Britannica Student Encyclopedia - 2010

Veins run through the leaves. They carry

water and food to and from the

branches. Leaves are usually green. The

leaves of deciduous trees often change

colors in autumn before they fall off.

New leaves then grow in spring.

Uses

Trees are very important to people. Tree

wood is used to build homes and furniture.

Paper is made from wood fibers.

Many people burn wood to cook and to

heat their homes. Farmers plant trees

that grow fruit for people to eat.

Trees also help keep the air clean. They

release oxygen for animals, including

humans, to breathe. They take in the

carbon dioxide that animals breathe out.

..More to explore

Bark • Birch • Conifer • Fir • Maple

• Palm • Photosynthesis • Pine • Plant

Trenton

Population

(2000 census)

85,403; (2007

estimate)

82,804

Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of

New Jersey. In 1776, during the American

Revolution, American troops won

an important battle in the city.

Government is the largest employer in

Trenton by far. Many other people in

the city work in health care, trade, and

other service industries. Factories in

Trenton make medicines, metal products,

and pottery.

The first Europeans to settle in the area

that is now Trenton arrived in 1679. In

1714 a businessman namedWilliam

Trent established the town. It was later

named Trenton in his honor.

The battle of Trenton took place in

December 1776, during the American

The State House in Trenton is the meeting

place of the New Jersey General Assembly,

or state legislature.

BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Trenton 95

 

Revolution. General GeorgeWashington

led American troops across the Delaware

River. The next day they launched

a surprise attack on British troops in

Trenton. The Americans won the battle.

Trenton was the temporary capital of the

United States in 1784 and again in

1799. It became the capital of New Jersey

in 1790.

#More to explore

American Revolution • New Jersey

Triceratops

The dinosaur known as Triceratops

looked something like a modern rhinoceros.

However, it had three sharp horns

on its head. The name Triceratops means

“three-horned face.” Triceratops also had

a bony neck frill that surrounded the

head like a huge collar.

When and Where

Triceratops Lived

Triceratops lived about 70 to 65 million

years ago. It was among the last dinosaurs

to live on Earth before the dinosaurs

disappeared. Fossils, or remains, of

Triceratops have been found in North

America.

Physical Features

Triceratops was the largest of the horned

dinosaurs. It weighed up to 5 tons and

reached a length of nearly 30 feet (9

meters). The skull and neck frill of

Triceratops often measured more than 6

feet (2 meters) long. Each of the two

horns above the eyes was longer than 3

feet (1 meter). The horn on the snout

was short and thick. The massive body

of Triceratops was supported by four

sturdy legs. Its back legs were longer

than its front legs. It had feet like an

elephant. Triceratops had a fairly short,

thick tail.

Behavior

Triceratops was a slow-moving plant

eater. The neck frill acted as a protective

shield against such enemies as Tyrannosaurus

rex. Triceratops also used its long

horns to defend itself and to fight rival

males. Triceratops lived and traveled

together in groups. Adults may have

protected their young by forming an

outward-facing circle around them.

Triceratops

96 Triceratops BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA

 

Trinidad and Tobago

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is

an island country in the Caribbean Sea.

The capital is Port of Spain.

The island of Trinidad is larger than the

island of Tobago. Trinidad is only about

7 miles (11 kilometers) from the coast of

Venezuela in South America. Both

islands are mountainous. Trinidad has

many short rivers, but Tobago has only a

few streams. The country has a warm

climate with dry and rainy seasons.

Tropical rain forests grow in the high

areas. The islands’ animals include

golden tree frogs, porcupines, armadillos,

wild pigs, and rodents. The scarlet

ibis is the country’s national bird.

Blacks and East Indians each make up

about 40 percent of the population.

Most of the rest of the people have

mixed roots. English is the main language.

More than half of the people are

Christians. Many of the East Indians

follow Hinduism or Islam.

Trinidad and Tobago has a strong

economy. The country produces petroleum

(oil) and natural gas. Manufacturing

and tourism are also important to

the islands. The country’s products

include sugar, chemicals, fertilizers, steel,

and cement. Farmers grow sugarcane,

oranges, rice, coffee, and cocoa.

Arawak Indians lived on Trinidad when

Christopher Columbus arrived in 1498.

As the Spanish took control, almost all

the Indians died. French settlers came in

the 1700s. They brought Africans with

them as slaves. Great Britain took over

Trinidad in 1797 and Tobago in 1814.

The British brought people from India

to work on plantations.

Trinidad and Tobago gained independence

in 1962. The country discovered

its huge oil and gas deposits in 1998.

..More to explore

Caribbean Sea • Port of Spain

Children dress in colorful costumes for a

carnival celebration in Trinidad and Tobago.

Facts About

TRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO

Population