Europe, in fact, considered by itself, is only a large peninsula, which is further cut up into a great number of smaller peninsulas by the interior seas and gulfs which penetrate far inland into the main mass of the peninsula; consequently, in proportion to its surface, it presents a much greater extent of coast than any other of the great divisions of the globe, as will appear by the annexed table, which however must be considered only as a rough approximation :-

Asia

Africa ..

Europe .....

America ....

Surface in

square miles .

18,000,000

14,000,000

3,900,000

15,000,000

Const-line.

Miles.

Ratio of one mile

of coast-line to area

in square miles .

35,000; 500;

or, including the

islands, 40,000.

or, including the

islands,420.

16,000 900

20,000 195

32,000 (with- 470

out the coast of

the Arctic Sea).