A systematic view of geography ...

II Of

X f^one 5 a

A

B A N GOR:

PF BLISHED B \ E. F. DtTREN

1 8 42.

f.

M

’ 'Sr • j Jr '

d

I

SYSTEMATIC VIEW

OF

GEOGRAPHY,

WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO

CONCISENESS, ARRANGEMENT, CLASSIFICATION, ASSOCIATION, AND REVIEWS,

f

CONTAINED

IN THREE PARTS; .

INCLUDING A

GENERAL, PARTICULAR, AND MISCELLANEOUS

VIEW OF THE WORLD.

BY WILLIAM WARREN,

Principal of the Windham High School.

* BANCOR;

PUBLISHED BY E. F. DUREN.

18 42 .

* > ? •• 7

*

Entered According to Act of Congress, A. D. 1842,

BY E. F. DUREX,

in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for

i

the District of Maine.

PRESS OF A. SHIRLEY & SON, PORTLAND.

V

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

A school-book, in order to merit the confidence and patronage of the public, ought not simply to possess excellencies, but such as no other work of the kind possesses. The world is already flooded with books, especially school-books ; and not a little to the annoyance of teachers and the perplexity and confusion of scholars. Therefore no one ought to burden community by adding to the almost nu berless catalogues of text-books extant, unless he is cc ident that his work, instead of increasing, will actu. y diminish the number already in use. Nor should he trust his own judgment in ‘this matter; but submit I is work to the impartial examination and decision of competent judges, before its publication.

The peculiarities of this work are the following: —

1. Brevity and arrangement of the matter.

2. Classification of subjects and points of interest pertaining to each country.

3. Association, of what is identical or has a resemblance.

4. Order and system in reference to the questions.

IV Introductory Remarks

t s

This system has been put to the test of several year’s

-

experience by the author and others ; and has been

found to awaken an interest in the study, altogether unu-

v

sual.

The fund of Geographical knowledge is greatly increased — general mental discipline promoted — and the memory very much strengthened, by the principles of order and association which run through the work.

The author is compelled to differ from many who have published works of this kind, both in respect to the method of approaching this science, and also in respect to what should be committed to memory by the pupil.

In this, as in every other subject, general principles and truths should first be secured ; and then the more particular and minute.

To begin the study of Geography with a particular country or river, and close it with a general view of the earth, is like commencing the study of grammar with a tense or case , and closing it with the noun or verb. Or like beginning the study of chemistry with the Atomic theory, and closing it with a general discussion of the Elements. There is nothing like it, in fact, except the blowing of a trumpet , for which this theory seems to have been started.

And in respect to what ought to be learned, he differs from recent writers on this subject. It seems clear, that after the more general ideas respecting the earth are re-

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. V

ceived, and its principal surfaces defined by the learner, the exact limits of each particular country should be clearly known, together with all the particular points of interest pertaining to the different countries themselves. No one can know definitely where a country is, unless he can bound it ; nor the relation it holds to other countries, unless he can bound them also.

But what is a knowledge of Geography worth, unless it is known where the states and countries on the Globe are ?

Besides, by accurately knowing the limits of each country, both memory and conception come in to aid the mind in fixing and retaining all the other important localities and matters in respect to these countries, and also their relation to those of other countries.

As in morals and metaphysics, the exact limitation of

general truths and principles, affords the surest way to

all their subordinate truths and facts, so in Geography, to know just where each country is, and by what it is bounded, gives the best key to all the other Geographical knowledge, pertaining to those countries.

It has been found that scholars, of less than ordinary .

t

capacity, with hardly any previous knowledge of Geography, have been able to go through with the system as it stands in this volume, in less than three months, and in connection with other recitations. And that they have been prepared to sustain a thorough examination upon each country and state on the Globe.

VI Introductory Remarks

This work is now issued, without any recommendation except its merits. It is hoped that it will obtain a fair trial, and will be found to facilitate the acquisition of a branch of knowledge, which has hitherto been found difficult to acquire, and still more difficult to retain.

The third part or Miscellaneous view, embraces a brief historical sketch of the different countries and states ; and also a glance at the different Missionary Stations ; and also statistics, pertaining to them. This has been the most laborious and difficult part of the work.

Questions have been appended to this part, for the purpose of extending the study of Geography to these subjects, if it should be thought desirable. The author has endeavored to be correct throughout, still he is aware that errors may be found.

He acknowledges the aid received from other authors in the compilation of this work ; especially from Goodrich and Balbi.

Owing to circumstances, beyond the control of the author, maps do not accompany this edition. The Book may be conveniently used with any other correct School Atlas.

If the work should go to another edition, it will be accompanied with engravings and an Atlas.

W. W.

Windham, Oct . 7th, 1842.

TO TEACHERS.

It may be found that some of these lessons are too long for some members of the class. In such cases they may be abridged, by omitting the questions pertaining to Chief Towns, Productions, Rail-Roads, and perhaps others.

And to accommodate the work to classes, such as are found in summer schools, it might be well to divide the lessons ; and even then to omit some of the questions, which may be easily done, as these will be found to be similar very nearly, in each lesson, in respect to all the countries.

Note. — Some places occasionally, Capitals are not noticed as such.

Fez, from its importance as a seat of Mahomedan literature and its ancient renown, is noticed as a separate State : though properly, it is included in the Empire of Morocco.

m

In bounding Michigan, after <c juncture of Lakes Michigan and Huron,” read and Lake Superior.

In several instances for “ Bhering,” read Behring.

r <J.

GEOGRAPHY.

Part I . General View Of The Earth

LESSON I .

Geography is a description of the earth.

The eartli is a large globe or sphere.

It is one of a system of planets, that revolve round the Sun, as their centre.

The parts of the earth are commonly represented on plane surfaces called maps. In studying a map, the part

GENERAL VIEW OF THE EARTH.

toward us is south, the part from us is north, the part at the right hand is east, the part at the left hand is west.

The Axis of the earth is an imaginary line, passing through its centre, from north to south, around which it turns.

The Poles are the extremities of the axis.

The Equator is an imaginary circle, encompassing the earth, from east to west, at an equal distance from the poles.

The Tropics are two circles, parallel with the equator, and distant from it nearly 231 degrees. That north of

GENERAL VIEW OF THE EARTH.

the equator is the Tropic of Cancer; that south of it, the Tropic of Capricorn.

The Polar Circles are parallel with the tropics, and at the same distance from the poles, that the tropics are from the equator.

The Lines of Latitude are circles round the earth, parallel with the equator.

The Meridian Lines are circles round the earth, crossing the equator at right angles, and crossing each other at the poles.

MERIDIANS.

Latitude is distance, reckoned each way from the equator, in degrees and minutes.

GENERAL VIEW OF THE EARTH.

Longitude is distance, reckoned east or west, from some fixed meridian, the principal is Greenwich.

All circles are divided into 360 equal parts. These parts are called degrees.

Degrees are divided into 60 equal parts, called minutes. A Hemisphere is half of the globe.

1. What is Geography 1 2. What is the Earth 1

3. Round what do the planets revolve ?

4. How is the earth’s surface represented ?

5. Which part of the map is towards you?

6. Which from you ? 7. Which at the right hand ?

8. Which at the left hand !

9. What is the axis of the earth ?

10. What are the poles ? 11. What is the equator ?

12. What are the tropics ? 15. What are the polar circles ?

14. What are lines of latitude ?

15. What are meridian lines ?

16. What is latitude ? 17. What is longitude ?

1 8. How are all circles divided ?

19. How are degrees divided ?

20. What is a hemisphere ?

ZONES AND HEMISPHERES.

LESSON II.

TIIE ZONES AND HEMISPHERES.

Zones are imaginary belts, surrounding the earth. There are five. The Torrid, two Temperate, and two Frigid Zones.

ZONES.

The Torrid Zone may be styled the red belt , because it encircles the hottest parts of the earth.

The Temperate Zones may be styled the green belts , because they encircle the more verdant and fertile parts.

The Frigid Zones may be styled white belts , or caps , because they cover the extreme ends of the earth, whitened by snow.

The Torrid Zone encircles the centre of the earth, and extends each way from the equator to the tropics.

The Temperate Zones lie between the tropics and the polar circles.

The Frigid Zones extend from the polar circles to the poles.

The Zones may be bounded also by the sun, as follows :

The Torrid Zone encircles those parts of the earth where the sun is, sometimes in the year vertical, or directly over head.

2 *

ZONES AND HEMISPHERES.

The Temperate Zones encircle those parts of the earth where the sun is never vertical, nor never hidden.

The Frigid Zones cover those parts of the earth where the sun for a season is hidden, or not seen during the 24 hours.

HEMISPHERES.

The parts of the earth, north of the equator, are called the Northern Hemisphere ; the parts south of the equator, the Southern Hemisphere.

The parts including Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Holland, by a circle, is called the Eastern Hemisphere. The parts, including North and South America, in. the same manner, the Western Hemisphere.

QUESTIONS.

1. What are Zones'? 2. Name them.

3. What may the Torrid Zone be styled 1 4. Why 1

5. What may the Temperate Zones be styled ? 6. Why I

7. What may the Frigid Zones be styled 1 Why ?

8. Bound the Torrid Zone.

9. Bound the Temperate Zones.

10. Bound the Frigid Zones.

11. How else may the Zones be bounded 1

12. What parts of the earth does the Torrid Zone encircle *

13. The two Temperate Zones 1

14. What parts do the two Frigid Zones cover 1

15. What the INorthern Hemisphere 1

16. Where is the Southern Hemisphere'?

17. What parts of the earth are called the Eastern Hemisphere!

18. What parts are called the Western Hemisphere'?

Review the preceding lesson.

OCEANS.

LESSON III.

[The pupil, in preparing the several following lessons, must reiy, principally, on the maps.]

OCEANS.

Oceans are the largest surfaces of water on the globe.

There are five. The Pacific, Atlantic, Southern, Indian, and Arctic.

The Pacific Ocean lies in the Torrid and Temperate Zones — extending from Bhering’s Straits on the north, to the Southern Ocean on the south ; and from America on the east, to Asia and New Holland on the west.

The Atlantic Ocean lies also in the Torrid and Temperate Zones. It extends from the Arctic Ocean on the north, to the Southern Ocean on the South ; and from Europe and Africa on the cast, to America on the west.

The Southern Ocean lies in the South Temperate and South Frigid Zones. It has a northern boundary only, which is the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, and the Continents of America, Africa, and New Holland.

The Indian Ocean lies mostly in the Torrid Zone, between Asia on the north, and the Southern Ocean on the south ; and between New Holland on the east, and Africa on the west.

The Arctic. Ocean lies wholly in the North Frigid Zone. It has only a southern boundary. It lies between Europe and Asia, in the Eastern Hemisphere, and America in the Western ; that is, its southern boundary is these continents, with the Atlantic.

QUESTIONS.

1. What are Oceans'? 2. Name the Oceans on the globe.

3. In what zones does the Pacific lie 1

4. Between what Straits and Ocean, north and south 1

5. Between what continents, east and west 1

6. In what zones does the Atlantic lie 1

mt

7 . Between what waters, north and south !

8. Between what continents, east and west ?

CONTINENTS.

9. In what zones does the Southern Ocean he 1

1 0. What boundary has it I

1 1 . By what is it bounded on the south 1

12. In what zone does the Indian Ocean mostly lie 1

13. Between what on the north and south 1

14. Between what continents on the east and west 1

15. In what zone does the Arctic Ocean lie !

16. It has but one boundary ; what is it!

17. Between what two continents in the Eastern Hemisphere, and what one in the Western , does it lie 1

Review the two preceding lessons.

LESSON IV.

CONTINENTS.

Continents are the largest surfaces of land on the globe. There are six : Europe, Asia, Africa, North America,. South America, and New Holland.

Europe lies in the North Temperate Zone. It is situated between the Arctic Ocean on the north, and the Mediterranean Sea on the south ; and between Asia on the east, and the Atlantic on the west.

Asia lies also in the North Temperate Zone. It is situated between the Arctic Ocean on the north, and the Indian Ocean on the south ; and between the Pacific on the east, and Europe on the west.

Africa lies mostly in the Torrid Zone. It is situated between the Southern Ocean on the south, and the Mediterranean on the north ; and between the Indian Ocean on the east, and the Atlantic on the west.

North America lies in the North Temperate Zone. It is situated between the Arctic Ocean on the north, and the Gulph of Mexico on the south ; and between the Atlantic on the east, and the Pacific on the west.

SEAS.

South America lies in the Torrid and South Temperate Zones. It is situated between the Carribbean Sea on the north, and the Southern Ocean on the south ; and between the Atlantic on the east, and the Pacific on the west.

New Holland lies also in the Torrid and South Temperate Zones. It is situated between the Archipelago separating the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, on the north, and the Southern Ocean on the south ; and between the Pacific Ocean on the east, and the Indian on the west.

QUESTIONS.

1. What arc continents 1 2. Name the continents on the globe.

3. In what zone and hemispheres is Europe 1

4. How is it situated 1

5. In what zone and hemispheres is Asia? G. How situated 1

7. In what zones and hemispheres is Africa ?

8. How is it situated ?

9. In what zone and hemispheres is North America ?

10. How is it situated ?

11. In what zone and hemispheres does South America lie ?

12. How is it situated ?

13. In what zones and hemispheres is New Holland ?

14. How situated ?

i

Review the three preceding lessons.

LESSON V.

TIIE PRINCIPAL SEAS.

Seas are surfaces of salt water, smaller than oceans.

The Mediterranean Sea lies between Europe and Africa, and is connected with the Atlantic.

The Arabian Sea lies south of Asia, and projects from the Indian Ocean.

SEAS.

The Chinese Sea lies south-east of Asia, between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The North Sea lies west of Europe, and is connected with the Atlantic.

The Baltic Sea lies in Europe, and is connected with the Atlantic.

The Black Sea lies between Europe and Asia, and is connected with the Mediterranean.

The Red Sea lies between Asia and Africa, and is connected with the Indian Ocean.

The Caspian Sea lies in Asia. It is an inland sea, connected with no waters.

The Se^ of Okotsk lies north-east of Asia, and is connected with the Pacific.

The Carribbean Sea lies between the West Indies and South America ; connected with the Atlantic.

QUESTIONS.

1. What are seas ? 2. Where does the Mediterranean lie ?

4. Where is the Arabian Sea ?

6. Where does the Chinese Sea lie ?

7. What oceans does it connect ?

8. Where is the North Sea? 9. With what ocean connected P

10. Where is the Black Sea?

11. Connected with what other seas ?

12. Where does the Baltic lie ? 13. Connected with what ocean ?

14. Where is the Red Sea? 15. With what ocean connected ?

16. Where is the Caspian Sea ?

17. Is it connected with other waters?

18. Where does the Sea of Okotsk lie ?

20. Where does the Carribbean Sea lie ?

22. In what hemisphere are all the seas on the globe ?

23. In what zone are they nearly all situated ?

Review the three preceding lessons.

BAYS AND GULPHS.

LESSON VI.

THE PRINCIPAL BAYS AND GULPHS.

Bays or Gulphs are parts of the ocean extending into the main land.

The Gulph of Mexico lies south of the United States, and is connected with the Atlantic.

The Gulph of California lies south-west of Mexico, connected with the Pacific.

The Gulph of St. Lawrence lies east of British America, and is connected with the Atlantic.

Hudson’s Bay lies in British America, and is connected with the Atlantic.

Baffin’s Bay lies between Greenland and North America, connected with the Atlantic.

The Gulph of Guinea lies south-west of Africa, connected with the Atlantic.

The Bay of Biscay lies between France and Spain, connected with the Atlantic.

The Gulph of Bothnia lies between Sweden and Russia, connected with the Baltic.

The Persian Gulph lies between Persia and Arabia, and is connected with the Arabian Sea.

The Bay of Bengal lies south of Asia, connected with the Indian Ocean.

QUESTIONS.

What are gulphs or bays ?

Where is the Gulph of Mexico ?

W ith what ocean connected ?

Where is the Gulph of California ?

With what ocean connected ?

Where is the Gulph of St. Lawrence ?

With what ocean connected ?

Where is Hudson’s Bay ? 9. With what ocean connected ?

Where is Baffin’s Bay ? 11, With what ocean connected ?

Where is the Gulph of Guinea?

With what ocean connected ?

STRAITS AND CHANNELS.

14. Where is the Bay of Biscay ?

15. With what ocean connected P

16. Where is the Gulph of Bothnia ?

17. With what sea connected ?

18. Where is the Persian Gulph ?

19. With what sea connected ?

20. Where is the Bay of Bengal ?

22. In what hemisphere are all the gulphs and bays on the globe ?

23. In what zone are nearly all ?

Review the three preceding lessons.

LESSON y I I.

THE PRINCIPAL STRAITS AND CHANNELS.

Straits are narrow passages of water, connecting larger bodies.

Channels are passages of water, wider than straits.

The Straits of Gibralter connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic.

The Mozambique Channel separates Madagascar from Africa.

The Straits of Babelmandel connect the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean.

The Straits of Schagerac and Cattegat connect the Baltic with the North Sea.

The Straits of Malacca connect the Chinese Sea with the Bay of Bengal.

The Straits of Dover and the English Channel connect the North Sea with the Atlantic Ocean.

Torres Straits connect the Pacific Ocean with the Indian Archipelago.

The Straits of Magellan connect the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean.

Bhering’s Straits connect the Pacific Ocean with the Arctic.

Davis’ Straits connect Baffin’s Bay with the Atlantic.

RIVERS.

Hudson’s Straits connect Hudson’s Bay with the Atlantic.

Straits of Bcllislc connect the Gulph of St. Lawrence with the Atlantic.

QUESTIONS.

1. What arc straits ? 2. What arc channels ?

3. What waters do the Straits of Gibraltar connect ?

4. What island and continent does the Mozambique channel separate ? 5. What waters do the Straits of Babelmandel connect ?

6. What the Straits Schagerac and Cattcgat ?

7. What the Straits of Malacca?

8. The Straits of Dover, and the English Channel ?

9. What waters do Torres Straits connect ?

10, Straits of Magellan ? 11. Behring’s Straits ?

12. Davis’ Straits ? 13. Hudson’s Straits ?

14. Straits of Bellisle ?

Review the first four lessons.

LESSON VIII.

THE PRINCIPAL RIVERS.

Rivers are streams of water that flow from the main land to the ocean, or other bodies of water.

The River St. Lawrence flows from the great Lakes, north-east, into the Gulph of St. Lawrence.

Mississippi River rises near Lake Superior, and flows south into the Gulph of Mexico.

The Missouri rises in the Rocky Mountains, and flows south-east, into the Mississippi.

The River Amazon rises in the Andes, and flows east, into the Attantic.

The River La Plata rises in Brazil, and flows south, into the Atlantic.

The River Niger rises in Soudan, and flows south-east, into the Gulph of Guinea.

ISL A.NOS AND PENINSULAS.

The River Nile rises in the Mountains of the Moon, and runs north, into the Mediterranean.

The River Volga rises in the Ural Mountains, and flows south, into the Caspian Sea.

The River Obi rises in the Altaian Mountains, and runs north, into the Arctic Ocean.

The River Yenisei has the same source, course, and termination.

The River Lena, the same as the Obi and Yenisei.

The River Indus rises in the Himmaleh Mountains, and flows south, into the Arabian Sea.

The Kian Ku rises near the Sandy Desert, and flows east, into the Pacific.

QUESTIONS.

1. What are rivers ? 2. Where does the River St. Lawrence rise ?

3. Which way does it flow ? 4. Where does it empty ?

5. Where does the Mississippi rise, which way does it flow, arrd into what does it empty ?

6. Where does the Missouri rise, which way flow, and into what empty r

7. Amazon ? [the same.] 8. T ell the same of the La Plata.

9. Niger. 10. Nile. 11. Volga. 12. Obi, Yenisei, and Lena.

13. Indus. 14, Kian Ku.

Review the last four lessons.

LESSON IX.

ISLANDS AND PENINSULAS.

Islands are portions of land entirely surrounded by water.

Peninsulas are portions of land almost surrounded by

water.

ISLANDS AND PENINSULAS.

The Island of Madagascar lies in the Indian Ocean, near Africa.

Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, and New Guinea, lie between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and between New Holland and Asia.

The Phillipine Islands lie between the Chinese Sea and the Pacific Ocean, near Asia.

The Japan Islands lie between the Sea of Japan and the Pacific, near Asia.

Nova Zembla lies in the Arctic Ocean, near Europe and Asia.

Iceland lies in the Atlantic, near Greenland.

Greenland, supposed to be an island, lies between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, near North America.

The British Islands lie between the North Sea and the Atlantic, near Europe.

Newfoundland lies between the Gulph of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic, near North America.

The West India Islands lie between the Carribbean Sea and the Atlantic, and between North and South America.

New Zealand lies in the Pacific, near New Holland.

Labrador is a peninsula, between Hudson’s Bay and the Atlantic.

Spain and Portugal are a peninsula, between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Norway and Sweden are a peninsula, between the Baltic and the Atlantic.

QUESTIONS.

1. What are Islands ? 2. What are Peninsulas •

3. In what ocean and near what continent is Madagascar r

4. Between what oceans and continents are Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, and New Guiana ?

5. Between what waters and near what continent are the Phillipine Islands ?

6. Tell the same of the Japan Islands.

7. In what ocean and near what continents is Nova Zembla r

8. In what ocean and near what land is Iceland ?

9. Between what oceans and near what continent is Greenland ?

MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS.

10. Between what waters and near what continent are the British Islands ?

11. Repeat the same of Newfoundland.

12. Between what waters and continents are the West India Islands ?

13. In what ocean and near what continent is New Zealand ?

14. Between what waters is Labrador ?

15. Spain and Portugal ? 16. Norway and Sweden ?

Review the first five lessons.

LESSON X.

PRINCIPAL MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS.

Mountains are vast elevations of land.

Deserts are vast plains of sand.

The Rocky Mountains are in North America, and run parrallel with the Pacific.

The Alleghany Mountains are in the United States, and run parallel with the Atlantic.

The Andes are in South America, and run parallel with the Pacific.

The Mountains of the Moon are in Central Africa, and run parallel with the equator.

The Alps are in Europe, near the Mediterranean.

The Ural Mountains are between Europe and Asia.

The Altaian Mountains lie between China and Siberia.

The Himmaleh Mountains lie between China and Persia.

The Desert of Sahara lies in Africa, between the Red Sea and the Atlantic.

Sandy Desert and Desert of Shamo lie in the Chinese Empire.

The Arabian Desert lies in Arabia.

MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS.

QUESTIONS.

1. What are Mountains ? 2. What are Deserts ?

3. Where are the Rocky Mountains 1

4. Where the Alleghany 1 Where the Andes 1

5. Parallel with what Oceans do these Mountains run ?

6. Tell what you know of the Mountains of the Moon.

7. Of the Alps ?

8. Between what Continents are the Ural Mountain

9. Where are the Altaian Mountains ?

10. Where the Himmaleh ?

1 1 . Tell what you know of the Desert of Sahara.

12. What Deserts in the Chinese Empire ?

13. Where is the Arabian Desert ?

Review the last five lessons.

LESSON XI.

Review all the preceding lessons.

3 *

VJ

GEOGRAPHY.