Cuba and her people of to-day : an account of the history and progress of the island previous to its independence; a description of its physical features; a study of its people; and, in particular, an examination of its present political conditions, its industries, natural resources, and prospects; together with information and suggestions designed to aid the prospective investor or settler . an-swerable to the Crown, was Hernando de line of captains-general began with DonGabriel de Lujan, who assumed the post in 1581. In 1514, Velasquez founded the towns ofTrinidad and Santiago, for
Cuba and her people of to-day : an account of the history and progress of the island previous to its independence; a description of its physical features; a study of its people; and, in particular, an examination of its present political conditions, its industries, natural resources, and prospects; together with information and suggestions designed to aid the prospective investor or settler . an-swerable to the Crown, was Hernando de line of captains-general began with DonGabriel de Lujan, who assumed the post in 1581. In 1514, Velasquez founded the towns ofTrinidad and Santiago, for the purpose offacilitating communication with Jamaica, andestablished settlements at Remedios, Bayamo,Puerto Principe, Sancti-Spiritus, and SanCristobal de la Habana, the last named beinglocated where the town of Batabano nowstands. Five years later, the name of Habanawas transferred to a small settlement on thespot where the capital now stands. Baracoa was the first bishopric and seat ofgovernment. In 1522 Santiago became thecentre of both civil and ecclesiastical jurisdic-tion, and in 1552 the capital was established atHabana. The settlement of Cuba proceeded the hundred years following its discov-ery, only two towns were founded in additionto those which have been mentioned, namely,Guanabacoa and El Cobre. In the seventeenthcentury but two more of any importance came. r^. The History of Cuba 29 into existence, these being Matanzas and SantaClara. Nine more were created in the courseof the next century. At the close of this periodthe Island contained about two hundred andfifty thousand inhabitants, while the develop-ment of its natural resources can scarcely besaid to have begun. The backwardness of the colony was not dueto lack of energy on the part of the Spaniards,who in the days of the conquistadores displayedthat quality in a remarkable degree. A combi-nation of conditions, some of them entirely be-yond the control of the settlers, retarded thedevelopment o
Size: 1351px × 1850px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidcubaherpeopleoft00forb
