Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms

...[Lord] Continuing from the previous page's mention of churches/temples, and accommodates over five thousand travelers and poor residents. Its grand hall Likely referring to the Berlin City Palace or a major cathedral measures forty-six zhang in length and twenty-seven zhang in width, with a reported height of one thousand zhang The figure of "one thousand zhang"—over 3,000 meters—is almost certainly an error or extreme hyperbole in the original text, likely meant to convey a sense of great height; its ancient appearance is majestic and towering. Its military bureau is well-stocked with cannons and weaponry. Within its academy The University of Berlin, founded in 1810, there are more than 1,600 scholars. Its porcelain factory is famous, and the residents' production of silk, cloth, and various goods is the most celebrated and outstanding among the Western nations. Merchants and travelers journey from ten thousand li away to trade there.

Another province is the Pomerania Department original: 陂墨隣部 (Beimolin Bu), which covers an area of 36,000 square li and has a population of 900,000 people. The Oder River original: 阿得河 (Ade He) flows through the region and empties into the Baltic Sea original: 巴得海 (Bade Hai). The coastline is very low and features sand dunes where amber original: 琥珀 (hupo) is occasionally found. The southern fields are rich and fertile, while the rest of the land is mostly sandy, producing timber, hemp, and the five grains five grains: a traditional Chinese category for staple crops like wheat, rice, and millet. Merchant ships enter and exit the river mouth in a constant stream. Literature and learning flourish among the inhabitants.

The provincial capital, Stettin original: 士得丁 (Shideding); modern-day Szczecin, is situated on the riverbank. It has a population of 27,000 people and possesses 160 merchant ships of its own. Its outskirts extend to the great sea mouth called Swinemünde original: 瑞隱口 (Ruiyin Kou), where large ships depart...