47 



and ti'aversible by roads and waterways. Its crust includes the most 

 valuable coal, petroleum and iron fields yet develoiied in the world. Two- 

 fifths of its area is covered with the best of glacial soils. 



(3) Climate. It lies in that part of the so-called temperate zone 

 where the summers are long and warm enough to ripen the cereal grains, 

 and the rainfall in the growing season is everywhere sufficient for agri- 

 culture. 



(4) Vegetatujii. The natural vegetation includes large areas of conif- 

 erous and summer forests and prairie. The summer forests are easily con- 

 verted by clearing into grass and agricultural lands. 



(5) People. The bullv of population is of Baltic Caucasian stock, 

 which the presence of negroes, and the recent influx of Alpine and Medl- 

 teri'anean innnigrants, have not yet notably modified. In race and culture 

 the region is an oversea colony of western and central Europe. 



Here then we have an environment with influences and reaction.s suf- 

 ficiently complex to task the powers of the most aecomplishetl scientific 

 geographer. I cannot in a part of an hour undertake to do it justice and 

 shall attempt only to touch upon a few points. I can sum up its economics 

 in a brief table. 



LEADING PRODUCTS OF THE ATLANTIC PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 



North America. Woiid. 

 Per cent. Per cent. 



Corn 99 80 



Wheat 86 21 



Oats 90 



Barley 75 



Rye 94 



Potatoes 79 



Cotton 98 62 



Tobacco 70 32 



Rice 91 



Coal 90 40 



Iron Ore 98 40 



Petroleum 70 46 



Natural Gas 98 



Foreign Commerce 80 12 



Population 70 5.6 



