The earth is said to be divided into three parts. One of these is called
Asia, and extends from northeast to southwest, and occupies the middle
of the earth. In the eastern part are three separate regions, called
Indialand. In the farthest India, the Apostle Bartholomew preached the
faith; and where he likewise gave up his life (for the name of Christ).
In the nearest India, the Apostle Thomas preached, and there also he
suffered death for the cause of God. In that part of the earth called
Asia, is the city of Nineveh, greatest of all cities. It is three days'
journey in length and one day's journey in breadth. There is also the
city of Babylon, ancient and very large. There King Nebuchadnezzar
formerly reigned, but now that city is so thoroughly destroyed that it
is not inhabited by men, on account of serpents and all manner of
noxious creatures. In Asia is Jerusalem, and also Antioch; in this city
Peter the Apostle founded an Episcopal seat, and where he, the first of
all men, sang Mass. Asia Minor is a region of Great Asia. There the
Apostle John preached, and there also, in the city Ephesus, is his tomb.
They say that four rivers flow out of Paradise. One is called Pison or
Ganges; this empties into the sea surrounding the world. Pison rises
under a mountain called Orcobares. The second river flowing from
Paradise, is called Tigris, and the third, Euphrates. Both empty into
the Mediterranean (sea), near Antioch. The Nile, also called Geon, is
the fourth river that runs from Paradise. It separates Asia from Africa,
and flows through the whole of Egypt. In Egypt is New Babylon (Cairo),
and the city called Alexandria. The second part of the earth is called
Africa, which extends from the southwest to the northwest. There are
Serkland, and three regions called Blaland (land of blackmen or
negroes). The Mediterranean sea divides Europe from Africa. Europe is
the third part of the earth, extended from west and northwest to the
northeast. In the east of Europe is the kingdom of Russia. There are
Holmgard, Palteskia and Smalenskia. South of Russia lies the kingdom of
Greece. Of this kingdom, the chief city is Constantinople, which our
people call Miklagard. In Miklagard is a church, which the people call
St. Sophia, but the Northmen call it, Ægisif. This church exceeds all
the other churches in the world, both as respects its structure and
size. Bulgaria and a great many islands, called the Greek islands,
belong to the kingdom of Greece. Crete and Cyprus are the most noted of
the Greek islands. Sicily is a great kingdom in that part of the earth
called Europe. Italy is a country south of the great ridge of mountains,
called by us Mundia [Alps]. In the remotest part of Italy is Apulia,
called by the Northmen, Pulsland. In the middle of Italy is Rome. In the
north of Italy is Lombardy, which we call Lombardland. North of the
mountains on the east, is Germany, and on the southwest is France.
Hispania, which we call Spainland, is a great kingdom that extends south
to the Mediterranean, between Lombardy and France. The Rhine is a great
river that runs north from Mundia, between Germany and France. Near the
outlets of the Rhine is Friesland, northward from the sea. North of
Germany is Denmark. The ocean runs into the Baltic sea, near Denmark.
Sweden lies east of Denmark, and Norway at the north. North of Norway is
Finnmark. The coast bends thence to the northeast, and then towards the
east, until it reaches Permia, which is tributary to Russia. From
Permia, desert tracts extend to the north, reaching as far as Greenland.
Beyond Greenland, southward, is Helluland; beyond that is Markland; from
thence it is not far to Vinland, which some men are of the opinion,
extends to Africa.[251] England and Scotland are one island; but each is
a separate kingdom. Ireland is a great island. Iceland is also a great
island north of Ireland. All these countries are situated in that part
of the world called Europe. Next to Denmark is Lesser Sweden; then is
Oeland, then Gottland, then Helsingeland, then Vermeland, and the two
Kvendlands, which lie north of Biarmeland. From Biarmeland stretches
desert land towards the north, until Greenland begins. South of
Greenland is Helluland; next is Markland, from thence it is not far to
Vinland the Good, which some think goes out to Africa; and if this is
so, the sea must extend between Vinland and Markland. It is told that
Thorfinn Karlsefne cut wood here to ornament his house,[252] went
afterwards to seek out Vinland the Good, and came there where they
thought the land was, but did not reach it, and got none of the wealth
of the land.[253] Leif the Lucky first discovered Vinland, and then he
met some merchants in distress at sea, and by God's grace, saved their
lives; and he introduced Christianity into Greenland, and it flourished
so there that an Episcopal seat was set up in the place, called Gardar.
England and Scotland are an island, and yet each is a separate kingdom.
Ireland is a great island. These countries are all in that part of the
world called Europe.