Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-09-22

uIdT.
The most extensive island Of the
1900 that are strewn around the
Cuban seaboard is the Isle de Pinos
(,sle of Pines), which indeed Is
nearly as large as all OF the others
put together. In the statements OF
SPANS possessions, made by official
sources it always has place to 1t
self The island, which lies 80 miles
of the southwest coast Of Cuba, con-
sists really of two islands, separated
by tortuous passage, half-channel,
half-swamp, which winds at q nearly
uniform width for about three miles
from west to east. From east to
length, and from north 10 south its
breadth is 55 miles, the area being
GOO square miles. 1t Is beautiful
island, with excellent harbors, lofty
mountains. fertile plains and many
rivers. In it's center is a mountain
known as the Sierra DIES la Canada,
rising ab5ut 1900 feet above the level
of the sea, and with precipices 100
feet in height. There are also
Dauguilla mountain, $500 feet in
height; the Sierra de los Cabelios.
1,074 feet high, and several other
smaller peaks. At the base of these
mountains are quarries, from which
beautiful marble may be extracted,
although they have been worked t.
but slight extent. Though the
rivers are shallow, several are navig-
able for four or five miles, their main
advantage being that they keep the
island we'll watered The principal
tar, but there are also mines fr}
which silver, quicksilver and iron
are extracted.
The climate Of the island is mild
and healthy all the year, and few
present a better chance for settlers,
and yet it has only a population of
about 1000. The Isla de Pinos has
always been regarded as Deepen
dency of Havana and would probably
be claimed by the Cuban govern
ment.
Between Porto Rico and the Virgin
islands there is a group called the
Passage islands, which will come
into our possession. The 7argest and
most important of the group is Vie
cues or Crob island, lying nine miles
off Porto Rico, and which Is eighteen
miles long by four broad. The
soil is not good. there beng indeed
but little dirt on the. barren rocks
A ridge of small hills runs through
the middle, rising to good height at
the southwest end of the island.
Isabel Segunda on the north side is
the solitary village and there live
fishermen. The harbor Is good, for
there are numerous bays, and at one
time Viques was the resort OF
pirates who preyed upon the rich
commerce of the West Indies.
The principal village on Viques is
Port Mula, where live 1000 inhabi-
tants, under the direction Of COVER
nor appointed by the governor gem
eral of Porto Rico. A lighthouse
stands at this port.
Fishermen and woodcutters to the
number tf about 500 make their home
on Culebra, the second largest island
in the Passage group. Culebra lies
about l6 miles t. the eastward OF
Cape San Juan. Because Of it's irregu-
lar outline and broken, steep shore
the island is also sometimes known
as Serpent island. Like Viques, its
coast is indented with many bays
which afford excellent harbors. There
are many small hills, thai are covered
with scrub timber, but the soil is so
sterile compared with the fertility OF
Porto Rico that no attempt is made
to cultivate it on an extensive scale
and the 1900 Inhabitants suppor
themselves by fishing an gathering
wood.
The other stands IN this group are
OF even iesS importance. They are
mall keys like those off the Florida
coast, and few are inhabited. North
east Key, is four square miles in area
and remarkably rocky. Near by
are other small islets that are also
wooded, but the dwelling place OF
fishermen.
On Cu,ebrita island, or Little
Gu ebra, which lies about a NILE from
Culebra. is lighthou e whose light,
at an elevation Ct m7re than 300
feet, can be seen for Is miles
Two other islands worthy of men
ton are at the western extremity Of
y rto Rico. These are Mona and
Monita islands. Mona is near the
Mayaguez inlet. and gives its name
to the broad channels flowing be-
tween Porto Rico and San DINING.
Mona, that is Monkey" Passage,
terminates on the west in a bold
headland topped by huge over
hanging r, ok known to seam by
the suggestive name OF Cairo o No
Caigo?" (Shall l fall or notD Near
Mona is the islet known as Monito. or
Little Monkey.
In their present condition none Of
these icIaDdS 10 Of any imnortance