704 



EUROPEAN TURKEY. 



the Archipelago, after a course of nearly 250 miles. The Mbanian Drino discharges itself into 

 the basin of the Adriatic ; and the soutiiern branch of that river, or the Black Drino., receives 

 the waters of the lake Ochrida. The Axius, or Vardar of the moderns, flows through a space 

 of about 200 miles, into the Gulf of Salonica. .^Ichelous, now the Asproputamos, rises in the 

 mountains of Pindus, and, flowing towards the south, enters the Ionian t^ea. The Pcneus^ has 

 its source near that of the Aclielous, and, traversing the plain of Thessaly, pursues its course to 

 the Archipelago. Before entering the sea, it passes the gorge or defile of Tempe, where the 

 precipitous mountain clifl^s of Ossa and Olympus approach each othei- so close, that the inter- 

 vening space does not exceed 200 and sometimes 100 feet. The length of the vale is about 3 

 miles, and its greatest breadth 2h. 



4. Lakes. Turkey contains several lakes, but those in the southern part are rather of clas- 

 sical fame than of geographical importance. In the northern regions, they are cither too small 

 or too imperfectly known to demand description. Several occur near the mouth of the Danube, 

 formed by the overflov/ing of that river, but they are destitute of picturesque beauty. 



5. Iskmds. In the Archipelago are the small islands of Tliassos, Scunothracc, Imbros, and 

 a few others, which may be considered as a part of European Turkey. None of them are of 

 any political importance. 



G. Seas and Gulfs. The JEgean Sea., or Grecian Archipelago, is remarkable for the nu- 

 merous peninsulas which project into its waters from the neighboring continent, and form many 

 bays and gulfs, and for the innumerable isles which are scattered throughout its whole extent, 

 and which impede the navigation. The Hellespont, or Strait oj the Dardanelles., connects the 

 jEgean Sea with the Sea of Marmora ; the mouth of the strait is 5^- miles wide, and is defend- 

 ed by castles, built in 16.59. The Sea of JMarmora., so called from its blue marble, is about 

 140 miles long, and in some places 50 broad. The Thracian Bosphorus, or Straits of Con- 

 stantinople, the Euxine or Black Sen, the Ionian and the Adriatic seas, wash different parts 

 of the coast. The Gnlf of Salonica makes a deep opening into ancient Macedonia. 



7. Climate and Soil. The climate is superior to that of almost every other European re- 

 gion, being uniformly salubrious and delightful. The infectious diseases which prevail in the 

 larger cities, are rather attributable to the negligence and habits of the Turks, than to the un- 

 healthiness of the atmosphere ; the soil is extremely fertile, and capable of yielding all the vege- 

 table productions of the south in rich and varied profusion. Many of the valleys are composed 

 of fine alluvia] earth, the deposite of successive ages. 



8. Vegetable Productions. Besides herbs and plants of almost every kind, this country pro- 

 duces, in great perfection, oranges, lemons, citrons, pomegranates, grapes, figs, almonds, olives, 

 and other fruits. In addition to these, many drugs, not common in other parts of Europe, are 

 produced here. Lofty forests of oak, ash, elm, &c. grow on the side of the mountains, whose 

 summits are crowned with larches, firs, and yews. 



9. Animals. The horses of Turkey have long been esteemed for their size, form, and 

 spirit, but the camel is the most common beast of burden. Cattle and sheep are numerous in 

 many districts, and the sheep of Wallachia are noted for their fine form and beautiful spiral 

 horns. .Jackals are found in some of the deserted tracts near the Bosphorus. The forests are 

 well stocked with deer, wild boars, chamois, and hares ; there are besides a great many bears, 

 wolves, foxes, and martens, of which the skins are exported to different parts of Europe. 



10. Minerals. Mines of iron, lead, and copper, are found in several parts, but are neglected 

 through the ignorance and indolence of the people. In INIacedonia were anciently gold mines, 

 (vhich annually produced to Philip nearly 13,000,000 dollars. Alum and sulphur, perfectly 

 Jure, are met with ; and quarries of beautiful marble are abundant. 



1 1 . Face of the Country. Many districts are covered with rich pastures or extensive for- 

 ests, but the general character of the country is mountainous. Long ranges intersect it in vari- 

 ous directions, and their lateral branches, with several detached hills and groups, extend over 

 many of the other districts. The northern provinces are the most level, and the southern the 

 most hilly and diversified. 



POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



1. Divisions. The country is often described by geographers under the divisions Bulgaria, 

 Bosnia, Albania, Romelia, Macedonia, and Livadia. But by the Turks, it is divided into 4 

 'yalets or principalities, which are subdivided Into sangiacs or banners. The eyalets are, I. Si- 



