The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-09-24
EUEM1 S A.
rts Geographical Situation and Con-
ditson-SketchO of Its History.
From the Sacramento Union.

Formosa. the scene of the present
difficulties between the Chinese and Jap
auese Governments. Is an island OF | 3, 900
so uare miles in the China Sea, between
% deg. and 25 deg. 50 min. ~, and long
I2O deg. go min and 122 deg. Il. 1t Is
about 245 miles long, and 100 Wide at
its broadcast part. The whole coast OF
island facing the mainland, and con-
siderable distance inland. belongs to
China. and forms part of the province ot
Eoaien, from which it is distant 80 miles:
The remainder of the island Is occnpIed
bv Ahorgines. A ridge OF snow covered
volcanic mountains, called Muh han
Shan. the highest Summi.s OF which are
~ 600 feet above the leyel of the sea,
intersects the island from north TO south.
The dec,iyities are clothed with luyuriact
trees and pasture grounds, which give
the island a very beautiful appearance,
from whence it derived its Portuguese
name, siguifying beautiful. On the
West side of the island nun Der or moup-
kaiu streams rue down to the sea, the
soil on the mountain slopes Is extremely
fertile and well cultivated. The trade in
rice, which is of superior quality. between
Forinosa and the main land, employ
about 800 vessels Wheat, mlllet, maze,
sugar-cane. oranges. piaeappies, guavas,
Socoanuts, arecaDuts, peaches, apricots,
figs. grapes, pOmegranates, cnestnuts,
xoelons. and vegetables of various GlnuS
are also grown in large QUANTITIES.: In
addition TO rice, camphor, salt, sulphur
fruIts. timber. and other products are
ernorted from the island The commerce
of Formosa is confined chiefly to FoSlen,
and few other eastern provinces or Chi
ma, from which it imports green tea, raw
sijk, and wooden and cotton stubs. The
domestic animals of the island are buffa.
loes horses, asses, goats, sheep, hogs and
cattle, and the eastern part Is sald TO be
infested with tigers, leopards, and wolves.
In lS48 large area of coal OF excellent
quality was discovered near the village OF
KilIcn. in the northeastern part OF the
island. The aborigIues, who are slenoeriy
shaped. and of olive complexion, wear
long hair and blacken their teeth. They
are divided into different tribes, have
no written language. and are said to be
honest in their dealings. bnt revengeful
vhen provoked The Chinese portion OF
the island is divided into 4 districts. and
the capital is named Tai-wan-foo. The
Chinese did not know of the existence OF
Forrnosa until the year l403, aud their
authority over it was not esta blished un-
I'll the wear 1883 since which time 1t
has progressed satisfactorily under their
yule. Large quantities of land have
been purchased by spectators, who en-
coursge emigration from the mainland.
and offer considerable inducements to
settlers The wealthy colonists are dis
satisfied With the Chinese Government,
to which they are fruitful source of un-
easiness from the frequency OF their re-
volts Literature fnuri>hes or the island;
.na manv of the residents of FOkien send
their sons thither to be educated The
southern channel is remarkable forts
violent winds and heavy seas. The Dutch
became masters of the island IN 1862,
but were expelled by the famous pirate
Coxinga, whose followers ruled until the
Chinese gained possession. The climate
of Formosa is salubrious, and its popula-
sion isestilnated at 2, 500, 600.