The Philippines Under Spanish and American Rules

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906. Excerpt: ... THE PHILIPPINES. L GENERAL DESCRIPTION. Physical Features--Luzon--Taal Lake and Volcano--The Story of an Eruption--Mayon Volcano--Hirers of Luzon--Cagayan and Isabela--A bra, Lepanto-Bontoc, and Nueva Vizcaya--I locos Norte, I locos Sur and La Union--Benguet--Pangnsinan--Zambales--Bataan--Tar lac--Pampanga--Nueva Ecija--Bulacan--Rizal--Laguna--Cavite--Bataugas--Tayabas--Am bos Cainarines--Albay--Sorsogon--Railroad Extension--Marinduque--The Island of Mindoro--The Visayan Group--Masbate--Samar--Leyte--Bohol--Cebu--Negros--ranay--I'aragua--Mindanao--Sulu--Tawi Tawi--Fauna--Flora--Vegetable Products of Commercial Value--Minerals--Climate. The Philippine Archipelago extends from 4 40' to 21 10' north latitude and lies between the meridians of 116 40' and 126 34' east longitude. The chain of islands commences in the north at a point within one hundred miles of Formosa and terminates with the Sulu Group, lying close to the northeast coast of Borneo. The nearest land on the east is one of the Pelew Islands, in the possession of Germany, five hundred and ten miles distant, and on the west, Cochin China, distant five hundred and fifteen mi lea. 2 ( IV ) The most recent official enumeration gives a total of 3,141 islands to the Archipelago. Three-fourths of that number have areas of less than a square mile each; one-half are unnamed; and by far the majority are uninhabited. The aggregate area of the islands is 115,000 square miles; that is, greater than the combined areas of the States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In the broadest territorial division, the principal islands are thus classified: The prevailing physical features of the Philippines are mountain and forest. There are several broad valleys intersected by numerous streams, but exten...