CUBA. K[=u]'ba.
A Spanish colony in the West Indies. Area, 43,220 square miles. Population,
1,521,684; 50 per cent. of the inhabitants are blacks and enfranchised
slaves. The greatest length of the island is 760 miles; width varies from
20 to 135 miles; coast line about 2,000 miles. Surface is broken by a
mountain chain running through its centre from east to west; average
altitude of summit is between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. Pico de Turquino, 7,670
feet, is the highest peak. There are over 260 rivers, all valueless for
navigation purposes, except the Canto. Mineral springs abound.
But little attention has been paid to the development of the mineral
wealth. Gold was obtained by the early colonists, but for two centuries
comparatively none has been found. There are extensive copper mines, and
coal is abundant. Copperas and alum have also been obtained.
Rainfall at Havana: in the wet season, 27.8 inches; dry season, 12.7
inches. Average temperature: at Havana, 77deg; at Santiago de Cuba, 80deg.
Yellow fever and earthquakes are frequent.
Thirteen million acres of Cuban territory are uncleared forests; 7,000,000
wild and uncultivated. Principal woods grown and exported are mahogany,
rosewood, Cuban ebony, and cedar.
Tobacco and sugar raising principal occupation of the people. Many sugar
plantations comprise 10,000 acres each.
Two crops of Indian corn grown per year; rice, cotton, cacao and indigo
also produced; most tropical fruits are abundant. Sugar product averages
520,000 tons per year; molasses, 79,365 hogsheads. Total value of
agricultural products over $90,000,000. United States receives 80 per cent.
of Cuban sugar. No manufactures deserving mention.
Latest reports give exports of cigars 225,000,000 per annum; leaf tobacco,
13,500,000 pounds. There are about 900 miles of railway. Marine cable
connects Cuba with Florida.
Roman Catholicism is the only religion tolerated. Education compulsory;
school attendance, 34,813.
Havana is the capital; Pop., 25,000. Government administered by a Captain
General, appointed by the Spanish Crown. The island is now represented in
the Spanish Cortes, Madrid.
PORTO RICO. P[=o]r'to Ree'ko.
The smallest of the Greater Antilles. Area, including dependencies, 3,550
square miles. Population, 754,313. Rectangular in shape; length, 100 miles;
breadth, 40 miles. A range of mountains extends across the island from east
to west; highest peak, 3,678 feet.
The island is very fertile; its principal products are sugar cane, coffee,
tobacco, cotton, rice and Indian corn. In proportion to its area, it
produces more sugar than any other West India island.
Government is administered under a constitution granted by the Spanish
Cortes, 1869. Slavery was abolished in 1873. Capital, San Juan; pop. about
27,000. Climate warm; more healthful than that of the other Antilles.
Destructive hurricanes are frequent. The natural productions are very
numerous; medicinal plants and many valuable woods, as mahogany, ebony,
logwood, and cedar, abound in the forests. Business in the hands of
foreigners. Imports, 1871, $17,500,000; exports $15,500,000. Export of
sugar, 111,084 tons; molasses, 7,590,915 gallons.
Telegraphic cable connects Porto Rico with other West Indies; telegraph
lines connect the principal towns; there are no railroads. {180}
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