Why are not whale products as essential now as a century ago?
What international complications have arisen between the United States and Great Britain concerning the cod-fisheries?—the seal-catch?
CHAPTER XVII
THE UNITED STATES—THE SEAPORTS AND THE ATLANTIC COAST-PLAIN
The United States of America together with the possessions included within the domain of the Republic comprise an area somewhat greater than that of Europe.
With respect to latitude, the position of the main body of the United States is extremely fortunate. Practically all its area is situated in the warmer half of the temperate zone. Only a small part lies beyond the northern limit of the corn belt; wheat, oats, and barley are cultivated successfully throughout four-fifths of its extent in latitude; grass, and therefore cattle and sheep are grown in nearly every part. Coal, iron, copper, gold, and silver, the minerals and metals which give to a nation its greatest material power, exist in abundance, and the successful working of these deposits have placed the country upon a very high commercial plane.