land
has extensive and well protected harbors and bays. The area is 2,315
square miles and the population 45,000.

The capital is Puerto Princesa, with a population of 1,589.

Panay is divided into three provinces, viz: Capiz to the north,
Iloilo to the southeast, and Antique to the southwest. In general
it is wild, with very high coasts, except in the northeastern part,
where the latter are somewhat marshy. A mountain chain crosses the
island from Point Juraojurao on the south as far as Point Potol
on the north, following a direction almost parallel to the western
coast. Large groups of sierras branch out to the right and left of
the central chain; on the eastern slope begins another chain, running
northeast to the extreme northeasterly point of the island. Owing to
its cragginess, it has a great number of streams running in different
directions. The area is 4,540 square miles.

The town of Iloilo stands on a low sandy flat on the right bank of a
river; at the end of this flat is a spit on which a fort is built,
and close to which there is deep water. Vessels of moderate draft
(15 feet) can ascend the river a short distance and lie alongside
wharves which communicate with the merchant houses, but large vessels
must anchor outside near the spit. It is a town of great commercial
importance, and a brisk coasting trade is carried on from it. The
better class of houses in Iloilo are built on strong wooden posts,
2 or 3 feet in diameter, that reach to the roof; stone walls to the
first floor, with wooden windows above, and an iron roof. The poorer
class of dwellings are flimsy erections of nipa, built on four strong
posts. The roads and bridges are in a deplorable condition and almost
impassable in the rainy season.

The chief imports are Australian coal, and general merchandise from
Europe, but most sailing ships arrive in ballast.

The exports are sugar, tobacco, rice, coffee, hides, and hemp; it is
also the principal place of manufacture of pina, juse, and sinamoya,
a tissue greatly in use among the Philippines. In 1883, 93,750 tons
of sugar were exported, principally to America.

Typhoons do not occur regularly, but in most years the tail of
one passes over the place, which suffers also from the visitations
of locusts.

Provisions of all kinds can be obtained, but the prices are higher than
at Manila. In 1886 beef was 12 1/2 cents per pound, bread 11 cents,
vegetables 11 cents, fowls $2 per dozen. Water is scarc