A New Geography on the comparative method. With maps and diagrams

Preface

I have tried to make this Geography clear, simple, and connected : clear, that the knowledge in it may be easily and quickly seized ; simple, that it may be easily held ; and connected, that it may be easily reproduced. The arrangements of the printing are intended to put the different parts of the subject in their proper perspective. The most important facts have been put in large type ; the notes in smaller type are meant to give sets of interesting facts that can be easily remembered, and that will briDg a greater amount of connection and association into the various elements. The symbol of association is a spider's web, any point in which may be reached from any other point along the connecting lines. In these subordinate paragraphs my aim has been to introduce as many hooks, burrs, and tentacles as possible ; so that something is sure to stick to the memory of even the most careless.

The Comparative Method has been employed throughout ; and the unknown constantly referred to and compared with that which is known. The memory has been assisted, wherever it was possible, by grouping, by connection, and by association ; and I have done what I could to inform the subject through and through with thinking. The Political Geography is placed on the firm foundation of Physical Geography ; and it is hoped that the frequent appeal to the Eye in the Maps and Diagrams will give the matter a permanent lodging in the memory.

PREFACE.

VI The Commercial Geography of each country and continent has been treated with great fulness ; and I hope that this feature will make the book useful in the new examinations. But my strongest hope is that the study, or even the mere reading, of this book will make Geography a favourite study, and induce students to pursue the subject after they leave school, while it will enable them to survey with interest and to interpret with exactness the phenomena of politics and commerce, of history and travel. Even the youngest learner can form some kind of connected idea of the life of a country — as it is determined by its position, soil, climate, and connections ; and it has been my chief purpose, in writing this book, to give to the student, in as clear and vivid fashion as possible, such a notion of the life of each country and continent as would enable him to add to it without making miscalculations or falling into error.

The key-note of the whole book is that statement of Humboldt's : " Only maps that appear empty take a firm hold on the memory ; " and I have tried to sketch the outlines (the large print) in a few clear and firm strokes, while the learner may select for himself those facts given in the notes which may appear to him most interesting. The book contains all that is necessary for the Examina tions of Pupil Teachers and Students in Training Colleges ; and also for Candidates for the Oxford and Cambridge Local Examinations. (i) The shading in the Maps indicates table-lands. The darker the shading, the higher the table-land. (ii) The numbers after each town stand for thousands. Thus, Calcutta (900) = Calcutta 900,000. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. London, 107 Piccadilly, January 1st, 1889.

CONTENTS PAGE PAGE Introduction, . . xi Italy, . . 190 Astronomical Geography, xii The Peninsula, . . 201 Spain, . . . .207 Mathematical Geography, xvi Physical Geography, . xxi Portugal, . . .212 The Air, . . . xxi Asia, .... 219 The Water, . . xxvi India, .... 241 Indo-China, . . 262 The Land, XXXll The Oceans, . . xxxvi The Chinese Empire, . 268 Political Geography, . xlvi The Japanese Empire, 280 Europe in General, . 1 Asiatic Russia, . . 287 The British Isles, . 23 Asiatic Turkey, . . 299 England and Wales, . 25 Arabia, . .307 Persia, . . .313 Scotland, ... 61 Afghanistan and Belu- Ireland, ... 78 chistan, . . . 317 France, 87 The Malay or East Indian Archipelago, 322 Belgium, .... 100 The Netherlands, . . 107 The Alps, . .115 Africa, .... 329 Switzerland, . . .119 The Barbary States, . 347 Egypt, ... 350 Austria-Hungary, . 129 Nubia and the Eastern Soudan, . . . 355 Germany, .... 139 Denmark, .154 Abyssinia, . . . 357 Scandinavia, . . . 159 Russia in Europe, . 168 The Soudan, . . 358 Western Africa, . . 359 The Balkan Peninsula, .

CONTENTS VIII PAGE PAGE Oceania, .... 445 Africa — continued — Australia, ■ 445 Eastern Africa, .Southern Africa, 361 Victoria, . . . 454 362 New South Wales, . 456 Islands connected with Africa, . . . 368 Queensland, . . 457 The New World, . . 375 North America, . . 376 South Australia, . . 458 West Australia, . . 459 Tasmania, . . . 460 Greenland, . . . 387 New Zealand, . 460 British America, . . 387 Newfoundland, . 396 Polynesia, . . . 464 The United States, . 397 Tables — Mexico, .... 410 The British Empire : its Colonies, etc., . 469 Central America, . . 413 The West Indies, . . 415 Letters and Postcards, 473 Telegraphs in Miles, . 474 South America, . . 420 Colombia, . . .432 Railways, . . . 475 Venezuela, . . 433 Imports and Exports, 476 Guiana, . . . 434 Manufactures, . . 477 Brazil, . . .435 Agriculture, . . 477 Iron, Production, Con- Paraguay, . . . 436 Uruguay, . . . 437 sumption, . 478 Income of Nations, . 478 Argentina, . . . 438 Chili, .... 439 Distances of GreatCities from London, . . 479 Bolivia, . . . 440 Peru, .... 441 Map-Drawing, . . .480 Ecuador, . . . 443 Vocabulary, . . .