volcano, in the Andes Mountains. It is a
center of education, culture, and business.
Ecuador’s major oil pipelines pass
through Quito. Banking, tourism, and
other service industries are important to
the city’s economy. Factories in Quito
make cloth, medicines, and metal and
wood products.
Quito is the oldest capital in South
America. In ancient times it was the
center of the kingdom of theQuitu
Indians. The Cara Indians took over the
area in the 900s. In 1487 the city became
part of the Inca Empire. Spain ruled the
region from the 1500s to the early 1800s.
In 1830 Ecuador became an independent
country withQuito as its capital.
..More to explore
Ecuador
Qur#an
..see Koran.
Spanish-style buildings surround a plaza in
Quito, Ecuador.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Qur#an 11
Raccoons live high in hollow
trees or at the tops of buildings
in cities.
(See Raccoon.)
A tropical rain forest has three
sections: the canopy made by
the treetops; the understory,
where smaller plants grow;
and the forest floor.
(See Rain Forest.)
The ancient Egyptians believed
that at sunrise the god Re—the
sun—began a journey across
the sky in his boat.
(See Re.)
Recycling reduces the amount
of paper, glass, plastic, and
other materials that people
throw away.
(See Recycling.)
Sally Ride was the first U.S.
woman to travel into outer
space.
(See Ride, Sally.)
Rrr
Ra
..see Re.
Rabat
Population
(2004
estimate), urban
area,
1,622,860
Rabat is the capital of Morocco, a country
in northern Africa. The city lies
where the Bou Regreg River flows into
the Atlantic Ocean.
Industries that provide services, such as
banking and trade, are important to
Rabat’s economy. Many people work for
the government. Factories in the city
produce cloth, food products, and
bricks. Craftspeople in Rabat make carpets
and leather goods.
In ancient times the Romans created a
colony in the Rabat area. In the 1100s
the Muslim rulers of Morocco founded
Rabat as a military camp. In the early
1600s Spain’s rulers forced all Muslims
to leave Spain. Many of them moved to
Rabat and the nearby city of Sale. Later
in the 1600s the area was a base for
pirates. The pirates attacked ships off the
coast of northern Africa.
In 1912 the French took control of most
of Morocco. They made Rabat its capital.
In 1956 Morocco became an independent
country with Rabat as its
capital.
..More to explore
Morocco
Rabbit and Hare
Rabbits and hares are mammals with
long ears. There are about 28 species, or
types, of rabbit and about 30 species of
Walls surround the oldest part of the city of
Rabat. The walls were built hundreds of
years ago to protect the city from invaders.
The jackrabbits of North
America are actually hares.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Rabbit and Hare 13
hare. They all belong to the same animal
family, called Leporidae. Because rabbits
and hares look similar, people sometimes
confuse them.
Where Rabbits and Hares Live
Different species of rabbit and hare live
in different habitats around the world.
Cottontails and jackrabbits live wherever
they can find brushy shelter. Other types
can be found on mountains, on plains,
in marshes or swamps, and even in the
snowy Arctic.
Physical Features
Both rabbits and hares have short tails.
They also have large eyes, strong teeth,
and sensitive noses. The upper lip is
split.
Hares are usually larger and heavier than
rabbits. Hares measure from 16 to 28
inches (40 to 70 centimeters) long. Rabbits
may be from 8 to 20 inches (20 to
50 centimeters) long. In general, hares
also have bigger ears and longer hind
feet than rabbits.
The fur of hares and rabbits is often
gray-brown in color. Many hares turn
white in the winter. Rabbits’ coats are
the same color year-round.
Behavior
Many rabbits and hares live alone. Some
rabbits live together in underground
burrows called warrens.
Rabbits and hares eat mostly plants.
They can cause great damage to gardens
and crops. Their natural enemies are
flesh-eating birds, mammals, and
reptiles. Rabbits and hares use their
speed and jumping ability to escape
from these predators.
Reproduction
Female hares may have two to three litters
of babies each year. The newborns
have open eyes and can hop within minutes.
They can take care of themselves
after only a few days.
Female rabbits also may have several
litters each year. Newborns are blind and
helpless. They stay with their mother for
about three weeks.
#More to explore
Mammal
Raccoon
Raccoons are mammals of the Americas.
They can be found in cities as well as in
the countryside. There are seven species,
or types, of raccoon. The most common
is the North American raccoon.
The North American raccoon can be
found in Canada, the United States, and
Many kinds of rabbits dig burrows, or
holes, for shelter.
14 Raccoon BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
South America. It prefers wooded areas
near water, but it will live in other areas,
including large cities.
Raccoons have short legs, pointed
muzzles, or snouts, and small ears that
stand straight up. Their small feet
resemble slender human hands. North
American raccoons are 30 to 36 inches
(75 to 90 centimeters) long from the
nose to the tip of the tail. They weigh
