CHAPTER IV.

MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA, AND WEST INDIES.

§ 1. MEXICO.

Area in square miles, 855,964. Population, 7,661,919.

MEXICO is bounded on the N. E. by the Rî'o Grän'de del Nor'te, which separates it from Texas; on the E. by the Gulf of Mexico; on the S. E. by the State of Guatemala ; on the W. and S. W. by the Pacific Ocean; and on the N. by the conventional boundary line, as established by the Gadsden treaty of 1854, which runs between the 31st and 32d parallels of latitude. That portion of Mexico lying south of the tropic of Cancer is best known, and is the most wealthy and populous. The surface is very varied, causing that singular diversity of climate which distinguishes it from most other countries. Mexico has long been noted for its mines of the precious metals; but recent researches have made known the existence of other valuable metals besides these-iron, copper, tin, lead, zinc, and quicksilver. The productions of the soil are Indian corn, wheat, coffee, sugar, rice, cotton, tobacco, indigo, and the tropical fruits.

"The form of government in Mexico is a problem. Ever changing in form and principle now based on constitutional law, and anon the sport of a dictator it is impossible to define its numerous phases. Nominally it is a republic, and is vested in a President and Congress similar to that of the United States. The characteristics of the Mexican are deceit and falsehood, but it is deceit and falsehood engendered in an atmosphere where truth, and frankness, and honesty lead the possessor of these virtues to certain punishment. The influence of government in producing this

MEXICO. Boundaries. Part best known. Surface. Mines. Productions. Government. Revolutions. States. City of Mexico. Chief seaports on the

state of things is acknowledged; a terror constantly occupies the minds of the people, and an apprehension of coming evils and an anxiety to avoid them overcome all sense of moral uprightness, and convert the people into a nation of serfs, amenable to the nod of the taskmaster. The church, too, acts wofully on the reasoning faculties, and holds over the head of all who refuse to acknowledge its supremacy the rod of oppression."

The states comprising the Mexican confederacy are as follows:

Besides the states, there are also the Territories of Lower California, Tlascala, and Colima.

The city of Mexico, the capital of the confederacy, and one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is situated in the midst of an elevated plain, 7000 feet above the level of the sea, and surrounded by mountains. Lat. 19° 25′ N., lon. 99° 5′ W. The principal seaports on the Gulf of Mexico are Vê'ra Cruz, Tampî'co, Sōto la Marî'na, and Matamō'ras; on the Pacific coast, Acapul'co, Sän Bläs, and Măzătlăn'; and on the Gulf of California, Guaỹä'mas.

§ 2. THE CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES.

Area in square miles, 281,900. Population, 2,104,916.

The country, which, under the dominion of Spain, was known as the kingdom of Guatemä'la, is now divided into six parts: British Honduras in the north, and the five separate republics of Guatemala, Honduras, San Salvador', Nicarä'gua, and Costa Rî'ca. Their respective capitals are New Guatemala, Comayägua, San Salvadōr, Leon, and San José. These states have each a form of government chiefly based on the Constitution of the United States. In some the gov

gulf. On the west coast.

CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES. Six divisions or states. Form of government. Cities, towns, and villages. Articles of ex

ernments are republican in name only. The cities, towns, and villages have separate municipalities, and annually elect their alcaldes and other officers. The principal exports of these states are the precious metals, indigo, cochineal, mahogany, dye woods, sarsaparilla, hides, and tortoise shell. The trade is chiefly in the hands of the English and Americans. The principal ports on the Caribbē'an Sea are Omō'a, Truxîl'lo, and Greytown. Those on the Pacific are Realejō', Cäl'deras, La Union, Libertad, and Istä'pa.

§ 3. THE WEST INDIES.

Area in square miles, 94,585. Population, 3,673,857.

The original races of these islands are now extinct. When first discovered by the Spaniards, in 1492, they were inhabited by two distinct nations; those occupying the Bahā'mas and Greater Antilles' were a mild, peaceful, and numerous people, and somewhat advanced in civilization; those of the Caribbee Islands were fierce and warlike. At a later period many of these islands have, at different times, belonged to different European nations, and in some of them there is a strange mixture of people and languages. All, except San Domingo, still belong to European powers, and, excepting the English colonies, contain a large proportion of negro slaves. The whites form, comparatively, but a small part of the population.

The BAHAMAS consist of about 650 islands and keys. They belong to Great Britain, and have a population of about 27,000. Nassau, the capital, is a flourishing town, on Providence Island. The salt ponds of Turk's Island supply great quantities of salt, the chief article of export.

CUBA, the chief of the Greater Antîlles', is the largest and most important of the West Indies. It comprises an area of 43,380 square miles, and a population of 1,247,230. It is governed by a captain general appointed by Spain. Havana, the capital, on the N. W. coast, is one of the chief cities of America. It has one of the best harbors in the world, and an extensive commerce. The other principal places are Matanzas, Puerto Prin'cipe, San Salvador', and St. Jā'go. The chief exports are tobacco, coffee, sugar, and fruits.

port. Ports on the Caribbean Sea. On the Pacific. On the Pacific. - WEST INDIES. Of the aborigines. Two nations in the time of Columbus. At a later period. Controlling power. Negroes. BAHAMAS. Nassau. Turk's Island. CUBA. Ha

PORTO RICO, the most easterly of the Greater Antilles', also belongs to Spain. Its rich and varied soil is adapted to the cultivation of sugar cane, coffee, rice, and cocoa. San Juan, the capital, has considerable commerce. island, 3865 square miles. Population, 380,000.

Area of the

SAN DOMINGO ISLAND is in possession of the negroes, and is divided into two independent states. The EMPIRE OF HAYTI is in the west, with an area of 11,500 square miles, and 700,000 inhabitants. Port au Prince, on the Gulf of Gonäve', is the capital, and most important place on the island. The REPUBLIC OF DOMINICA is in the east, and comprises an area of 18,000 square miles, with a population of 200,000. Its capital is San Domingo.

JAMAICA is the principal of the British West India Islands. It lies about 100 miles south of Cuba, and comprises an area of 4250 square miles, and a population of 379,690, of whom about 16,000 are whites. Spanishtown is the capital, and Kingston the chief port.

Of the smaller English islands, Trinidad, a fertile and beautiful island, is near the coast of Venezuela; also Tobä'go, Grenä'da, Barbā'does, and St. Christopher's. French islands are Martinîque' and Guadaloupe'. Danish, Sänta Cruz and St. Thomas. Dutch, Curaçō'a and St. Eusta'tia. Swedish, St. Bartholomew.

EXERCISES IN VOYAGES AND TRAVEls.

Describe the Panama route from Boston to San Francisco. The Nicaragua route from New York. The Tehuantepec route from Philadelphia. Travel from Vera Cruz to Mexico. From Mexico to Santa Fé. How would you convey a cargo of mahogany and sarsaparilla from Omoa to Providence, R. I.? A voyage from Salem, Mass., to Truxillo, Hond., and thence to Havana and Baltimore.

vana. Other towns. Exports. - PORTO RICO. San Juan.-SAN DOMINGO. Two states. Hayti. Capital. Dominica. Capital. JAMAICA. Chief towns. English islands. French. Danish. Dutch. Swedish.

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CHAPTER V.

POLITICAL DIVISIONS OF SOUTH AMERICA.

§ 1. INHABITANTS AND COUNTRIES.

In comparison with the extent and fertility of South America, the population is small, consisting of the aborigines, or native Indians, the whites, the African Negroes, with Mestizoes, Mulattoes, and Samboes. The whites are chiefly of Spanish and Portuguese origin. In Guiana there are a few English, Dutch, and French. South America is politically divided into a number of states, as follows: republics of Venezuela, New Grenä'da, Ecuador', Perù', Bolîv'ia, Chî'le, Lä Plä'ta, Uruguay', and Paraguay'; the empire of Brazîl'; the colonies of British, Dutch, and French Guiä'na; and the unsettled country of Patagō'nia.

§ 2. VENEZUELA.

Area, 426,712 square miles. Population, 1,356,000.

The

VENEZUELA is a republic, and is remarkable for its extensive plains and its rich vegetable productions. The northern part is traversed by a range of the Andes, and its southern portion by the Parî'ma group of mountains and plateaus ; while its middle portion forms the basin of the River Orinoco. The chief exports are cacao, coffee, tobacco, indigo, cotton, sarsaparilla, and dyewoods.

Caraccas, the capital, is near the northern coast, on a declivity 2280 feet in elevation. It is memorable for the great earthquake of 1812, which destroyed 12,000 of its inhabitants. Lä Guaỹ'ra, 16 miles distant, on the coast of the Caribbē'an

SOUTH AMERICA. Population. Whites. Political divisions. -VENEZUela. Physical aspects. Caraccas. La Guayra. Other towns. NEW GRENADA.