called lodges. These lodges were large
enough to house as many as 50 people.
The Mandan grew corn, beans, squash,
and pumpkins. They also fished and
hunted for food.
In the early 1700s French explorers
arrived in Mandan lands. The Mandan
welcomed the settlers who followed. The
tribe became wealthy by trading with
them. But many Mandan fell ill with
deadly diseases brought by the settlers,
such as smallpox and cholera. In 1837
an outbreak of smallpox killed all but
about 100–150 of the Mandan.
The surviving Mandan went to live with
the Hidatsa on the Fort Berthold Reservation
in what is now North Dakota.
The Arikara people joined them later. In
1934 the tribes of Fort Berthold became
known as the Three Affiliated Tribes. At
the end of the 20th century there were
fewer than 500 Mandan. Most lived on
the reservation.
#More to explore
Arikara • Hidatsa • Native Americans
Mandela, Nelson
Nelson Mandela spent almost 30 years
in prison for fighting against apartheid
in South Africa. Apartheid was a government
policy that separated people of
different races. After being freed from
prison, Mandela became South Africa’s
first black president.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on
July 18, 1918, in Umtata, South Africa.
He graduated from the University of
South Africa in 1941. Then he studied
law and became a lawyer.
The Mandan lived in earth homes called
lodges.
40 Mandan BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Mandela wanted equal rights for South
Africa’s black people. Although blacks
made up most of the country’s population,
whites controlled the government.
Blacks had few rights under apartheid.
In 1944 Mandela joined a group called
the African National Congress (ANC).
The ANC was leading the fight against
apartheid. In 1949 Mandela became a
leader of the ANC.
Mandela’s work got him in trouble with
South Africa’s government. In 1962 the
government put him in prison. Mandela
became famous during his years in
prison. South Africa’s blacks worked to
free him. So did people in other countries
who opposed apartheid.
In 1990 South African President F.W. de
Klerk finally freed Mandela. The next
year Mandela became president of the
ANC. Mandela and de Klerk worked
together to end apartheid. They wanted
to make South Africa a democracy in
which all the people could take part. In
1993 the two men were awarded the
Nobel peace prize.
South Africans of all races voted in an
election in 1994. Mandela was elected
president. He improved housing, education,
and living standards for blacks.
Mandela stepped down as head of the
ANC in 1997. He retired from politics
in 1999 after one term as president.
#More to explore
African National Congress • Apartheid
• South Africa
Mango
A mango is the fruit of a tree that grows
in warm parts of the world. The mango
tree is a member of the sumac, or
cashew, family. Its scientific name is
Mangifera indica.
The mango tree first grew in India and
parts of eastern Asia. Today people grow
the tree in the Americas and Africa as
well.
Nelson Mandela
Mangoes are widely grown in tropical
areas of the world.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Mango 41
The mango tree may grow to 60 feet (18
meters) tall. The fruits develop from
small, pinkish flowers. The smallest
mangoes are the size of a plum. The
largest mangoes weigh as much as 5
pounds (2.3 kilograms). Mangoes may
be round, oval, kidney-shaped, or heartshaped.
Their smooth, thin skin may be
green, red, yellow, purple, or a combination
of these colors. Their juicy flesh is
yellow-orange. They have one large pit,
or seed, inside.
Mangoes are a major source of food in
India, theWest Indies, and other places.
People eat mangoes fresh and in main
dishes and desserts. People also use mangoes
to make sauces called chutneys.
Mangoes are rich in vitamins A, C, and
D.
#More to explore
Fruit • Tree
Mangrove
Mangroves are trees or bushes that grow
in thick clusters along seashores and
riverbanks. They have a thick tangle of
roots that sticks up through the mud.
These roots help to keep waves from
washing away the dirt and sand of the
coastline.
There are more than 60 species, or
types, of mangrove. They are found in
and near the tropical parts of Asia,
Africa, Australia, and the Americas.
Mangroves can grow in places where
very few other trees can. They can grow
in salty water because they are able to
filter out the salt from the water they
need. They can stand in soft, wet soil
because of their strong roots. Plus,
unlike other trees, mangroves do not
have to struggle to get air from wet soil.
Instead, they take oxygen through holes
in their aboveground roots.
Mangroves can be short bushes, or they
grow to about 130 feet (40 meters) tall.
The common mangrove reaches a height
of about 30 feet (9 meters). A mangrove’s
leaves are typically green and
may be fuzzy or waxy. The flowers can
be yellow or white.
Mangroves have hard wood that people
use to make boats and other products.
The bark of the common mangrove is
full of tannin. Tannin is a chemical used
for turning animal hides into leather.
The fruit of some mangroves can be
eaten. Also, mangrove leaves, roots, and
bark have been used in medicine.
#More to explore
