t the north of the island, 204 miles
from Manila, and is the residence of the politico-military commander.

The Island and Province of Samar is situated to the southeast of
Luzon, it is bounded en the north by the Strait of San Bernardino,
on the south by the Jahanetes Canal, separating it from Leyte Island,
on the east by the Pacific Ocean, and on the west by the Visayas
Sea. It is very mountainous, with high, steep coasts. A number of
sierras and mountains extend in various directions, forming valleys
and glens fertilized by numerous rivers, which, however, have little
current and volume. The length of the island is 155 miles. The chief
products are abaca, rice, and cocoanuts, oil being extracted from
the latter. Among the medicinal plants the most highly valued is the
catbalonga seed. Commerce is quite active in spite of the few means
of communication and the dangerous coasts. The island is visited
yearly by tornadoes which devastate crops and cause much damage to
agriculture. The high mountains and thick forests of the interior are
inhabited by a great number of savages who have sought refuge here. The
area is 4,699 square miles, and the population 200,753, distributed
among 43 pueblos, 208 visitas, and 3 rancherias of subdued infieles.

The capital is Catbalogan, population of 6,459, situated on the harbor
and bay of like name on the west of the island 338 miles from Manila,
and is the residence of the politico-military governor.

The Jolo Archipelago, formed of some 160 islands, is situated southwest
of Mindanao and south of Basilan. It is bounded on the south by the
Jolo Sea, on the northeast by Mindanao and on the west and southwest
by Borneo. The small islands are covered with mangroves, while the
large ones have thick forests of good timber, and the natives raise
rice, maize, and various alimentary roots, ambergris being found
on the coasts. The principal island, called Sulu, or Jolo (ch. 47,
48, 49, 50, p. 285), is occupied in a military way by the Spanish
forces, whose chief, or governor, resides in the old capital,
which has well-constructed and armed forts, a pier, etc. By royal
decree of November 13, 1877, the sultanship was transformed into a
civico-military government. The population consists of 500 aborigines,
612 Chinese traders, and 16,000 negroes.

Next to Luzon, the island of Mindanao is the most extensive and
important of the Philippines.

By decree of July 30, 1860, the territorial division