^8 Dependence of the Geographical Relations of Countries 



race, and of the absolute dependence of the various stages of 

 civilization, which nations and empires are destined to pass, 

 upon the physical characters of countries. 



These physical relations are considered in reference to Con- 

 tinents, taken in their whole extent, viz., they embrace stereo- 

 graphy, hydrography, and atmospherography ; the distribu- 

 tion of products ; even man himself, according to bis natural 

 elements, composed of, or resulting from, the varieties of 

 races, and the influence of the earth upon mankind in ge- 

 neral ; finally, they embrace the changes which have occurred 

 on our globe, together with the operating causes. Not losing 

 sight of the principle, that nature exerts a powerful influence 

 on nations, and mankind in general, and that the greater or 

 smaller progress of all the geographical relations of nations 

 depends on the development and amelioration of the physical 

 condition of continents or countries, it is easy to perceive, that 

 what is termed political geography entirely rests upon phy- 

 sical geography ; for, in the first place, it has to explain the 

 physical character of the country, its situation, elevation, and 

 depression, as well as its condition and degree of cultivation ; 

 and, in the second place, it has to inquire into the intellectual, 

 religious, economical, and political relations of the population, 

 as also to give an estimate of the amount and density of the 

 latter. 



A general survey of this department of political geography 

 shows, to the attentive philosopher, that all the relations just 

 enumerated, are closely connected with the physical develop- 

 ment of a country. On searching for the conditions, means, 

 and causes of this natural development, one discovers them in 

 the presence or absence of forests, or in their extent corres- 

 ponding to the other relations ; for the physical history of 

 every country, from the remotest periods down to the present, 

 furnishes innumerable arguments in support of the truth, that 

 a moderate extent of forests, especially on mountains, and ele- 

 vated ground, where tillage is impractica,ble, promotes in a 

 high degree agriculture, trades, manufactures, and other en- 

 terprises for increasing production ; also commerce, and all 

 the interests of individuals, as well as of entire nations. 



