The Oskaloosa herald., 1909-12-16
CONCERNING NICARAGUA.

Everybody seems to be asking, in
view of the present Developments,
what, exactly, is Nicaragua, how large
is it, what are it's resources, commerce
and climate? Some interesting COM
parsons and facts, prepared by the
International Bureau of American re-
publics. will help to answer these per-
tinent natural questions. a-
There is only four square miles diff,
ference between the area of Nicara-
qua and t':a state of New York. Take
Connecticut out of New England and
Nicaragua would cover the rest of it..
1t is approximately half the size of
the state of Washington. To be exT
act, it covers d 1920 d. square miles,
which. is larger than Holland, Belgium
and Denmark combined. 1t has re-
markable extent of coast line on two
oceans. On the Caribbean, it reaches
nearly 800 miles due north and south; ;
on the Pacific, it extends 225 miles.
Its greatest width is 275 miles, or
approximately the distance from Chi
cago to the Mississippi river.
1t has the smallest population of
any Central American country, but is
CORRESPONDENCE capable of great ma
terial development. There are only
about 100000 people within its linn
its. OF these, five-sixths are upon the
western or Pacific side. The eastern
or Caribbean shore lies low and is
drained by many rivers. The only IN
dustry of this section is the growing
of bananas which were shipped in
1908 to the number of 100000
punches. valued al. 80 cents bunch.
The principal .townnhere is Bluefields,
a little south of the center, having
5000 inhabitants. 1t is 1856 miles
from New Orleans and 80 miles from
Coon. The only important places on
this east coast are Grey town, at the
southern point, with 1000 inhabitants
near the mouth of the San Juan river,
which was to have been the course Of
the Isthmian Canal if built through
Nicaragua, and Cape Gracias Dios,
at the northern point, with only 1900
people. On the populated slope the
chief cities are Leon, the historic and
interesting old capital, with 10000 in
habitants; Managua, the present cap
tai, with 10000; Matagalpa, with 49,
90; Granada, with 10000; and several
otacr towns Of from 5000 to 10000.
The principal port on the Pacific side
is Corinto, near the northern end,
with only about 1000 people. At the
southern end is the harbor of San
Juan del Sur.
Their is one railroad in Nicaragua
which starts at Corinto and runs to
Managua and thence across to Gran
ada on Lake Nicaragua, which is the
largest island body OF water in all
America. If one wishes to go to Nj
caragua he can take steamers. on the
Atlantic side from New York, New
orleans or Mobile Going by Pacific
he win take steamers from San Fran
cisco or from coast points of other
countries. Perhaps the quickest way
to reach it today is either through
Mexico by rail and by steamer from
Salina Cruz to Corinto, or by steam
er from New Orleans direct to Blue
fields. The latter journey generally
takes about four days In all. II,
however, one lands on the east coast
1t is practically impossible 10 go to
the west coast on account OF the lack
of railroads and other facilities. A
common way to 60 to the west coast
is via Panama and the Pacific side.
The total value of the foreign trade
of Nicaragua in 1908 amounted to ST.
100000, of which exports were 81
100000. and imports $3,O00,000. Nj
caragua bought from the United
States textiles. clothing, machinery,
ete.,ivalued, at lstSg0, 600. She sold 10
the, Unitedn Statessn bananas, y coffee.
rubbers mahogany. cattle. hides etc,
valued at 81 100000. n 3anstll
, Nicaragus hasa pfesfdentsia cabinet
with Eve Ministers or secretaries, ff,ir-