Albert Matusik, age 16, of N. Bra dock, Penna., far his question:

What is a savanna?

Originally, savanna was the term given to a level, treeless plain covered with ice and snow. We now call such a region a tundra and the term savanna has been moved to tropical and subtro;eical regions. Gone is the ice and snow, but a savanna is still a wide and level plain. It may have a few scattered trees but if it is thickly wooded it is called a savanna woodland.

Certain flat areas in Florida and the American southeast are called savannas. Certain wide grassy plains in South America, especially in Brazil, are also called savannas. The grassy plains of Africa, along with flat brush country including scattered trees is sometimes called savanna country.