538 W. D. SMITH GEOLOGIC INFLUENCES IN THE PHILIPPINES 



waves. Although by nature the harbor was not made absolutely typhoon- 

 proof, on account of the size of the bay and low land surrounding most 

 of it, it has been made easily so by building a line of breakwater for a 

 short distance out from the Manila shore. As the greatest single area of 

 agricultural land and the largest easily accessible population is to be 

 found on the Central Plain, Manila is given a commanding trade position 

 within the archipelago. When we consider Manila in its larger world 

 relationship, we see that it is the logical distributing point for a vast and 

 richly productive region. This preeminence is due to its geographical 

 position, about midway between the rich and populous Pekin plain and 

 the valley of the Yangste in China and Australasia, and its situation with 

 respect to the whole of Malaysia — a world in itself and almost unknown 

 to America — a region which can supply all the tropical products America 

 can use and which is learning to use many of the luxuries produced by 

 the United States. The building of the Panama Canal has brought 

 Manila into even closer relationship with America than was formerly 

 enjoyed, by establishing a more direct connection with the Atlantic States. 



Dagupan, Luzon. — This city is located at the head of Lingayan Gulf, 

 once an important entrepot for ships, but no longer so. It still is impor- 

 tant as a "mountain gate" cit}^, standing at the upper end of the great 

 Central Plain, and is an important point on the Manila and Dagupan 

 Railroad, for years being the northern terminal of this railway. 



Cebu, Yisayas. — This, the second city of the archipelago, is the main 

 distributing point in the Visayans and enjoys a good anchorage and 

 shelter from storms. 



Uoilo, Visayas. — The third city in size at the present time; but des- 

 tined to surpass Cebu because it has what the latter has not — a produc- 

 tive back country. It is growing very fast and has good shelter and 

 anchorage. Both Uoilo and Cebu would suffer from waves produced by 

 seaquakes, owing to the funnel-like nature of their harbors. 



Zamboanga, Mindanao. — A beautiful little town which is situated on a 

 prominent trade route to Australia. It has little tributary country. 



Cotabato, Mindanao. — Slightly off the Australian trade route, but has 

 an immense and potentially rich region to dominate. Some day this 

 should be the metropolis of the southern islands. 



Aparri, Luzon. — Owes its measure of prominence to the great Cagayan 

 tobacco country. Its poor harbor facilities and distance from main 

 steamship tracks always will militate against it. 



Legaspi, Luzon. — Depot and entrepot for the rich hemp district of 

 southeastern Luzon, this settlement should increase in importance when 

 the railway from Manila reaches it, though it has an unprotected harbor. 



Nueva Caceras, Luzon. — Is located at the head of navigation for small 



