Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-11
NICARAGUA.
Nation the Size of New York State
Has Population of But 100000.

Everybody seems to be asking, in view
or present developments, what exactly,
is Nicaragua how large is it, what are
its resources, commerce and climate?
Some interesting comparisons and facts,
prepared by international Bureau of
American Republics, will help to answer
these pertinent natural questions.
There is only four square miles differ
ence between the area of Nicaragua and
the State of New York. Take Connecti-
cut out of New England, and Nicaragua
would cover the rest of it. 1t is approx
mately half the size of the State of
Washington. To be exact it covers 49,
200 square miles, which is larger than
Holland, Belgium and Denmark COM
bined. 1t has a remarkable extent of
coast line on two oceans On the Carfb-
bean, it reaches nearly 800 miles due
north and south; on the Pacific, it ex-
tends 225 miles. It's greatest width is 215
miles, or approximately the distance
from Chicago to the Mississippi River.
1t has the smallest population of any
Central American country but is cores
pondingly capable of great material de-
veiopment. There are only about 100000
people within it's limits. 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 industry of this section is the
growing Of bananas which We're shipped
| in 1908 to the number of 1900 900 punches,
valued at so cents a bunch. The principal
town here is Bluefelds, little south of
| the center, having 5000 inhabitants. 1t is
1885 miles from New Orleans and 80
miles from Colon. The only other inn
| portant places on tbs east coast are
Greytown, 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
| Dos, at the northern point. with only
| 100 people. On the populated Pacific
slope the chief cities are Leon. the his
| toric and interesting old capital, with
| 60, 900 inhabitants; Managua, the present
capital with 10000: Matagalpa. with &c.,
900: Granada, with 1900; and several
other towns of from 5000 to 10000. The
principal port on the Pacific side is Cor
into, near the northern end, with only
| about 1000 people. At the southern end
| is the harbor of San Juan del Sur.
There is one railroad in Nicaragua
which starts at Corinto and runs to
| Managua and thence across to Granada
| on Lake Nicaragua, which is the largest
| inland body of water in all Latin Amer
erica. If one wishes to go to Nicaragua,
/ he can take steamers on the Atlantic
| side from New York, New Orleans or
| Mobile. Going by Pacific he will take
| steamers from San Francisco 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 Cornto. or
| by steamer from New Orleans direct to
| Bluefields. The latter journey generally
takes about four days. If, however, one
| lands on the east coast, it is practically
| impossible to go to the west coast on ac-
| count of the lack of railroads and other
| facilities. A common way to go to
| the west coast is via Panama and the
| Pacific side.
The total value of the foreign trade of
| Nicaragua in 1908 amounted to s., SOC, 600
of which exports were $4,5o0,000 and i'm
ports $3,0O0O0O. Nicaragua bought from
the United States textiles, clothing, ma
chinery. etc, valued at Sl,5oOOW. She
sold to the United States. bananas, coffee,
rubber, mahogany, cattle, hides, etc, val
ued at sl,050000.
Nicaragua has president, Cabinet
with five ministers or secretaries, thir-
teen departments or states, and five divi-
sions like our territories. Its National,
Assembly consists of only one chamber
which is now in session.
Lying between 10 degrees 45 minutes
and II degrees So minutes north latitude.
and between So degrees II minutes and 81
degrees 40 minutes west longitude, It is
located all within the tropics, but it has
considerable variety of climate. AL
though the east coast is low-lying and
| very warm, the central and western sec
| tions are in parts so mountainous and ele-
waited that the temperature never reaches
a high point and the climate can be con-
sidered salubrious. The western section,
| in which the greater part of the popula-
ton is located has such a varying lati-
tude, and the country is so broken with
lakes and So close to the sea- that it is
| not by any means as hot as it would APP
! pear to be on the man.