Lake Superior is the largest collection of fresh water on the globe. The principal gulfs are those of Mexico, St. Lawrence, and California. The principal bays are Hudson's and Baffin's. The principal straits connected with North America, are Behring's, Hudson's, Davis', and the strait of Belle Isle. The most noted capes are Race, Cod, Hatteras, Sable, Catoche, San Lucas, and Mendocino. A current called the Gulf Stream, issues from the Gulf of Mexico, and runs along the eastern coast to Newfoundland, where it is met by another current from Baffin's Bay, and both become lost in the Atlantic Ocean. The divisions of North America are the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and the British and Russian possessions. Length 5,200 miles, breadth 2,450: square Population, 20 millions.* miles, 8 millions. QUESTIONS. How is North America bounded? What is the breadth of the Isthmus of Darien or Panama, and what does it connect? Which are the principal mountains in North America? Which are the principal rivers? Which are the principal lakes? Which are the principal gulfs in North America? Which are the principal bays? Which are the principal straits connected with North America? Which are the most noted capes? What is said of the current called the Gulf Stream? Which are the divisions of North America? What is the length, breadth, square miles, and population? QUESTIONS ON THE MAP (NORTH AMERICA.) What is the latitude of the Isthmus of Darien or Panama? What large gulf is situated in the southern part of North America? What country of North America is the most southerly? * Estimated now at twenty-two millions In what part of North America are the United States? In what part are Hudson's and Baffin's bays? Is California on the eastern or western side of North America? What strait separates America from Asia? Are the British possessions in North America north or south of the United States? What countries lie contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico! In what part of North America are the Russian possessions' How far and in what direction do the Rocky Mountains extend? the Alleghany Mountains? UNITED STATES. Bounded north by the British and Russian possessions; east by New Brunswick, also a British possession, and the Atlantic; south by the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico; and west by Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. The United States, as it respects their situation, may be considered under the following general divisions: 1. The Eastern States, or those which lie wholly east of the Hudson, are Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island: 6 states. 2. The Middle States, or those which lie between the Hudson and Potomac: they are New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland: 5 states. 3. The Southern States, or those which lie south of the Potomac, including the three on the Gulf of Mexico: they are Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana: 7 states. 4. The Western States are those which lie wholly west of the Alleghany Mountains: they are Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri: 6 states. The District of Columbia is a tract 10 miles square, around the city of Washington, under the immediate government of Congress. Besides these 24 Independent States, belonging to the Union, there are 3 Territories, which have governments organized by the United States, but do not possess a population sufficient to be admitted into the Union. These territories are Florida, Arkansas, and Michigan. The immense tract of country belonging to the United States, not included in the States and organized territories, has very few inhabitants, except Indians, and has been divided for convenience of geographical description, into six districts: Huron, Sioux, Ozark, Ösage, Mandan, and Oregon. The climate of that portion of the United States which lies south of the 30th degree of north latitude is very warm. The productions south of 30°, are coffee, sugarcane, oranges, and other fine fruits. Between 30° and 364° the climate is warm, and snow is uncommon in the winter. In this part of the United States, cotton, rice, and figs, and other fruits belonging to warm climates, are produced. Between 36° and 41° the winters are mild, with some snow. In this region, grain, such as wheat, rye, and oats, and fine fruits flourish. In the portion of the United States which lies north of 41°, the winters are severe and attended with much snow. This division of the United States produces various kinds of grain, and likewise abounds in pasture. The principal mountains in the United States are the Alleghany, Rocky, and Ozark. The principal rivers are the Mississippi, Missouri, Red, Arkansas, Ohio, Potomac, Susquehanna, Hudson, and Connecticut. The principal lakes are Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie, and Ontario. The principal bays are Massachusetts, Delaware, and Chesapeake. The most noted sounds are Pamtico, Albemarle, and Long Island Sound. The principal capes are Cod, May, Henlopen, Charles, Henry, Hatteras, and Sable. The United States have been peopled from the different nations of Europe, except the African slaves, which are found chiefly in the southern States. The commerce of the United States exceeds that of any other nation on the globe, Great Britain excepted. The United States, then thirteen in number, were provinces dependent on Great Britain, but declared themselves independent on the 4th of July, 1776, and in the year 1788 adopted the present form of government. The form of government of the United States is purely republican, and the constitution admits of no distinction of rank, except among the officers of the army and navy. The constitution of each State is similar to that of the United States. The executive power is exercised by a President, who is chosen, every four years, by clectors appointed by the different States. The power of making the laws is exercised by Congress, which consists of a Senate and House of Representatives, and is composed of delegates sent by the different States, according to their population. Every forty thousand inhabitants now send one representative, and every State two senators, to Congress. The President and Senate ratify all treaties with foreign powers, and appoint the officers of the army and navy. Length 2700 miles, breadth 1650: square miles 2 millions. Population, 10 millions, of which more than 1 million are slaves. QUESTIONS, (U. S.) How are the United States bounded? Name the New England, or Eastern States. Name the Middle States. Which are the Southern States? Which are the Western States? What and where is the District of Columbia? How many Independent States are there? What Territories, with governments organized by the United States? How has the immense tract of country not included in the States and Territories been divided? Describe the climate and productions of that portion of the United States which lies south of 30°. Describe the climate and productions between 30° and 3640. What is said of the climate and productions between 364 and 41°? Name the principal ranges of mountains in the United States. Which are the principal rivers? Which are the principal lakes in the United States? Which are the principal bays? Name the most noted sounds. Which are the principal capes? From what other portion of the world has the United States been peopled? What is said of the commerce of the United States? To what nation did the colonies which now compose the United States formerly belong? In what year did the United States declare themselves independent, and when did they adopt the present form of government? What is the form of the government of the United States? Is the constitution of each of the States similar to that of the United States? What power does the President exercise, and how is he elected? Of what does Congress consist, and what power does it exercise? What number of inhabitants sends a representative to Congress, and how many senators does each of the States send? Who ratifies treaties with foreign powers, and appoints the officers of the army and navy? * Now probably thirteen millions. |