BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-11-14
Vast Mineral Wealth in Uindanao.

From official material compiled in the Di-
vision of Insular Affairs of the War Depart
ment. the following abstract has been.prepar.
ed cor cerning the Island OF Mindanao and
its Civil and Military Jurisdiction.
The island Of Mindsuao- occupies the
extreme southeastern corner Of the United
States possessions in Eastern Asia. The
Seutbe astern angle of the Treaty limits lies
but 1O2 (Naut.) In. e. 8. e. The interna-
tonal line Of boundary between the United
States and Dutch possessions crosses the
| B h parallel of Lat. but % m. 8. of the Sar.
augani group Of this island. The nearest
Dutch island is Arisga the most northern
Of Oarcaralong group 81 Nant m. due 8
of tie Saranganis Of Mindsnao in the Cele'
bes sea.
The mountain system, more or less affect
ed by volcanoes and earthquakes, has FOR
highest elevation, the volcano OF Apo,
l1C,3l2 it,, and MalindAng, $500 IT,, the
average OF the higher SUBMITS ranging be-
J tween 5000 and 5000. Its chief river, the
Pulaugui or Grande of Mindanao, in length
and volume is one OF the finest streams in
the Archipelago. The Agusan is another
large river. 1t has nine mountain lakes,
the largest 81 by II miles. There are also
q Iron and sulphur springs and Thermal
. waters. celebrated for their curative quail
lt,es. Its great bays are among the larges
L and best in the Philippines. Its great inter
: sea channels are lighted. While roads ar
scarce. it has ample means Of transportation
a along the coast or on its great rivers, wher
practically all the towns and villages ar
situated. Of the former, 124 range from
d ZOO to 1884 population. Of the latter
q | L.
Dinagat is 387 50. m. in area, about ] tn
size Of the state of Rhode Island. 1t ma
five other islands With an area from 9O
100 so. m. Its vegetable products excee
in variety and value those OF any OF To
other Islands. In the production of hemp
stands fifth, but with larger percentage
: product to population than elsewhere. Tt
famous spices OF the East grow wild an
luxuriantly, especially cloves, nutmegs, On
. cinnamon, with its valuable products, rlc
sugar cane, cotton, cabonegro, indigo, coffe
t,bacco, cocoanut, corn, sweet potatoes an
its mineral wealth is represented by va
S. liable deposits of coal, working mines
gold. and reported copper and platinum
il The mineral possibilities Of Mlndanao o
regarded as valuable.
Il In the production of hemp, Mindanao,
20 stated. ranks fifth in the Archipelago, Il
40 shipments being 52,974 pculs (137.9 o.
IS pounds Il picall. Among the other vege
u aSle products of special commercial vail
te are the famous spices of the East, includil
M nutmegs, cloves, and cinnamon and its VI
r u able product. Rice, sugar came, cotto
corn, hemp, tobacco, indigo. coffee, swee
be potatoes, cocoanut aad vegetables are al
grown.
o The minerals are gold, which the nativ
- in the N. use in trade, and coal, and artic
IN of small export. Sulphur, Copper al
-cl Platinum ara also reported. The provinc
al: of Missamis, Surigao and Ootabato a
III known for their mineral wealth. The forel
re are also valuable. The molave resembh
uS yellow pine, the valuable teak for shipbnil
1t ing, ebony for furi Sure making, junlp'
n and expresses exist in abundance. Cru
resin, war and honey producing trees q
medical and dye plants also yield largely.
..---i hi-to-.- nf th~ i"iand ia
teresting, there being 2OI species of birt
,lo among them the singular horn bill, parro
]lQ cockatoos, jungle fowls, hing fishers, pigeol
doves, among them the beautiful red spott
Puanlada, monkeys, deer, caguang
q combination of monkey and bat, wild no,
-, 'Tguanas" the giant lizard from 6 to z
aD in length, snakes, particularly the boa, a
crocodiles Of great size.
,es The fruit kingdom is also we'll represent
70 in the pineapple, mangosteen, sapo
~ banana, orange, lemon, etc.
at Large herds Of horses, cattle aud carabo
We are raised. Owing to the dominant Mohal
At medan religion there are but few dom,
10 tjcated hogs, although the forests abou
'"' in the wild variety. There is little wea
es ing of hemp and cotton fabrics, suficie
an for home use. The most important indust
ur is the production and shipment of hem
forest and sea products. The Edible Bir,
Nests 5alangane are gathered in lar
eS quantities from the caves along the Goa!
rfs of tha mainland and islanda