The World Book encyclopedia defines a vampire as "a corpse that supposedly

returns to life at night to suck people's blood".

The powers associated to vampires include turning into mist and shape- shifting, invisibility, mesmerism, superhuman strength, immortality and, of course, a murderous blood thirst.

Many questions have been asked about the origin and the definition of the vampire. Doctors and scientists have even discussed actual medical conditions that may have lead to the belief in vampires.

Among all the creatures and monsters in literature and folklore, the vampire seems to be the most mysterious. It has evolved in folklore during its journey through time.

During the 20th century people have become fascinated with the idea of vampires.

Throughout history the legend of the vampire has been used to "explain" other natural phenomena that primitive people who lacked scientific knowledge could not otherwise explain. Possibly the most astonishing belief which people associated vampires with was the Black Death during the Middle Ages in Europe.

The Black Death was actually Bubonic plague spread by fleas and rats. The plague may have killed as much as a third of the populatio

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