breaking off. In addition, conifers are a
dark green color. This means they have
more of the substance that allows green
plants to soak in sunlight. They need to
absorb as much sunlight as possible during
the short summer.
Mammals in the taiga include lynx,
wolves, moose, reindeer, beavers, shrews,
voles, squirrels, and martens. Many
birds come to the taiga in summer. Only
a few types, including ravens and
chickadees, stay through the long winter.
Resources
People cut down many of the trees of
the taiga for wood. The earth under
certain areas of the taiga is rich in petroleum
(oil), natural gas, and coal. However,
logging, oil drilling, and mining
have harmed the environment in many
parts of the taiga.
#More to explore
Biome • Conifer • Forest • Tundra
Tail
Many animals have a tail, which is a
body part that extends from the hindquarters,
or rear of the body. In animals
that have a backbone, the tail is an
extension of the backbone. This type of
tail contains bones. In animals without a
backbone, the tail does not contain
bones.
The tails of most animals have one or
more uses. Tails help many animals to
move. Some types of monkeys use their
tail to grab branches as they swing
through the trees. A squirrel uses its tail
to balance and steer as it leaps through
the air. The tip of a mole’s tail is very
sensitive. This helps it to move backward
through tunnels quickly. The tails
of lobsters, fishes, and whales push them
through water.
Some animals use their tails as weapons.
Crocodiles and alligators swing their
Few coldblooded
animals, such
as snakes, live
in the taiga
because of the
low temperatures.
A young opossum hangs from a
branch by its tail.
6 Tail BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
heavy, strong tails at enemies. A porcupine
has sharp quills, or needles, at the
end of its tail. A ring-tailed lemur marks
its bushy tail with a bad-smelling odor
and then waves it at other lemurs. A
scorpion stings enemies or prey with its
tail.
Many animals use their tails to communicate
with other animals. A rattlesnake
shakes its tail as a warning when it feels
threatened. A male peacock displays his
long tail feathers to attract females. This
display shows the female how strong and
healthy the male is.
..More to explore
Animal
Taino
..see Arawak.
Taipei
Population
(2008
estimate), city,
2,629,270;
urban area,
6,698,320
Taipei is the capital of Taiwan, an island
off the southeast coast of China. Taiwan
is a province of China. However, Taiwan
elects its own government to rule the
island. Taipei is Taiwan’s largest city. It is
also the island’s center of business,
industry, and culture.
Service industries such as banking, trade,
and transportation are important to
Taipei’s economy. Many businesses in
the city involve computers or other
high-technology goods and services.
Factories in Taipei make such products
as electronics, software, cloth, and
chemicals.
People from the Chinese mainland
founded Taipei in the early 1700s. In
1886 China made Taiwan a province
with Taipei as its capital. Japan ruled the
island from 1895 to 1945. Taipei
remained the capital during that period.
The Nationalist political party controlled
mainland China in the early
1900s. In 1949 Chinese Communists
took over the mainland. The Nationalists
fled to Taiwan. They made Taipei
their capital. The Nationalists and the
Communists each claimed to be the true
The 2-28 Peace Park is a popular place to
visit in Taipei, Taiwan. It was named to
honor a group of people who made a protest
against their government on February
28, 1947.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Taipei 7
government of China. However, in 1971
the United Nations began treating the
Communist mainland government as
the only government of China.
Taipei grew greatly in the late 20th century.
Many people now live in a relatively
small city area.
#More to explore
China • Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan is a small island off the southeast
coast of China. Taiwan is a province of
China, not an independent country.
However, Taiwan’s government has the
power to rule the island. Taiwan also
calls itself the Republic of China. The
capital is Taipei.
Geography
Taiwan lies in the Pacific Ocean about
100 miles (160 kilometers) from mainland
China. The Philippines is to the
south. Japan lies to the northeast.
Mountains and hills cover the eastern
two thirds of Taiwan. Low plains make
up the western third of the island. The
weather is warm and humid. Severe
storms called typhoons often strike the
island during the summer.
Plants and Animals
Thick forests cover much of Taiwan.
Cyprus, cedar, juniper, maple, and pine
trees grow in the mountains. Palm trees,
bamboo shoots, and tropical evergreens
grow in the lowlands.
Taiwan’s animals include foxes, deer,
wild boars, monkeys, and goats. The
native Formosan black bear lives only in
the mountains.
People
Nearly all the people in Taiwan are Chinese.
Most of the Chinese have roots in
southeastern China. They are often
called the Taiwanese. A smaller group of
Chinese came to Taiwan in 1949. Their
descendants are called “mainlanders.”
The original people of Taiwan form only
a tiny group. They live mostly in the
mountains.
