Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/120

 92 WEST AFRICA. these suj^plies, and for the same reason few local craft visit the surrounding creeks, most of which are entirely deserted. The first capital was situated on the port of Lajxt, at the extremity of the southern headland ; but during the temporary annexation of Portugal to Spain under Philip 11. this place was abandoned for the present town of Ribeira-Brava on the south-east side. Notwithstanding the fevers which at times visit this part of the coast, nearly half of the population is now centred in Ribeira-Brava, which has become one of the chief towns in the archipelago, and the centre of the most active local traffic. It exports maize, manioc, and sugar, but coffee, formerly an important industry, has ceased to be grown. Nearly all manufactured goods and foreign produce are introduced through Saint Vincent from England and the United States. In 1867 Ribeira-Brava was chosen, thanks to its central position, as the seat of the Lyceum, the first educational establishment in the archipelago. Sal, Boa-Vista, and Maio. Sal (Salt) and Bda- Vista, forming the eastern group, have almost a Saharian climate, and are consequently but thinly peopled. Although nearly 120 square miles in extent, Sal remained unoccupied from the time of its discovery till 1808, when a few slaves with some flocks were introduced from Boa-Vista. But no regular settlement was made till 1830, when the excellence and abundance of the salt beds attracted the attention of speculators. Cisterns were constructed to husband the rain-water, and some industrial colonies sprang up round about the salt-pans. The railway laid down in 1835 from the chief saline to the coast was the first opened in any part of the Portuguese dominions. Sam- Chn'sfomm, since the end of the fifteenth century known as Bd a- Vista (" Bellevue "), scarcely deserves this title. Like Sal, it lies low, is nearly treeless, has no running waters, is encircled by a dangerous reef-bound coast, and covered with shifting dunes " from the Sahara," as the natives say. Stock-breeding and the salt-works are almost its only resources, and its capital, Salrey, although enjoying the advantage of a well-sheltered harbour, is little visited. Since American vessels have ceased to call here for salt the population of the island has declined. Maio, consisting mainly of sands, clays, and bare rocks, is little more than a convict station. Its few Negro inhabitants work the salt-pans on the beach, and also occupy themselves with fishing and grazing. But they would run the risk of being starved out were they not supplied with provisions from the neighbouring Sam-Thiago. Sam-Thiago. Largest and most populous island in the archipelago, Sam-Thiago (St. James) is also specially distinguished by the fertility and high state of cultivation of its valleys, which yield good crops of maize, haricots, rice, bananas, oranges, and sugar. The surface is hilly, culminating near the centre with the Pico da Antonia, about 6,000