Fertile soil, level plains, easy passage across the mountains, coal, iron, and other metals imbedded in the rocks, and a stimulating climate, all shower their blessings upon man.

Although mountains may guide migrations, the plains are the regions where people dwell in greatest numbers.

History in its broadest aspect is a record of man's migrations from one environment to another.

Except on their southern borders the great northern forests are not good as a permanent home for man.

Thus the races, though alike in their physical response to climate, may possibly be different in their mental response because they have approached America by different paths.

In fact, the history of North America has been perhaps more profoundly influenced by man's inheritance from his past homes than by the physical features of his present home.

A journey of four hundred and thirty miles can be made in any part of the United States, but in Turkey it takes as many days.