They may have gained citizenship in
another country. Or they may have lost
their citizenship. People who live in a
country but are not citizens or nationals
of that country are called aliens.
Becoming a Citizen
Every country has its own rules about
who is a citizen and how to become one.
Many countries have set up four basic
ways to become a citizen. First, anyone
who is born in the country is a citizen of
that country. Second, anyone whose
mother or father is a citizen of the country
is also a citizen. Third, anyone who
is married to a citizen becomes a citizen.
Fourth, a person who goes through a
process called naturalization becomes a
citizen.
Naturalization is a way for people who
are born in one country to become citizens
of another country. Laws on naturalization
are different from country to
country. Usually, aliens who want to be
naturalized must have lived in the new
country for several years. They usually
must speak the country’s language. They
may have to pass a test about the laws
and history of the country. They often
must take an oath, or swear to be loyal
to the country. However, not every
country allows aliens to become naturalized
citizens.
Rights and Responsibilities
Citizens have certain rights. Some countries
give their citizens more or different
rights than other countries. Citizens
usually have the right to vote. They usually
have the right to be elected to government
jobs as well. Other rights of
citizens may include the right to follow
any religion and the right to speak freely.
Citizens also have duties, or responsibilities.
Voting is a responsibility as well as a
right. Citizens must vote to make sure
People from more than 40 countries are
made U.S. citizens during a ceremony on
Ellis Island, near New York City.
The idea of
citizenship first
arose in
ancient
Greece. A
citizen in a
Greek citystate
was able
to vote. He
also had to
pay taxes and
serve in the
military.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Citizenship 121
that their government works for the
good of its citizens. Citizens also may
have the duty to serve on a jury during a
trial in court. Some countries make serving
in the military a duty of all citizens.
Aliens may have some of the same rights
as citizens. But they usually cannot vote
or serve in the government. Aliens also
have some of the same responsibilities as
citizens. They must obey the country’s
laws. They often must pay taxes as well.
Losing Citizenship
People cannot lose their citizenship
except in very special cases. A government
may take away the citizenship of
someone who becomes a naturalized
citizen of another country. A government
also may take away the citizenship
of people who show allegiance, or loyalty,
to another country. Examples of
this include voting in a foreign election
and serving in a foreign military. Trying
to overthrow the government by force is
a serious crime that can result in loss of
citizenship. Naturalized citizens who
commit serious crimes may lose their
citizenship as well.
People who have lost their citizenship
can end up as citizens of no country.
These people are called stateless persons.
#More to explore
Civil Rights • Country • Government
• Voting
Citrus Fruit
Oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes,
shaddocks, and citrons are all types of
citrus fruit. Citrus fruits have a juicy
pulp inside a leathery skin. They grow
on trees, bushes, or shrubs. Citrus plants
belong to the rue family of flowering
plants. This family also includes the tiny
orange fruits called kumquats.
Where Citrus Fruits Grow
Citrus fruits grow in warm regions in
many parts of the world. They grew first
in southern China and other parts of
Asia. Arab traders brought citrus fruits
to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
European explorers brought citrus fruits
to the Americas by the 1500s.
Farmers often grow citrus trees in areas
called groves. Citrus plants may also
grow in the wild or in people’s gardens.
Physical Features
Citrus fruits have leathery peels, or
rinds. Inside the rind, the flesh, or pulp,
is divided into eight or more sections.
Each section contains many tiny, juicy
Citrus fruits include oranges, grapefruit,
lemons, and limes. They are healthy
because they contain a lot of vitamin C.
122 Citrus Fruit BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
pouches and seeds. However, farmers
have learned how to grow seedless varieties
of many types of citrus fruit.
Oranges and grapefruit are round.
Oranges are usually orange in color.
Grapefruit are yellow and often larger
than oranges. Orange trees and grapefruit
trees often reach 20 feet (6 meters)
in height. Both types of tree have white
flowers and shiny, green leaves.
Lemons and limes are more oval in
shape. They often have a bump on one
end. Lemons are yellow and larger than
limes, which are green. Lemon trees and
lime trees are generally smaller than
orange or grapefruit trees. Lemon trees
have purple and white flowers and reddish
or green leaves. Lime trees have
white flowers and pale green leaves.
Shaddocks are also called pummelos.
They are big, yellow fruits with a round
or pearlike shape. Their pulp is pale or
red. Shaddock trees grow to a height of
