De heele wereld rond / Een leesboek ter bevordering van natuur-, landen- en volkenkennis, ten dienste der volksschool

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27721

Title

De heele wereld rond / Een leesboek ter bevordering van natuur-, landen- en volkenkennis, ten dienste der volksschool

Language

nl

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This educational reader introduces young students to global geography, culture, and nature through vivid descriptions of Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, and the Middle East. Featuring detailed accounts of religious sites, agricultural life, and natural phenomena, the text aims to foster natural, regional, and ethnic knowledge for elementary schools.

Summary up to 500 words

Written by J. J. A. Goeverneur, *De heele wereld rond* serves as an educational journey designed to broaden the horizons of young readers through factual observation and vivid description. The narrative begins in St. Petersburg, focusing on the opulent Kazan Cathedral. Inside, the text highlights the spiritual devotion of the Russian people, noting the massive silver iconostasis and the walls adorned with military trophies from wars against Persia, Turkey, and France. This reverence for faith is contrasted with the harsh physical realities of the Vistula River, where seasonal floods and breaking ice dams devastate farmlands, forcing desperate evacuations and leaving behind barren, sand-filled landscapes. The journey then moves to Ukraine and Volhynia, depicted as Russia's fertile granaries. Here, the author illustrates the pastoral life of herders, the unique *telega* wagons, and the dramatic seasonal rhythms of the steppe, ranging from freezing winters to sweltering summers plagued by mosquitoes. The cultural richness of the 'Little Russians' is celebrated, particularly their talent for woodcarving, music, and their expressive, emotional nature. The narrative continues to the Ural River, where Cossacks harvest sturgeon for caviar. Expanding beyond Europe, the text marvels at the utility of the coconut palm in India and the South Pacific, which feeds entire island populations, and the breadfruit tree, a staple that can sustain a person for months. The narrative also captures the intensity of Australian sirocco winds, which raise temperatures to lethal levels, and the sacred rituals of Mecca. In Mecca, the Kaaba is described as a cubic structure covered in black silk, featuring the famous Black Stone and the Zamzam spring, essential for pilgrims. Finally, the reader encounters the *Fellahs* of Egypt, depicting their difficult existence under the shadow of the Nile and the ruling khedive, living in mud huts while resisting modernization. The work concludes with a glimpse into a Tunisian city, blending these diverse global observations into a cohesive lesson on nature, geography, and human culture.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27721.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg27721.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-06 23:02 UTC

Categories

• Geography
• Juvenile literature