EUUOPR 



EUROPE. 



HI 



i are separated by a spring and autumn of a 

 In 



month*. Than 



few da;*, rarely two week*' duration. In summer the heat it very 

 gnat, and the vegetation inconceivably rapid. The winter U severe 

 and boUtcrous, and brings down immense quantities of snow. In 

 the central zone the four Mason* are distinct, and the passage from 

 heat to cold, and vice rend, U very gradual. The heat i* leu than 

 in the northern lone, and so U the cold during the winter ; itill frost 

 prevail* during two, three, or four months, and snow is common 

 except on the coasts. In the southern cone frost is either not felt 

 at all or only during a few day* ; and snow U of rare occurrence, or 

 it does not lie on the ground for more than a few .lays. Vegetation 

 accordingly is very little interrupted. But the countries within tlii 

 on* have abundant rains during the lost three mouths of the year, 

 and an subject to great and long droughts in summer. These 

 droughts frequently continue for four or lire mouths, and in some 

 place* occasionally for eight or nine months. 



Inkalilanlt and Pulilleal Diritioiu. Nearly the whole population 

 of Kurope belongs to that race which is comprehended under the 

 name of the Caucasian race ; but along the Ural range, and at the 

 most northern extremity of the continent, a few nations occur which 

 belong to the Mongolian-nice ; to which must be added the Magyar*, 

 who inhabit nearly the centre of Kurope (Hungary). 



The population of Europe amounts to nearly 265,000,000 in 

 round numb re. The Christian religion is that which generally 

 prevails. The Roman Catholic faith is nearly exclusively professed 

 by the inhabitants of Portug.fl, Spain, and Italy, and also by the 

 majority in France, Austria, Bavaria, Poland, Belgium, and Ireland. 

 Roman Catholics are also numerous in some cantons of Switzerland, 



and some provinces of Prussia and Russia. The whole number of 

 the adherents of this faith it is calculated may amount to 130,000,000. 

 To the Greek church belong the Russians and the Oreeks ; and a great 

 number of the members of this church are dispersed over different parts 

 of Turkey: they amount altogether to about 55,000,000. The inlnl. it- 

 ants of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are nearly exclusively Protest- 

 ants ; and the various sects of Protestants form the great majority in 

 England, Scotland, Holland, Switzerland, Prussia, and the northern and 

 western states of Germany. In France, Ireland, Belgium, and some 

 provinces of Russia, Protostants are numerous. The whole number in 

 about 65 millions. Therd are Armenian* in Uussia, Austria, and 

 Turkey ; about 400,000 in all. 



The Turks and Tartars, with some of the small tribes of Mong..l 

 origin along the Ural Mountains, are Mohammedans. Tli.-ir 

 number is supposed not to fall much short of 6,000,000. Antony 

 the Laplanders and Samoyedcs there are still some who have not 

 embraced Christianity. The Kalmucks nud the KirghUeaare i 

 Bhuddists. At Astrakhan there ore a few Hindoos. The Jews are 

 most numerous in some parts of Russia, Poland, Austria, and Turkey. 

 Their number cannot be accurately estimated. In the south-eastern 

 countries of Europe there is a considerable number of gypsies : it is 

 doubtful what their religion is. 



The following is a tabular view of the sovereign states of Europe 

 in 1854, and may serve .it the same time as a list of articles to which 

 to refer for further particulars. The areas and population are given 

 from tho latest and best authorities ; wherever it could be got the 

 population U from official documents; where round numbers are 

 given they may be considered as approximations. 



