  We present the first section of a radio continuum and polarization survey at
medium Galactic latitudes carried out with the Effelsberg 100-m telescope at
1.4 GHz. Four large fields have been observed, which all together cover an area
of about 1100 square degree. The rms-sensitivity is about 15 mK TB (about 7
mJy/beam area) in total intensity and is limited by confusion. A sensitivity of
8 mK TB is obtained in linear polarization. The angular resolution of the
observations is 9.35 arcminute. The maps in total intensity and linear
polarization have been absolutely calibrated by low resolution data where
available. Significant linear polarization is seen in all the maps. In general,
the intensity fluctuations measured in linear polarization are not correlated
with total intensity structures. Areas of high polarization of some degrees
extent are seen, again with no apparent corresponding total intensity feature.
Modulation of polarized background emission by spatially varying Faraday
rotation seems the most likely explanation. Quite unexpected is the detection
of filamentary and ring-like depolarization structures in the direction of the
anticentre region, whose extents are up to about 3 degree.
