a triangular island, three hundred and fifty miles in length from north to south, and two hundred miles in breadth at the base from east to west; situated in North America, between 55° and 61° of west longitude, and between 47° and 52° of north latitude; bounded by the narrow straights of Belleisle on the north, by the Atlantic ocean on the east and south, and by the bay of St. Lawrence on the west. It is subject to England; but the fishing banks on this coast are frequented by most European nations.