Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-01-23
JAMAICA HAS
 STORMY HISTORY Island of Strategic Value Often Swept by Fire, Wind and Earthquakes.
HAPPENINGS
SOME
Being in Direct Track of Vessels be- tween Europe and America. Ii Fur nishes Advantages and Con'en- fences for Trade-NegOres There.


 The closest point of the con- | tinent of America to Jamaica, the scene of the recent earthquake. is Cape Garcas a Dios, in the Mosquito Territory, which is 310 miles south west of the west end of Jamaica.
 The island of Jamaica is about 1000 miles to the southwest of England, 100 miles west of Santo Domingo, and 90 miles south of Cuba, 445 miles north of Cartha- gena, and $40 miles from Colon The island is bounded on the north and east by that part of the Car ibbean sea, which separates the isl and of Cuba and Santo Domingo from Jamaica, and which at the northeastern part is called ''The Windward Passage" the waters of which mingle with those of the Att west of Jamaica is washed by the Caribbean sea.
 Centrally Situated.
 From it's central situation as re- gards the other West Indian islands and the fact of it's being in the di- rect track between Europe and the United States and the isthmus of Panama, Jamaica furnishes ad- vantage and convenience for trade which are not to be found else where The completion of the Panama canal will undoubtedly make the island one of great stra- getic importance upon the new trade route.
 The extreme length of Jamaica is 144 miles, its greatest width is 49 miles, and it's least width, from Kingston to Annotto Bay is 21 1-2 miles. The island is divided into three counties and fourteen parishes giving total of 4,2O7 1-6 square miles, equal to 2,692,5S7 acres, of which only GAG square miles are flat, consisting of alluvium, mari and swamps.
 Few Whites There.
 There are about 46,0O0 people in Kingston, most of whom are ne- groes. There are only about 15,- 900 whites in the whole island of Jamaica, which has population of 800, 1000.
 Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, is the largest and most important commercial town in the British West Indies. It covered with it's suburbs an area of about 1,0SO acres. The land on which Kings ton stood had a general slope to the sea, and must have originally had uniformly smooth surface, but in consequence of neglect in permitting. flood waters to flow down north and south streets, they were so worn as to be much below the general level.
 King street, running north and south. was originally the center o1 the town Queen street was the center running east and west. At the intersection of King an6 Queen streets a plaza, or parade ground, was reserved. forming a square of ten acres in the center of the town. This was formerl! used as market space and parade ground for the troops and militia but was afterward converted b! the government into a garden. Many Public Buildings.
 Among the principal buildings O the city were a theater, tn, Colonial bank, insane asylum. pub lie hospital general penitentiary Mico institution, town hall. Insti tute of Jamaica. and the Jamaic; Club. Among the places of worship were the Parish church, Coll, chapel, St. Michae1s church ani Holy Trinity Catholic church. Ther was also fine synagogue at tn corner of Charles and Duke streets
 Lines of steamers touched a Kingston regularly, keeping II communication with the Unite
 States, England, and Europe. Tn
 harbor admits the largest vessels
 The shipping of tAa port in 1S9
 amounted to 640,0GO tons. The city of Kingston was one C
 the most flourishing commercis island points of any of the Yves !. Indies, enjoying large business i . sugar and fruits. The banana e,
 ports were estimated at $5.OOO. .00
 annually.