182 CUBA AND PORTO RICO 



its topographic position gives it fresh air. In this vi- 

 cinity a number of beautiful streams run in all directions 

 through fertile valleys, while the adjacent elevated moun- 

 tains are covered with coffee- and fruit-farms. 



Aibonito is one of the highest villages in the island, and 

 has a very refreshing temperature. The surrounding 

 country produces large quantities of excellent coffee. 



Rio Piedras, in a clay and limestone district, boasts a 

 resort known as La Convalecencia, which is frequented 

 by the governors-general. Caguas has beautiful pastures, 

 sugar-estates, and fruit-farms; also quarries of marble 

 and lime. Bayamon is proud of a fine iron bridge, a small 

 iron-factory, and a petroleum-refinery. Anasco, on a river 

 of the same name, has a large sugar-grinding plant, and 

 the fertile surrounding country produces large crops of 

 beans, vegetables, sugar, and coffee. Aguada, founded in 

 1511, also claims to be the most ancient village on the 

 island; the adjacent lands are of fine quality. Another 

 large sugar plant is situated at this village. 



Of the smaller towns and villages of Porto Rico little 

 can be said. They are numerous and scattered throughout 

 the island, each being the center of an agricultural com- 

 munity; each contains its plaza, church, administrative 

 building, and a few stores, together with the usual assem- 

 blage of lawyers, doctors, and other professional men, 

 including the escribaitos, or professional letter-writers for 

 the illiterate. There are also blacksmiths and wheel- 

 wrights. Few of these towns have hotels or other accom- 

 modations for the traveler. Private entertainment is so 

 customary and hospitable that the native always finds a 

 friend who gladly entertains him. 



ISLANDS ATTACHED TO THE GOVERNMENT OF PORTO RICO 



There are three small islands adjacent to Porto Rico, 

 which constitute parts of its political organization. These 

 are Mona, on the west, and Culebra and Vieques, on the 



