A fertile soil, a hot and unhealthy climate in summer, and a pleasant
and healthful winter, is common to all the West India Islands. Being
situated in the torrid zone, they produce most of the tropical fruits,
spices, &c. viz. indigo, coffee, cinnamon, cocoa, cloves, pine-apples,
pomegranates, oranges, lemons, limes, figs, &c.
Cuba, 700 miles long, is the largest, and belongs to Spain; its
capital, Havanna, is a place of much commerce. St. Domingo, or Hayti,
is next in size. In this island the black population have established
an independent government, and their chief magistrate is called the
President of Hayti. Jamaica is a prominent island, highly cultivated,
belonging to Great Britain; its chief town is Kingston.
Guadaloupe and Barbadoes are the principal of the Caribbee Islands.
Hurricanes are common in these fertile islands.