. The earth and its inhabitants ... Geography. CHAPTER THE BALTIC PROVINCES. (EsTHOxiA, Livonia, Kurland.) HE three governments, collectively known as the "Baltic Provinces," are separated by no natural landmarks from the rest of the empire. On the north-east alone, Lakes Pskov and Peipus, with the river Narova, serve as the frontier-lino towards the government of St. Petersburg. But on the south-east and south the boundaries, now following the course of a river, now crossing forests and marshes, are purely conventional. In its lower course the Dvina waters Livonia and Kurland,
. The earth and its inhabitants ... Geography. CHAPTER THE BALTIC PROVINCES. (EsTHOxiA, Livonia, Kurland.) HE three governments, collectively known as the "Baltic Provinces," are separated by no natural landmarks from the rest of the empire. On the north-east alone, Lakes Pskov and Peipus, with the river Narova, serve as the frontier-lino towards the government of St. Petersburg. But on the south-east and south the boundaries, now following the course of a river, now crossing forests and marshes, are purely conventional. In its lower course the Dvina waters Livonia and Kurland, but it has otherwise served in a very small degree to give the Baltic Provinces their cohesion and common destiny. Such unity as they possess is derived rather from the sea, which, through the Gulf of Piga, penetrates far inland, and washes all their coasts. By sea also came the German immigrants, who have since become the chief landed proprietors, nobles, and traders, thus monopolizing the bulk of the national wealth. Though no longer the political rulers, these invaders have retained a preponderating influence, due to their social standing and superior instruction, and they have thus imparted a special character to the corner of the Russian Empire occupied by them. Through the indigenous element these lands are further distinguished from the surrounding provinces, although Letts are also found in Vitebsk, Samojitians in Kovna, and Ehstes in St. Petersburg. On the other hand, these governments possess no political autonomy, such as that of Finland, nor even any administrative unity. Their general statistics have long been fused with those of the rest of the empire, of which they form one of the most important districts, not in extent, but in relative population and commercial activity. Physical Features.—River Basins. Though generally consisting of lowlands rising little above sea-level, they are still varied by a few hilly tracts, forming a sort of water-parting between th
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade18, booksubjectgeography, bookyear1883
