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Central America

The countries embraced under this general head are the republics of Guatemala, Honduras, San Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, and the strip or territory on the Caribbean Sea known as British Honduras. This region fell into the power of the Spaniards soon after its discovery in 1502, and remained a part of the Spanish crown until 1821, when it revolted many of the states uniting with Mexico. In 1823 the Central American Confederation was formed, but in 1839 Honduras and Nicaragua withdrew, followed by Costa Rica in 1840, and Guatemala in 1847. In 1872 Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and San Salvador formed a Central American Union, for the purpose of maintaining peace in the several states, and securing to each a republican form of government. Provision was also made for a congress to frame the necessary laws to carry out these objects.

GUATEMALA.

This, the most N. part of the Central American States, has an area of 40,777 sq. m., and a population of 1,284,604, of whom about 20,000 are whites, and 750,000 pure-blooded Indians, the remainder being half-breeds and negroes. The state is divided into 22 departments. The President is elected for six years, and the congress, which consists of a council of state and house of representatives, for four years. The city of Guatemala, with a population of about 45,000, is the capital. The country mainly consists of an elevated plateau, a continuation of the Yucatan tablelands, intersected by mountains and deep valleys. From this tableland to the Pacific coast the descent is remarkably abrupt. There are numerous active volcanoes, that of Amilpas being 13,200 ft. in height. The country is well watered, there being many streams and numerous lakes, but none of the rivers are of any value for purposes of navigation. On the Caribbean Sea there is but one harbor, and on the Pacific, notwithstanding the long coast line, there are none of any consequence. The climate, which is hot on the coast and cool in the interior, is generally healthful. The wet season lasts from May to October. There are frequent frosts, but snow never falls. Earthquakes often occur, and have occasionally caused great loss of life and property. The chief staple at present is coffee, it having taken the place once held by cochineal. Among the other leading products are vanilla, cacao, tobacco, sugar-cane, cotton, indigo, and corn and the other cereals. The vine and olive flourish in the valleys. The soil is of great fertility, and needs only better cultivation to make it bear in abundance all the staples of the tropical and temperate zones. Horses, mules, sheep, swine, and black cattle are reared in great quantities. The manufactures consist only of coarse cotton goods for domestic use, and earthenware. There are no good roads, and no effort has been made to develop the resources of the country. The revenues are mainly derived from the customs-dues and the tobacco monopoly. HONDURAS.

This, the largest of these petty republics, has an area of 58,163 sq. m., but an estimated population of only 323,274 of indians, mestizos, and whites. The E. part of the country is almost entirely occupied by independent Indian tribes, among whom civilization is just gaining a foothold. The government is administered by a President, elected for four years, and a congress, consisting of a chamber of deputies and a body of 10 advisers. The capital is Tegucigalpa, with a population of 12,000. The country is mountainous, though the highest elevation is not as great as in Guatemala, and there are no volcanoes. Between the various mountain ranges are numerous valleys of great beauty and fertility. There are several rivers, many of which are navigable by small steamers. There is a coast line on the Pacific of 60 m., and on the Atlantic of 400. On the latter are a number of excellent harbors. The Bay of Fonseca contains some of the best ports on the Pacific. An inter-oceanic railway runs from Amapala on the bay to Puerto Cortez on the Atlantic. Mining was at an early day the chief industry of the country, but it has now dwindled into insignificance. Silver and gold are found in great abundance, and among other minerals are antimony, lead, copper, and coal, none of which, however, are worked. The soil is very fertile. On the coast, coffee, indigo, cochineal, pimento, capsicum, and sugar-cane can be grown, while some of these flourish on the uplands, together with corn and other products of temperate regions. The climate is hot on the coast, but mild and equable in the interior, and nothing save industry is lacking to make the country one of unexampled productiveness. It abounds in mahogany, rosewood, and other cabinet woods, while such gum and medicinal trees and plants as copaiba, copal, ipecacuanaha, indiarubber, and the palma christi are abundant. Fustic, Brazil wood, annatto, and other dye-woods also grow there.