Chaparral, chap uh RAL, is a region of shrubs and small trees that occurs in areas with mild, moist winters and hot, dry summers. Ecologists regard the chaparral as one of the major biomes--that is, natural communities of plants and animals (see Biome). Chaparrals are found in the Mediterranean region, from southern California into Baja California in Mexico, and in parts of Chile, southern Australia, and South Africa.