GEOGIIAPHY, properly, a descrip tion of the earth ur terrestrial globe, pal tieularly of the divisions of its surface, natural and artificial, and of the position of the several countries, kingdoms, states, cities, he. As a science, geography in cludes the doctrine or knowledge of the astronomical circles or divisions of the sphere, by which the relative position of places on the globe may be ascertain ed; and usually treatises of geography contain some account of the inhabitants of the earth, of their government, man ners, &c., and an account of the princi pal animals. plants, awl minerals.—Gen crol or anirersal geography, the science which conveys a knowledge of the earth, both as a distinct and independent body in the universe, and as connected with a sys tem of heavenly bodies.—Mathematical geography, that branch of the general science which is derived from the applica tion of mathematical truths to the figure of the earth, and which teaches us to de termine the relative position of places, their longitudes and latitudes, the differ ent lines and circles imagined to be drawn upon the earth's surface, their measure, distance, he —Physical geography, that branch which gives a description of the principal features of the earth's surface the various climates and temperature, showing how these, together with other causes, affect the condition of the human race, and also a general account of the animals and productions of the globe.—
Political geography, that branch which considers the earth as the abode of ra tional beings, according to their diffusion over the globe, and their social.relations as they are divided into larger or smaller or biblical geography, the geography of Palestine, and other oriental nations mentioned in Scripture, having for its object the illustration of sacred history.