A Geographical Description of All the Countries in the Known World, Part 1 · Subpart 171 – Subpart 172
Swethland Described.
Swethland hath on the East Muscovy, on the West the Dofrine hills, on the North the frozen Seas, and on the South the Baltick Sea, which doth not ebb, and flow: This Sea begins at the Sound, and interlaceth Denmark, Swethland, Germany, and Poland, extending to Livonia, and Lituania. This Countrey with the Provinces of Lapland, Scricfinia, and Barmia: is bigger than France, and Italy joyned together. The soil is fruitful, the aire healthfull, so that many of the Inhabitants live to one hundred and thirty, and some to one hundred and forty years old. It yeilds Mines of Lead, Copper, and Silver, Buck-skines, Goat-skines, Oxen, Tallow, Tar, costly Furrs, &c. The chief Provinces are,
1. Lapland, which is divided into two parts, whereof the Eastern part belongs to the great Duke of Mosco, the western containing Lapland, properly so called, and Scricfinia, belong to Swethland: they have store of rich Furrs, but use not many, and are good Archers.
2. Bodia, lying on the South of Scricfinia: the chief towns whereof are, 1. Virtis. 2. Vista. 3. Helsinga.
3. Finland, which hath the Baltick sea on the South. Its a very fruitfull and populous Countrey, containing one thousand four hundred thirty and three Parishes, wherein are a thousand Families, in some of them: the chief towns are 1. Albo. 2. Name, a strong place, &c.
4. Sweden, which hath on the East Sinus Bodicus, on the West the Dofrine Hills, on the North Lapland, and on the South Gothland: For the most part it is a fruitful Countrey: the chief Cities are, 1. Upsale. 2. Nicopia, a sea town. 3. Coperdole, famous for its abundance of Brasse.
5. Gothland, which is the best and richest Province of the North: Its divided into the Island, and the Continent. The Island of Gothland is seated in the Baltick sea, being in length eighteen miles, and but five broad: the chief Town is Wisbich. The continent of Gothland joyns to Denmark, and hath in it the great Lake Weret, which receiving into it twenty and four Rivers, empties it self at one mouth, with such an hideous noise, that it is commonly called the Devills head, The chief Cities are, 1. Stockholm. 2. Lodusia. 3. Walburg. 4. Colmar, famous for its impregnable Castle.
Sweden is the biggest of all the Northern Kingdomes, the Regall City whereof is Stockholm, a town with the suburbs of great distent: there are in it many huge Mountains, Rocks, and Forrests, where are sometimes seen and hard, strange illusions and phancies, as likewise in the water, which are very terrible, both to men and horses that pass that way. The Swedes are good souldiers both by sea and Land, of a strong complexion, and fit to indure hardship, and labour: the Nobility is very milde, and frank, loves learning, and Languages, especially the Latine, and French: they travel much abroad: are dextrous at exercises, and seek learned company: they heartily love one another out of their own Country, hide the vices of their compatriots, and stand much for the honour of their Nation.
Muscovy Described.
Muscovy hath on the East Tartary, on the West Livonia, Lituania, and part of Sweden, on the North the frozen Ocean, and on the South the Caspian sea, and lake of Meotis. It is in length from East to West, three thousand and three hundred miles, in breadth three thousand sixty and five. The women love their husbands best, that beat them most: they use the Sclavonian Language, and in their Religion follow the Greek Churches: the Northren parts are so cold, that the people do not only line their cloaths, but their houses with Furrs: the chief Commodities are rich Furs, Flax, Hemp, Oil, Honey, Wax, Canvasses, Nuts, &c. It hath many great rivers, as 1. Tanais, which emptieth it self into Palus Meotis. 2. Duina, running into the Scythian seas. 3. Boristhenes, or Neiper, running into the Euxine sea. 4. Onega, running into the Baltick sea. 5. Volga, which at seventy mouths empties it self into the Caspian sea. The chief Provinces are,
1. Novograd, having a City of the same name on the Baltick sea, a place of great trading.
2. Plescovia, whose chief town is Plescow: it is in length three hundred and thirty miles, and one hundred and thirty in breadth.
3. Volodomire, a fruitful Country, where usually one bushel of Corn returns twenty, and sometimes five and twenty: the chief town is of the same name.
4. Rhezan, very plentiful in Corn, Hony, Fish, Fowl, &c.
5. Severia, a great Province upon the lake of Maeotis.
6. Smolensco, whose chief City is of the same name.
7. Rescovy. 8. Rostowia. 9. Corelia.
10. Permia, where are abundance of stags.
11. Condora. 12. Petzora.
13. The Kingdome of Casan, and Citraham.
14. Muscovia, whose chief City is Mosco.