GEOGRAPHY. 



Plates 1 — 44. 



Geography is the science which treats of the surface of the earth. Three 

 branches of geography are usually distinguished, according to the. different 

 points from which it is viewed, viz., Mathematical, Physical, and Civih 

 Mathematical (sometimes called Astronomical) Greography treats of the earth 

 as a part of the solar system, investigating its size, shape, orbital and 

 rotatory motions, and its relation to other heavenly bodies ; it may therefore 

 be considered as part of Astronomy. Physical Geography treats of the 

 natural features of the earth, of the dry land and sea, of the fresh waters, ^nd 

 of the atmosphere encompassing it, the part having reference to the latter 

 (Meteorology) being often thrown into connexion with Natural Philosophy 

 or Physics, as we have done (see vol. i. p. 184). Finally, Political 

 Geography considers the earth as the habitation of mankind, and 

 accordingly treats of the division of its surface into states and countries ; 

 of the different towns, villages, and works of art ; of the various races and 

 tribes, with their dialects, religion, and government, and manner of life in 

 general. Mathematical and Physical Geography, taken together, may be 

 called General Geography^ as distinguished from Political or Special 

 Geography. To the latter belongs also, in fact. Historical Geography 

 which has reference to the condition of geographical science at different 

 epochs, as well as to the political divisions and arrangements of the earth at 

 different times. 



A. GENERAL GEOGRAPHY. 

 Plates 1 — 8. 



The most important facts in respect to Mathematical Geography having 

 already been presented under the head of Astronomy, we shall here be very 

 brief in reference to this subject. That the earth is round, differing but 

 little in shape from a sphere, has already been mentioned ; also, that it turns 

 once in twenty-four hours on an axis, the extremities of which are called 

 repectively the North and South Poles. That great circle of the earth's 

 surface to which her axis stands perpendicular, is called the Equator ; every 

 point of this is equally distant from either pole, and the whole circle divides 

 the earth into two hemispheres, a Northern and a Southern. All circles 



ICONOGRAPHIC ENCYCLOPEDIA. VOL. IIT. 1 1 



