goRead MoreErikson s Psychosocial Development Theory Essay1622 Words   |  7 PagesIn this research project several individuals, both parents and children were surveyed and asked various questions to see what their views on morals and values were and if teaching them had an impactful effect on children. With the secondary research conducted the teachings of morals and values will be linked to socialization as well as being looked at through different developmental theories. Many pages in the Individuals and Families, Diverse Pe rspectives (Holloway, Holloway Witte, 2010) willRead MoreEssay on Teaching Morals in Public Schools1128 Words   |  5 Pagesappearance in the character of todays youth. Teaching morals in public school could only result in the betterment of our society. American public schools started walking away from their moral educators about a generation ago, around the 1960s. They feared possibilities of being accused of imposing religion or indoctrinating children, so they left moral instruction to parents and the community, and stuck strictly to academics (Smith). Teaching morals has been misconceived as a violation of the

Harmony Free Essays

Music is composed by four elements, this elements are harmony, rhythm, form and melody. I consider harmony to be the most important and my personal favorite because harmony is what gives the feeling and character to a song. The harmony gives emotions to a song, some of this emotions are sadness, happiness and/ darkness. We will write a custom essay sample on Harmony or any similar topic only for you Order Now Harmony is any combination of tones simultaneously. It is the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords. It is often referred as the â€Å"vertical† side of music with melody being the â€Å"horizontal† side of music. Usually harmonization sounds pleasant to the ear as long as the consonant and the dissonant sounds are balanced. Which means that there is a balance between the â€Å"tense† and the â€Å"relaxed† moments. The word harmony comes from the Greek word harmonia that means â€Å"agreement† and from the verb harmozo that means â€Å"to Joint†. In the past the word harmony was used to refer to the whole field of music while the word â€Å"music† was used to refer to the arts in general. There are different types of harmony. Some of these types are open position, close position, subordinate and oordinate. Even though some types of music can exist without harmony like percussive music that doesn’t utilize harmony, doesn’t mean that all kinds of music can exist without harmony. No, they can’t. One of the genres of music that highlights the use of harmony is Jazz. Any music that utilizes instruments like piano, guitar or voices utilizes harmony. A song that I like and highlights the use of harmony is â€Å"Hotel California† by The Eagles. In this song some of the chords they use mimic the ringing f the â€Å"mission bell† on top of hotel. There is also a Spanish feeling in the song that I think could relate to the Spanish heritage of California. In the beginning of the song there is also a â€Å"shaker† sound that kind of resembles that of the rattlesnake. When you hear this sound you can imagine a desert. All of this and other sounds in the song creates a mood. Also during the chorus you can hear a few other voices in the background that resembles there sound of voices echoing through the hallways of the hotel. How to cite Harmony, Papers

The Complexity of Marjane Satrapis Persepolis Essay Example For Students

The Complexity of Marjane Satrapis Persepolis Essay If a person were to hastily flip through the pages of Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel Persepolis, using only eyes to judge, the book could easily be put off as just another piece of literary fluff. Their inner literary critic might utter a perplexed gasp and their mind might reel with the wonder at how they happened upon something that was surely intended for the children’s comic book section. With any further examination of the book’s literary content and the power of its simplified artwork, however, such an easy to assume accusation shows through as fatally incorrect. Persepolis is the memoir of a young woman growing up in the decimating national conflicts of 1970s Iran depicted alongside an unexpectedly, simplified artwork style. At first it may appear that this is done only for the sake of unique marketability or because it is merely Satrapi’s natural drawing style. We will write a custom essay on The Complexity of Marjane Satrapis Persepolis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now A deeper examination, however, will reveal that â€Å"†¦a form of amplification through simplification† (McCloud, 30) is achieved and visual support is given to the text in a manner that realistic or more â€Å"serious† art could not accomplish. Though simplified in its artistic approach, Persepolis is anything but simplified in content. When a writer chooses to include illustrations in a piece of literature, the first task is to decide the level of abstraction/ realism the art will present. In Persepolis’ case, a simplified art style works best, as it amplifies only the primary features of the text, unlike realism which would be far more focused on social details. Given the book’s heavy subject matter (of both a war beyond massive devastation and the metamorphosis of a girl caught in its trauma), Persepolis has a great deal of information to cover in t. . captivating and personally significant aspects of her experience. Through generality and a lack of explicit realism, Satrapi invigorates the book’s deeper messages in a manner that extends beyond the written word and into conceptual imagery. â€Å"By de-emphasizing the appearance of the physical world†¦the cartoon places itself in the world of concepts† (McCloud 41), concepts that convey the subjective, but still far too true life of Marjane Satrapi. This simplified and symbolic universe is not Iran or Austria or France; it is Marjane’s Persepolis. Works Cited McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. New York: HyperCollins Publishers, 1993. Print Strapi, Marjane. Persepolis: The Story of Childhood. Paris, France: L’Association, 2003. Print. Strapi, Marjane. Persepolis 2: The Story of Return. Paris, France: L’Association, 2004.Print

Case Study of Writer Essays

Case Study of Writer Essays Case Study of Writer Essay Case Study of Writer Essay Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Case Study of Writer Introduction The writer of choice is my friend. He is in high school, in his junior year. He is a competent writer with adequate literacy capability where he exhibits average spoken and written language skills. The writer currently hopes to pursue a career in Journalism. It is for this reason that he has been chosen for this study. He is especially interested in investigative journalism. In this regard, he is a member of the writing club and writes articles for the school magazine to improve his skills. The aim of the study is to find out the literacy levels of the writer, strengths and weaknesses this writer has by examining his work. The study if the writer is susceptible to some of the mistakes common with most writers. These include punctuation, spelling, veering off topic among other things. Results The writer’s literacy skills are average. They are average because he has issues with spelling and punctuation making his work at times difficult to follow. However, after sorting through the problems, one of his greatest strengths is his ability to write in a manner that has the readers engrossed in an article while using few words yet being informative at the same time. He hopes to be an investigative journalist in the future and looking at his writing ability, he will be able to achieve this goal. What is intriguing about what he writes is how he perceives the world. His perception toward the world creates a sense of hope in the reader. No matter how grave the situation is, the written piece exudes an element of hope that all is well. However, this may be seen as an impediment to investigative journalism where the writer is expected to be objective in his work. In addition, he still needs to improve on his writing skills with regard to punctuation and use of compound words. Another problem observed was the fact that he was overly critical of his written works. This has made him to hide some of his works believing that they are not of good quality. These issues are common with most writers; however, realizing such issues creates the opportunity for improving. Proofreading was therefore a major problem. For example, the writer would have omission of letters in certain words such as instead of writing â€Å"Thank†, he wrote â€Å"Than†. These omissions could be effectively handled by simply proofreading the work. Problems in punctuation include a sentence such as â€Å"What should they have done.†. In this sentence, the omission of the question mark is a grammatical error. Grammatical errors have the possibility of changing a sentence’s meaning. For example, the sentence â€Å"John, my brother was ill†. While the writer meant to say that his brother John was ill, an omission of a comma changed the meaning of the sentence. The sentence should have read, â€Å"John, my brother, was ill†. Therefore, proofreading is an important tool in skillful writing. The various exchanges that we have had include interactive sessions where a piece of writing is discussed in an attempt to understand the motivations being each work and what the writer means to achieve. These exchanges have also been geared toward finding out the problems with his writing. In this regard, these exchanges aimed at improving his writing skills. Emphasis was put on how to develop a journalistic tone without affecting his ability to appeal to his readers. Again, the aim of these exchanges was to boost his confidence in his articles. It was found that he was afraid he did not write well. This came from the fact that he does not proofread his work. However, by reading his work, he was able to identify his mistakes and improved his writing very well. The problem with being a teacher includes losing concentration during some of the exchanges. This was because it was difficult to help by being a teacher yet maintain a friendship. Detecting writing inadequacies was at times challenging especially since I was expected to help in improving his writing. However, this helped me be reacquainted with language use in speech and writing and this made it possible for me to make the right decisions with regard to what was expected. What was most surprising, was the fat that he was willing to learn from a fellow student believe that it would help since we were pears. Therefore, I learnt that a teacher and student relationship is important since this relationship either enables learning or becomes an impediment to the learning process. As a responder to writing, I learnt that while some may be gifted in the art of writing, it takes hard work and commitment on the part of the writer to be able to produce a memorable piece of writing. Conclusion The writer in the end was able to develop writing skills that would match his ambition of becoming an investigative journalist writing feature articles. The study reveals that good writing skills lie in ones ability to objectively criticize their own work and identify the flaws that could make an article appear better. Proofreading is a major part of this where one is able to identify the problems. However, proofreading may not be very effective unless one understands the rules that apply in the language of writing.

The Continental Divide and How the Rivers Flow

The Continental Divide and How the Rivers Flow Every continent except for Antarctica has a continental divide. Continental divides separate one  drainage basin from another. They are used to define the direction that an areas rivers flow and drain into the oceans and seas. The best-known continental divide is in North America and it  runs along the Rocky and Andes mountain ranges. Most continents have multiple continental divides and some rivers flow into endorheic basins (inland bodies of water), such as the Sahara Desert in Africa. The Continental Divide  of the Americas The Continental Divide in the Americas is the line that divides the flow of water between the Pacific Ocean and the  Atlantic Ocean. Rain or snow that drains on the east side of the Continental Divide flows toward the Atlantic Ocean.Precipitation on the west side drains and flows toward the Pacific Ocean.   The continental divide runs from northwestern Canada along the crest of the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico. Then, it follows the crest of Mexicos Sierra Madre Occidental and along the Andes Mountains through South America. More Water Flow Divides in the Americas To say that any continent, including North America, has a single continental divide is not entirely true. We can continue to divide the flow of water (called hydrological divides) into these groups: East of the Rocky Mountains and north of the Canada-U.S. border, the rivers flow into the Arctic Ocean.Most rivers of the central U.S. flow into the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River. Indirectly, this is an Atlantic Ocean drainage.Rivers on the east side of Mexico and Central America also drain into the Gulf of Mexico.Rivers around the Great Lakes and along the entire east coast of Canada and the U.S. flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean.South America has a true east-west continental divide. Everything east of the Andes flows into the Atlantic Ocean and everything west flows into the Pacific. The Continental Divides of the Rest of the World It is easiest to talk about the continental divides of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia as a whole because many of the drainage basins span all four continents. The Atlantic Ocean:  Along the entire western coast of Europe and Africa, the rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean.The Mediterranean Sea: The southern part of Europe, most of the country of Turkey, and many rivers in the northern part of Africa drain into the Mediterranean Sea. Most notably, the Nile River  flows north and has a drainage basin that reaches south past the equator.The Indian Ocean:  Ã‚  The rivers of countries that surround the Indian Ocean flow into it. This includes most of the eastern coast of Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia as well as the majority of  Australia.The Pacific Ocean: Along the eastern coast of Asia and Australia, the rivers flow into the Pacific Ocean. This includes China and much of Southeast Asia along with all of the island nations that fill this area of the Pacific.The Arctic  Ocean:  The majority of Russian rivers flow into the Arctic Ocean.Endorheic Basins: Asia and Africa are home to the largest endorheic basins whe re the rivers empty into deserts, large lakes, or inland seas.