Notes on Central America 



273 



Outline Map of Central America 



Surveys have been made for a railroad 

 line to Matagalpa, in the center of the 

 cofifee district, where there are many 

 Americans. From this line branches to 

 the Rio Grande, Prinzapolka, and other 

 districts are to be built. 



For the encouragement of immigra- 

 tion, in addition to the railroads, the gov- 

 ernment is giving considerable attention 

 to the improvement of the highways. 

 This is in pursuance of the policy of 

 opening up the interior. A recent offi- 

 cial report shows that 1,100,000 acres of 

 public lands have been taken up. 



In President Zela3'a's recent manifesto, 

 reviewing the state of the country since 

 1893, 3-1 outline is given of what has been 

 accomplished by his administrations. Po- 

 litical rights stand today on a broader 

 basis ; the people of all social classes 

 share in the government. Religious tol- 

 erance is established, and habeas corpus. 

 non-sectarian instruction, protection for 

 inventors and authors, a genuine system 



of municipal self-government, and a wide 

 extension of political rights are among 

 the other advantages Nicaragua enjoys 

 under this progressive administration. 



The principal agricultural products of 

 Nicaragua are bananas, chocolate, cof- 

 fee, indigo, corn, sugar cane, rice, and 

 tobacco. The timber possibilities are con- 

 siderable. Cattle raising is becoming an 

 important industry. The country has ex- 

 tensive mineral resources. 



HONDURAS 



In Honduras there is no farming on a 

 large scale, and such large plantations as 

 are now under cultivation are chiefly 

 along the north coast and under the 

 direction and management of foreigners. 

 It might be assumed that Honduras, with 

 its varied climate, its lowlands and high- 

 lands, and undulating plains in all parts 

 of its territory, covered with rich, fertile 

 soil, would be essentially a great agri- 

 cultural region. The situation is quite 



