and more coordinated, many schoolage
children try sports or other difficult
physical activities.
Preteen Years
Between 9 and 12 years old, children are
preteens, or preadolescents. During this
stage they grow much more independent.
They become better at controlling
their behavior. Preteens also understand
how to be helpful to others.
During the preteen years children form
close friendships. Their group of friends
becomes very important to them. Family
is no longer a central part of their life.
Preteens also become more aware of the
world beyond their home, school, and
community.
The end of the preadolescent years
marks the end of childhood. As preteens
become teenagers, they move one step
closer to becoming adults and living on
their own.
#More to explore
Adolescence
Play is an important part of preschool children’s
development.
Preteen children learn how to work together
in activities such as music and sports.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Child Development 97
Chile
The Republic of Chile stretches for
nearly 2,700 miles (4,350 kilometers)
along the west coast of South America.
Though long, it has an average width of
only 110 miles (180 kilometers). Its
capital and largest city is Santiago.
Geography
The Pacific Ocean forms Chile’s western
border. Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina lie
to the north and east. Chile claims a
piece of Antarctica. It also controls several
islands in the South Pacific, including
Easter Island.
The Andes Mountains are in the east.
Smaller mountain ranges are in the west.
Flat plains lie between the two mountain
systems. The mountains and plains
run from north to south for nearly the
entire length of the country.
The northern part of Chile is a very dry
desert with moderate temperatures. The
center of the country has hot, dry summers
and cool, moist winters. Southern
Chile is cold and wet.
Plants and Animals
Cacti and prickly shrubs grow on the
northern coast. Hardwood trees, shrubs,
cacti, and green grass grow in central
Chile, though farmland has replaced
many of the native plants there. Dense
forests of beeches, evergreens, and monkey
puzzle trees (Chile pines) cover the
south.
Guanacos, llamas, alpacas, and vicunas
live in the northern Andes. Other
mountain animals include deer, wolves,
pumas, wildcats, rodents, and condors.
The southern forests are home to foxes,
small deer, and marsupials.
People
Most Chileans are mestizos, or people
with both Spanish and American Indian
roots. There are smaller groups of whites
and Araucanian Indians. Most of the
people speak Spanish and are Roman
Catholic. Most Chileans live in cities in
the central part of the country.
98 Chile BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Economy
Banking and other services, manufacturing,
mining, fishing, and trade are
Chile’s most important economic activities.
The country produces and sells
food products, metals, chemicals, and
paper. Chile is the world’s leading producer
of copper. Chilean farmers grow
wheat, grapes, apples, vegetables, and
other crops.
History
Before the Spanish arrived in 1536, at
least 500,000 American Indians lived in
what is now Chile. The Araucanian
Indians fought against the settlers for
about 350 years. Meanwhile, the Spanish
set up huge farming estates. A small
class of people controlled most of the
land, the wealth, and the political life of
the country.
In the early 1800s Chile began fighting
Spain for independence. Chile defeated
Spain in 1817 and became independent
in 1818. But Chile’s wealthy landowners
continued to dominate politics.
In the early 1900s many people
demanded changes in government and
society. A new constitution in 1925 gave
Chile democratic elections and social
programs. After a shaky start, Chile’s
government remained stable until the
1970s.
In 1973 the military overthrew President
Salvador Allende. General Augusto
Pinochet took power. Pinochet’s government
jailed, tortured, and killed many
people who opposed it. In 1988
Pinochet allowed the people to vote on
whether he should stay in office. They
rejected him by a small majority. Elections
in 1989 returned Chile to civilian
(nonmilitary) rule.
..More to explore
Andes • Santiago
Laguna Miscanti and the Atacama Desert lie in the northern part of Chile.
Folk music and dance are popular in Chile.
Facts About
CHILE
Population
(2008 estimate)
16,454,000
Area
291,930 sq mi
(756,096 sq km)
Capital
Santiago
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
Greater Santiago,
Puente Alto, Concepcion,
Vina del
Mar, Antofagasta,
Valparaiso
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Chile 99
Chimpanzee
Chimpanzees are apes that are closely
related to bonobos—and to human
beings. In fact, chimpanzees and bonobos
are the closest living relatives of
humans. Chimpanzees are very smart
and social animals. They belong to the
group of mammals called primates.
Where Chimpanzees Live
Chimpanzees are found in western, central,
and eastern Africa. Most of them
live in rain forests. But some chimpanzees
live in drier grasslands and other
areas.
Physical Features
Chimpanzees are usually about 3 to 5.5
feet (1 to 1.7 meters) tall. They generally
weigh about 70 to 130 pounds (32 to 60
kilograms). The males are somewhat
