Page:Maury's New Elements of Geography, 1907.djvu/36

32 2. Discovery.—In the year 1492—that is, over 400 years ago—Christopher Columbus sailed from a country in Europe called Spain. He had three small ships. He sailed on the Atlantic ocean toward the west, until at last he came to land. It was one of the beautiful islands of the West Indies.



When Columhus reached the shore, the red men, dressed in feathers and decked with gold, came to meet him, offering him fruit and other provisions. Columhus had discovered America.

The continent was named America from Americus Vespucius, an Italian navigator.

3. Settlement.—After the discovery of the New World, a great many people from Europe came here to live.



If we should go to Mexico, Central America, or some of the West Indies, we should hear the people talking Spanish. This is because the Spaniards settled these parts of North America. If we should visit some parts of Canada, we should hear many of the people speaking French. The early settlers there came from France.

In the United States the people speak English. Most of the settlers here were from England.

What ocean is north of North America? What ocean is east? West? What ocean and gulf are south? What continents are separated by Bering (bee'ring) strait?

What are the divisions of North America? In what part of North America is Canada? Point in the direction of Canada. What bay and strait separate Canada and Greenland?

Where is Greenland? Point in the direction of Greenland. What island is east of Greenland?

Greenland and Iceland are a part of North America, but they are owned by a country in Europe called Denmark. They are therefore called Danish America.

What river flows from Lake Winnipeg into Hudson bay? Through what river do the waters of Great Slave and Great Bear lakes flow to the ocean?

Where is Newfoundland? What division of land is it? Point in the direction of it.

In what part of North America is the United States? What portion of the United States is nearest to Asia? What river crosses Alaska?

What division bounds the United States on the north? What country on the south? Point in the direction of Mexico. What gulf is east of Mexico?

What two countries nearly inclose the Gulf of Mexico? What peninsula is northeast of the Gulf of Mexico?

What division between Mexico and South America? Where are the West Indies? Name the largest of them.

What sea is south of the West Indies? Of what ocean is it a part? Where is Cape Race? Cape San Lucas?