Wikipedia.org, commonly known as Wikipedia, is a free and collaborative online encyclopedia that has become one of the most comprehensive and widely used reference sources on the internet. Founded on January 15, 2001, by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, Wikipedia has evolved into a global knowledge-sharing platform with millions of articles in multiple languages. This article delves into the history, structure, principles, impact, and controversies surrounding Wikipedia.org.

Wikipedia's roots can be traced back to the concept of a web-based encyclopedia that anyone could edit. The founders aimed to harness the collective knowledge of individuals worldwide to create a freely accessible repository of information. The first article, about the city of Humor in Romania, was created on January 15, 2001, marking the birth of Wikipedia.

Over the years, Wikipedia has grown exponentially. It has expanded its language editions to over 300, covering a wide range of topics and cultures. The Wikimedia Foundation, a nonprofit organization, was established in 2003 to support and develop Wikipedia and its sister projects, such as Wikimedia Commons and Wiktionary.

Wikipedia.org is organized as a collaborative platform with a straightforward structure. It comprises articles, which are the main units of content, organized into categories and linked together through hyperlinks. Anyone with internet access can edit most Wikipedia articles, making it a dynamic and constantly evolving resource. Wikipedia's content is organized by categories, and its search functionality allows users to find information quickly.

Wikipedia's content is created and maintained by a diverse group of volunteer editors from around the world. These editors contribute their knowledge, expertise, and time to write, edit, and improve articles. The community of editors is governed by a set of guidelines and policies aimed at ensuring the accuracy, neutrality, and reliability of the content.

Wikipedia operates based on several core principles:

Neutral Point of View (NPOV): Wikipedia strives to present information from a balanced and unbiased perspective, avoiding editorial bias or favoritism.

Verifiability: Information must be backed by reliable and verifiable sources. Editors are encouraged to cite reputable references to support the content they add.

No Original Research: Wikipedia does not accept original research or opinions. Information must be based on established knowledge and cited sources.

Assume Good Faith: Editors are encouraged to assume that others are editing in good faith and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve disputes.

Consensus: Decisions and content disputes are typically resolved through consensus among editors, with discussions taking place on article talk pages.

Wikipedia has had a profound impact on the way people access and share knowledge. It has become a go-to resource for students, researchers, journalists, and the general public. Its open-access model has democratized knowledge, making information freely available to anyone with an internet connection.

Furthermore, Wikipedia has influenced the development of other collaborative projects and initiatives aimed at disseminating knowledge online. Its success has demonstrated the power of crowdsourcing in creating a valuable and constantly updated reference source.

Despite its many virtues, Wikipedia has faced challenges and controversies. These include concerns about the reliability of its content, vandalism by malicious users, systemic bias in articles, and issues related to editor behavior and conflicts of interest.