"Duns" can refer to two distinct concepts depending on the context:
- In geography, duns (or doos) are longitudinal valleys formed between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shivalik Hills as a result of the collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. These valleys are typically 8-12 km wide and 45-55 km long, filled with alluvial soil brought down by Himalayan rivers. They are fertile and support agriculture, and examples include Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun, and Patli Dun in India.
- In business, DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) is a proprietary system developed by Dun & Bradstreet. It assigns a unique nine-digit identifier known as a DUNS number to individual business entities worldwide. This number helps identify and track businesses for credit and other commercial purposes. It is used globally by organizations including governments, the United Nations, and companies like Apple. Obtaining a DUNS number is often required to apply for government contracts or grants.
So, "duns" as a geographical term relates to valleys in the Himalayas, while "DUNS" as an acronym refers to a business identifier system.
