98 



humbolbt's cuba. 



political influence through the advantages which 

 result from the geographical position of the city and 

 harbor of Havana. 



That northern portion of the sea of the Antilles 

 known as the Gulf of Mexico, forms a circular bay • 

 of more than two hundred and fifty leagues diameter, 

 as it were, a Mediterranean witfc two outlets, whose 

 coasts from Cape Florida to Cape Catoche, in 

 Yucatan, appertain exclusively, at the present time, 

 to the confederations of the Mexican States and of 

 North America. The island of Cuba, or more 

 properly speaking, that part of its shore between 

 Cape San Antonio and the city of Matanzas, situate 

 near the entrance of the old Bahama channel, closes 

 the Gulf of Mexico on the southeast, leaving to the 

 oceanic current we call the Gulf Stream, no other 

 passages than a strait on the south, between Cape 

 San Antonio and Cape Catoche, and the Bahama 

 channel on the north, between Bahia Honda and 

 the reefs of Florida. 



Near to the northern outlet, and immediately 

 where a multitude of highways thronging with the 

 commerce of the world cross each other, lies the 

 beautiful port of Havana, strongly defended by 

 nature, and still more strongly fortified by art. 

 Fleets sailing from this port, built in part of the 

 cedar and mahogany of Cuba, may defend the 



