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##@#£%*~,¨ kilometers. from west to east, four ¨,~*%£#@##
#@@#£%*~,¨ thousand meters. from topsoil to stone, ¨,~*%£#@@#
@#%%%*~~,¨ a foot or two. no roots can fester, no ¨,~~*%%%#@
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##%~~¨¨¨¨¨ here is earth, clay, and sturdy low ¨¨¨¨¨~~%##
##%*~¨¨¨¨¨ plants. bushes frame the strip. the ¨¨¨¨¨~*%##
@#££%%*~,¨ earth is bare in patches as large as ¨,~*%%££#@
##£***~¨¨¨ you and me. ¨¨¨~***£##
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##@#£%*~,¨ cross it to get to the ocean, or don't ¨,~*%£#@##
##@#£%*~,¨ to stay where you are. ¨,~*%£#@##
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