OF CENTRAL AMERICA; THEIR GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, POPULATION, RESOURCES, PRODUCTIONS, COMMERCE, POLITICAL ORGANIZATION, COMPRISING CHAPTERS ON HONDURAS, SAN SALVADOR, NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA, GUATEMALA, BELIZE, THE BAY ISLANDS, THE MOSQUITO SHORE, AND THE HONDURAS INTER-OCEANIC RAILWAY. BY E G. SQUIER, FORMERLY Chargé d'AFFAIRES OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE REPUBLICS OF Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, by HARPER & BROTHERS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York. ADVERTISEMENT. MR. R. SQUIER'S "Notes on Central America, etc., which forms the basis of this more extended work, was published in 1855. It was the first successful attempt to present the geographical, political, and general data essential to a just understanding of the actual position and resources of Central America. As such, it was speedily translated into the various languages of Europe, where it was accepted as a standard authority. Nearly all of the ephemeral works which have since appeared relating to Central America, and professing to convey an idea of the country, have drawn their substantial facts from that volume. It was nevertheless circumscribed in its scope, relating principally to the two states of Honduras and San Salvador. The present volume, however, extended to meet the requirements of the times, has nearly double the amount of matter contained in the "Notes," and embraces additional chapters on Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, the Bay Islands, and the Mosquito Shore. It presents a complete view of Central America, under all of its varied aspects, equally setting forth and illustrating its geography, topography, climate, population, resources, commerce, and facilities for inter-oceanic communication. No man living has had a personal knowledge of the country so extended as the author, and no one has collected so carefully and perseveringly the data bearing upon its present condition or relating to its early history. The publishers therefore submit the work to the world, confident that it will fully meet the public requirement for a full and reliable account of a portion of the continent constantly increasing in interest, and which a series of important events has brought within the circle of modern political and commercial movement. CONTENT S. GEOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION........ NOTES ON CENTRAL AMERICA. Page ix CHAP. I. Geographical and Topographical Features of Central Amer ica, and their Influence on Population 17-24 CHAP. II. Observations on the Climate of Central America in general... 25-43 CHAP. III. Population-Guatemala, San Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.......... 44-63 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS. CHAP. IV. Discovery, Boundaries, General Aspect, Topography, etc. 65-78 79-97 CHAP. VI. Bays, Ports, and Harbors 98-114 CHAP. VII. Islands of Honduras 115-127 CHAP. VIII. Political Divisions-Departments of Comayagua, Gra cias, Choluteca, Tegucigalpa, Olancho, Yoro, and Santa Barbara 128-167 CHAP. IX. Aspects of Nature in Honduras... 168-177 CHAP. X. Mines and Minerals 178-191 CHAP. XI. Precious Woods-Vegetable Productions — Animals Fishes-Reptiles-Insects 192-222 CHAP. XII. Existing aboriginal Inhabitants-the Xicaques, Payas, 223-240. CHAP. XIII. Ancient aboriginal Families Ancient Monuments The Lencas, etc. 241-256 CHAP. XIV. Political Organization-Constitution-Religion-Edu cation-Industry-Revenues-Currency-Future Prospects...... 257–276 REPUBLIC OF SAN SALVADOR. CHAP. XV. San Salvador- Geographical and Topographical Features, Productions, etc...... 279-315 CHAP. XVI. Aboriginal Inhabitants of San Salvador...... 316-345 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA. CHAP. XVII. Nicaragua-Extent-General Character, Productions, Volcanoes, etc........... 347-404 CHAP. XVIII. Aboriginal Inhabitants of Nicaragua-The Guatuso Indians of the Rio Frio... 405-413 CHAP. XIX. Political Organization, Constitution, Religion, and pro posed Inter-oceanic Canal .... 414-444 |