106. In what zone does Europe principally lie? 107. What countries north from the 50th parallel of latitude? 108. What south? 109. Which of the countries of Europe has no sea coast? 110. Which of the countries of Europe is divided into two parts by Germany?[9]
LAPLANDERS.RUSSIANS.
Europe is peculiarly favored in its natural advantages for commerce, there being many bays and inland seas extending in such manner into the interior that there is scarcely a town more than four hundred miles from some navigable bay or sea. It has also many navigable rivers. These advantages have contributed to the growth of the inland cities, which are far in advance of those of our own country in size, population, and elegance.
The climate is excessively cold in the northern parts, especially in Lapland and the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, and Russia. In this cold region the rein-deer is the principal support of the inhabitants. Its flesh affords them food; its skin, clothes; and its sinews, twine and thread. It is used also as horses and oxen are in this country, for draught and travelling. It is capable of travelling two hundred miles in a day.
The southern parts of Norway and Sweden have a broken and sandy soil; the harvests are precarious, and the rearing of cattle is practised with considerable success. These countries are celebrated for their forests, which produce vast quantities of pine and fir lumber for exportation. Tar, pitch, hemp, tobacco, and flax are produced.
Russia is the largest empire in the world. It is a level country. The climate and soil are necessarily various. The northern parts are cold and barren, and the southern, peculiarly fertile. Hemp, flax, grain, iron, tar, and furs, are exported in large quantities.
Poland was formerly a powerful independent nation; but in the year 1772 it was unjustly divided between Russia, Austria, and Prussia. Russian Poland has lately made a brave but unsuccessful attempt to regain its independence, and is now again under the tyrannical power of Russia.
The central part of Europe, comprising Denmark, Prussia, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria is a fertile and healthy country, producing a great variety of the necessaries and luxuries of life. A large part is adapted to grazing. Grain, wine, flax, madder, amber, gold, silver, and copper, are produced. Poland has a noted salt mine, which is represented on page 3.