Israel C. (Cook) Russell
North America
"North America" by Israel C. Russell is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The work aims to provide a concise and engaging overview of the geographical and physical characteristics of the North American continent, reflecting on both its natural features and human interaction with these landscapes. The opening of the book sets the stage for a detailed examination of North America's geography, emphasizing its vast size and diverse environments. The author introduces the concept of the continental shelf and its significance, explaining how the true border of the continent extends far into the ocean. With descriptive passages about coastal topography and submarine structures, Russell outlines the complexities of the continent's margins while acknowledging the limitations of existing geographical knowledge at the time. This portion also hints at the importance of ongoing geological and geographical studies, encouraging readers to explore further into the diverse and rich natural world of North America.