Sardinia

an island of Italy. It lies in the Mediterranean Sea, directly south of Corsica, 150 miles distant from the Italian mainland. It is about 160 miles in length and sixty-eight miles wide. In size it is the sixth island of Europe, ranking next to Sicily. Its surface is mountainous. The principal peak attains a height of 6,250 feet. The island is rich in ores of lead, zinc, iron, copper, antimony, arsenic, cobalt, nickel, and silver. There are also coal measures. The mines were worked both by the Carthaginians and the Romans. The island has a rainy winter and a dry summer. It was at one time considered one of the granaries of Europe and furnished Rome great quantities of wheat. Olives, grapes, mulberries, tobacco, almonds, oranges, citrons, madder, and hemp are among the productions. Cork oak, firs, and pines grow on the mountains. Cattle and goats form a considerable source of income. The seacoast villages are engaged largely in fishing, especially for anchovies, sardines, and coral. Wild boars, deer, mountain sheep, foxes, hares, and rabbits are still numerous in the wilder parts of the island. There are a few good roads. Several railways have been constructed. In many respects the inhabitants resemble the Spanish even more than they do the Italians. The present population is about 850,000, not far from eighty-five to the square mile.