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“... brought about the present
physiographic condition of the Antilles was probably a
gradual one. That the first result was the formation of
a large island occupying the site of Cuba, Jamaica,
Haiti/ and Porto Rico has been demonstrated by sound-
ings, and by the distribution of flora and fauna, the
bird known in Jamaica as the 11 Green Tody,” for ex-
ample, being found in all four islands but not elsewhere.
There are petroleum and manjak deposits in Barbados
and Trinidad, which has also a source of wealth in its
famous asphalt or Pitch Lake. Gold, diamonds, and
bauxite are found, in British Guiana. Many of the
islands have mineral springs, and sulphur deposits
abound.
GLUtATEi. The climate of the West Indies, taking
them as a whole, is quite healthy for Europeans through-
out the year, and in many parts it is specially salubrious
during the winter months. Climatic conditions vary
according to locality, those places farther from the
Equator and those more exposed to the north...”
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“...10 POCKET GUIDE TO THE WEST INDIES
RELIGION. To whatever sect they may belong,
visitors will find their religious wants fully provided for.
In most of the islands, and countries on the Main, which
were formerly under Spanish domination, the Roman
Catholic religion prevails. The British colonies on the
other hand, with the exception of those taken from
France or Spain, are mainly Protestant. Jamaica,
British Guiana, Barbados, and the Windward Islands
and the Leeward Islands are dioceses of the Church of
England. In Jamaica the Church of England was
established in 1662, but in 1870 a law. was passed
providing for its gradual disendowment, and it is now
practically self-supporting. The Baptists and Wesleyans
are the next sects in importance in order of the size of
their congregations. Presbyterians and Moravians
have a large following, and there are also Roman
Catholics and Jews in the island.
In Barbados the majority of the inhabitants belong to
the Church of England...”
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