Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875 edition. Excerpt: ...sq. m. Pop. 4,214,000. Position.--The West Indies is the general name given to the great archipelago lying between North and South America, and inclosing the Caribbean Sea. It includes three principal groups, " nan ely: the Bahama. Islands," the Greater Antilles, and-the Lesser Antilles. The Greater Antilles are Cubaj Hayti, Jamaica, and Porto Rico. Characteristics.--1. SuRFACE.-rThe Greater and Lesser Antilles are high and inountainoiisjjuid contain several active volcanoes. 'mt The Bahama Islands are quite fla.Btid arc only from six to ten feet above the level of.'the seBKThey.are the highest portions of a vast batik: irf-coral rock which rises, with nearly perpendicular Ride's, froa ibe bottom of the sea. 2.1 Minerals.--TriBrireate Antilles, have tensive coal lids andKipper.miqMaud snmll quantities of gold, iron, and lead. TB other islands ive iio minerals of importance. The frk Islands, 1 the Bahamas, are famous for the production of salt from sea-water. 3. ffflp CmiAirE is tropical, with an abifndance of rain during the summer months, and the vegetation luxuriant. 4. The 1?roduction6 include sugar, coffee, tobacco, indigo, cotton, corn, ginger, and all-spice; and a great variety of delicioUsgfi'uit8. These; with rum, timber and dye-stuffs, are largely "erported, both to Europe and the United States. Thanana, bread-fruit, and yam form a large portion of the fjM of the fcule. The-manioc, from the rooof which tapioca is inadofl also cultivated. Cities.--Havan on thdwhern coast of luba, is the most populous city and chief commercunbtre of the West Indies, and is one of the greatest sugar markets of tfe world. Next-in population and commercial importance are Santiago and Matanzas, irrT?upa; and Kingston, in...