Introduction+to+Rivers

Comparative View of the Lengths of the Principal Rivers in the World


"The rivers have been necessarily straightened to indicate the lengths of the rivers. The compass orientation of the flowing stream is indicated by small north-pointing arrows periodically drawn adjacent to the stream. Includes table of the Length of Rivers in British Miles. A textual description of the rivers accompanies the illustration; it describes the course of the Missouri River, "recently explored by the Americans" (Lewis and Clark), as being "extremely devious"..." (link)

A Map of the Principal Rivers shewing their Courses, Countries, and Comparative Lengths


"This curious comparative rivers chart published in 1834 by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge is somewhat unique in that it imagines all of the great rivers of the world letting out into a circular inland sea. Concentric circles show the general lengths of the rivers as the bird files, but cannot take into account the twists and turns of the rivers themselves. What this chart does show is, to a degree, the direction and course of the rivers' flow. Direction, which in other comparative rivers charts is indicated textually, here is illustrated visually. Nevertheless, though innovative and physically attractive, this S.D.U.K. comparative rivers chart never caught on beyond its initial publication. Drawn by Baldwin and Craddock of 47 Paternoster Row, London, for the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge Atlas, volume 1. Dated and copyrighted April 1, 1834."