This History begins with the East and comes westward round the world. Japan is therefore the first country to come into its survey, and from Japan we travel to Siberia, which, though extending far west, must be treated as one. After Siberia come China and Korea; and Australia, Oceania, and Malaysia all come into the “Far East” when thus treated geographically. The whole of the white portion of this map is treated in the Grand Division which now opens.
LARGER IMAGE
LARGER IMAGE
SECOND GRAND DIVISION
THE FAR EAST
The Far East falls into two sections, Asiatic and Oceanic. The Asiatic comprises the insular empire of Japan; and, on the continent, China, Korea, and Siberia, the extreme northern territory which, though extending far westward, must be treated as one.
The Oceanic division includes the Australian continent, with the island of Tasmania; the Pacific islands grouped under the names of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, to which last New Zealand is attached, the whole being conveniently associated under the name of Oceania; and the Malay Archipelago, or Malaysia, lying between Australia and the Asiatic continent.