Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-04-08
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
DR.. EDw0RDS GIVES GEOGRAPHICAL DES.
CRIPTION OF ISLANDS.
Group is Over One thousand Miles Long.
and Contains 127.S53 Square Miles Of
Land. The Volcanoes. Rivers.
People and Climate.

Manila, p. l., April AT the risk
of telling my readers something they
already know, am going to give
little idea of the Philippine Islands,
in this letter, so far as their topo-
graphy is concerned. There are three
thousand one hundred and forty
islands that are recorded, and numer-
ous little ones scattered between. in
the Philippine group. This fringe of
islands lies along the coast of China
of which mainland it once formed a
part. The group extends little over
sixteen degrees Of latitude, distance
of /, ,152 miles from the most northern
to the most southern point in the
group. Few people realize the COM
paratively large land area of the
Philippines. The aggregate soil area
is 1877. 853 miles, or almost as large as
the state of California. They are
nearly twice as large as New York,
New Jersey. Pennsylvania and Della
ware together. They are 1000 square
miles larger than the British isles.
There are many active volcanoes on
the islands, and many more that are
dormant OF the twenty active ones
the most interesting one is Taal. in
the Batangas province. Luzon. The
mountain rises precipitously from the
midst of a fresh water lake to
height of 1850 feet The last violent
eruption of this volcano was in 1878.
but it is constantly smoking and
grumbling, and earthquakes are shak-
ing the country at its base all the
time.
Mindanao and Luzon are by far the
largest islands in the group. These
islands are respectively 46,72 and
A, 235 square miles. and the next in
size drops away down. 1t is Samar.
which contains but 5. .448 square miles.
The islands run down in area to small
islands of sometimes less than one
square mile in exent. All of the
islands and in numerous instances,
especially in Lazon and Hindanaa.
the mountains are rugged and pictures
que to surprising degree. Numer-
Gus water courses. verging into large
streams. come down from the many
springs in the mountains, forming
means of intercourse through .
country that is virtually shut ont
because Of dense tropical under
growth.
The islands abound in mineral
springs. which have been known for
generations for their medicinal and
curative qualities. Their waters are
of all temperatures. from cold TO
boiling. Los Banos, in Laguna
province. island Of Luzon, is the most
famous resort in the Philippines, and
is visited by thousands. 1t is but
thirty-five miles from Manila.
The popularity of the rivers is their
great volume in comparison to their
length. The abundant precipitation
and many springs of the islands cause
heavy water flow, and the streams are
broad and deep. but very short. The
largest river on the island is the Rio
Grande de Mindanao. which drains
the great central basin of the island
Of Mindanao. 1t is ITO miles long
and is navigable for 40 miles. On
the island of Luzon is the river
Cagayan, draining larger area but
is less in volume. 1t is navigable for
300 miles by very light draft boats.
There are other large rivers on the
islands. but all Of them are short.
Living on these islands are between
seven and eight million people. OF
these more than seven-eighths are
Christians. being devoted to the
Catholic religion. There are large
numbers of Mohammedans in the
southern islands Of the group, and in
the high mountains and dense forests
are many savage tribes, having not the
least idea of civilization. The more
civilized people. embracing both
Christians and Mohammedans. live on
the coast and in the great valleys.
The bulk of the population is of
Malay origin but they have numerous
distinct dialects and languages 1t is
said that in no region of equal area on
earth are so many tongues spoken as
in the Philippines.
The Philippines are entirely in the
tropics, yet the climate is varied,
ranging from the humid of the lower
attitudes to the cool, and even cold.
of the higher portions of the noun
tain regions. There are always cool
nights all over the islands, and while
it seems excessively hot in certain
seasons. no case of sunstroke was ever
known here. During the rainy season
violent storms occur accompanied by
terrific hurricanes. and at all times
keep one trembling with
fear if he be unaccustomed to them.