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The Wonderland of Trinidad

Anonymous

9781465636393
188 pages
Library of Alexandria
Overview
In the name “Trinidad” is embodied all the romance and beauty and wonder of a tropical island. In the native language it is called Iere, “the land of the humming bird.” Quite in accordance with the luxurious abundance of life and color is the asphalt lake, the marvel of centuries. Its causation astonishing, its features gigantic, it lies in the heart of a romantic land—a subject of speculation among scientists, but a tropical enchantment to those of more fanciful mind. The Island of Trinidad lies about 700 miles north of the Equator and 2000 miles from New York. Its area of 1755 square miles is less than that of the State of Delaware. It belongs to Great Britain and is separated from its nearest neighbor, Venezuela, by the wonderful Gulf of Paria and its narrow straits or bocas which connect the gulf with the ocean. This majestic gateway has seen the coming and going of many famous mariners. Through it Columbus sailed north on his third voyage in midsummer of the year 1498. Sir Walter Raleigh and many buccaneers swept through the bocas in the days when English seamen performed deeds of valor against the Spaniards, and any galleon was their lawful prey. Here, too, cruised Nelson with his great English fleet, hunting for the French warships on that half world chase that ended at Trafalgar. To-day important trade centers in Trinidad, and the harbor of Port of Spain, the only city of size, is busy with the arrival and departure of steamships bearing to Europe and America the tropical riches of the Island.