The Exploration of Western America, 1800–1850
An Historical Geography

This book, first published in 1933, discusses the exploration of the western area of what became the United States.

E. W. Gilbert (Author)

9781107683693, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 October 2013

258 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.5 cm, 0.33 kg

Edmund William Gilbert (1900–73) was a renowned British social and historical geographer. In this book, which was first published in 1933, Gilbert discusses the exploration of the western area of what became the United States during the first half of the nineteenth century. As part of this process, the text makes 'an attempt to reconstruct the geographical setting in which the explorers accomplished their work, and thus to estimate the influence of geographical factors on the history of the exploration of the region.' Numerous illustrative figures and a detailed bibliography section are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in historical geography and nineteenth-century American history.

Preface
Abbreviations
Historical Introduction: 1. The early exploration of western America
2. The purchase of Louisiana
Part I. A Geographical Analysis of Western America: Introduction
3. The physical geography of the region
4. The climate of the region
5. The natural drainage of the region
6. The natural vegetation of the region
7. The animals of the region
8. The Indian inhabitants of the region
Part II. The Exploration of Western America 1800–50: Introduction
9. The discovery of a northern trans-continental route
10. The discovery of a central trans-continental route
11. The discovery of southern trans-continental routes
12. The discovery of the Great Basin and the routes over the Sierra Nevada, 1832–53
13. The representation of western America on maps published between 1800 and 1850
14. Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]