The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
PortoRico
Fertile and
Healthy


The ihAnd Of Puerto Rico Is the
emaller Of SPANS two remaining colo
mics In West Indian waters. 1t lios 80
miles T. the east Of Haiti, and close be-
side tito the westward lies the group
comprising tho Virgih islands. Puerto
Rico's g6He}al shape Is that Of paral-
telegram. lts length Is l0e miles and its
breadth ip its widest part is 87 A
range Of Hills traverses the islaod from
east to west some distance from the
eouther4 coast. These hills--the high
est, El Ypnque, being 3, 900 feet high
intercept the northeast trade winds, and
the northern lowlands have oftentimes
an overabundant supply of water, while
severe droughts often are experienced in
the south, making It necessary to have
recourse to artificial irrigation. In gen.
eral. however, the island Is well water.
ed. The coast line is indented with
many bays ana uteeks, several Of which
can be used BY ships of heavy burden
In accordance with the situation of the
mountain chain, the rivers which how
toward the northern coast are longer
and deeper than those ON the opposite
side and several of the former allow
coasting vessels to enter FIVE or six miles
The climate Of Puerto Rico Is sup
posed to be less unhealthy for Europeans
than In most Of the Antilles, and the
heat, even il the months of summer, is
not so severe as in other parts Of the
West Indies. The lack Of good roads
and Of bridges in many parts Of the is
land has been one cause of the failure
of the island to develop its real value
as a producer Of agricultural products
In late years, however, the government
has done much to increase the islands
resources. Gold, coal, copper, iron and
salt are found, but the last alone is
mined. Sugar and coffee are the staple
products, the former being grown for
the most part on the southern coast. On
the fertile plains to the north Of the
hills tobacco, cotton, maize and tropical
fruits grow readily. Rice, the principal
food, is mountain variety, needing
little rain. Much Of the tobacco is sent
to Havana for manufacture. The noun
tains are coyered with forests which
yield valuable dyes and hard woods for
export.
Cattle raising is another profitable in
dustry to the Inhabitants, and the pas
ture lands in the north and east are su-
perior to any others in the West Indies.
A large traffic has been carried on with
the neighboring French, English and
Danish possessions Exports of various
kinds, which in 1850 amounted to about
1900, 900, had in 1891 reached a to-
tai Of nearly s17, 600, 900.
Seven departments, each under the
command Of Spanish colonel, make
up the island. Bayamon, III which is
San Juan, the capital, Arecibo and
Aguadilla are ON the northern side of
the range. Mayaguez covers the south
vest part, Popce and Guyana are ON
the southern side, and the eastern part
is taken up with Humacao. The island
pf Bieque. to the east. makes an eighth
department, which Is used as military
penal station. The population of the is
land-which in 1880 was only 319, 900
Numbered 754, 313, Of whom 324, $40
were colored. The total population at
present numbers about 900, 600. The
people Of European origin are Spaniards,
Germans, Swedes, Danes, Russians,
Frenchmen and Chuetas, or descendants
Of the Moorish Jews of Majorca. There
are also some Chinese The small land
holders in the country districts are call
ed gibaros and are Of Spanish origin.
modified by Indian blood
San Juan, the capital and chief sea-
port, lies on Morro island, on the north
\oast, and is connected with the main
land by bridges The ground rises to-
ward the ocean in low hills, and the
city lies directly behind the highest one
at the harbor's entrance. Fortifications,
some Of them Of an obsolete type, pro-
tect the city from an attack ON the
land side, while on the bluffs front
ing the ocean new batteries Of Krupp
guns are said to have been placed,
from which q plunging fire can be
directed on approaching vessels The
channel at the eastern end Of the
island has depth Of only u fathoms,
but two batteries have been mounted
here to prevent the landing Of troops for
shore attack. The bay is OF an oval
shape and admits ships Of heavy ton
mage. Opposite Morro Castle, where the
new guns are said to have been mounted,
lies Carras island, but 1t is not known
whether this has also been fortified. The
chart shows small fort, apparently
floating battery, just behind Carras at
the bays mouth.
In the old fort Of Santa Catalina are
the governors palace and a cathedral,
q town house, q theater and an old palace
built by Ponce de Leon are among the
sights of the town. It has population
of about $4,000. Ponce, on the south
coast, has population Of about 40 oo0
Private houses are built Of wood, and
only the government buildings are con-
structed Of brick and stone. There are
town hall, q public hospital and an
English Episcopal church In the city,