128 



WEST INDIES. - SPANISH ISLANDS. 



temperature is more moderate, and in a place exposed to the north, water has been found fro 

 zen. The most productive mines of Cuba are those of copper. An iron mine of excellent 

 quality has been explored near Havana, and beds of loadstone are found on the island. The 

 rock crystals of Cuba are very brilliant, and salt is produced in abundance. Mineral waters 

 have also been discovered in several places. 



During the last 50 years a concurrence of circumstances has rendered Cuba the richest of 

 the European colonies in any part of the globe ; a more liberal and protecting policy has been 

 adopted by the mother country ; the ports of the island have been thrown open ; strangers 

 and emigrants have been encouraged to settle there ; and amid the political agitations of Spain, 

 the expulsion of the Spanish and French residents from Hispaniola, the cession of Louisiana and 

 Florida to a foreign power, and the disasters of those who in the continental States of Ameri- 

 ca adhered to the old countr}^, Cuba has become a place of general refuge. In 1778, the 

 revenue of the island amounted to 885,358 dollars ; in 1794, it v/as 1,136,918 dollars, and in 

 1830 no less than 8,972,548 dollars, a sum superior to the revenue of most of the secondary 

 kingdoms of Europe, and sufficient not only to provide for its own wants, but to afford impor- 

 tant aid to the mother country in the contest with her revolted colonies. In 1775 the popu- 

 lation consisted of only 172,620 souls ; in 1832 it amounted to 830,000, of which nearly three 

 fifths were free. In 1800, there were only 80 coffee plantations on the island ; in 1827, there 

 were 2,067. Between 1760 and 1767 the exports of sugar amounted to 5,570,000 lbs. annual- 

 ly ; in 1832, they are estimated to have exceeded 250,000,000 lbs. A railroad has been con- 

 structed by the government, from Havana to Guines, a distance of 45 miles, and an extension 

 of the work, from Guines across the chain of highlands, which extends through the island, to the 

 southern coast, is now in progress. The portion to Guines was completed in 3 years, by en- 

 gineers from the United States. 



The following statement of the divisions and towns, with their respective populations, affords 

 a general view of the island. - 



Divisions. Towns. 

 Western Department. Havana, 112,000. Matanzas, 14,000. Jaruco, 1,000. Guanabacoa, 5,000. Batavano, 300. 



Guine.s, 3,000. Santiago, 200. Mariel, 800. 

 Central Department. Puerto Principe, 49,000. Santa Clara, 9,000. Nuevitas, 800. Santi Espiritus, 11,000. 



Trinidad, 13,000. Remedies, 5,000. Xagua, 800. 

 Eastern Department. Santiago de Cuba, 27,000. Baracoa, 3,000. Gibara, 300. Higuany, 2,000. Holguin, 8,000. 



Dayamo or San Salvador, 7,000. Manzanillo, 3,000. 



Havana., the capital and principal city of the island, situated on the northern coast, is one 



of the largest and richest cities in 

 America, and has one of the best har- 

 bors in the world. The public build- 

 ings are less remarkable for beauty 

 than for sohdity, and the streets are 

 in general narrow, dirty, and unpaved. 

 There are, however, fine public 

 walks, and the palace of the gover- 

 nor, the theatre, and some of the pri- 

 vate houses, are handsome edifices. 

 The entrance of the port is defended 

 by 2 forts, and there are several other 

 mihtary works, which render Havana 

 one of the strongest places in the 

 world. Its commerce is extensive ; 

 population, 112,023, of which 22,830 

 are slaves. Here are 11 churches, 

 1 of which is a cathedral, 11 con- 

 vents, 3 hospitals, a university, «&:c. Owing to the heat of the climate, and the filth of the 

 town, strangers are exposed to the fatal attacks of the yellow fever or black vomit, particularly 

 in August and September. The environs are healthy. Sixty miles east of Havana is Matan- 

 zas., a flourishing place, with a fine harbor, a healthy situation, and an extensive and increasing 

 commerce. Poptilation, 14,340. 



Pne^-to Principf, lying in the interior, a place of 49,000 inhabitants, is remarkable only for 



Havana. 



