The Excellence of the Western Lands

It is famous throughout the world that all rites, music, legal systems, writing, and classical texts originated here, serving as the fountainhead of the Western lands Xītǔ; a term used by 17th-century Jesuits to refer to Europe and the Mediterranean world. Even today, sacred scriptures still follow the scripts derived from this place. Sages, scholars, and those who "investigate things and exhaust principles" bówù qiónglǐ; a Chinese translation for natural philosophy and science have followed one another in an unbroken line throughout history.

However, the region has now been disrupted by the "Huihui" original: 回回 (Huíhuí); here referring to the Ottoman Turks or the spread of Islamic rule, and it has gradually declined from its former glory. The people there enjoy drinking but do not eat the flesh of aquatic creatures This likely refers to specific religious fasting traditions or local dietary taboos observed by the Jesuits; they are also very fond of fine wine.

Rumelia

original: 羅馬泥亞 (Luómǎníyà); a transcription of Romania, the name then used for the Ottoman Balkan territories or Rumelia

To the northeast lies the land of Rumelia. Its capital city Likely referring to Constantinople/Istanbul is surrounded by three layers of walls and possesses an extremely large population. The suburban residential areas stretch continuously for 250 li a Chinese unit of distance, roughly half a kilometer.

Within the city, there is a Temple of the Holy Virgin original: 聖女殿 (Shèngnǚ Diàn); likely referring to the Parthenon in Athens or the Hagia Sophia, described with legendary features with 360 doors to symbolize the degrees of the celestial circle. Nearby, there is a high mountain named Mount Olympus original: 阿零薄 (Ālíngbó). Its peak remains clear and bright throughout the year, completely free of wind or rain. In ancient times, the kings would climb the mountain to perform burnt offerings; the ashes would remain undisturbed, exactly as they were, until the following year A classical legend recorded by ancient geographers to illustrate the height and stillness of the air above the clouds.

There are two notable rivers: one is named the Axios original: 亞施亞 (Yàshīyà); it is said that if white sheep drink from it, they turn black. The other is named the Amanus original: 亞馬諾 (Yàmǎnuò); if black sheep drink from it, they turn white.

There are also two islands; one is Euboea original: 厄歐白亞 (È'ōubáiyà), where the sea tides each day The text cuts off here; Euboea was famous in antiquity for the irregular currents of the Euripus Strait...