The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-28
PORTO RICO.
It's Population, Chief Cities and Re
sources.

sources.
The island of Porto Rico is 8 1858
square miles in extent. It is 95 miles
long and 80 miles broad, and has a pop
ulat1on, according to the latest figures,
made in 1887. of s1S,937, of which more
than 300, 600 are negroes. There are 1877
miles of railway and about $50 miles of
wagon road. All other travelling and
transportation must be done by mules
and riding horses. There are 470 miles
OF telegraph lines and telephone sys-
TENS IN the principal cities. In 1895 the
total value of imports was $16,155, 056,
and of exports $14, 629, 1874 In 1887 the
United States sent imports to the is
land to the value of s., 1S1 ,024, and re-
ce1Ved exports valued at 81, 98S, 1888. In
1895 the exports to Spain were $5,423.-
$50, and there was received from Spain
$f,32S,960- There is a large tobacco crop
now growing which promises well.
The principal city is San Juan situa-
ted upon a small island connected with
the mainland by a bridge. At the other
end of it are the high cliffs which sup
port Ell MORO castle. The harbor en-
trance is one of great difficulty, except
under the most favorable conditions,
but broad and beautiful bay is con-
cea1ed beyond it. The city is a COM
plete walled town, with portcullis, n1oat,
gates and battlements. Although over
$50 years old, it is still in good condi-
ton.
Inside the walls the city is laid off in
regular squares, six parallel streets run
ming in the direction of the length of
the island and seven at right angles.
The houses are closely and cOmpactly
built of brick, usually of two stories,
succeed on the outside and painted in
a variety of coIors. The upper floors
are occupied by the more respectable
people, while the ground floors, almost
without exception, are given up to ne
groes and the poorer class, who crowd
upon one another in the most appalling
manner. The population within the
walls is estimated at 10000, and most
of it lives on the ground floor, where
everything reeks with filth, and cOndi-
tions are most unsanitary. The entire
population depends upon rain water
caught upon the fat roofs of the build
ings and conducted to the cistern, which
occupies the greater part of the inner
courtyard, while vaults occupy what
ever remaining space there may be in
the patiOs.
Epidemics are frequent, and the town
is alive with vernain, heas, cockroaches,
mosquitoes and dogs. The streets are
wider than in the older part of Havana,
and will admit two carriages abreast.
They are swept once a day by hand,
and are kept clean. The soil under the
city furnishes good natural drainage.
The trade wind blows strong and fresh,
and through the harbor runs a stream
of sea water at a speed of not less than
three miles an hour. With these condf-
lions, no conta giOus diseases, if proper
ly taken care of, could exist.
There are several small suburbs with
out the walled city, and the total popu-
lation was estimated at 10000 in 1896.
There is but little manufacturing. and
that of small Importance. The Stand
ard Oil company has small refinery
and there is an electric light plant The
climate is warm, and except for three
months agreeable. There are sudden
changes and much lung trouble, espec-
tally among the natives.
Ponce is the second city of import
ance. 1t is situated on the south coast,
about two miles from sea aboard, and. has
a population of about $4,000. It is the
\ Of fTn ffz1a 7717-
and the seat of an official chamber of
commerce. There is a Catholic church
and the only Protestant church in the
Spanish West Indies. The inhabitants
are principally in mercantile pursuits.
Its seaport is Playa, a town of 1000 in
habitants, where vessels of 25 feet draft
can be accommodated in the harbor.
This is said to be the healthiest spot
on the island.
Mayaguez, the third city, is situated
in the west part, facing Mona Chan
nell There are three manufactures Of
chocolate for local consumption. Sugar,
coffee, oranges, pineappleS and cocoa
nuts are exported large1y-aH, except
coffee, principally to the United States.
OF sugar the muscOvado goes to the
United States and the centrifugal to
Spain. Mayaguez is the second port for
coffee, the average annual export being
10000 hundred weights. About so, 900
bags of flour are imported into this
port every year from the United States.
The population is nearly 20, 0O0 the ma
JOIlLy Wn1I6- Inc climate IS 6XCelIenC,
never exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit
AguadilIa, in the northwest portion of
the island has 5000 inhabitants. In the
town are three esta bliShmentS for pre-
pairing coffee for expectation. The eli
mate is hot, but healthy.
Arecibo, with 1000 inha bitants, is sit
uated on the north coast. The harbor
is poor, being nothing more than an
open roadstead. Goods are conveyed on
the river to and from the town in fiat
bottOmed boats, with the aid of long
poles. At the bar of the river every
thing is again transferred into lighters
and thence to vessels.
Fajardo has population of 8,779. The
town is about one and one-quarter
miles from the bay. The only import
ant industry of the district is the man
ufacture of muscovado sugar. Shocks,
hickory hoops, pine boards and prOvis-
ions come from the United States in
considerable quantities. Sugar and mo-
lasses are exported, and occasionally
tortoise shell. The climate is temperate
and healthy.
Naguabo is a town of 1000 inhabi-
tants. The capital of the department.
HumacaO is nine miles distant, and has
4, 900 inha bitantS-the district cOmpriS-
ing more than Is, 000
Arroyo is a seaport of 1900 inhabi-
tants. The annual exports to the Uni
ted States average 1000 to 10000 hogs
heads of sugar, 1000 to 5000 casks of
nolasses and SO to $50 casks and barrels
of bay rum.