An Atlas of Commercial Geography
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IO?-5 AN ATLAS OF COMMERCIAL GEOGRAPHY % % "i % ¥ .i. J- >- %t ST'' .T. CAMBRIDGE ^ UNIVERSITY PRESS a^^^^^^^^^^^ggSgfjSjSjSigHiasH^^^^^^^a^^^^^^^^^li^gigaa Dtate Collese of iKgricuUure m Cornell ^Hnibersitp Stfjaca, i5. g. ILibrarp """^'^'>y HF 1023.A4°'"^" Library llMl!™™,f,,°'<=°'"'"ei-cialc Cornell University Library V, The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013803618 AN ATLAS OF COMMERCIAL GEOGRAPHY ; INTRODUCTION THIS Atlas is specially intended to be used with the for the tropics, but is useful as indicating the significance Elementary Commercial Geography published by the of the great lowland areas which characterise the tem- Cambridge University Press, but it is hoped that such perate zones. a series of maps, illustrating the elementary facts of eco- In the tropics, as mentioned, climatic conditions nomic geography, will be of general use to students. The favour the gi'owth of population rather on the highlands work falls into two broad divisions ; the first containing than the lowlands; but the difficulties of communication maps presenting facts on the world-scale, on which the retard the commercial development of the former areas. teaching of principles may be based ; the second giving a P. 4. In using these maps, it should first be made consistent series of maps for each continent, sufficiently clear that the temperatures shown are reduced to sea- detailed, it is hoped, to be of use for regional stud}'. level, and some idea of the effect of altitude on tempera- The object of this Introduction is to indicate a logical ture given—in general terms, that the latter diminishes method of study, by linking facts together in a natural by 1°F. for every 300 feet rise. This fact needs emphasis, order and thus building up a composite picture. For however, when the human geography has to be correlated this purpose only the world-maps have been dealt with, with this map, and should not here be allowed to confuse as the line of reasoning developed may be applied to any the explanation of the hot and cold regions over the region, from the special maps in the second part. For earth's surface generally, and the occurrence of monsoon the facts and figures necessary for detailed regional study, regions. the student is referred to the Elementary Gomrtiercial The aim in studying this set of maps, as indeed Geography already mentioned. throughout this Atlas, should be rather to grasp the P. 1. This map, epitomising the world's political scientific laws which they demonstrate than to memorise development but omitting all the factors of which human the facts without vmderstanding them. The first con- geography is built up, would in a purely logical order ception should be of a torrid zone encircling the earth, figm'e rather at the end than the beginning of an Atlas. moving north and south with the sun's progress. The differential heating water then It will, of com'se, be useful throughout ; and for its use of land and may be as an opening to this work certain general points should explained as the great modifying factor ; how the latter, owing to its greater specific heat, is raised or lowered in be noted ; e.g., the spread of the spheres of influence of temperatm'e slowly than the former. European Powers over the world's surface ; the two great much more The Eastern races (both situated outside the tropics) being effects of this can be clearly seen from the maps ; how the only ones which have with any success resisted their the land in summer, especially in the interior of conti- advance. Again, the world-wide extension of the British nents, becomes far more heated than the sea in the same Empire, which may be connected with the number of latitude ; whereas in winter the air over the sea is ocean islands under her flag, both largely due to the warmer than that over the land. initiative of her early navigators and settlers. This The influence of prevailing winds on climate should again is rooted in the facts of Britain's insular situation be pointed out. The clearest illustration of this effect is the westerly region of the and temperate climate ; and thus a chain of cause and wind Northern Hemisphere, effect may be built up between the mere physical en- in which the western coasts of continents are uniformly vironment of a race, and a world-wide Empire. warmer than the eastern. In the Southern Hemisphere, owing to the different distribution of land, this is not so all geo- P. 2, 3. The physical map is the basis of apparent. Commercial geography, concerned with graphical study. Note. In using these and any other world maps the earth, must necessarily first the activities of men on showing climatic conditions, the terms "summer" and itself as the home of man, favourable consider the earth " winter" should be used only as descriptive of types of to his development in different regions, or unfavourable climate (e.g. a region of winter rains), not as represent- retarding commerce and the migrations encouraging or ing the conditions over the earth's surface in any one rivers, oceans, and of peoples by the distribution of month. mountain barriers. It is therefore essential to obtain the first a sound general knowledge of the earth's surface, to P. 5. These maps also show facts in an arbi- which all other facts can be related. The physical map trary manner for the sake of clearness, and it should be should be used primarily in its relations with the others explained that all pressures shown are reduced to sea- level. reference being constantly made from them to it ; and the far-reaching influence of physical factors upon every The system of high-pressure belts is clearly shown aspect of geography made clear. on the annual map, and the facts as to the distribution It may here be shown, rather as an aid to memory of pressure and the direction of winds can be easily than a burden upon it, how the dense populations of explained when the concept of these belts, and of their the world are settled in its lowland areas, where the seasonal variation with the sun, has been grasped. The conditions as regards climate, soil, and access are on the map should be stvidied collaterally with the elementary rising whole far more favourable. This rule hardly holds good facts of air circulation—the and inflow of air over INTRODUCTION P. 10. Ocean currents should be studied in relation South America there are no linguistic obstacles to a to the permanent wind-systems of the globe, and the commercial union of the States, save in the case of general correspondence in their directions grasped. The Brazil ; while in the British Empire, a loose political surface counter-currents, which do not follow the direc- federation, areas occur (note specially South Africa and tion of any wind, should be noted, although it must be Eastern Canada), in which English is by no means the understood that these are small compared with the supreme language. This of course happens elsewhere, little-known deep return currents. In many cases the especially in Central Europe ; and in many cases, owing surface counter-currents have important effects ; e.g. to attempts by the Governments concerned to stamp out the Labrador current, to which may be traced the ice- the languages in question, is the cause of much bitter berg obstructions to navigation during winter in the feeling and administrative friction. North Atlantic, the fogs over the Grand Bank, and (to some extent) the rigorous winter climate of New Pages 11 — 16: The distribution of commodities. England. These will be most conveniently considered in two The map of oceanic drainage basins brings out the groups ; viz. (a) those relating to mineral products not great advantage enjoyed by Atlantic countries over the dependent on climate, in which the facts must be rest of the world, from the aspect of easy communications. memorised, and (6) those showing commodities whose That ocean is surrounded by rivers and enclosed seas distribution may be connected, on a climatic basis, with giving access into the heart of the land, while the easy the facts already studied. Indian ocean has but five and the Pacific no more rivers {a) Products not dependent on climate. of considerable navigability. The Arctic rivers are of little value as highways, although the interior portions Gold and Silver. The precious metals are great of their courses are in many cases important routes. sources of wealth in the countries where they are ex- Areas of inland drainage occur in desert regions, but ploited, and in most cases give a high commercial often develop high civilisations in favoured spots ; e.g. importance to regions which would otherwise be almost the cities of Merv and Samarkand in Central Asia. negligible (e.g. the Yukon and the Western Australian The density of population in anj' area can only be desert). understood after all the geographical facts, and some Iron and Lead. Iron is of world-wide demand, and non-geographical, affecting that area have been grasped its widespread distribution causes it to be worked in outline. Four areas of dense population stand out wherever conditions are favourable, i.e. wherever in- conspicuously on the map ; Central and Western Europe, dustry is highly enough advanced to cause a demand for China, the Indian plain, and Eastern North America. it. Like the other base metals, however, it occurs almost In each case, save the last, they are regions of long entirely in the form of ore, and requires smelting before history and ancient civilisation ; North America is a it can be used.