#More to explore
Chimpanzee
Goose
Geese are large birds with loud,
honking calls. Along with ducks and
swans, they belong to a group of birds
called waterfowl in North America and
wildfowl in Europe. These birds are
equally at home on the water, on the
land, or in the air. Common species, or
types, of goose include the Canada
goose, the greylag, the barnacle goose,
and the snow goose.
People have kept and bred geese for at
least 4,000 years. People eat goose meat
and use goose feathers to stuff pillows
and quilts. In addition, hunters shoot
wild geese for sport.
Where Geese Live
Geese live near water, mostly in the
northern half of the world. Many geese
migrate, or fly long distances between
their summer and winter homes. They
nest in cold northern regions during the
summer and fly south for the winter.
However, some Canada geese live in the
same parts of the United States or
Canada year-round.
Physical Features
Geese are generally larger than ducks but
smaller than swans. For instance, the
Jane Goodall watches chimpanzees in
Kenya.
The Canada goose is the most common
wild goose in North America.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Goose 127
Canada goose is about 36 inches (91
centimeters) long. But geese have many
features in common with ducks and
swans. They have webbed feet, which
help them paddle through water. They
also have a gland near the tail that makes
oil. This oil helps protect the feathers
from water. An inner layer of soft feathers
called down helps to keep waterfowl
warm.
Most geese are black, brown, gray, or
white. They have heavier bodies and
longer necks than ducks do. Geese are
also better at walking than other waterfowl
are. This is because their legs are
farther forward on their bodies.
Geese have humped bills that become
narrower toward the tip. Their bills are
good for grasping grasses, which is their
main food.
#More to explore
Bird • Duck • Migration, Animal
• Swan
Gorbachev,
Mikhail
Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of
the country called the Soviet Union.
Gorbachev’s efforts to change his country
helped to lead to the breakup of the
Soviet Union in 1991.
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was
born on March 2, 1931, at Privolye, in
southwestern Russia. At that time, Russia
was a part of the Soviet Union. A
group called the Communist Party ruled
the Soviet Union. Gorbachev joined the
Communist Party in 1952. He received
his law degree from Moscow State University
in 1955.
Gorbachev rose steadily in the Communist
Party. In 1985 he became the party’s
general secretary. This made him the
leader of the Soviet Union.
When Gorbachev came to power the
Soviet Union was a very strict country.
The people were not allowed to voice
their opinions openly. The country was
often in conflict with other countries,
especially the United States. Over time
Gorbachev began to make changes. He
allowed greater freedom of speech. He
also developed better relations between
the Soviet Union and other nations.
Gorbachev’s changes led to an unexpected
result—the end of Communism
in Europe. Communists ruled several
countries around the Soviet Union. The
people in those countries began to
demand change as well. Eventually the
governments collapsed. In the Soviet
Union itself, Gorbachev allowed real
elections for the first time.
Mikhail Gorbachev
A male
goose is called
a gander.
Young geese
are called
goslings.
128 Gorbachev, Mikhail BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Many people praised Gorbachev for the
changes he made. However, some Communists
opposed Gorbachev’s rule. In
August 1991 a group of them tried to
take control of the government by force.
The takeover failed, but Gorbachev’s
position had weakened. On December
25, 1991, Gorbachev quit the presidency.
By the end of the year the Soviet
Union had officially ceased to exist.
#More to explore
ColdWar • Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics
Gorilla
Gorillas are the largest apes. They are
also the largest animals of the group
called primates, which also includes the
other apes, humans, and monkeys. After
chimpanzees and bonobos, gorillas are
the closest living relatives to humans.
Movies often show gorillas as fierce creatures.
But they are actually peaceful and
gentle animals.
Gorillas live in rain forests in Africa.
There are three kinds of gorilla. The
western lowland gorilla is found in western
Africa. The eastern lowland gorilla
and the mountain gorilla are found in
east-central Africa. All gorillas are
endangered, or at risk of dying out completely.
The mountain gorilla has
become especially rare.
Adult male gorillas may be 5.5 feet (1.7
meters) tall and weigh 300 to 600
pounds (140 to 270 kilograms). The
females weigh about half as much as the
males. Adult gorillas have long, strong
arms and short, stocky legs. The chest is
very thick and strong. The males have a
bony crest on top of the head. Gorillas
have a coat of black hair except on their
faces, hands, and feet.
Gorillas live in family groups of about 6
to 30 animals. One or two older males
lead the group. Gorillas use their arms
and legs to walk. They support part of
their weight on the knuckles of the
hands. They rarely stand up straight.
