Progressive Geography (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 edition. Excerpt: ...to the country. Climate And Soil.--The climate of Spain is exceedingly varied. Where there is moisture the soil is fertile; on the high lands it is parched and unproductive. Natural Productions.--Wild animals, including the bear, wolf, ibex, boar, and lynx, are found among the mountains. Monkeys are numerous near Gibraltar. Of domestic animals, horses, mules, asses, and sheep are all distinguished. The horses are valued for their activity and beauty, the mules and asses for their steadiness, and the sheep for their fine wool, known as merino. Forests of timber trees are very limited, but olive, fig, citron, pomegranate, orange and lemon trees are numerous, and produce most delicious fruits. Minerals are varied and abundant. People.--Four distinct races exist: --Spaniards Proper, Basques, or descendants of the ancient Iberians, Moors, and Gipsies. The Spaniards, who are a proud, formal, and indolent people, constitute nineteen-twentieths of the entire population. The Basques are confined to the Basque Provinces, where they speak a peculiar dialect, believed to be the old language of the country. The Moors exist in Andalusia. The gipsies, numbering about 50,000, are scattered throughout the country. Part Second.--POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. Principal Towns.--Northern Provinces.--Pamplo'na, Santia'go de Compostella, Corun'na, San Sebas'tian, Ferrol', Vitto'ria. Pamplona, in Navarre--principal fortress; taken by Wellington in 1813. Santiago, in Galicia--celebrated cathedral, the burial-place of St James, the patron saint of Spain, and formerly a great resort of pilgrims. Corunna, on the N.W. coast--whence the Invincible Armada sailed for England in 1588, and where Sir John Moore fell after defeating the French, 1809. San Sebastian, in..