The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

iSS1A'830IX EUROPE.not one is so happily situated as the Xeva delta, lying as it does nearest to thegreat centres of population, which, at least in summer, can be supplied with theproducts of the West more rapidly from this place than from any other seaport.The work of Peter the Great harmonized with the geographical conditions of theland, and it has accordingly survived. The fortified island of Kronstadt completelyguards the approach from the west, thus enabling the capital to expandand peacefully develop its trade and industries.The fifth city in Europe for its population, it covers an area of over 40 squaremiles, including the river surface, but excluding the industrial suburbs and thoFig. 17S. Contixcocs Growth op St. Petersburg.The Fortifications traced on this Plan belong to the Old Town.Scale 1 : 135,000.*1 m'^Iff1736„ 2MUes.villas stretching along the side valleys of the Xeva. It spreads out like a fanalong the branches of the delta, embracing six large and numerous small islands,limited southwards by the Fontanka Canal, while on the mainland the outlyingdistricts are continually expanding north and south. The islet where the foundersank its first piles still bears officially the name of the Petersburg quarter,and here stand the citadel and State prison of " SS. Peter and Paul," witli thechurch in which the Czars are buried. But the true centre now lies south of thatisland on the left bank of the Neva, which is crowded with public buildings,