Commercial Travelers Guide To Latin America Rutas México

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G918.06
UN293C
1939
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TRAVELERS' GUIDE
LATIN AMERICA
PART III
MEXICO CENTRAL AMERICA
AND
CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
"X
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Harry L. Hopkins, Secretary
BUREAU OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC COMMERCE
James W. Young, Director
♦
Trade Promotion Series—No. 208
/
COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS'
GUIDE TO LATIN AMERICA
Part III. MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA
AND CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1940
For sale by .thelSuperintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. - Price 40 cents

I
9
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword v
Introduction 1
How to reach Mexico and the Caribbean countries. - 1
Mexico and Central America 1
Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas 2
Islands of the West Indies 3
Passports 3
United States Government agencies 3
Entry requirements 4
Language, weights, and measures 4
Summary statistics 5
Mexico 7
Central America 59
British Honduras 59
Costa Rica 64
Guatemala 72
Honduras 88
Nicaragua 98
Salvador, El 106
Colombia 116
Venezuela 137
Guiana 152
British 152
French 156
Netherlands (Surinam) 158
West Indies 161
Bahama Islands 161
Barbados 165
Bermuda Islands 168
British West Indies. See Bahamas, Barbados,
Bermuda, Jamaica, Leeward and Windward
Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and British Virgin
Islands.
Cuba 171
Curacao. See Netherlands West Indies.
Dominican Republic 187
French West Indies. See Guadeloupe and Mar
tinique.
Guadeloupe 197
Haiti 199
Jamaica 208
in
IV
West Indies—Continued. Page
Leeward Islands 215
Antigua 215
Dominica 216
Montserrat 217
St. Christopher, Nevis, and Anguilla 218
Martinique 220
Netherlands West Indies (Curacao) 222
Puerto Rico . 225
Trinidad and Tobago 228
Virgin Islands 231
Virgin Islands of the United States 231
British Virgin Islands 234
Windward Islands 235
Grenada 235
St. Lucia 236
St. Vincent 237
Tables
1 . Summary statistics 5
2. Population of Mexico, by governmental divisions,
1938 9
3. Foreigners in Mexico, by nationalities, 1900 and 1936- 10
4. Occupational grouping of Mexico's employed popu
lation 11
5. Average daily wages of skilled and unskilled workers
in Mexico 12
6. Average monthly wages of white-collar workers in the
Federal District, Mexico 13
7. Production and exportation of Mexican agricultural
crops, 1937 and 1938 14
8. Production and value of leading Mexican minerals,
1938 15
9. Petroleum production of Mexico, 1937 and 1938 16
10. Production values in Mexican industries, 1936
and 1937 17
11. Mexican production and importation of electrical
energy, 1937 and 1938 18
12. Statistics of National Railways of Mexico 21
13. Principal air services in Mexico 26
14. Estimated population of Guatemala, by Departments,
1938 73
15. Area and population of Colombia, by governmental
divisions, 1938 117
16. Population of Venezuela, by governmental divisions.- 138
17. Centers of population in Dominican Republic 193
FOREWORD
The series of three handbooks which make up the revised Com
mercial Travelers' Guide to Latin America is completed with
Part III, cc "Ting Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
countries. rt I, West Coast of South America, and Part II,
East Coa i ,* South America, were published as separate vol
umes in i«M and revised in 1939.
Although the great area covered in the third section of the
Guide 1., necessitated the inclusion of a much larger number
of countries than in either Part I or Part II, the same care has
been taken that characterized the preparation of the earlier sec
tions. Every effort has been made to set forth the main factors
of interest to travelers in this northern portion of the Latin
Ameri. in area.
Part III was prepared in the Division of Regional Informa
tion, under supervision of Louis Domeratzky, Chief of the Divi
sion. The basic material, derived from reports submitted by the
American consular officers and commercial attaches stationed in
the countries discussed, has been amplified by data from supple
mental y sources in order to give the most recent and most com
plete information available.
James W. Young, Director,
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
December 1939.
TJECAUSE of changing conditions, particularly by rea
son of dislocations caused by the war in Europe,
some of the shipping and other communication services
enumerated in. this publication have been suspended or
modified since the data were compiled; in certain cases
other services have been added. It is suggested, there
fore, that travelers or firms planning a trip to Latin
America obtain the latest information available at the
time of arranging their itineraries. It may also be
found advantageous to check with the Bureau of Foreign
and Domestic Commerce, either at one of its many dis
trict or cooperative offices, located in commercial centers
throughout the United States, or at its principal office
in the Department of Commerce, Washington, D. C, as
to new trade restrictions arising from war conditions,
possible changes in customs charges and regulations,
and current exchange rates and regulations.
COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS' GUIDE TO
LATIN AMERICA
Part III. MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA, AND CARIB
BEAN COUNTRIES
INTRODUCTION
The countries of Latin America bordering on the Caribbean
Sea and the Gulf of Mexico—including Mexico, Central America,
Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and the islands of the West
Indies—are of special interest to American exporters and their
traveling salesmen. This is true not only because of the close
proximity of the area to the United States, but because of the
long-established trade relations between the United States and
those areas, which have a tendency to predispose their markets
in favor of our products.
While this entire region is often considered as a whole, par
ticularly that portion of it which borders on the Caribbean Sea,
it is also sometimes thought of by exporters and commercial
travelers as comprising three distinct fields, namely (1) Mexico
and the Central American Republics ; (2) Colombia, Venezuela,
and the Guianas; and (3) the islands of the West Indies. For
purposes of convenient reference, therefore, the countries have
been arranged according to this grouping and in this order. A
guide to the economic development and importance of the sepa
rate groups is provided in tabular form under the caption
"Summary Statistics."
HOW TO REACH MEXICO AND THE CARIBBEAN
COUNTRIES
Mexico and Central America.—Mexico may be reached from
the United States by railway, by steamer, or by airplane.
Air service.—The Pan American Airways system, entering
Mexico daily at Brownsville, Tex., provides stops at Mexico City,
passing en route at Tampico and continuing, by connections at
Guatemala City, through Central America to the Panama Canal.
By connection at Mexico City, local air service is available to a
number of the important Mexican commercial centers. Com
mercial planes from the United States west coast ports enter
Mexico at Mexicali en route to the national capital, stopping
at Hermosillo, Mazatlan, and Guadalajara. A third air service
•
2 COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS GUIDE
from the United States—originating in Miami, Fla., and passing

by way of Habana, Ouba—enters Mexico at Merida, where con
nections are available for Mexico City. All of the capitals of
the Central American Republics are served by the Pan American
Airways.
Steamship service.—The Grace Line and several other steam
ship companies provide regular or occasional services from the
United States west coast ports to Mexican and Central American
Pacific ports; and the United Fruit and the Standard Fruit
boats provide steamship service between the eastern or southern
American ports and Mexican Gulf ports and the Caribbean ports
of Central America.
Motor routes.—The Pan American Highway, which is expected
to eventually link the United States with the continental coun
tries of Latin America, is available for those who prefer to
travel to Mexico by motor vehicle over a section open for traffic
between Laredo, Tex., and Mexico City. The Mexican capital
can also be reached by highway from the Pacific port of Acapulco,
and from the Atlantic port of Veracruz via Jalapa and Puebla.
Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas.—Colombia can be
reached by steamship from New York via the Grace Line and by
the United Fruit Co. services. For those wishing to sail from
the United States Pacific coast, a transfer can be effected at
the Panama Canal for either Buenaventura, on Colombia's Pacific
coast, or for the Caribbean ports. The Grace Line Caribbean
service provides water transportation between New York, Colom
bian ports, Curacao, Aruba, and the Venezuelan ports of Puerto
Cabello and La Guaira. La Guaria is a port of call for boats of
the Royal Netherlands Steamship Co., south-bound from New
York. Other steamship services are available to both Colombia
and Venezuela from United States Gulf ports.
Airplane service to both Colombia and Venezuela is provided
by the Pan American Airways, either by connections at Panama,
or by way of the Caribbean islands.
The Aluminum' Line provides service twice a month between
New Orleans and Mobile and Paramaribo, Surinam (Nether
lands Guiana), and Trinidad, with stops, south-bound, at Ciudad
Trujillo, Dominican Republic ; Curacao, Netherlands West In
dies ; and La Guaira, Venezuela. The Royal Netherlands Steam
ship Co. operates steamers about every 20 days south-bound from
New York to Curacao and Aruba ; Maracaibo and other Venezue
lan ports ; Trinidad ; Demerara, British Guiana ; and Para
maribo, Surinam (Netherlands Guiana). The Canadian
National Line provides frequent transportation out of Boston,
by way of Bermuda, for ports in the Leeward and Windward
Islands, Trinidad, and British Guiana. Cayenne, French
Guiana, can be reached from British and Netherlands Guiana
and from Trinidad via the French Line, about once a month.
The Pan American Airways system, operating out of Miami,
provides airplane service with the Guianas.
INTRODUCTION 3
Islands of the West Indies.—A number of steamship lines out

of New York provide frequent passenger and freight service to
the Caribbean ports, and rapid and frequent communication is
available via the Pan American Airways between Miami and
most of the important commercial cities of the area. A more
detailed indication of these services is given in the section of
this Guide devoted to the individual countries.
Note.—In this Guide have been included a number of European
transportation lines which normally provide services in the Latin
American area, but which have suspended operations by reason
of war conditions in Europe.
PASSPORTS
An American citizen may apply for a passport before a clerk
of a Federal court or of a State court authorized by law to
naturalize aliens, or before an agent of the Department of
State. The latter are located in New York City (Subtreasury
Building, and also at Rockefeller Center (International Build
ing), Boston (United States Post Office and Courthouse), Chi
cago (New Post Office Building), and San Francisco (Federal
Office Building).
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Current and background information on the countries which a
commercial traveler plans to visit can be obtained at the
nearest District Office of the United States Department of Com
merce. The traveler may also desire to check up on such
matters as import duties and regulations, exchange restrictions,
credits, foreign competition, and the status of local manufactur
ing developments.
The United States Government maintains the following repre
sentations in Mexico and the Caribbean area :
Embassies.—At Mexico City ; Habana, Cuba ; Bogota, Colom
bia ; Caracas, Venezuela ; and Panama, Panama.
Legations.—At Guatemala City, Tegucigalpa, San Salvador,
Managua, San Jose, Ciudad Trujillo, and Port-au-Prince.
Commercial Attaches.—At Mexico City, Guatemala City,
Panama, Bogota, Caracas, and Habana.
District Office, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.—
San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Consular Service.—Consulates general are located at Mexico
City, Guatemala City, San Salvador, and Habana. Consulates,
vice consulates, or consular agencies are located in Mexico, aside
from the capital, at Agua Prieta, Chihuahua, Ciudad Juarez,
Durango, Ensenada, Guadalajara, Guaymas, Matamoros, Mazat-
lan, Merida, Mexicali, Monterrey, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo,
Piedras Negras, San Luis Potosi, Tampico, Torreon, and Vera
4 COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS' GUIDE
cruz. In Central America, aside from the capitals, such agencies

are located at Ceiba and Puerto Cortes, Honduras ; Port Limon,
Costa Rica ; and Colon, Panama ; in Colombia, at Barranquilla,
Cali, and Cartagena ; in Venezuela, at La Guaira and Maracaibo ;
in Trinidad (with jurisdiction for the colonial Guianas), at Port-
of-Spain; in the Caribbean island area, at Antilla, Cienfuegos,
Matanzas, Nuevitas, and Santiago, in Cuba ; at Barbados ; at
Kingston, Jamaica ; and at Nassau, Bahamas.
The addresses of American chambers of commerce in these
areas are as follows :
The American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico, Ediflcio
Cook, San Juan de Letran 24, Suites 18 to 21, Mexico,
D. F.
The American Chamber of Commerce of Cuba, 32&-333
Horter Building, Obispo 7, Habana, Cuba.
The American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican
Republic, Post Office Box 343, Ciudad Trujillo, Domini
can Republic.
Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto
Rico.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Before leaving the United States for any Latin American
country the traveler should make sure that he has complied
with all necessary formalities required by the government of
the country he proposes to visit. These requirements are out
lined in special sections under each country, but they are subject
to change. Each of the Latin American Republics maintains
diplomatic representation in Washington ; also, there are con
sulates of these countries in the leading cities of the United
States.
Restrictions Arising From War Conditions.—Because of spe
cial controls and restrictions in British colonial areas during
the war period, it is suggested that, before planning commercial
trips to such areas, firms interested may find it to their advan
tage to consult the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce
in Washington (or any of the Bureau's District Offices) as to
the current status of such import-trade and exchange regulations.
LANGUAGE, WEIGHTS, AND MEASURES
Languages.—Spanish is used in Mexico, the Central American
Republics, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, the Dominican Republic,
and Puerto Rico. French is used in Haiti, French Guiana, and
the islands of the French West Indies ; Dutch is used in Nether
lands Guiana (Surinam) and the Netherlands West Indies; and
English is the language of British Honduras, British Guiana,
and the British West Indies.
INTRODUCTION 5
Weights and Measures.—The metric system of weights and
measures is generally employed in those countries where Spanish,
French, and Dutch are spoken ; although in certain areas some
old Spanish measures, such as the Spanish quintal, are also in
use. The weights and measures common to the British Empire
are employed, with some local variations, in the British posses
sions located in the Latin American area.
SUMMARY STATISTICS
Factors which indicate in a general way the extent of the
market in the leading countries discussed in Part III of the
Guide are presented in statistical form in the following sum
mary table.
Table 1- -Summary Statistics for Mexico, Central America, and
Caribbean Countries
Item Mexico Guate El Sal Hon Nica Costa

mala vador duras ragua Rica
Population (est. thousands)... 19,478.8 3,044.8 ,632.0 962.0 1,000.0 606.6

Literacy (est. percent) 41.0 14.0 45.0 33.0 60.0 76.4
Per capita foreign trade, 1938:
Imports (<1 olla rs) . 5.5 5.6 19.8 5.1 20.8
Exports (dollars) 5.4 6.7 '7.7 5.9 16.7
Trade with United States, 1938:
Imports from United States
(millions of dollars) 83. 3 7.5 4. 3 i 5.9 3.1 6.2
Percent of total imports. 57.7 44.7 40.7 62.0 59.7 49.1
Exports to United States
(millions of dollars) 125 4 11.3 6.8 '6.4 4.0 4.6
Percent of total exports- 67.4 69.5 61.8 86.4 67.3 45.6
Rail way mileage 14, 252 600 375 950 395 321
Automotive vehicles registered. 99,470 3,927 3,267 1,284 880 3,413
Radio sets in use 300,000 14,000 10,000 15,000 4,000 10,000
Telephone instruments 132, 037 2,327 3,744 3,288 1,327 ft
> 11 months ended June 30.
• Not available.
COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS' GUIDE
Table 1.—Summary Statistics for Mexico, Central America, and

Caribbean Countries—Continued
Do
British Colom Vene min
Item Hon bia zuela Cuba ican Haiti
duras Repub
lie
Population (est., thousands) . 57.0 8, 693. 2 3, 491. 2 4,165.0 1, 479. 0 2,700.0

Literacy (est., percent) (') 52.0 43.0 61.0 20.0 10.0
45.0 10.2 28.0 25.5 7.7 2.8
Exports (dollars) ... 32.0 10.8 79.7 34.3 9.7 2.6
(millions of dollars) 1.2 44.4 64.9 75.2 6.1 4.1
Percent of total imports 31.0 49.9 56.2 70.9 54.0 54.3
(millions of dollars) 2.4 55.6 36.9 108.4 4.6 3.0
Percent of total exports-. 72.8 59.0 13.2 75.9 32.0 42.8
25 1,987 589 3,079 145 158
Automotive vehicles registered . 303 26,437 29,511 43, 852 2,620 2,427
1,000 46,000 80,000 100,000 4,500 2.700
O "37.000 20,318 52,847 (') IV 870
Trini Nether-
Puerto Jamai dad British French lai 3
rt»m Rico ca and Quiana Guiana Guiana
Tobago (Suri
nam)
Population (est., thousands) 1, 723. 5 1. 173. 6 456.0 333 48 171

Literacy (est. , percent) 64.9 53.0 56.9 (') P) (')
54.1 25.7 74.6 16.5 40.4 • 22.1
47.6 20.1 70.2 39.2 29.3 '24.3
(millions of dollars) 85.0 6.8 8.2 (') (') (•)
Percent of total imports 91.1 21.6 24.1 (') (') •22.5
(millions of dollars) 79.8 0.9 1.6 (•) (') •2.7
Percent of total exports . 97.2 3.7 5.0 3.5 (') *65.3
307 245 118 79 30 107
Automotive vehicles registered- . 21,500 10,004 8,832 1,835 446 385
Radio sets in use
Telephone instruments
n
15, 618
3,340
5,423
3,500
(')
1,800
2,097
SO
(')
2.500
(')
1 Not available.
' Estimated.
• 1937 statistics.
5 Less than a million dollars.
•
:'.r
MEXICO
AREA, TOPOGRAPHY, AND CLIMATE
Area and Topography.—Mexico is 760,290 square miles in area,
or one-fourth the size of the United States. It has a coast line
of 5,648 miles, as compared with a length of 4,833 miles for the
United States.
The central and northern portion of the Republic is a great
plateau, bounded on the east and on the west by mountain
ranges—the Eastern Sierra Madre (Sierra Madre Oriental),
which follows the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and the Western
Sierra Madre (Sierra Madre Occidental), which borders the
Pacific coastal area. Between each range and the coast are
narrow, hot, coastal strips. The great plateau or tableland slopes
generally toward the north, from an elevation of about 8,000 feet
near Mexico City, 6,100 feet at San Luis Potosi, and 5,200 at
Saltillo, to 3,900 feet at Agua Prieta (opposite Douglas, Ariz.)
and 3,800 at Ciudad Juarez (across the Rio Grande from El
Paso, Tex.).
Two fairly well-defined plateaus lie to the south and to the
southeast of Mexico City. They are the broken Mesa del Sur,
in the States of Oaxaca and Guerrero, and the Chiapas High
lands, which continue at a higher elevation into Guatemala.
The highest peak in Mexico, and the second highest in the
Western Hemisphere, is the Pico de Orizaba (18,000 feet).
Following, according to elevation, are Popocatepetl (17,880
feet) ; Ixtaccihuatl (17,670) ; Nevado de Toluca (15,003) ; La
Malintzi (14,635) ; Nevado de Colima (14,103) ; Ajusco (12,958) ;
and Tancitaro (12,663). These peaks lie on an east-west moun
tain axis which passes roughly through Mexico City. All are
volcanoes, and several are active.
Rivers.—There are no navigable rivers of importance in
Mexico except in the tropical southeastern States, where such
streams as the Grijalva and Usumacinta were the only means
of transportation until the advent of aviation.
Lakes.—The largest lake in Mexico is Chapala (on the
boundary between the States of Jalisco and Michoacan), about
70 miles long and 20 miles wide. Lake Tamiahua, in the State
of Veracruz, is about 60 miles long and 10 miles wide. Connect
ing canals lead south from Tampico and north from Tuxpan.
This lake is navigable for craft drawing 5 or 6 feet. Other
lakes are Chairel and Carpintero, in Tamaulipas; Encantada,
in Tabasco ; Bacalar, in Yucatan ; Alcuzague, in Colima ; Cuitzeo

and Patzcuaro, in Michoacan ; Yuriria, in Guanajuato ; and
Mezitlan, in Hidalgo. Their value to navigation is negligible.
Climate and Seasons.—Although Mexico is on the margin of
the Tropics, only the lowlands (about one-fourth the total area)
are tropical. The great plateau comprises the remainder of the
area. Although the plateau reaches high elevations at several
points, it has a varied but temperate climate. The lowlands
are called the "tierra caliente" (hot land). The region above
them, comprising the slopes upward to the plateau and the
plateau itself, are the "tierra templada" (temperate land). The
upper mountain slopes above the plateau are in the "tierra fria"
(cold land).
Climatically, the year is broadly divided into the "dry season,"
extending from November to April, inclusive, and the "rainy
season," which comprises the rest of the year.
Several territorial zones have varying temperatures. In Mex
ico City, where the plateau elevation is 7,343 feet, the tempera
ture averages range from 56° F. in January to 66° in June and
precipitation averages 24 inches annually. Farther north on the
plateau the temperature is warmer and drier than in Mexico
City. At Monterrey (1,739 feet) the temperature varies from an
average of 58° and 59° F. in December and January to an average
of 83° F. from June through August. More than two-thirds of
the average annual rainfall of 19.5 inches occurs from June to
October. Plateau rainy-season mornings are pleasant, noons
are hot, and heavy .showers fall regularly in the afternoon or
early evening. Dry-season shade is cool, and nightfall brings
cold.
The Gulf coastal plain, which varies in width from a few miles
to more than 100 miles, is warm throughout the year. The low
est mean monthly temperature is 71° F. for January and the
highest 82° in August. Summer heat is intense, but sea breezes
temper the nights. At Veracruz in January, the driest month,
only 0.4 inch of rain falls. In July, however, records show rain
fall of 14.8 inches, and the total for the year is 68 inches. The
average temperature ranges from 70° F. in January to 80° in
June, July, and August. Windstorms, "Nortes," during Septem
ber to April, last from 24 hours to 5 days and are often severe,
but they moderate the temperature considerably. In contrast,
the relatively flat, low-lying peninsula of Yucatan is a dry land.
At Progreso (elevation 49 feet) the year's rainfall is slightly less
than 19 inches ; February and March are the driest months.
The average temperature ranges from 72° F. in January to 80°
F. for May through September.
On the west coast the mountains slope directly to the sea. At
Mazatlan, the mean January temperature of 67° F. is the lowest
of the year; the July mean is 82° F. Mazatlan has a total yearly
rainfall of 31 inches, two-thirds of which occurs in July, August,
MEXICO 9
and September. From February through April total rainfall is
barely more than half an inch. Thus, the long dry season and
the high temperatures make irrigation necessary for most crops.
The southern highlands lie south of the great plateau, between
the Rio Balsas and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Here rainfall
is uncertain and cattle raising dominates agriculture. At Salina
Cruz (elevation 184 feet) the average temperature ranges from
77° F. in January to 82° in June and July.
The Chiapas Highlands are in the extreme southern part of
Mexico. Temperatures are favorable for pasture grass, and
precipitation is fairly well distributed.
The higher mountain sections of Mexico, or the "tierra fria,"
have an annual temperature of less than 59° F.
POPULATION AND PURCHASING POWER
POPULATION
The population of Mexico was officially estimated as 19,478,791

in June 1938. This total represents a gain of 2,925,791 since the
1930 census, and of 5,144,011 since the 1921 census. The largest
population center is the capital, Mexico City, which in June 1938
was estimated to have 1,150,930 inhabitants.
Distribution of population by States and other territorial
divisions as of June 1938 is shown in the following table.
Table 2.—Population of Mexico, by Governmental Divisions, 1938

[As of June 30]
Per Per
Political division Popula cent Political division Popula cent
tion of tion of
total total
Aguascalientes 155, 830 0.8 Nayarit (including

Baja California (Ter- Islas Marias). 196, 736 1.0
490, 866 2.5
Territorio Sur).. .- 112,976 .6 1,275,862 6 5
99,342 .5 Puebla.. 1,353,776 6 9
514, 240 2.6 276,599 1 4
74, 019 .4 Quintana Koo 13, 635 1
623, 322 3.2 San Luis Potosi 681,758 3 5
578, 620 3.0 465, 543 2 4
Federal District 1, 447, 274 7.4 372, 045 1.9
475,283 2.5 262,964 1 4
1, 162, 884 6.0 405,159 2 1
755, 777 3.9 241,537 1 2
798,630 4.1 1, 620, 635 8 3
1, 476, 492 7.6 453,856 2 3
1, 164, 832 6.0 539. 562 2 8
1, 233, 007 6.3
155, 830 .8 Total 19, 478, 791 100 0
Racial Elements.—Sixty-one percent of the Mexican popula

tion is estimated to be of mixed race (predominatly Spanish and
Indian), 29 percent pure Indian, and 10 percent white. Dis
tribution of foreigners in Mexico by nationalities in 1900 and
1936 is shown in table 3.
Table 3.—Foreigners in Mexico, by Nationalities, 19OO and 1936
Nationality 1900 Percent 1936 Percent

of total of total
10,280 28.2 46,052 30.2

Chinese ... 2,660 4.6 17, 015 11.4
Guatemalan 5,820 10.1 16,901 11.3
8,925 6.0
140 .2 7,801 5.2
15, 242 26.5 7,591 5.1
2,563 4.4 5,992 4.0
41 .1 5,197 3.6
2,575 4.5 4,706 3.2
3,970 6.9 4,656 3.1
2,799 4.9 3,977 2.8
2,715 4.7 1,946 1.3
Turkish 386 .7
270 .5
62 .1
2,111 3.7 18,987 12.8
Total 57,634 100.0 149, 745 100.0
Since the expropriation of the petroleum companies in March

1938, it is believed that the number of foreigners, particularly
of Americans and British, has declined.
A total of 274,666 foreigners arrived in Mexico to take up
permanent residence during the years from 1922 to 1938.
Annual totals declined from a high of 43,959 in 1925 to 709 in
1938. Much of the decline in immigration in recent years is
believed ascribable to increasingly stringent entry requirements.
Occupational Grouping.—Approximately 77 percent of Mexico's
employed population, other than those engaged in domestic
service, derive their income from agriculture, livestock, and
other rural industries. The 1930 census shows a total of about
4,210,800 engaged in occupations other than industrial. The
1935 industrial census gives 294,020 as the number employed in
the industries included. A summary of these totals, provided in
table 4, gives an approximate distribution of the employed
population, by occupations.
MEXICO 11
Table 4.—Occupational Grouping of Mexico's Employed
Population
Number Number
Occupational group ' employed Occupational group ' employed
(thou (thou
sands) sands)
Agriculture, livestock and Domestic servants. . 186.4

other rural industries: Percent of total. 4.0
Agriculture 3,531.4
Livestock 74.5 Industries: '
Forest exploitation _ 14.2 Mimag (including sand
Fishing and hunting B, 2 quarries and salt
mines)1 65.8
Total, rural 3, 626. 3 Petroleum ' 13.3
Percent of total 77.2 Foodstuffs 11. «
Metallurgic and manu
Communication: factured metallic prod
Land transportation 97, 1 ucts 20. 3
Ocean transportation 5.0 Textiles. 70.4
Air transportation. _ .2 Clothing and toilet prod
Postal, telegraph, tele ucts... 15.8
phone, and radio 8.8 Chemicals 8.0
Lumber and forest prod
Total, communication_ 107.0 ucts... 1_1.2
Percent of total 2.3 Hides 2. '.I
Paper and allied prod
Trade: ucts 4.4
Banking and insurance, . .8 Construction materials.. 6.8
Hotels, restaurants, and Vehicle construction .2
amusements 5. 5 Pottery
Commercial agencies, cus Electric light and power.
toms agencies, investi Printing, photography,
gational bureaus .8 cinematography ,1.7
Merchants in general 266.7 Tobacco :i. 1
Glass 2 4
Total, trade 273.8 Jewelry and musical in
Percent of total 5.8 struments
Miscellaneous
Government employees, and
professional groups: Total, industries _ 294.0
Government employees,. 159.3 Percent of total 6.3
Medicine and the art of
healing 1-1.7 Grand total 4, 691. 2
Scientific, artistic, and
literary professions and
other - 29. 9
Total, government and
professional — 203.7
Percent of total 4.4
1 Figures for all groups down to that indicated as "Industries" are from the Census
of 1930; figures for the industrial group are from the Industrial Census of 1935.
1 Figures covering the mininc and petroleum industries are restricted to enterprises
having an investment of more than 10,000 pesos.
202836—40
I
PURCHASING POWER
Purchasing power of the preponderant portion of the Mexican
people is low. Consistent effort during recent years has been
expended by the Mexican Government to improve the social and
economic condition of the masses through a policy favoring
labor and through the agrarian program under which large land-
holdings have been divided among agricultural labor groups.
There are three social classes—the well-to-do; the growing
middle class ; the agricultural and labor class.
Sale of imported and luxury goods, such as automobiles, high-
quality radios, electric refrigerators and stoves, and wearing
apparel, is largely confined to the well-to-do, who represent not
more than 10 percent of the population.
Consumers in the middle class depend largely on domestic
sources for supplies, although there is a limited demand from
this group for lower priced imported goods, including radios,
stoves, and wearing apparel.
Table 5.- -Average Daily Wages of Skilled and Unskilled Workers

in Mexico '
Equiva Equiva
Daily lent in Daily lent in
Occupation wage in United Occupation wage in United
pesos States pesos States
currency > cunency '
1.40 $0,316 2.52 $0,569

3.79 .856 2.35 .530
2.29 .517 Cabinetmaker 2.87 .648
Blacksmith 2.19 .494 1.88 .424
1.8S .423 1.76 .397
2.14 .483 1.80 .406
2.68 .605
' Data from Mexican Department of Labor covering period January-June 1937.
< Average United States currency value of the Mexican peso of $0.225741 for first
7 months of 1939 is based on daily quotations of noon buying rates for cable transfers
in New York City from statistics of the Federal Reserve Board. (For June 1939
the average was $0.1975 and for July was $0.171327.)
Demand for foreign goods generally has been restricted by

low purchasing power of the peso in terms of foreign currency
since the expropriation of the oil companies in March 1938—a
condition which has tended to stimulate substitute purchases of
available domestic goods. It is estimated that radios average
one set to 78 inhabitants, and motor vehicles one to 190
inhabitants.
Purchases by the farming or laboring class, which includes
the great bulk of the population, are confined largely to prime
MEXICO 13
necessities. These workers receive very small cash incomes and,
therefore, buy inferior quality foodstuffs, manta (white sheet
ing), and cheap shoes (mainly sandals, or huaraches). Their
living quarters are often crowded huts of one or two rooms.
Wages.—Statistics of average wages for representative classes
of skilled and unskilled labor for the period January to June
1938 have been compiled by the Department of Labor of the
Mexican Government. These wages and the average wages paid
in the Federal District in certain white-collar occupations are
shown in tables 5 and 6.
Table 6.—Average Monthly Wages of White-Collar Workers in
the Federal District, Mexico '
Equivalent
Occupation in United
States cur
rency >
Chief clerk $158. 02

File clerk 33.86
Stenographer (English-Spanish) 50.79
Typist „ 22.57
Translator-- 67.72
Office boy 16.93
' Data from Mexican Department of Labor covering period January-June 1937.
1 Average United States currency value of the Mexican peso of $0.225741 for first
7 months of 1939 is based on daily quotations of noon buying rates for cable transfer
in New York City from statistics of the Federal Reserve Board. (For June 1939 the
average was $0. 1975 and for July was $0.171327.)
CHIEF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Agriculture.—As Mexican economy is preponderantly agri
cultural, that industry forms the basis of national Government
policy, particularly as expressed in the "Six Year Plan" adopted
by the Revolutionary Party on December 3, 1933. Under that
plan, distribution of expropriated land among rural families has
been speeded by means of the agrarian code made effective April
9, 1934, and by a special banking system set up to extend financial
aid to farm cooperatives. Distribution of expropriated farm
lands from 1910 to 1934 is estimated at 35,000,000 acres. Since
1934 to September 1, 1938, such distribution has totaled about
20,000,000 acres. More land has been parceled out under this
Plan since 1934 than in the preceding 18 years. Recipients of
parceled lands total more than 50 percent of the agricultural
Population. Land in 1930 was designated as follows : Cultivated,
28,400,000 acres; pasture, 164,000,000 acres; forests, 63,970,000
acres.
The main agricultural products are corn, beans, wheat, barley,

rice, bananas and other fruits, tobacco, chickpeas, sugar, fresh
vegetables, alfalfa, henequen and other fibers. The total value
of agricultural production in 1935 was 305,627,720 pesos
( $84,903,381 ),* of which fruit accounted for 56,449,838 pesos
($15,681,765).
Table 7.—Production (Compared With 1931-35 Average) and

Exportation of Mexican Agricultural Crops, 1937 and 1938
Average, 1931-35 Exportation

Produc
Produc tion
tion Area (thou
(thou sands of Thou
Area (thou sands of
Crop sands of Year sands units— units
(thou of bushels, Value
sands units— (bushels in dol
bushels acres) except
of except lars >
acres) except as as indi as indi
indi cated) cated)
cated)
Wheat 1,129 11,993 1938 1,306 13, 425

7,786 74,280 1937 7,413 64,357 55 46
Rice (rough). .. 81 3,168 1938 3,925 316 439, 249
1,571 5,025 1937 1,362 3,814 51 64,380
Tomatoes 45 »65 1938 39 »65 '22 436, 649
Tobacco 34 " 25, 662 1937 64 » 43, 290 •207 19, 148
17 •1,888 1938 22 • 2, 381
Coffee ... 216 » 89, 932 1938 274 ' 91, 118 ' 77, 419 6, 682, 849
Cotton 390 > 99, 902 1938 633 " 146, 242 > 48, 653 3, 910, 816
537, 626 1938 s 675, 728
Henequen 200 "91 1937 222 M07 177 9, 398, 370
Chickpeas 233 2,225 1938 220 2,043 493 963,326
Alfalfa 94 ' 1, 615 1937 92 1 1, 488 2 17,483
' Converted from average United States currency value of the Mexican peso of
$0.2775 for 1937 and of $0.2212 for 1938, both based on daily quotations of noon buying
rates for cable transfers in New York City from statistics of the Federal Reserve Board.
» Unit, metric ton.
' Unit, pound.
Stock Raising.—Stock raising, traditionally outstanding in

Mexico's economy, is favored by extensive grazing areas. The
1930 census shows the following livestock distribution : Cattle,
10,083,000 ; sheep, 3,674,000 ; goats, 6,544,000 ; horses, mules, and
asses, 4,799,000.
Mining.—Mining is Mexico's oldest and most important in
dustry. Mineral exports (including crude petroleum, but ex
cluding refined petroleum products and byproducts) were 72.47
1 Conversion based on average value of the Mexican peso in U. S.

currency for 1935. based on daily quotations of noon buying rates for
cable transfers in New York City, from statistics of the Federal Reserve
Board.
i
MEXICO 15
percent of the total value of Mexico's exports in 1938. Silver
accounted for 20.1 percent of total exports in that year ; gold,
18.2 percent ; and lead, 13.0 percent.
Table 8.—Production (Compared With 1931-35 Average) and
Dollar Value of Leading Mexican Minerals (Except Coal and
Petroleum) for 1938
Production
Mineral Dollar
1931-35 value, 1938 '
average 1938
Silver .. .. ..1,000 troy ounces_. 74,642 81,020 31,331,653

Gold do... 637 924 29, 278, 032
Lead . . . metric tons. 166,666 282, 369 27, 914, 776
Zinc. ... . . .. do.... 105, 598 172, 218 18, 346, 107
Copper... do.... 42, 578 41, 851 8, 414, 890
Antimony do.... 3,273 8,069 2, 177, 935
..do. . 762 1,981,067
. do._. 111,093 817,334
do... 806 731,066
Mercury* do.... 207 294 643, 470
White arsenic. de- 6,597 8,894 559, 536
do 186 379, 137
Tin..: do . 253 219, 507
._ do.... 9,611 185, 533
do 70 156,388
112,148
' Average 1938 value of Mexican peso in United States currency, $0.2212.
» Metallic content of ore extracted.
Coal mining has been active in the State of Coahuila, and
deposits are found in five basins which center about Sabinas,
76 miles southwest of Piedras Negras (opposite Eagle Pass,
Tex.). In general, all fields are along the National Railways
of Mexico between Piedras Negras and Saltillo. Production is
sold to the National Railways and to Mexican smelters. The
Sabinas coal is highly bituminous, yielding 60 to 70 percent
carbon and producing a high grade of coke well adapted to
smelting. Byproducts from Rosita coke ovens include naphtha
lene, motor benzene, coal-tar oil, creosote, and sulphate of
ammonia. Much of these byproducts is exported. Annual
coal production for the 5-year period 1931-35 averaged 753,000
metric tons. Total 1938 production was 893,000 metric tons.
Petroleum production and potential production fields extend
along the northeastern border and south along the Gulf of
Mexico. Much of the production centers around Tampico. The
export value of petroleum and its derivatives was 167,343,371
pesos ($46,437,785) in 1937, or 19 percent of the total value of all
exports of 892,388,563 pesos ($247,637,826), in comparison with
79,758,580 pesos ($17,642,598), or 10 percent of the total for all

exports of 838,127,957 pesos ($185,303,904) in 1938.
Production of light and heavy crude petroleum and of petro
leum products in 1937 and 1938 is shown in table 9.
Table 9.—Petroleum Production of Mexico, 1937 and 1938
[Thousands of barrels)
Item 1937 1938
9,982 5,416
36,923 33,090
Total 46,905 38,506
43,014 41,965
Since the expropriation of the oil companies in March 1938,

large quantities of petroleum have been taken by Germany in
barter for heavy machinery, hospital and office equipment, and
other articles.
Forest Products.—Forests and woodlands occupy 20 percent
of the total land area of Mexico. About 13 percent of the
forest area is exploited. Land barren of forests totals about
409,266 square miles and occupies the greater part of the plateau
region. Tropical forests are extensive in the southeast, except
Yucatan, skirting both coasts south of Sonora and Tamaulipas.
Cupuliferae, especially oak, extend along the inland border of
tropical forests, but continue farther north. Coniferous forests,
largely pine, extend roughly along the borders of the high plateau
region. The 1930 census gives value of all forest products as
21,000,000 pesos, with percentage production apportioned as fol
lows : Sawn lumber, 41 ; wood, 25 ; cross ties, 16 ; charcoal, 11 ;
miscellaneous, 7. Total values of lumber exported in 1937 and
1938 were 2,597,894 pesos ($720,916) and 2,576,669 pesos ($569,-
959), respectively. Imports (largely for construction) for the
same years, in the same order, were valued at 2,432,073 pesos
($674,900) and 996,407 pesos ($220,405).
Manufacturing.—Industrial plants listed in the census of
1930 numbered 48,540, represented a total capital investment of
1,004,644,745 pesos, and provided employment for 249,120 workers.
Manufacturing has been greatly stimulated in years of com
parative internal peace since 1921 by a high protective-tariff
policy, inflow of foreign capital, and by the cultivation of a
nationalistic spirit. The demand for merchandise of quality
and price in keeping with the generally low purchasing power is
to a large extent met by national industry.
Illustrative of the decreasing dependence of Mexico upon
outside sources for manufactured products in a number of cate
MEXICO 17
gories is the expansion of various important industries. Do
mestic production virtually supplies the demands of the market
for shoes, but the chemical industry is largely one of converting
foreign and local raw materials to finished products. Three
important American automobile entities operate assembly plants
in Mexico, thus escaping the high duties on finished motor
vehicles. Two large American tire companies manufacture their
product locally, and an important American electrical-equipment
manufacturing organization has established a factory for the
production of electric light bulbs. Among other industries which
have shown marked progress, tending proportionally to reduce
imports, are medium-grade clothing, glassware, leather, paper
and paper products, and textiles. Outstanding progress has
been made in the manufacture of cigarettes and cigars, soap
(which virtually supplies local demand), beer, and rubber,
which has greatly limited imports of these products. Produc
tion of iron and steel products has expanded in late years in
proportion to increased railroad and building construction.
The considerable expansion in tourist trade has increased the
Mexican handicraft output, especially of serapes, silver articles,
pottery, glassware, drawnwork, and novelties.
Noteworthy gains made by a number of industries are illus
trated by statistical data shown in table 10.
Table 1O.—Production Values in Mexican Industries,

1936 and 1937
[In pesos]
Value of production in-

Industry
11)37
Cotton textiles 155,815.000 167,859,000

Woolen textiles 25, 682. 000 31,714,000
Knitted goods (boneteria) 13,403,000 15,700,000
Tobacco... 45, 203, 000 l 52, 052, 000
Beer 39,429,000 "43,612,000
Iron and steel 30,935,000 37, 504, 000
Vegetable oil 30, 453, 000 37,371,000
Soap 31,930,000 33,930,000
Shoes 20, 474, 000 ' 22, 636, 000
Paper 13, 643. 000 18, 034, 000
Rubber 12, 810, 000 * 18, 768, 000
Cement 7,363,000 ■8,605,000
Foodstuffs 5, 942, 000 7, 063. 000
i Of this total, cigarettes (894,275,000 packs) made up 60,843,000 pesos.

' 98,893 liters (74,063 bottled, 24,830 in barrels).
' 7,506,000 pairs.
I Includes 206,000 pneumatic tires at 13,887,000 pesos.
» 344,693 metric tons.
Note.—Average value of Mexican peso in United States currency was $0.2775 in
1936 and 1937.
Table 11.—Mexican Production and Importation of Electrical

Energy, 1937 and 1938
Kilowatt-hours
Electrical energy
1937 1938
2, 479, 832, 000 2, 521, 548, 0O0

19, 488, 000 19, 440, O0O
Total 2, 499, 320, 000 2, 540, 985, 00O
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION

TRANSPORTATION
Mexico City, the center of the country's financial and political

life, is also the hub of its transportation system. The capital
city is of considerable industrial importance and is the main
distribution center for the national market. The head offices in
Mexico of many American companies, as well as of railroads,
mining companies, the petroleum industry, and banks, are
located there.
Prom the United States, the Mexican capital may be reached
by automobile highway, by rail, by air line, or by a combination
of ocean with air, or rail, or highway transportation.
HIGHWAYS.—The great Pan American Highway is open for
motor transportation from Laredo, Tex., to Mexico City, a dis
tance of 764 miles, via Mexico"s industrial "Pittsburgh," the
city of Monterrey, where are located important steel, glass,
leather, timber, and brewing industries. This highway tra
verses sections producing sugarcane, grains, oranges, lemons,
and minerals.
Pan American Highway Junction Points.—At Monterrey, a
paved highway branches west to the important commercial and
industrial city of Torreon, about 220 miles distant in the State
of Coahuila, passing by way of Saltillo, a mining and farming
center and the capital of Coahuila. At El Limon, 13 miles north
of Ciudad de Mante (Villa Juarez), a gravel-surface road con
nects with Tampico, a petroleum center on the Gulf of Mexico,
111 miles distant (El Limon is 403 miles from Laredo and 370
miles from Mexico City). A dirt road, traversable in dry
weather, extends from Pujal, on the Pan American Highway
(69 miles south of El Limon, 485 miles from the border, anil
290 miles north of Mexico City) for 85 miles to Tampico via
Villa Guerrero. At Antiguo Morelos, 26 miles south of El Limon,
a gravel-surface highway extends west a distance of 150 miles to
San Luis Potosi, an important mining and industrial center.
MEXICO 19
Other Highway Routes.—From the Gulf coast, in addition to

the Tampico routes to the Pan American Highway as described
above, the traveler may reach Mexico City by the highway from
Veracruz via Jalapa and Puebla, a distance of 286 miles, over
an improved road (largely gravel surface) from Veracruz to
San Hipolito, a distance of 178 miles, and thence over a paved
highway via Puebla to Mexico City.
From the Pacific coast port of Acapulco one may proceed by
motor vehicle over a modern highway, via Iguala and Cuerna-
vaca, to Mexico City, a distance of 281 miles, the highest point
being 9,866 feet at La Cima, 27 miles from Mexico City. The
highway is petrolized from Iguala to Mexico City, a distance
of 122 miles. From Acapulco to Iguala, 161 miles, the surface
is gravel.
From Mexico City, Guadalajara (422 miles distant) is reached
by an improved highway, paved for 40 miles to Toluca, thence
gravel via Morelia to Guadalajara.
TRAVEL NOTES ON VARIOUS HIGHWAYS
The following itineraries cover the more important highways,

and include the larger towns and cities.
Laredo-Mexico City.—Distance, 764 miles. Customs, immigra
tion, and sanitary authorities' inspection after crossing the
International Bridge from Laredo, Tex., into the town of Nuevo
Laredo. Advisable to stop first night in Monterrey, 146 miles
south of the border; the second night at Ciudad Mante (Villa
Juarez), 262 miles south of Monterrey, or at Valles or El Banito,
321 and 328 miles, respectively, south of Monterrey. The rest
of the journey is one day's unhurried drive into Mexico City.
Ten miles south of Nuevo Laredo there is customs inspection
of papers and baggage seals. At Mamulique pass, 105 miles from
the border, there is another Federal inspection. Among the
towns passed en route are the following: Monterrey.—146 miles
from the border ; 132,577 population ; important industrial center ;
hotel accommodations and meals. Linares.—228 miles from the
border ; meals at hotels. Ciudad Victoria.—324 miles ; auto
mobile court, garage, and repairs ; fishing and hunting. Valles.—
467 miles; advisable to fill gasoline tank at this point. El Ba
nito.—Sulphur baths ; small hotel. Tamazunchale.—539 miles ; a
short stop should be made at the foot of the abrupt slope of the
high plateau before starting the climb, which is best made be
tween 10 a. m. and 4 p. m. to avoid heavy fog. Jacala.—592
miles ; hotel and meals. Mexico City.—763 miles ; altitude 7,347
feet; population (estimated) 1,150,930.
Acapulco-Mexico City.—Distance, 281 miles. Acapulco.—
Oldest port on Pacific coast, great natural harbor ; broad, sandy
beaches ; population, 6,457 ; hotels. Ciudad Bravos ( also called
Chilpancingo) .—90 miles from Acapulco; capital of State of
Guerrero ; population, 7,500 ; fertile farming region. Iguala.—

(8 miles west of main highway) 161 miles; population, 12,008;
noted for tropical fruit ; hotel. Taxco.—183 miles ; a climb of
3,000 feet from Iguala ; silver mining ; population, 3,372 ; hotels.
Cuernavaca.—Capital of State of Morelos ; population, 9,554 ;
health resort, palace of Cortes, summer home of Maximilian ;
hotels. Mexico City.—281 miles from Acapulco.
Veracruz-Mexico City.—Distance, 286 miles. Veracruz.—
Population, 67,800 ; agriculture, manufacturing, and petroleum ;
leading crops, coffee, bananas, sugarcane, citrus fruits ; cotton
and jute mills; petroleum products, sugar, beer, and cigars.
Jalapa.—63 miles from Veracruz, capital of the State of Vera
cruz; altitude, 4,552 feet; population, 36,812; hotel. "Tierra
Caliente" (hot land) ends at Perote, 101 miles from Veracruz.
San Bipolito.—178 miles, junction with Mexico City-Cordoba
Highway. Puebla.—202 miles; altitude, 7,050 feet; capital of
State of Puebla ; population, 114,793 ; "Rome of Mexico" ;
churches, garages, hotels; industries include agriculture (sugar
cane), manufacture of textiles. Rio Frio Pass, 44 miles from
Puebla toward Mexico City is 9,751 feet above sea level. Mexico
City.—296 miles from Veracruz, 84 miles from Puebla.
Mexico City-Guadalajara.—Distance, 422 miles. Toluca.—
Capital of the State of Mexico ; population, 41.234 ; elevation.
8,770 feet; 40 miles from Mexico City. Morelia.—Capital of
State of Michoacan ; population, 39,916 ; hotels. Guadalajara.-—
Capital of State of Jalisco ; population, 179,556 ; elevation, 5,000
feet; leading occupations, agriculture (grains, chickpeas, sugar
cane, citrus fruit, bananas, coconuts, coffee, vegetables) and
mining (gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc). Manufactures include
textiles, shoes, soap, clothing, bricks, tile, pottery, glassware,
crackers, beer, leather, flour, sugar.
Mexico City-Orizaba-Cordoba.—Distance, 243 miles. Puebla,
84 miles from Mexico City ; Oarci Crespo, 156 miles. Orizaba.—
196 miles ; population, 42,904 ; trip from Garci Crespo best made
early in day to avoid fog ; textile center, large brewery, tropical
fruits, vegetables. Cordoba.—243 miles from Mexico City; to
bacco, coffee, tropical fruits. The highway from Cordoba to
Veracruz, 76 miles, is under construction.
RAILROADS.—Railways and tramways in Mexico, according
to data available, total 22,305 kilometers (13,860 miles). This
includes 13,211 miles of steam roads, 90 miles of electrified steam
roads, and 559 miles of tramways.
Chief ports of entry served by railroads are Veracruz; Tam-
pico; Matamoros, opposite Brownsville, Tex., on the Gulf;
Nuevo Laredo, opposite Laredo, Tex. ; Piedras Negras, opposite
Eagle Pass, Tex. ; Guaymas, Mazatlan, Manzanillo, and Salina
Cruz, on the West Coast.
MEXICO 21
Table 12.—Statistics of National Railways of Mexico,
1937 and 1938
Item 1937 193S
21, 674, 627 21, 370, 092

11, 570, 631 7, 747, 237
46, 119 42, 491
LEADING RAILROAD ROUTES BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND MEXICO

CITY
Laredo-Mexico City.—Via Monterrey, Saltillo, San Luis

Potosi, and Queretaro.—Air-conditioned trains run daily from
Laredo, Tex., to Mexico City (30 hours), carrying through sleep
ing cars from St. Louis, Mo., with Spanish lounge-observation
car from St. Louis to San Antonio and a combination diner and
lounge car from San Antonio to Mexico City ; dining car from
St. Louis to Mexico. A fast train, the "City of Mexico" (air-
conditioned, colonial lounge car with radio, soda fountain, and
shower baths) is operated by the Missouri Pacific between St.
Louis, Mo., and Laredo, Tex., over its own lines and those of
the Texas & Pacific and the International Great Northern ; it is
jointly operated by the Missouri Pacific and the National Rail
ways of Mexico between Laredo, Tex., and Mexico City. This
train leaves St. Louis on Sundays and arrives in Mexico City on
Tuesdays ; leaves Mexico City on Thursdays and arrives in St.
Louis on Saturdays.
Los Angeles-Mexico City.—Via Ml Paso, Tex., Chihuahua, Tor-
reon, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, and Queretaro, Mexico.—This
service comprises a through Pullman car operated triweekly to
and from Los Angeles and Mexico City (75 hours) by the
Southern Pacific over its lines between El Paso and Los Angeles
and by the National Railways of Mexico between Ciudad Juarez
(across the border from El Paso) and Mexico City. Trains
leave Los Angeles Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and
arrive in Mexico City Thursdays, Saturdays, and Tuesdays,
respectively. There is a stop-over of 5 hours at El Paso in
making connections. Also, there are daily air-conditioned trains
between Mexico City and El Paso, carrying sleeping cars, diner,
and lounge-observation car.
Los Angeles-Mexico City.—Via Nogales, Tex., Hermosillo,
Culiacan, Mazatlan, Guadalajara, Irapuato, Celaya, and Quere
taro, Mexico (85 hours).—This train is operated triweekly over
the Southern Pacific in each direction between Los Angeles and
Nogales over the Southern Pacific of Mexico between Nogales
and Guadalajara, Mexico, and over the National Railways of
Mexico between Guadalajara and Mexico City. Train leaves Los

Angeles Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and arrives in
Mexico City Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays, respectively;
returning, it leaves Mexico City Saturdays, Mondays, and Wed
nesdays, and arrives in Los Angeles Wednesdays, Fridays, and
Sundays, respectively. Between Nogales and Guadalajara the
Pullman Company operates a cafe-lounge car in each direction
on the Southern Pacific of Mexico, and all meals are served in
that car by the Pullman Company. There is dining-car service
by the Southern Pacific between Los Angeles and Nogales, and
by the National Railways of Mexico between Mexico City and
Guadalajara. This train is air-conditioned, and carries sleeping
cars.
OTHEB BAIL KOUTES
Mexico City-Veracruz.—Via Orizaba and Cordoba.—A daily

service is operated by the Mexican Railway Co., Ltd., between
Mexico City and Veracruz (12 hours), with a combination diner
and observation car on the daylight trip and sleeping cars on the
night train.
Mexico City-Veracruz.—Via Jalapa, capital of State of Vera
cruz.—Interoceanic Railway of Mexico (13% hours) operates
daily trains (over a narrow-gage road) in each direction, with
sleeping cars ; meals on board.
Mexico City-Guadalajara.—Via Queretaro and Celaya.—Na
tional Railways of Mexico (14 hours) operate daily service in
each direction, with Pullman sleepers and dining cars.
Mexico City-Tampico.— Via San Luis Potosi.—National Rail
ways of Mexico operate (27 hours) daily service between Mexico
City and San Luis Potosi and between San Luis Potosi and Tam-
pico, in both directions. Pullman sleepers and meals on board
between Mexico City and San Luis Potosi, and Pullman sleepers
between San Luis Potosi and Tampico.
Mexico City-Suchiate (on Guatemalan border).—Via Jalapa,
Veracruz, and Talachula.—Daily service between Mexico City
and Suchiate (47 hours), with sleeping-car accommodations and
meals. The direct sleeping car from Mexico City to Suchiate is
carried only on trains leaving Mexico City on Mondays, Thurs
days, and Saturdays, and from Suchiate to Mexico City on trains
leaving on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Mexico City-Oaxaca.—Via Puebla and Tehuacan.—National
Railways of Mexico, narrow gage ; 15 hours by triweekly service,
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, to Oaxaca ; and 16 hours,
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, to Mexico City from Oaxaca.
These trains carry sleeping cars ; meals served on board.
Note.—Recognized travel agencies, railway passenger agents,
and the offices of the National Railways of Mexico at the follow
ing addresses in the United States can give additional informa
MEXICO 2d
tion regarding rail travel in Mexico : 201 North Wells Building,

Chicago, 111. ; 815 Pacific Electric Building, Los Angeles, Calif. ;
435 Whitney Bank Building, New Orleans, La. ; 1886-90 Salmon
Tower, New York, N. Y. ; 2401 Smith-Young Tower, San Antonio,
Tex. ; 550 Monadnock Building, San Francisco, Calif.
STEAMSHIP SERVICE.—To Gulf Ports of Mexico.—A' etc York
and Cuba Mail Steamship Co.-—A weekly passenger and freight
service is operated by this line from New York to Veracruz via
Habana and Progreso, south-bound, and to New York from
Veracruz via Habana, north-bound. Minimum rate New York
to Progreso or New York to Veracruz, $95 ; round trip, $165.
6-month limit. New York to Mexico City, one way, $100; round
trip, $170, 6-month limit. This line also conducts cruises from
New York to include Mexico City. (Offices : Foot of Wall Street,
New York, N. Y.)
Standard Fruit and Steamship Co.—Operates weekly service
to Veracruz from New Orleans. Alternate weeks, there is a
direct sailing to Veracruz on the S. S. Morazan, and in interven
ing weeks the service is via Tampico on the S. S. Tegucigalpa.
a freighter accommodating a few passengers ; one-way first-class
fare, $50 ; round trip, $90. New Orleans to Mexico City, $60.30 ;
round trip $103.70. This company also conducts cruises to in
clude Mexico City and return via Veracruz.
Yucatan Line.— Service to and from New Orleans and Progreso
on the S. S. Bertha Brovig (6,500 tons displacement), accommo-
| dating 12 passengers ; sailing every 10 days. Rate, one way,
$35; round trip, $60. Voyage lasts 2 days. (Offices: New
Orleans, 429 Baiter Building ; New York, 80 Broad Street. )
Weinberger Line.—Fortnightly sailings from New Orleans to
Tuxpan, Gutierrez Zamora, Puerto Mexico, Ciudad del Carmen.
Accommodations for six passengers. (Office: 20 Decatur Street,
New Orleans.)
European Lines.—Regular service, with first-class passenger
accommodations, between a number of Mexican ports and Europe
is maintained in normal times by the Hamburg-American Line
< Offices: 57 Broadway, New York) ; the French Line (Offices:
KIO Fifth Avenue, New York) ; the Wilhelmsen Line—Norwe
gian—which has a one-way service from Veracruz to New Or
leans, to Galveston, to Savannah, thence to north European ports
(Offices: Oslo, Norway) ; Plant Agencies S. S. Co. (Whitney
Central Building, New Orleans, La.) ; Freight Boat Travel Serv
ice (Los Angeles, Calif.).
Gulf of Mexico Coastwise Service.—Limited passenger accom
modations under the Mexican flag are available between Mexican
ports on the Gulf of Mexico. Transportes Maritimos y Vias
Fluvlales operates three vessels—the Emancipation, Progreso,
and Veracruz, between Veracruz, Progreso, and Campeche.
Other sailings, it is reported, may be obtained through the
Control de Fletes y Pasajes, Veracruz.
To West Coast Ports of Mexico.—Panama Pacific Line.—Ships

of this line call at Acapulco, west-bound from New York and
Baltimore to Los Angeles and San Francisco via the Panama
Canal. Calls at Acapulco are made approximately once a week.
( Offices : 1 Broadway, New York ; Baltimore Trust Building;,
Baltimore ; 62 Market Street, San Francisco ; 715 West Seventh
Street, Los Angeles.)
Orace Line.—North-bound and south-bound service about
every 3 weeks at Manzanillo (Mazatlan and Acapulco when cargo
warrants). Other calls include Puget Sound ports, San Fran
cisco, Los Angeles, Central American ports, and South American
ports as far south as Antofagasta, Chile. These passenger-
freight vessels carry from 8 to 12 passengers. ( Offices : 10 Han
over Square, New York ; 2 Pine Street, San Francisco ; Coppel
& Bros., Mazatlan.)
Nippon Yusen Kaisha.—Out-bound from Hong Kong via Kobi,
Yokohama, Honolulu, and California ports, thence south to
Valparaiso, Chile, via Balboa, Callao, Mollendo, Arica, and
Iquique. Return service every 2 or 3 months from Manzanillo,
via California, Hawaiian, and Japanese ports, to Hong Kong.
( Offices : 25 Broadway, New York ; 333 North Michigan Avenue,
Chicago ; 551 Market Street, San Francisco ; 1404 Fourth Avenue,
Seattle.)
Mexican Flag Pacific Coastwise Service.—Vessels of the Em-
presa Maritima de Mazatlan operate a Mexican Pacific coast
wise service. Information as to future sailings is obtainable at 4
the company offices in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, or at travel offices in '
Mexico. Two Mexican vessels carrying passengers in the coast
wise service of the Pacific coast of Mexico are subsidized by
the Mexican Government. They are the Ensenada (418 net
tons, speed 11 knots), calling at Ensenada, Magdalena, San
Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Man
zanillo ; and the Salvatierra making calls at La Paz, Loreto,
Mazatlan, San Bias, Platanitos, Chicaya, Penita, Boca Tomates,
Isla de Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, and Manzanillo. Recognized
tourist agencies in Mexico should be approached for latest in
formation as to sailing of vessels in the Mexican Pacific coast
wise service.
AIR SERVICE.—Mexico is served by a fairly well-developed
network of international and national lines.
Miami-Mexico City.—The Pan American Airways system and
its Mexican affiliate, the Compania Mexicana de Avlacion, S. A.,
operate services which reach Mexico City and intermediate points
from Miami, Fla. ; Brownsville, Tex. ; and Los Angeles, Calif.
The Compania Lineas Aereas Mineras, S. A., joins Ciudad Juarez
(opposite El Paso, Tex.), and intervening centers with Mexico
City. The Pan American route continues from Mexico City to
Guatemala via Tapachula, Mexico, to join its Central American,
Caribbean, and South American services. A number of Mexican
'
MEXICO 25
aviation companies, operating independently, serve various popu

lation centers in the Republic.
Brownsville-Mexico City-Guatemala.—Operating schedules of
the larger routes are as follows : Over the international route
of Pan American Airways there is a daily service in each direc
tion between Brownsville and Mexico City via Tampico, a
distance of 466 miles flown in 3 hours and 25 minutes, including
a 20-minute stop at Tampico. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fri
days this service continues from Mexico City to Guatemala,
capital of Guatemala, via Tapachula, Mexico, a distance of 675
miles. Flying time from Mexico City to Guatemala, plus a 25-
mlnute stop at Tapachula, is 4 hours and 40 minutes. Return
flights from Guatemala to Brownsville, Tex., via Mexico City,
a distance of 1,161 miles are made Mondays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays.
Tampico-Mexico City.—Between Tampico and Mexico City
the Compania Mexicana de Aviacion, S. A., operates daily (ex
cept Sunday) flights in each direction via Tuxpan. Distance,
244 miles (393 kilometers). Trip takes 1 hour and 55 minutes,
including a 10-minute stop at Tuxpan.
Mlami-Merida.—The Pan American maintains a weekly serv
ice leaving Miami early Thursday morning and arriving in early
afternoon at Merida, Yucatan, via Habana. a distance of 748
miles. Return flight to Miami from Merida via Habana is
made every Friday.
Merida-Mexico City.—Between Merida, Yucatan, and Mexico
City the Compania Mexicana de Aviacion service is available
daily except Sunday in each direction via Campeche and Ciudad
del Carmen, State of Campeche ; Villabermosa, State of Tabasco ;
Minatitlan and Veracruz (Tejeria), State of Veracruz. The
route is 734 miles. The trip takes 6 hours 30 minutes, including
1 hour 30 minutes in stops of 15 and 20 minutes each.
Villahennosa-Mexico City.—Between Villahermosa (State of
Tabasco) and Mexico City there is a Sunday service in each
direction over the 434-mile route. Trip, 3 hours 5 minutes, no
stop being made at Veracruz (Tejeria) in either direction and
other stops totaling 40 minutes.
los Angeles-Mexico City.-—Between Los Angeles and Mexico
City the Compania Mexicana de Aviacion, S. A., operates a
triweekly service in each direction via Mexicali, Hermosillo,
Mazatlan, and Guadalajara, a distance of 1,619 miles. Trip
takes 11 hours and 55 minutes, including 1 hour and 45 minutes
for scheduled stops. Flights from Los Angeles are made on
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; from Mexico City, on
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Ciudad Juarez -Mexico City.—Compania Lineas Aereas Mineras,
S. A., operates triweekly services between Ciudad Juarez (across
from El Paso, Tex.) and Mexico City in each direction, via
Chihuahua and Parral, State of Chihuahua ; Torreon, State of
Coahuila ; and Aguascalientes, State of Aguascalientes. Planes

leave Ciudad Juarez early Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
mornings, and arrive at Mexico City late afternoon of those
days. Mexico City to Ciudad Juarez service is on Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays, leaving early morning and arriving
late afternoon. Distance, 1,034 miles; time, 10 hours 35 min
utes, including stops of 25 to 30 minutes totaling 1 hour 45
minutes.
SERVICES OF PRINCIPAL OPERATING GROUPS
The following compilation gives data concerning air-service

routes in Mexico. Included in these data are the name of the
operating entity and an indication of possible trips.
As schedules and transportation charges are subject to change,
the traveler is referred to recognized ticket agencies or the offices
of the operating companies for latest information.
Table 13.—Principal Air Services in Mexico
Company Routes
Pan American Airways Brownsville, Tex.-Mexico City, via Tampico, State of

System. Tamaulipas.
Do Miami-Merida, State of Yucatan, via Habana.
Companía Mexicana de Tampico, State of Tamaulipas-Mexico City, vía
Aviación, S. A. Tuxpan, State of Veracruz.
Do Merida-Mexico City, via Campeche and Ciudad
Carmen, State of Campeche; Villahermosa, State of
Tabasco; Minatitlan and Veracruz (Tejería), State of
Veracruz.
Do Los Angeles-Mexico City, via Mexicali, Lower Cali
fornia; Hermosillo, State of Sonora; Mazatlan, State
of Sinaloa; Guadalajara, State of Jalisco.
Companía Lineas Aereas El Paso, Tex. (Ciudad Juarez, State of Chihuahua)-
Mineras, S. A. Mexico City, via Chihuahua, State of Chihuahua,
and Aguascalientes, State of Aguascalientes.
Companía Transportes Mexico City-Tapachula, State of Chiapas, via Oaxaca.
Aéreos de Chiapas, S. A. State of Oaxaca; and Tuxtla Gutierrez, State of
Chiapas.
Do Merida, Yucatan-Chetumal, Territory of Quintana
Roo, via Hopelchen, State of Campeche.
Do Merida, Yucatan-Belize, British Honduras, via
Cozumel, Puerto, and Chetumal, Territory of
Quintana Roo.
Sistema Companía Aero Villahermosa-Tenosique, via Emilio Zapata (all in
nautica del Sur, S. A. State of Tabasco).
Do Villahermosa-Alvaro Obregon (Frontera), State of
Tabasco.
Do Villahermosa-Paraiso, via Comalcalco (all in State of
Tabasco).
Do Villahermosa, Tabasco-Yajalon, Chiapas, via Maeus-
pana, Tabasco, and Salto de Agua. Chiapas.
Do Villahermosa-Tapijulapa. via Tacotalpa (all in State
of Tabasco).
Do Villahermosa, State of Tabasco-Pichucalco, State of
Chiapas (via Teapa, in Tabasco).
Do. Villahermosa-Humanguillo, via Cardenas (all in State
of Tabasco) .
MEXICO 27
Table 13.—Principal Air Services in Mexico—Continued
Company Routes
Sistema Compania Aero Villahermosa-Jalpa de Mendez, via Cunduacan (an in

nautica del Sur, S. A. State of Tabasco.)
Do Villahermosa, State of Tabasco-Coatzacoalcos (Puerto
Mexico), State of Veracruz.
Sistema Francisco Bucli de Jalapa-Villa Cuauhtemoc, via Gutierrez Zamorra,
Panda. Poza Rica. Tuxpan, and Villa Cuauhtemoc (all in
State of Veracruz).
Do Jalapa-Coatzacoalcos (Puerto Mexico), via Cordoba,
Cosamaloapan, and Catemaco (all in State of Vera
cruz).
Do Jalapa-Misantla, via Vega de Altatorre (all in State of
Veracruz).
Aeronaves de Mexico, S. A Mexico City-Acapulco, State of Guerrero.
Compania Transportes Oaxaca, State of Oaxaca-Acapulco, State of Guerrero
Aereos del Paciflco. via Pochutla, Tututepec, and Pinotepa, State of
Oaxaca; Ometepec, San Luis de Acatlan, and Ayutla,
State of Guerrero.
Servicio Aereo Panlni. Mexico City-Colima, State of Colima, via Morelia,
Apatzingan, and Coalcoman, State of Michoacan.
Do Mexico City-Morelia, State of Michoacan, via Arcelia,
and Cludad Altamirano, State of Guerrero; Huetamo,
State of Michoacan.
Servicios Aereos Zaratc - Acapulco, State of Guerrero-Uruapan, State of Michoa
can, via Tecpan, State of Guerrero; Petatlan; La
Union; Arteaga and Apatzingan, State of Michoacan.
Compania Lineas Aereas Mazatlan, State of Sfnaloa-Tayoltita, State of Durango
Mineras, S. A.
Do Durango, State of Durango-Mazatlan, State of Sinaloa.
Roberto Fierro V. (Oper Guadalajara-Puerto Vallarta via Talpa and Mascota
ator). (all in State of Jalisco).
Compania Aeronautica de Parral-Guadalupe y Calvo (State of Chihuahua).
la Sierra, S. A.
Miguel Mendosa Fucntes Santa Rosalia-La Paz, via Loreto and Punta Cortez
(Operator). (all ín Lower California); and from La Paz to San
Jose del Cabo.
COMMUNICATION
Telephone, Telegraph, Cable, and Radio.—The Compania Tele

fonica y Telegrafica Mexicana (an affiliate of the International
Telephone & Telegraph Co.) and the Empresa de Telefonos
Ericsson, S. A., furnish telephone service in Mexico to all im
portant commercial and industrial centers, as well as to many
isolated towns. Long-distance calls over one system may be
routed, at no extra charge, over the lines of the other to reach
a subscriber of the latter. Rates of the two companies are the
same. Calls may be made to any destination in the United
States or Europe via the system of the Compania Telefonica y
Telegrafica Mexicana, and to many telephones in the United
States and Europe via the lines of the Empresa de Telefonos
Ericsson, S. A.
202836—*0 3
By the system operated by the Direceion General de Correos y

Telegrafos (Directorate General of Posts and Telegraphs) within
the Government department the Secretariat of Communications
and Public Works, all important population centers and many
small towns can be reached by telegraph. The Directorate Gen
eral also operates the radiotelegraphic service to the United
States, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The Compania Telegrafica Mexicana (Western Union affiliate)
operates a combined telegraph and cable service to the United
States and an international cable and telegraph service from
its offices in Mexico City.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Sanitary Regulations.—Visitors to Mexico will not be vac
cinated against smallpox at the port of entry provided they show
their tourist card or other documents. It is advisable, however,
to be in possession of a vaccination certificate to show the
American authorities on return to the United States.
Necessary Documents.—Tourists to Mexico from the United
States are not required to present passports. A "tourist card,"
obtainable at the nearest Mexican consulate at a fee of $1, is
required. This card is good for 6 months and may be restamped
for an extension of an additional 6 months upon request at the
Departmento de Migracion (Immigration Department) of the
Secretaria de Gobernacion, Bucareli 99, Mexico Oity, or at
branch offices of the Departmento de Migracion in other parts
of Mexico. At the port of entry the tourist must prove to cus
toms officials that he has adequate funds in cash for his stay in
Mexico. A minimum amount deemed suitable for this purpose
has been stated as 200 pesos a month. Tourists entering Mexico
on a "tourist card" are forbidden by law to engage in any kind
of business or to change their status in any manner while there ;
infractions are subject to legal penalties.
A naturalized American citizen, in order to avoid possible diffi
culty in reentering the United States, should have with him his
naturalization certificate.
An alien should possess a passport, head tax receipt, or
identification card, to prove legal domicile in the United States.
An American commercial traveler or representative should
obtain Form 5, stamped "Visitante," through a Mexican consul in
the United States. The applicant must supply the consul with
four profile and four full-face photographs. The consular fee is
4 pesos for issuance of the "Visitante" card, which establishes the
status of the commercial representative and accords him legal
entry into Mexico. According to interpretations of the law by
immigration authorities, the status of "commercial traveler" will
be accorded only when the object of the trip is to appoint dis
tributors or to consult with distributors already appointed. The
MEXICO 29
position is taken that there are in Mexico enough salesmen of

Mexican nationality to effect prospective direct sales.
The commercial traveler or representative is required to post
a bond of 250 pesos at the port of entry to guarantee his depar
ture from Mexico within the period specified on his "Visitante"
card. The maximum period of issue is 6 months. To assure re
turn of his bond in case he leaves by a border point other than
that by which he entered, the commercial traveler is required to
have his card stamped, on the date of his departure, at the near
est office of the Departamento de Migracion of the Secretaria de
Gobernacion ; promptly on his return to the United States he
should apply at the Mexican consulate through which he obtained
his "Visitante" status for a return of the amount of his bond,
and should present his stamped card in evidence of compliance
with legal requirements. Should he leave via his port of entry,
he should apply at the customs office for the return of his bond.
If the commercial traveler wishes to make more than one trip
to Mexico during a single year, he should apply to the Departa
mento de Migracion, Secretaria de Gobernacion, Mexico City, for
Form 10—previously having obtained, however, Form 5 ("Visi
tante" status) and Form 14. The latter form (for the registra
tion of foreigners in Mexico) costs 10 pesos.
Experience demonstrates that about 6 weeks elapse before a
reply to an application for a commercial traveler's "Visitante"
permit is received by the Mexican consulate in the United States.
This period may be reduced if the consul is authorized to com
municate with Mexico City authorities by air mail or by tele
graph for similar reply—all of which is at the applicant's
expense.
When the request is originally made to the Mexican consul, the
prospective commercial traveler should state specifically the pur
pose of his visit to Mexico. Such general statements as "to
travel in Mexico" should be avoided, as they are conducive to
delay.
Investors (Inversionistas) .—An immigrant wishing to enter
Mexico to engage in agriculture, industrial development, or ex
port trade, must prove that he will invest: (a) 100,000 pesos
if the enterprise is to be located in the Federal District; or (6)
20,000 pesos, if in State capital; or (c) 5,000 pesos if in other
localities. The investor must secure Form 5, permitting his
legal entry. At port of entry an investor from the United States
must post a repatriation bond of 250 pesos to guarantee his
return. (For other countries the amount of bond for a citizen
varies in proportion to that country's distance from Mexico.)
In addition, the investor must deposit a 500-peso bond to guar
antee that he will invest the amount of money specified and
that he will not change his status during the first 5 years of
his residence. He must report to the Secretaria de Gobernacion
annually, to present proof that he is engaged in the same busi
30
ness for which he came to Mexico. Within 30 days after the
investor arrives in Mexico he must obtain from the Secretaria
de Gobernacion Form 14, which is for the registration of for
eigners in Mexico.
Motor tourists.—The tourist taking his own automobile to
Mexico must obtain a permit from the Mexican collector of cus
toms (Administrador de Aduana) at the border place of entry
covering the temporary importation of the car. This permit
carries a 3-peso fee and is good for a period of 90 days. Written
application should be made during the first 90-day period, to a
border customs office or to the Directorate General of Customs
(Direccion General de Aduanas), Mexico, D. P., giving make
of the car, motor number, temporary permit number, location
of issuing customs office, date granted and date of expiration
(each of which counts 1 full day). The owner will be required
to deposit at the customs office at the port of entry his driver's
license or similar document, as well as the bill of sale or papers
identifying him as the owner. It is advisable that automobile
insurance protecting against liability for traffic accidents be ob
tained from a reputable Mexican company ; or, when possible, a
rider to the policy already carried should be procured from an
insurance company in the United States. To avoid payment of
the full import duties covering their automobiles, tourists are
advised not to overstay the time limit allowed.
As regulations governing entry of foreigners into Mexico vary,
those desiring to enter the country are advised to consult the
nearest Mexican consul for the latest regulations.
ARRIVAL
Salesmen's Samples.—Unless rendered useless or of no com
mercial value, all samples, whether sent direct or accompany
ing a traveler, are subject to the corresponding import duties.
For example, shoe samples are not dutiable if made unsalable
by having holes punched in them.
Prior tariff classification by the Treasury Department may
be obtained only by a person or firm already doing business in
Mexico. Thus, the foreign company's agent, representative, or
distributor in Mexico may obtain an official prior tariff classifi
cation by submitting a sample. On the reexportation of sam
ples, when justified by documentary evidence (including a cus
toms list of the articles obtained on payment of duty at time of
entry), full drawback is allowed on duties paid for their "tem
porary importation."
Baggage.—General procedure is to have baggage inspected by
Mexican customs agents at the border, though it may be sent
in bond to Mexico City for inspection there. Baggage may be
brought into Mexico within 1 year from date of the traveler's
entry, provided he gives the proper notice to customs officials.
MEXICO 31
Upon arrival of additional baggage at destination, the traveler,

in order to obtain delivery free of duty, must (a) identify him
self at the customs office by means of his passport, (6) justify
his entry and presence in Mexico, and (c) show his declaration
concerning future arrival of baggage, issued by customs officers
at port of entry. Railroads allow free transport of 50 kilograms
(110 pounds) of baggage on each first-class ticket (in crossing
the border this limit is 150 pounds, to conform with the practice
of United States railroads) ; steamship companies, 200 pounds
when first class and 100 pounds when second class ; and air lines
20 kilograms (44 pounds). Excess-baggage rates are charged
on weights above these amounts.
Advertising Matter.—All advertising matter—catalogs, cal
endars, and similar material—is subject to duty. Catalogs
and advertising matter sent direct from the United States to the
addressee are exempt from the requirement of the Law of
Weights and Measures that all indications of weight, volume,
etc., be expressed in the metric system.
SALES TERRITORIES
The larger cities of commercial importance in Mexico are
considered good distributing centers. Among these are Mexico
City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Merida, Veracruz, Chihuahua,
San Luis Potosi, and Mazatlan ; while for more complete cov
erage, Torreon, Tampico, Guaymas, and Mexicali and other
border points could be added.
For convenience, Mexico has been divided into three distribu
tion regions : ( a) The Gulf Coast, and the Pecific Coast south of
Manzanillo; (6) Central, north of Mexico City; (c) Western,
north of Manzanillo. Within these three main regions, sales ter
ritories (by States) are grouped about distribution centers.
These sales zones or territories are summarized below.
Gulf Coast, and Pacific Coast South of Manzanillo
1. Merida.—Yucatan ; Campeche ; and territory of Quintana Boo.
2. Veracruz.—-Chiapas ; Tabasco ; Veracruz, south of Tuxpan ; and
southern part of Oaxaca.
3. Tampico.—Veracruz, south to and including Tuxpan ; north to
and íncluding Cludad Victoria ; west of foothills of Sierra Madre
Mountains.
4. Monterrey.—Nuevo Leon ; Tamaulipas, north of Ciudad Victoria ;
Coahuila, except southwestern jortion.
5. Mexico City.—Federal District, Mexico ; Queretaro ; Hidalgo :
Tlaxcala ; Morelos ; Michoacan ; Puebla ; Guerrero ; northwestern part
of Oaxaca, including the city of Oaxaca, the capital.
Central, North of Mexico City
6. Chihuahua. —Chihuahua.
7. Torreon-Durango.—Southwestern portion of Coahuila ; northern
and western Zacatecas ; extreme northern part of Jalisco ; Durango.
8. San Luis Potosi.— San Luis Potosi ; Aguascalientes ; Guanajuato.
Western, North of Manzanillo

9. Guadalajara.—Jalisco, except extreme northern part ; Colimsi ;
southern part of Zacatecas.
10. Mazatlan.
11. Gnaymas-Nogales.—Sonora, less strip west of a line about 100
miles west of Nogales ; southern half of Lower California.
12. Ensenada-Mexicali.—Northern half of Lower California, and
approximately 100 miles of Sonora west of Noffales.
Merida Sales Territory.—Includes the States of Yucatan an<l
Campeche and the Territory of Quintana Roo. Merida (popula
tion about 05,015), the distribution center, is the fourth city
in size in Mexico. The principal port is Progreso. The climate
is tropical, with temperature range from 80° to 95° F. The
altitude does not exceed 1,000 feet. Population of the area
is about 500,000, a large proportion of which is Mayan Indians,
living on henequen plantations or in small villages. Per capita
income is low, and demand is confined largely to prime neces
sities. The well-to-do classes in Merida are accustomed to
modern conveniences. The principal industry is cultivation of
henequen, used to manufacture binder twine and other cordage.
In the southern part of Yucatan the soil is suited to general
agriculture ; beans, corn, tobacco, and sugarcane are cultivated.
In certain sections of the peninsula there are tracts of Spanish
cedar and mahogany. Extraction of crude chicle for export is
the leading activity in Campeche and Quintana Roo ; lumbering
follows in importance. Henequen cordage, bags, and alcoholic
beverages are exported. There is a limited production (for local
consumption) of flour, sugar, crackers, macaroni, chocolate, soft
drinks, lard compounds, cigarettes, matches, soap, leather goods,
clothing, tiles, furniture, galvanized ware, and nails. Principal
imports are motor vehicles and accessories, chemicals, drugs, elec
trical supplies and equipment, hardware, machinery, paints and
varnishes, paraffin, radios, and miscellaneous foodstuffs. A large
proportion of foreign merchandise is supplied by Mexico City
dealers. The principal export is sisal (henequen fiber), of which
1938 shipments from the port of Progreso totaled 280,519 bales
(400 pounds each), as against 359,749 in 1937. The greater part
is purchased by the United States. Other exports are binder
twine, crude chicle, hides, shark products, skins, dyewood, and
mahogany logs.
Veracruz Sales Territory.—Includes the States of Chiapas and
Tabasco, the greater part of the State of Veracruz from Tuxpan
south, and the southern part of Oaxaca ; total area, about 84,000
square miles ; population, approximately 2,650,000. The Atlantic
and Pacific coastal climate is tropical ; the hilly regions are ten»-
perate. The rainy season is in .Inly, August, and September ;
average yearly rainfall, about 77 inches. The average yearly
temperature in Veracruz is 77° F. The majority of the in
habitants can purchase only the necessities of life, but in the
larger towns, persons of wealth and culture maintain a com
MEXICO 33
paratively high standard of living. Among the growing middle

class there is an increasing demand for imported articles such as
lower priced radios and other manufactures of nominal cost.
Agriculture is the leading occupation, though manufacturing and
the petroleum industry are of importance in the State of Vera
cruz. Leading crops are coffee, bananas, beans, maize, sugarcane,
citrus fruit, pineapples, vanilla, and broom root. Manufactures
include cotton and jute, petroleum products, sugar, beer, and
cigars. Leading imports are motor vehicles, agricultural imple
ments, machinery, electric refrigerators, radios, canned goods,
drugs, cotton and woolen cloth, hardware, paints and varnishes,
perfumes, wines and liquors. Principal exports include coffee,
bananas, petroleum, petroleum products, broom root, vanilla,
pineapples, mahogany logs.
This territory has three ports. Veracruz is the principal port ;
the others are Alvaro Obregon (Frontera) and Puerto Mexico
(Coatzacoalcos). It is planned to complete the dredging of the
Pacific port of Salina Cruz to free it from sand.
Veracruz is connected with Mexico City via Jalapa, capital
of the State of Veracruz, by the Interoceanic Railway (narrow
gage) and by the Mexican Railway via Orizaba and Cordoba.
Tampico Sales Territory.—From Tampico as a distribution
center, it is possible to reach, in an area of about 25,000 square
miles, much of the Gulf coast of Mexico extending 100 miles
south to Tuxpan, and about 125 miles north and west to the
foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Although the greater
part of this territory is in the Tropics, extreme heat and ex
cessive rainfall are absent and the climate in general is mild.
Mean annual rainfall is slightly under 40 inches, and three-
quarters of it occurs from June to the end of October. Mean
annual temperature is 75° F. and maximum summer temperature
rarely exceeds 95° F. The surface is flat and level along the
coast, becomes undulating in the interior, and rises to the foot
hills. The only river of any size is the Panuco, which is navi
gable by small ocean-going vessels as far as Tampico, which is
7 miles from the Gulf. Small craft ply between Tampico and
Tuxpan through inlard waterways. Population of the terri
tory is estimated at 200,000 ; that of Tampico, at 68,126 in 1930.
The only other important city is Ciudad Victoria (population
about 17,682), capital of the State of Tamaulipas. Purchasing
power and living standards are comparatively higher than those
in other sections of Mexico because of higher wages. Before
expropriation of the petroleum properties in March 1938, the
American population was estimated as 1,000.
The production, refining, and exportation of petroleum prod
ucts is the principal industry of this area, which accounts for
two-thirds to three-quarters of the production, refining, and ex
portation of petroleum in Mexico. Principal agricultural pro
duction comprises corn, wheat, beans, sugar, henequen, and fruit.
34
Since expropriation, the demand for imported merchandise by
the wealthier class is stated to have declined. Principal imports
are chemical products, food products, machinery, tools, parts,
and miscellaneous manufactures of metal, motor vehicles and
parts, and textiles. Lending exports are petroleum and petro
leum products, food products, and minerals.
Tampico is connected over the system of the National Bail-
ways of Mexico by a line to Monterrey and one running to San
Luis Potosi.
Monterrey Sales Territory.—Comprises the States of Nuevo
Leon, Tamaullpas north of Ciudad Victoria, and Coahuila except
the southwestern portion. Monterrey (population about 132,-
577) , capital of the State of Nuevo Leon, lies in the mountains
at an altitude of 1,624 feet. Distance from the border is 168
miles by rail and 146 miles by Pan American Highway. The
climate is temperate ; summers, however, are long and hot.
Annual rainfall is 16 inches. It is a progressive industrial city,
influenced by its nearness to the United States. Natural gas
is piped to Monterrey from Texas and northeastern Mexico.
Demand for imported articles other than supplies and equip
ment for industries is confined to the wealthy and to the more
prosperous among the middle class, as the majority of the
people are farmers or laborers with comparatively low purchas
ing power. In 1938 there were listed in Monterrey 438 fac
tories, representing an investment of 153,0CO,0OO pesos, with
30,000 employees and a weekly pay roll of 730,500 pesos. Larger
enterprises include the largest iron and steel plant in Mexico;
two American-owned argentiferous lead smelters and refineries;
breweries; and plants for the manufacture of glass articles,
textiles (cotton and rayon), furniture, enamelware, pastries,
cigarettes, shoes, incandescent lamps, bottle caps, brick and
tile, celluloid goods, compressed gases, dressed ixtle fiber, gal
vanized iron sheets, matches, mineral water, paints and var
nishes, paper products, shirts and work clothing, medicinals,
and toilet preparations. Principal imports are industrial ma
chinery, agricultural implements, general hardware, motor
vehicles, iron and steel sheets, drugs, chemicals, lumber, metal
pipes, electrical goods, office appliances and supplies, lubricating
greases, and kraft paper. Principal exports are lead and silver ;
beer ; beeswax ; goat, kid, and wild-animal skins ; cattle hides ;
dressed ixtle.
Monterrey is a railroad center on the National Railways line
connecting Nuevo Laredo (on the northern border) with Mexico
City ; with the line running to Matamoros (opposite Brownsville,
Tex.) ; with the lines to Tampico and to Saltillo ; and has con
nections with virtually all railroad points in the Republic. It is
on the Pan American Highway extending from Laredo, Tex., to
Mexico City.
Piedras Negras (opposite Eagle Pass, Tex.), Nuevo Laredo
(opposite Laredo, Tex.), and Matamoros (opposite Brownsville,
MEXICO 35
Tex.) are connected by the National Railways lines with Mon

terrey. These points and towns along the rail lines toward
Monterrey can well be covered from American border towns with
which they are associated ; though many intei veiling towns can
be conveniently reached from Monterrey because of its advan
tageous location and its position as a commercial and financial
center.
The Piedras Negras area, about 28,003 square miles, comprises
the northern half of the State of Coahuila, with a population
of about 100,000, the largest town being Piedras Negras (popu
lation 18,786). Import demand is confined to a limited wealthier
class purchasing American wearing apparel, furniture, and other
articles. Leading occupations are agriculture, stock raising,
zinc smelting, and coal production. Other industries are flour
mills, truck-body and millwork factory, lard-packing factory,
and textile mills. Import purchases are made direct from Texas
commercial centers, and purchasing agencies import from manu
facturing enterprises in the United States for their clients.
Leading imports are agricultural implements, mining machinery
and miners' supplies, lumber, hardware, crockery, tinware, brick,
clothing, canned goods, and chemicals. Exports are cattle, hides,
sheep, wheat bran, pecans, ixtle, candelilla wax, motor benzine,
and zinc smelter.
The area around Saltillo, capital of the State of Coahuila,
comprising the southeastern portion of that State, could be cov
ered from Monterrey as a distributing point. Saltillo (popula
tion about 45,272) is located on a plateau a mile above sea level
in a sparsely populated mountain region. The area is semiarid
and farming is dependent upon rainfall, which is 15 to 20 inches
a year. Winters are mild. Mean temperature is 63° F. ; the
temperature rarely falls below 53° or rises above 72°. Per
capita purchasing ability is limited. Mining and farming are
leading industries. Principal ores are copper, lead, silver, and
zinc. Principal agricultural products are winter wheat, corn,
beans, barley, alfalfa. Ixtle fiber and candelilla wax, taken
from wild plants, are important products ; the former is used
in the manufacture of brushes and the latter in shoe, floor, and
furniture polishes. Manufacturing is limited, a few thousand
persons being employed in 5 cotton mills, 4 overall factories,
4 flour mills, 2 shoe factories, a kitchen-utensil factory, a tile
factory, a pencil factory, and a fiber-dressing plant. Imports are
negligible, demand being supplied from Monterrey and Mexico
City ; principal articles are textile, farming, flour-mill and
cotton-mill machinery ; wheat and foodstuffs ; hardware ; elec
trical supplies; chemicals. Exports are ixtle fiber, goatskins,
candelilla wax, wheat bran and shorts. Metal ores are shipped
to Monterrey for smelting.
A paved highway connects Monterrey with Saltillo, a distance
of about 55 miles, and continues west to Torreon, also in the
State of Coahuila. Saltillo is connected by rail with Torreon,
which is on the main line of the National Railways of Mexico

from Ciudad Juarez (opposite El Paso) to Mexico City via
Chihuahua, and Saltillo itself is on the main line of the same
system from Nuevo Laredo (opposite Luredo, Tex.) to Mexico
City via Monterrey and San Luis Potosi to Mexico City. Saltillo
is the junction of the National Railways line from Piedras
Negras (opposite Eagle Pass, Tex., where it joins with the line
from Nuevo Laredo).
The Matamoros area (population about 175,000) includes the
State of Tamaulipas north of Victoria, the capital. Largest
town is Matamoros, opposite Brownsville. Leading occupations
are farming and stock raising. Limited manufactures include
cottonseed oil, brick, soda water, and mezcal. Imports include
foodstuffs, dry goods, hardware, and agricultural implements.
Exports are hides and skins, furs, bones, hair, and vegetables.
The National Railway connects Matamoros with Monterrey,
and vehicular and railroad bridges link it with Brownsville, Tex.,
where Pan American Airways provides plane service daily to and
from Mexico City via Tampico.
Mexico City Sales Area.—Covers the Federal District; the
States of Mexico, Queretaro, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Morelos, Micho-
acan, Puebla, and Guerrero; and the northwestern portion of
Oaxaca, including the capital of the same name. Population
of this area is estimated (June 1938) at 7,300,000. Leading
cities : Mexico City, population 1,150,980 (June 1938, estimated) ;
Puebla, 114,793 ; Pachuca, 43,023 ; Toluca, 41,234 ; Morelia, 39,910 ;
Queretaro, 32,585; Oaxaca, 33,423; Acapulco, 6,457. The Fed
eral District, (which includes the capital, Mexico City), with an
estimated population (June 1938) of 1,447,274, is of outstanding
importance commercially, politically, and industrially. Mexico
City, 7,347 feet above sea level, has a mean temperature of
58° F. and a temperature range from 20° to 85° F. About 35
percent of all wages and salaries applicable to manufacturing
enterprises in the country are paid in the Federal District, and
plants within the District are accredited with 34 percent of the
total value of industrial production. Outstanding occupations
and industries of this sales area are agriculture; mining; and
the manufacture of paper and paper products, matches, glass,
bricks, tubing, rolling-mill products, machine-shop goods, textiles,
knit goods, work clothes, hats, ready-made clothing, shoes,
rubber goods, tires, cigarettes and cigars, vegetable oils, flour
and other foodstuffs, beer, soft drinks, cement, soap, ice, printers'
supplies, medicinal, chemical, and pharmaceutical products, cos
metics and toilet preparations, and furniture. Central Govern
ment departments, head offices of financial institutions and lead
ing industries (such as railroads, mining, textiles, and petro
leum), as well as three automobile assembly plants, are located
in the Federal District.
MEXICO 37
The Federal District, where the living standard is higher

than in any other part of the Republic, is the leading market
for imported merchandise. Principal imports include railroad
equipment, machinery, agricultural implements, heavy and light
hardware, tools, lumber, clothing, textiles, toilet articles, cos
metics, pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles and accessories, paper
and paper products, foodstuffs, notions, novelties, toys, glass
ware, electrical equipment and supplies, electric fixtures and
household appliances, plumbing supplies and fixtures, scientific
instruments, and beauty-parlor equipment.
In the State of Guerrero (of which Acapulco is the chief
port), on the Pacific coast, are produced coffee, limes, concen
trated lime juice, distilled oil of limes, sesame seed, coconut and
sesame-seed oil cake.
Chihuahua Sales Territory.—Includes the State of Chihuahua,
with a population of 578,520. The principal cities are Chihua
hua, the capital, with a population of 45,595 ; Ciudad Juarez
(opposite El Paso, Tex., on the border), population 39,669;
Parral, 18,000; Ciudad Camargo (Santa Rosalia), 14,000; and
Jiminez, 11,000. The altitude in the northern part of the area
averages from 3,000 to 7,000 feet. The western region is prin
cipally rolling and mountainous, with large areas of tablelands.
The climate is generally dry and arid, with summers alleviated
by rains from June to September. Winters are somewhat cold,
with occasional frost and snow. Irrigation is used except in the
high mountain section, where abundant rainfall insures staple
crops. The altitude of Chihuahua, the capital, is 4,600 feet.
About 80 percent of the people are laborers. The remainder are
for the most part in moderate circumstances, offering a market
for imported goods. They and the wealthy, however, in the
northern part patronize the many retail concerns in the nearby
American city of El Paso.
Leading industries mid occupations are agriculture (including
the staple crops, cotton and vegetables), mining, smelting, stock
raising, and lumbering. One of the largest lead smelters in the
world operated by an American enterprise is at Chihuahua.
Also, there are a number of large modern cyanide flotation and
concentration mills in various parts of this territory. Principal
imports are mining machinery and supplies, agricultural imple
ments, hardware, household goods, groceries, electrical machinery
and supplies, automobiles and accessories, and radios. Leading
exports are lead bullion, gold and silver bullion, silver ore, and
concentrates of lead, zinc, and tin. Other exports are hides,
cattle, bones, corn, beans, lumber, and guano, according to market
demand.
Rail communication is with Ciudad Juarez and Mexico City via
Chihuahua over the National Railways lines; with Chihuahua
and Presidio (on the Texas border) via the Kansas City, Mexico
38
& Oriente Railway (Ferrocarril Kansas City, Mexico y Oriente)
connecting at Presidio with the Wichita, Kans., and other lines
of the Santa Fe; with El Paso, Tex., and Chihuahua by mixed
trains over the Mexico North-Western Railway Co. (Ferrocarril
Nor-Oeste de Mexico), serving the western part of the State
of Chihuahua. A highway, largely gravel surface (except about
60 miles of earth surface), passing through Gallego, connects the
city of Chihuahua with Ciudad Juarez opposite El Paso. An
earth road, graded in portions and passable only in dry weather,
connects with this highway at Gallego from Agua Prieta (oppo
site Douglas, Ariz.). Triweekly air service in both directions
is available between Ciudad Juarez (opposite El Paso, Tex.)
and Mexico City, Parral, and other intervening points.
Torreon-Durango Sales Territory.—The Torreon area of about
30,000 square miles includes the southwestern part of the State
of Coahuila, the eastern portion of the State of Durango, and
the northern and western parts of the State of Zacatecas. This
sales area lies in the central plateau of Mexico, with elevations
ranging from 3,799 feet at the city of Torreon to 5,000 feet in
other parts. The surface is comparatively level except where
broken by several mountain ranges. Winters are mild and
pleasant, with virtually no ice or snow, and summers are tem
pered by the altitude and low humidity. Average annual rain
fall is from 6 to 8 inches, mostly between June and September.
Extensive irrigation must be resorted to during the remainder
of the year. Population totals about 180,000, concentrated
largely in and around the adjoining cities of Torreon, Gomez
Palacio, and Lerdo. Torreon, the commercial and industrial
center of the agriculturally important Laguna district, has a
population of about 6S.0OO. Bulk of population belongs to agri
cultural or labor class, purchasing only prime necessities. Im
ports are confined to wealthy families and the small middle
class. Cotton production is the leading industry; other agri
cultural products are wheat, corn, beans, alfalfa, and grapes.
Silver, lead, gold, zinc, and arsenic ores are mined. There is
one smelter. Manufactures include cottonseed oil, soap, cotton
and woolen textiles, dynamite, beer, and wines. Electric power
is being increasingly used in industry and agriculture. Im
ports include agricultural implements, mining equipment, in
dustrial machinery, electrical equipment, hardware, automobiles,
household goods, cotton ties, textiles, wearing apparel, groceries,
chemicals, vegetable oils, radios, and phonographs. Exports are
chiefly arsenious acid, cotton linters, hides and skins.
Torreon is connected by the National Railways system with
the Texas cities of Laredo, Eagle Pass, El Paso, and Brownsville,
and in Mexico with Monterrey, Saltillo, Tampico, Mexico City,
Durango, and other rail points.
The Durango area, which may be visited from Torreon (with
that city as a distribution point), includes (a) all except the
MEXICO 39
extreme eastern part of the State of Durango, (b) the western

part of Zacatecas, and (c) the extreme northern part of the State
of Jalisco—in all, an area of about 40,000 square miles with a
total population of about 300,000. Altitude varies from 3,500
feet in the east to 10,000 feet in the Sierra Madre Mountains
in the west. The greater part of the stock-raising and agri
cultural areas and most of the population centers are at the
altitude of 6,200 feet, which is that of Durango, capital of the
State of Durango. Because of variations in altitude the climate
ranges from tropical in western valleys to cold in the high
mountains. The largest center is Durango, with a population
of about 40,000. Its climate is mild, with light frosts at night
during 4 months of winter ; summers are tempered by rains.
Three-fourths of the 20 inches of annual precipitation occurs in
July, August, and September. Agriculture is the leading occu
pation and stock raising is of local importance. Chief crops are
corn and beans, which are exported to other sections of Mexico ;
small amounts of chile pepper are exported to the United States.
Other crops are wheat, oats, barley, flaxseed, alfalfa, cotton,
potatoes, and fruits of the semitropical and temperate belts.
Mining is the principal industry, deposits of silver, gold, lead,
zinc, copper, mercury, and tin being present. Production of pine
lumber and naval stores is important. Manufacturing (limited
to such industries as woolen and blanket mills, cotton mills, ice
factories, and bottling works) is of small importance. Principal
imports are mining machinery, heavy chemicals, hardware, tools,
drugs, electrical equipment, radios, and foodstuffs. Principal
exports are naval stores, beef cattle, metals for smelting else
where in Mexico, and agricultural and lumber products.
A line of the National Railways connects Durango with Tor-
reon, where connections for other rail points in Mexico may be
made.
San Luis Fotosi Sales Territory.—This area, located virtually
in the center of the Republic, includes the States of San Luis
Potosi, Aguascalientes, and Guanajuato. The city of San Luis
Potosi, sixth in size among the cities of Mexico, has a population
of about 74,000. Other centers are Leon (population 69,400) ;
Aguascalientes (62,000), Irapuato (29,266), and Guanajuato
(18,135). Total population of the territory is more than 2,000,-
000. Imports are restricted to demand from the industries and
the well-to-do class, which is numerically small. The laboring
and agricultural groups constitute the bulk of the population,
and their demands are only for prime necessities. A middle
class has been developing to some extent during recent years,
and sales for lower priced imported articles may be developed.
Agriculture and mining are the most important industries.
There are reducing and refining plants and large smelters at
San Luis Potosi and Matehuala, and important reduction plants
at Guanajuato. The arsenic plant at San Luis Potosi is stated
to be the largest in the world. Chief agricultural products are

corn, beans, wheat, chile, sugarcane, tobacco, coffee, fruits, al
falfa, and maguey (for alcoholic beverages). Wild plants yield
ixtle fiber, guayule rubber, and prickly pears. Goatskins and
cattle hides are shipped. Important manufactured products are
work clothing, shoes (production center at Leon, State of
Guanajuato), woolen cloth, and blankets. Less important in
dustries comprise cotton mills, fiber factories (the largest fiber
factory in Latin America is at San Luis Potosi and produces
rope, bags, and brushes), foundries, tanneries, soap factories,
flour mills, breweries, small distilleries, railroad shops (the
largest shops in Mexico are at Aguascalientes), and a guayule
rubber factory.
Principal imports are hardware, tools, agricultural imple
ments, machinery, fine textiles, wearing apparel (except work
clothing), high-quality shoes, notions, chemicals, drugs, auto
mobiles and accessories. Principal exports are bullion and base
bullion (gold, silver, lead, and copper), zinc, antimony, black
and white arsenic, quicksilver, ixtle fibers, guayule rubber, hides
and skins, also garlic, chile, and small quantities of other food
stuffs.
Two main railroad lines of the National Railways run north
and south through this district. One line to Mexico City runs
from the border, connecting with Piedras Negras and Laredo at
Saltillo, and the other line runs from Ciudad Juarez (opposite El
Paso) to Mexico City via Aguascalientes. An east and west
line of the National Railways connects San Luis Potosi and
Aguascalientes with Tampico. A gravel-surface road connects
San Luis Potosi with the Laredo and Mexico City Highway at
Antiguo Morelos, a distance of about 150 miles. Antiguo Morelos
is approximately 26 miles south of El Limon, where connection
is made with the 111 miles of gravel-surface road to Tampico.
There are, however, no good highways connecting centers in this
sales territory. Aguascalientes is connected with Ciudad Juarez
(opposite El Paso, Tex.), Mexico City, and intervening points
by triweekly air service in each direction.
Guadalajara Sales Territory.—This mountainous area includes
the State of Colima, the greater part of the State of Jalisco,
and the southern part of the State of Zacatecas. It also includes
the Pacific port of Manzanillo. Irrigation enables a variety of
crops to be cultivated. The climate varies according to latitude
and altitude; temperatures range from 30° to 95° F. ; mean
temperature is 67°. The annual rainfall is 30 inches, largely
between June and October. The city of Guadalajara in this
sales territory is also considered a good distribution point for
central Mexico and much of the Pacific coast north of Man
zanillo. The city, located at an altitude of 5,180 feet (which
tends to make the climate agreeable), is comparatively modern
and well lighted. With about 180,000 inhabitants, it is the
second city in size (Mexico City, first).
MEXICO 41
The population of the entire sales territory is around 1,310,000,

about 85 percent of whom are estimated to belong to the (labor
ing and agricultural) classes of low purchasing power. Leading
crops are wheat, corn, rye, chickpeas, sugarcane, beans, citrus
fruit, bananas, coconuts, coffee, and vegetables. Mining is an
important industry ; leading minerals are silver, copper, lead,
and zinc. Manufacturing is of limited but increasing impor
tance, and includes production (largely with foreign capital)
of textiles, shoes, soap, clothing, brick, tile, pottery, glassware,
and crackers. There are breweries, tanneries, and flour and
sugar mills. In 1938 the State of Jalisco had 96 manufacturing
enterprises employing 2,022 workers. Principal imports are au
tomotive vehicles, tires and accessories, agricultural implements,
general hardware, mining and industrial machinery, radios, elec
trical machinery and supplies, iron and steel products, dry goods,
notions, wearing apparel, medicinals, chemicals, paper and paper
products, brewers' supplies, typewriter and office supplies, and
novelties. Principal exports are metals, naval stores, limes,
bananas, sugar, pecans, coffee, hides and skins, ixtle, hardwoods,
glassware, pottery, and Mexican shoes.
The National Railways of Mexico connect Guadalajara with
Manzanillo in the State of Colima, a Pacific port 229 miles to
the southwest, where steamers plying between California and
South America call, and with Irapuato, a junction point on the
lines of this system to El Paso, Eagle Pass, Laredo, and Browns
ville, and to Mexico City. It is the Mexican terminus of the
Southern Pacific of Mexico line from Nogales via the Pacific
ports of Mazatlan and Guaymas. The Guadalajara and Mexico
City Highway has been completed.
Mazatlan Sales Territory.—This zone, extending along the
west coast for about 600 miles and covering a total area of
33,000 square miles, includes the States of Sinaloa and Nayarit,
with a total population of about 662,280, or 3.4 percent of the
population of Mexico. The climate is semitropical, with cool
winters. Mean average temperature is 72.5° F. Average rain
fall is 32 inches, most of which occurs in the rainy season from
July to September. Fertile lowlands extend inland from the
coast about 40 miles and rise rapidly to the Sierra Madre Range
(9,000 feet), the eastern boundary.
Living standards are not high, and purchases are, in general,
confined to prime necessities. There is a limited demand among
the wealthy and growing middle class for imported goods. The
leading occupation is agriculture. Principal money crops are
fresh vegetables (including tomatoes, peas, and peppers), gar-
banzos, sugar, tobacco, coffee, cotton, and sesame seed ; staple
crops are corn and beans. Mining is of considerable importance ;
valuable deposits of gold and silver ore are worked, largely
through American capital. Manufacturing is of relatively small
importance, comprising principally sugar and cotton mills, and
soap, cigarette, and shoe factories. Principal imports are min
ing and industrial machinery, agricultural implements, hard

ware, tools, heavy chemicals, fuel oil, drugs, fine textiles and
wearing apparel, automotive products and accessories, electrical
equipment and supplies, and radios. Principal exports are gold
and silver bullion, fresh vegetables, garbanzos, vegetable char
coals, and small quantities of dried fish and sharkskins.
The port of Mazatlan is an open roadstead, and shipments by
water must be lightered. At 3-week intervals, if cargo warrants,
Grace Line vessels north-bound and sovith-bound between Cali
fornia, Central American, and South American ports call at
Mazatlan. The Southern Pacific of Mexico line serves this port
city with through Pullman service between Los Angeles and
Guadalajara to Mexico City.
Guaymas and Nogales Sales Territory.—Includes the State of
Sonora and the southern half of Lower California (Baja Cali
fornia). Sonora has a population of 372,045, or 1.9 percent of
Mexico's total, and the southern part of Lower California has
56,488 inhabitants, according to official estimate of June 1938.
The climate ranges from temperate in the north to subtropical
in the south. Average rainfall in Guaymas, on the Gulf of
California, is 12 inches ; rains occur chiefly during July to
October. In Nogales (opposite Nogales, Tex.) rainfall averages
15 inches, almost half of which is in July and August. The
climate around Nogales is semiarid. Relatively mild winters
and long, hot summers prevail around Guaymas.
Many Mexicans along the border speak English; but pur
chasing power is comparatively low, and outside the population
centers the rate of illiteracy is high. Agriculture is the prin
cipal occupation in southern Sonora and in the southern part
of Lower California, where important quantities of winter
tomatoes and peas are grown in the irrigated Yaqui and Mayo
River Valleys and in the vicinity of San Jose Del Cabo, for
export to the United States. These valleys produce consider
able quantities of wheat, rice, garbanzos, corn, beans, and
alfalfa. Flour and rice mills are operated at Ciudad Obregon
and at Navojoa. Mining, once the most important industry, is
dormant. In northern Sonora the principal occupations and
industries are mining (antimony, copper, gold, lead, silver, and
zinc) and cattle raising. Farming is not widespread, owing to
lack of water and to the topography, and there are no manu
facturing plants of importance. Imports include machinery
and parts, automobiles, hardware, agricultural implements,
radios, electric refrigerators, and construction material. Ex
ports include winter vegetables, cattle, gold and silver ore and
bullion.
The Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico runs south from
Nogales through Hermosillo (capital of the State of Sonora),
Guaymas, and Mazatlan, to Guadalajara, where it connects
with the National Railways of Mexico. Another branch of the
MEXICO 43
Southern Pacific of Mexico runs east near the border to Naco,

Tex., via Cananea, Sonora. There is a gravel-surface road
from Nogales, via Cananea and Santa Ana, to Hermosillo. From
Hermosillo south to Guaymas, a distance of about 100 miles,
the road is gravel surface for about 75 miles, thence earth sur
face to Guaymas. At Santa Ana, about 75 miles south of No-
gales, there is a branch gravel-surface road to Ooborca, from
which an earth road extends to Mexicali opposite Calexico on
the border. Freight vessels from Los Angeles and San Francisco
call occasionally at Guaymas and Yavaros, State of Sonora, and
at Santa Rosalia and La Paz, Lower California.
Ensenada-Mexicali Sales Territory.—Includes northern half of
Lower California and that part of Sonora west of a line about
100 miles west of Nogales. The climate of Mexicali (on the
border, opposite Celexico) is similar to that of the southwestern
United States. Intense dry heat prevails from mid-May to
October. Mild, pleasant winters make possible all-year crops
through irrigation. The altitude is 1 foot. Ensenada, on the
Pacific coast, has a pleasant, even climate, similar to that of
Southern California. Average precipitation is 9 inches, almost
all of which occurs from December to March. The population
is about 80,000, with living standards somewhat above those of
interior Mexico.
The geographical nearness of this territory to California
and Arizona distributing centers, together with special condi
tions favoring imports from the United States direct by the
user, serves to diminish opportunities for development of this
market from an interior location. Since May 1935, free-entry
privileges for agricultural machinery and implements into this
territory for local use were extended by the Mexican Govern
ment. Also, gasoline for local use is duty-free, as well as pur
chases made across the border by individuals for their own use.
Therefore, local merchants carry only limited stocks. San Diego,
Los Angeles, Calexico, and Yuma are distributing centers ; and
traveling salesmen of California wholesalers make regular visits,
especially to Ensenada. Principal imports are groceries, dry
goods, clothing, building materials, automobiles, gasoline, oil,
agricultural implements, hardware, furniture, and radios. Im
ports from Japan of cotton printed goods, small hardware, toys,
novelties, confectionery, and rubber footwear have considerably
increased. Principal exports to the United States are cottonseed
fertilizer; linters; malt; fresh, dried, and canned fish (lobsters,
abalone, tuna, sardines, mackerel, yellowtail) ; dried chilies;
hides and livestock ; and gold ore.
Agriculture provides a livelihood for perhaps 95 percent of the
people around Mexicali, which roughly includes the State of
Sonora lying west of a line about 100 miles west of Nogales.
Principal crops are cotton and wheat. There are three cotton
gins; one cottonseed-oil mill producing meal, fertilizer, and soap;
202836—40 i
three small, active flour mills ; two breweries ; a distillery ; tw

ice plants ; and a malt plant. The majority of the inhabitant
near Ensenada earn their living from tourists, although iiuln;
tries include a fish cannery (canning sardines, tuna, mackere
and abalone), a winery, a distillery, and a flour mill.
Railway transportation from the United States is by tw
branches of the Southern Pacific Railway which enter fron
southern California at Mexicali, Algodones, Tecate, and Tijuana
A paved highway connects Ensenada with San Diego, Calif., via
Agua Caliente, and Mexicali may be reached over a California
highway from San Diego via Calexico and El Centro. There is
an earth and gravel surface road from Agua Caliente, about 25
miles south of San Diego, across the Lower California Peninsula
to Mexicali. Freight vessels of limited passenger accommoda
tions and sufficiently shallow draft connect Ensenada with Cali
fornia and Mexican west-coast ports. The Compania Mexicana
de Aviacion, S. A., operates a triweekly service in both directions,
to Los Angeles and to Mexico via Mexicali.
CHIEF COMMERCIAL CENTERS
ACAPULCO.—State of Guerrero. Leading Pacific port of
Mexico ; population, 6,457.
How Reached.—By water, from west coast ports of California
and South America ; by automobile, from Mexico City, Cuerna-
vaca, Taxco, and Chilpancingo ; by train, from Mexico City to
Iguala, and from there over the highway to Acapulco; and by
air, from Mexico City and Oaxaca.
Hotels.—El Mirador ; La Quebrada ; Hornos ; Los Flamengos ;
Tropical; La Marina (new and air conditioned); Miramar;
Anahuac.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio e
Industria.
Note.—Acapulco has been growing in importance during the
past years as a result of increased exports and imports through
this port and increased tourist traffic, both foreign and local.
During the past few years, comfortable modern hqtels have been
construeted.
AGUASCALIENTES.—Capital of State of Aguascalientes ;
population, 62,244.
How Reached.—From Mexico City, by rail, via the National
Railways of Mexico in about 14 hours ; from El Paso, Tex., by
rail, via the National Railways of Mexico, about 30 hours ; from
Tampico, by rail, via the National Railways of Mexico, about
19 hours ; and from Guadalajara, by rail, via the National Rail
ways of Mexico, about 10 hours.
Hotel.—Francia.
Banks.—Banco Nacional de Credito Ejidal, S. A. ; Banco
Nacional de Mexico, S. A.
I
MEXICO 45
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comerclo e

Industria.
Note.—Aguascalientes is an important agricultural center ;
also famous for Mexican drawnwork and linens. The largest
shops of the National Railways of Mexico are located here. It
is an important business center and is of interest to salesmen.
CAMPECHE.—Capital of State of Campeche; port on Bahia
de Campeche and second city of importance on the Yucatan
Peninsula; population, 16,000. Campeche is 820 miles (1,320
kilometers) from Mexico City.
Principal industrial products: Sugar, aguardiente, precious
woods, chicle, coconut oil, chocolate, canes, guitars, cigarettes,
cordage, palm hats, tortoise-shell articles, shoes, crackers, soap,
tiles, foodstuffs, and livestock products.
How Reached.—The United Railways of Yucatan connect
Campeche with Merida—about a 5-hour trip; the Perrocarril
Campechano connects Campeche with Vayamon ; coastwise ves
sels call at Campeche, and it is a stopping point for planes from
Mexico City to Veracruz and Merida. Good state roads connect
this port with other towns in the State.
Hotels.—Cuauhtemoc; Miramar; Diligencias; Regis.
Industria.
CHIHUAHUA—Capital of State of Chihuahua; population,
45,595 ; 225 miles from Ciudad Juarez and 999 miles from Mexico
City.
How Reached.—By rail, from El Paso, Ciudad Juarez, and
Mexico City, via the National Railway of Mexico ; from Presidio,
Tex., via the Kansas City, Mexico & Oriente Railways ; the Mex
ico Northwestern Railway Co. operates a freight and passenger
service out of Ciudad Juarez, serving the northwestern part
of the State and Chihuahua.
The Lineas Aereas Mineras maintains a triweekly plane service
between Mexico City, Chihuahua, and Ciudad Juarez. A high
way connects Chihuahua with Ciudad Juarez. There is a road
between Chihuahua and Torreon, but it is passable only in the
dry season.
Hotels.—America ; Frances.
Banks.—Banco Comercial Mexicano, S. A. ; Banco Mercantil
de Chihuahua, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Mexico, S. A. ; Financia-
dora del Comercio, S. A.
Industria.
Note.—American consular office at Chihuahua.
CIUDAD JUAREZ.—State of Chihuahua, opposite El Paso,
Tex., population, 39,669 ; 1,228 miles from Mexico City.
How Reached.—Two railways leave Ciudad Juarez—the Na
tional Railways of Mexico to Chihuahua, Torreon, and Mexico
City, and the Mexico Northwestern Railway to Madera and Chi
46 COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS' (iUll)K
huahua. Triweekly plane service is operated by Lineas Aereas

Mineras between Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, and Mexico City.
A good road connects Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua.
Hotels.—Koper, Palacio.
Banks.—Juarez Mercantil, S. C. S. ; Banco Mercantil de
Chihuahua, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Credito Agricola S. A. ;
Banco Nacional de Credito Ejidal, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de
Mexico, S. A.
Industria.
Note.—American consular offices at Ciudad Juarez.
COLIMA.—Capital of State of Colima; population, 21,117;
541 miles from Mexico City.
How Reached.—Colima is linked by rail via the National
Railways of Mexico with Mexico City, Guadalajara, and the port
of Manzanillo. Highways connect Colima with Manzanillo and
with Cuyutlan, a summer resort on the Pacific coast. There is
biweekly plane service between Mexico City and Colinra.
Hotels.—Fenix, Occidental, Ritz, Roma, America.
Banks.—Banco Nacional de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de
Credito Ejidal, S. A. ; Banco de Mexico, S. A.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio.
Note.—Colima is important as a center of supply for the
surrounding district. Salesmen visiting Guadalajara and Man
zanillo as a rule stop at Colima.
CORDOBA.— State of Veracruz; population, 19,000; 197 miles
from Mexico City.
How Reached.—By rail, from Veracruz and Mexico City, via
the Mexican Railway ; the National Railways of Mexico provide
service to Tierra Blanca and Suchiate on the Guatamalan border.
Hotel.—Zeballes.
Banks.—Banco de Cordoba, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Mexico,
S. A.
CUERNAVACA.—Capital of State of Morelos ; population,
9,554 ; 75 miles by rail and 48 miles by highway from Mexico City,
and 237 miles by highway from Acapulco. Cuernavaca, although
not important as a commercial center, has become a very popular
resort for Mexico City dwellers. Reached via the National Rail
ways of Mexico from Mexico City and Iguala ; by automobile or
bus, from Mexico City, Taxco, Acapulco, and Cuautla.
Hotels.—Borda Gardens, Marik, Chula, Vista, Astoria, Selva,
Bella Vista. Morelos, Quisisana, and others.
Bank.—Banco Nacional de Mexico, S. A.
DURANGO.—Capital of State of Durango; population, about
40,000; 671 miles from Mexico City.
How Reached.—Connected by rail at Torreon with Ciudad
Juarez, Chihuahua, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, and Saltillo.
From southwestern Mexico connections are made at Canitas for
Durango. Planes of the triweekly air service from Mexico City
I MEXICO 47
to Mazatlan stop at Durango. A highway under construction
between Durango and Torreon is at present passable only in
the dry season.
Hotels.—Roma ; Paris ; San Carlos.
Banks.—Banco Comercial de Durango, S. A. ; Banco Nacional
de Mexico, S. A.
Wote.—American consular office at Durango.
ENSENADA.—Port on Pacific coast in Northern Territory of
Lower California; population, 2,500; 885 nautical miles from
La Paz and 65 nautical miles from San Diego, Calif.
How Keaohed.—Connected with Tijuana (65 miles) by good
paved road, and from there with points in the United States via
the Tecate Railway. Bnsenada has a good harbor and is con
nected with California and Mexican West Coast ports by freight
vessels with limited passenger accommodations which make fre
quent calls at this port.
Hotels.—Playa Ensenada (temporarily closed) ; Comercial.
Banks.—Banco de la Baja California, S. A. ; Banco del Pa-
ciflco, S. A. ; Banco Mercantil, S. A.
Industria.
Note.—American consular office at Ensenada.
GUADALAJARA.—Capital of State of Jalisco; population,
about 180,000. Second largest city in Mexico and important
manufacturing center ; good center of distribution for central
Mexico and large section of the West Coast. Located 223 miles
from Manzanillo and 381 miles from Mexico City.
How Reached.—The National Railways of Mexico connect
Guadalajara with Manzanillo (State of Colima) on the Pacific
coast, a port of call for steamers plying between San Francisco
and Panama ; with Irapuato, connecting with lines to El Paso
and Laredo, Tex., and Mexico City ; and over the Southern
Pacific Railroad direct with Nogales, Ariz. The Mexico City and
Guadalajara Highway, covering a distance of 423 miles, has
been completed, linking Guadalajara with Toluca, Morelia, and
Mexico City by automobile. Triweekly air service connects Mex
ico City, Guadalajara, Mazatlan, and Los Angeles.
Hotels.—Frances ; Imperial ; Fenix ; Jardin ; Roma ; Guadala
jara.
Banks.—Banco de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Industrial de Jalisco,
S. A. ; Banco Mercantil de Guadalajara, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de
Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Refaccionario de Jalisco, S. A.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio, In-
dustrla y Mineria de Guadalajara.
Note.—American consular office at Guadalajara.
6UAYMAS.—State of Sonora; port on Gulf of California;
population, 8,000. Distances: 90 miles from Hermosillo; 270
miles from Nogales, Ariz. ; 1,240 miles from Mexico City.
48 COMMERCIAL TRAVEI^ERS' GUIDE
How Reached.—Guaymas is on the Southern Pacific Railroad

running from Nogales to Guadalajara ; connections are made at
Guadalajara for Mexico City. Small vessels call at Guaymas.
linking this port with other Pacific coast ports. A highway con
nects Guaymas with Hermosillo and Nogales.
Hotels.—Almada ; Playa de Cortes.
Note.—American consular office at Guaymas.
HERMOSILLO.—Capital of State of Sonora; population
19,959. Located 167 miles south of Nogales and 1,700 miles from
Mexico City.
How Reached.—Connected by the Southern Pacific Railroad
with Nogales and Guaymas, and is connected by highway witt
Nogales and Guaymas.
Hotels.—Hotel Cohen ; Ramos ; Moderno.
Banks.—Banco del Pacifico, S. A. ; Banco Mercantil y Agri-
cola, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Mexico, S. A.
IRAPUATO.—State of Guanajuato; population, 29,266.
How Reached.—On route of National Railways of Mexico
from Mexico City to El Paso. Connections are made at Uraoyati
for Guadalajara and Manzanillo via the National Railways of
Mexico ; at Guadalajara, for Mazatlan on the Pacific Coast and
Nogales at the United States border. A highway connects Ira
puato with Guanajuato, Silao, Salamanca, Abasole, Cueramano,
and Huanimaro.
Hotels.—Rioja ; Hidalgo ; Union ; Mexico ; Mundial.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio e In-
dustria de Irapuato.
Note.—Irapuato has become an important agricultural and
industrial center, as well as a good distributing center in the
Republic. It is in the geographic center of the country.
JALAFA.—Capital of State of Veracruz; population, 36,812;
257 miles from Mexico City and 81 miles from Veracruz.
How Reached.—From Mexico City, Puebla, and Veracruz, via
the Interoceanic Railway (National Railways of Mexico). A
good highway connects Mexico City, Puebla, Jalapa, and
Veracruz.
Hotels.—Posada; Juarez; Mexico; Playa.
Banks.—Banco Nacional de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Nacional
de Credito Agricola, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Credito Bjidal,
S A
LEON.—State of Guanajuato. Fifth city in population in
Mexico, with 69,403 inhabitants. On the National Railways of
Mexico, 35 miles from Guanajuato and 259 miles from Mexico
City.
«
I MEXICO 49
How Reached.—Leon is on Mexico City and El Paso route of

National Railways of Mexico and is connected by the National
Railways with six State capitals—Aguascalientes, Queretaro,
Morelia, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, and Guadalajara. Bus
service connects Leon with Guanajuato, Irapuato, and other
cities in the State of Guanajuato.
Hotels.—Frances ; Mexico ; Imperial ; Condesa.
Banks.—Banco de Londres y Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Nacional
de Mexico, S. A.
Chambers of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio e In-
dustria de Leon ; the Camara Agricola Nacional de Leon.
Note.—Leon is the most important city in the State of Guana
juato and is a good commercial and agricultural center. It is
also growing in importance industrially ; all industries are in
the hands of Mexicans.
MANZANILLO —State of Colima ; on the Pacific coast, 60
miles from Colima and 603 miles from Mexico City ; good port
for large vessels. Population, 9,522.
How Reached.—Via the National Railways of Mexico from
Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Colima. Coastwise vessels on
Pacific coast stop at Manzanillo ; vessels of Nippon Yusen Kaisha
line, coming from California and South American ports, call
about once a month.
Hotel.—Manzanillo.
. Chamber of Commerce.—Camara de Comercio.
| MATAMOROS.—State of Tamaulipas. Port of entry opposite
Brownsville, Tex. ; 25 miles from Gulf of Mexico and 206 miles
from Monterrey.
How Reached.—By rail, Matamoros is connected with Monter
rey via the National Railways of Mexico, and with Brownsville
and points in the United States via the Missouri Pacific Railway
and the Southern Pacific Railroad. It is on the Pan American
Airways route to Mexico City and Central and South America.
Hotels.—Matamoros, Iturbide, Imperial, Moctezuma.
Banks.—Crodito Industrial de Monterrey, S. A.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Mercantil y Agricola de
Matamoros.
Note.—American consular office at Matamoros.
MAZATLAN.—State of Sinaloa ; population, 29,380. Most im
portant Mexican port on Pacific coast ; 734 miles from Nogales
and 470 miles from Guaymas.
How Reached.—Via Southern Pacific Railroad, Mazatlan is
connected with Los Angeles and with Mexico City. Planes of
Cia. Mexicana de Aviacion flying from Los Angeles to Mexico
City stop at Mazatlan. Empresa Maritima de Mazatlan operates
irregular service between various ports on the west coast of
Mexico.
Hotel.—Belmar.
Banks.—Banco Comercial del Paciflco, S. A. ; Banco de Ma-

zatlan, S. A. ; Banco de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Mercantil y Capi
talization S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Mexico, S. A.
MEEIDA.—Capital of State of Yucatan; population, 95,015;
23 miles from Progreso and 776 miles from Mexico City.
How Reached.—Via Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatan (United
Railways of Yucatan), Merida is linked with Progreso (prin
cipal port on the Peninsula of Yucatan) and with Campeche and
interior towns—but not with central Mexico or Quintana Roo.
American steamers maintain regular service between New York,
Progreso, and Veracruz, and between New Orleans, Progreso,
and Veracruz. Fairly regular service is offered by Mexican
companies between Progreso and other Mexican ports on the
Gulf. There are occasional sailings from Progreso for European
ports. Cia. Mexicana de Aviacion maintains daily (except Sun
days) plane service between Mexico City, Veracruz, and Merida.
On Thursdays a plane comes into Merida from Miami, and one
leaves Merida on Fridays for Miami. Roads connect Merida
with Progreso, Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Maxcamu, Muna, Ticul,
and other points.
Hotels.—Itza, Gran Hotel, Hotel Colon, Imperial, Madrid.
Banks.—Banco de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco de Yucatan ; Banco
Familiar de Ahorros del Sureste, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de
Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Credito Agricola ; Banco Re-
faccionario de Yucatan, S. A.
Note.—Merida is the most important city on the Peninsula
of Yucatan and is the center for the manufacture and exporta
tion of henequen. American consulate located there.
MEXICALI.—Capital of Northern Territory of Lower Cali
fornia ; population, 14,846 ; 62 miles from Yuma, Ariz. ; 135
miles from San Diego, Calif.
How Reached.—By rail, from points in the United States and
from Tijuana, Lower California, via Southern Pacific Railway.
Fine paved roads connect Mexicali with Ensenada, Lower Cali
fornia, also with Los Angeles and San Diego. No rail connec
tion from Mexicali with the interior of the peninsula or with the
mainland of Mexico.
Hotels.—Travelers stop, as a rule, at Calexico, Calif.
Banks.—Banco de Baja California, S. A. ; Banco del Paciflco,
S. A. ; Banco Mercantil, S. A.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio de
Mexicali.
Note.—American consular office at Mexicali.
MEXICO CITY.—Federal District; capital of United States
of Mexico. Population of Federal District, 1,447,274, or 7.4
percent of the total population of Mexico in June 1938. Located
802 miles from Laredo, Tex. ; 1,221 miles from El Paso, Tex. ;
253 miles from Guadalajara ; and 264 miles from Veracruz.
k MEXICO 51
How Reached.—Mexico City is the center of all means of com

munication and transportation in Mexico. It can be reached
from the United States by train, by automobile, by plane, or by
boat to Gulf and Pacific coast ports, and from there by train,
automobile, or plane, depending on the port. From the Gulf
ports Mexico City can be reached as follows : From Tampico or
Veracruz, by train, automobile, or plane; from Progreso, by
automobile to Merida, and from there by plane to Mexico City.
From Acapulco, on the West Coast, Mexico City can be reached
by automobile or plane, or by automobile to Iguala, State of
Guerrero, and from there by train to Mexico City ; from Masatlan
and Manzanillo, West Coast ports, there is railway as well as
airplane service.
Railway service.—Mexico City is also connected via the Na
tional Railways of Mexico with the following cities: Morelia,
Toluca, Pachuca, Cuernavaca, Cuautla, Iguala, Puebla, Tehua-
can, Oaxaca, Jalapa, Veracruz, Tapachula, and Suchiate on the
Guatemalan border. Via the Mexican Railway it is linked with
Puebla, Pachuca, Orizaba, Cordoba, and Veracruz.
Highways.—There are highways to the following cities :
Cuernavaca, Taxco, Acapulco, Cuautla, Puebla, Tehuacan, Jalapa,
Mazatlan, Los Angeles, Veracruz, Merida, Morelia, Colima, Aca
pulco, Tuxpan, Chihuahua, and Ciudad Juarez.
Highways.—There are highways to the following cities :
I Cuernavaca, Taxco, Acapulco, Cuau,tla, Puebla, Tehuacan,
'Jalapa, Veracruz, Orizaba, Cordoba, Pachuca, Toluca, Morelia,
Guadalajara, Monterrey, Ciudad Victoria, Tampico, and Nuevo
Laredo.
Banks.—Banco Aboumrad, S. A. ; Banco Azucarero, S. A. ;
Banco Capitalizador de Ahorros, S. A. ; Banco Capitalizador
de America, S. A. ; Banco Central de Capitalizacion y Ahorro,
S. A. ; Banco de Comercio, S. A. ; Banco de Londres y Mexico,
S. A. ; Banco de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco de Transportes, S. A. ;
Banco Fiduciario de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco General de Capitali
zacion, S. A. ; Banco Germanico de la America del Sud ; Banco
Hipotecario de Credito Territorial Mexicano; Banco Inter
nacional e Hipotecario de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Mercantil de
Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Morton S. Leishman, S. A. ; Banco Na
cional de Comercio Exterior, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Credito
Agricola, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Credito Ejidal, S. A. ; Banco
Nacional de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Nacional Hipotecario, Urbano
y de Obras Publicas, S. A. ; Banco Nacional Obrero de Fomento
Industrial, S. A. ; Nacional Monte de Piedad, S. A. ; Querouil y
de la Parra, S. A. ; and Silva Hermanos, S. A.
The only branch of an American bank operating in Mexico is
that of the National City Bank of New York, with offices at
Esquina Isabel la Catolica and Avenida Uruguay, Mexico City.
The Chase National Bank maintains a representative in Mexico
City at Condesa 3, Office 404.
52 COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS' GUIDE J
Hotels.—Reforma ; Geneve ; Montejo ; Imperial ; Gillow ; On

tario; Maria Christina; Carlton; Ritz; Plaza; Majestic; Guard-
iola ; San Angel Inn; L'Escargot; Biltmore; Mayfair ; Regis:
Los Angeles Courts ; Shirley Courts.
Chambers of Commerce.—American Chamber of Commerce
San Juan do Letran 24 ; Camara Central Agricola de Mexico,
Balderas 93 ; Camara Naeional de Comercio, Mexico, D. F..
Uruguay 58; Camara Naeional de Mineria, Gante 15, Office 120:
Confederacion de Camaras de Comercio de los Estados Unidos
Mexicanos, San Juan de Letran 11 ; Camara Textil de Mexico.
Uruguay 55, Office 308. (This is an incomplete list, but in
cludes most of the larger organizations of this kind.)
United States Government Offices.—The American Embassy is
located at Niza 53; the offices of the Commercial Attach^ are
also at the American Embassy. The Consulate General is
located at Insurgentes 105.
Note.—Since Mexico City is the largest city in Mexico and
the leading commercial, industrial, and political center of the
Republic, it offers the best market for imported merchandise
Traveling salesmen as a rule go to Mexico City first, to appoint
their agent, representative, or distributor in this district. Dur
ing the last 10 years Mexico City has made much progress.
Comfortable modern hotels have been built, residential and com
mercial sections have increased, and large avenues have been
opened. The expansion of the city in general continues. »
MONTERREY.—Capital of State of Nuevo Leon; population!
132,577; 322 miles from Tampico; 625 miles from Mexico City:
158 miles from Laredo, Tex.
How Reached.—By rail, Monterrey is connected via the Na
tional Railways of Mexico with Matamoros, Tampico, Mexico
City, Nuevo Laredo, Torreon, Saltillo, San Luis Potosi, Quere-
taro, and other points. By highways, Monterrey is linked with
Nuevo Laredo, Tampico, Ciudad Victoria, Mexico City, Saltillo.
and Torreon.
Hotels.—Monterrey ; Colonial ; Ancira ; Imperial ; Regina
Tourist Courts.
. Banks.—Banco de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco de Nuevo Leon, S. A. :
Banco Mercantil d" Monterrey, S. A. ; Banco Naeional de Mexico,
S. A. ; Banco Popular de Ediflcaeion, S. A. ; Credito Industrial de
Monterrey, S. A.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Naeional de Comercio e In-
dustria de Monterrey.
Note.—Monterrey is an important industrial and manufac
turing center in the northern part of the Republic and is a good
distribution point. The city is progressive and much influenced
by its proximity to the United States. American consular office
located there.
MORELIA.—Capital of State of Michoacan ; population,
39.916 ; 230 miles from Mexico City.
'
I MEXICO 53
How Reached.—By rail, from Mexico City, Acambaro, and

Uruapan, via the National Railways of Mexico. By automobile,
from Mexico City and Guadalajara. By air, from Mexico City
and Colima.
Hotels.—Casino ; Europa ; Morolos ; Oseguera ; Virrey de
Mendoza.
Crédito Agrícola, S. A.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio, Agri
cultura e Industria de Morelia.
NOGALES.—State of Sonora; population, 14,000; 265 miles
from Guaymas and 167 miles from Hermosillo.
How Reached.—By rail, from Hermosillo, Guaymas, Mazatlan,
and Guadalajara, via the Southern Pacific Railroad ; from
Guadalajara to Mexico City, via the National Railways of
Mexico. A branch of the Southern Pacific Railway also runs
from Nogales to Naco via Cananea. A fairly good highway
connects Nogales with Hermosillo.
Hotels.— San Carlos; Abadie; Central.
Banks.—Banco del Pacifico, S. A. ; Banco de Mexico, S. A. ;
Banco de Nogales, S. A.
Note.—American consular office at Nogales.
NUEVO LAREDO.—State of Tamaulipas; on Rio Grande, op-
Éosite Laredo, Tex. ; population, 15,000 ; 802 miles from Mexico
íty.
How Reached.—By rail, from Mexico City, San Luis Potosi,
Monterrey, and Tampico, via National Railways of Mexico ;
there are good connections with St. Louis, San Antonio, and the
ports of Galveston and Corpus Christi. Nuevo Laredo is linked
with Monterrey, Ciudad Victoria, and Mexico City via Pan
American Highway.
Hotels.—Rendon; Mexico; Sabinas.
Banks.—Banco Lengoria, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Mexico,
S. A.
Note.—Nuevo Laredo is one of the principal ports of entry
into Mexico from the United States. American consular office.
OAXACA.—Capital of State of Oaxaca; population, 33,422;
228 miles from Puebla and 228 miles from Mexico City.
How Reached.—By rail, via Nacional Railways of Mexico
(narrow gage) from Mexico City and Puebla.
Hotels.—Alameda ; Francia ; Monte Alban.
ORIZABA.—State of Veracruz ; most important cotton-textile
center of Mexico; population, 42,004.
How Reached.—By rail, from Veracruz, Puebla, and Mexico
City, via the Mexican Railway. By highway, Orizaba is con
nected with Cordoba, Tehuacan, Puebla, and Mexico City. The
direct highway from Orizaba to Veracruz is not yet completed;

it is paved only as far as Cordoba, and passable only as far as
Potrero. However, it is possible to go from Orizaba to Veracruz
by automobile by going to Tehuacan and from there to Jalapa
and Veracruz.
Hotels.—Diligencias ; France. Many persons stay at the new
Ruiz Galindo Hotel at Fortin, which is halfway between Orizaba
and Cordoba and about a 10-minute drive from Orizaba.
Chambers of Commerce.— Camara Nacional de Comercio;
Camara de Industriales.
PACHUCA.—Capital of State of Hidalgo and largest silver-
producing center in the world. Population, 43,023 ; 62 miles from
Mexico City.
How Reached.—By rail, from Mexico City via the National
Railways of Mexico and the Mexican Railway ; by automobile,
from Mexico City, Ciudad Victoria, Monterrey, Tampico, and
Nuevo Laredo.
Hotels.—Hotel de los Banos ; Colonial.
Credito Agrícola, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Credito Bjidal, S. A.
Chambers of Commerce.—Camara de Comercio y Agricul
tura ; Camara Nacional de Comercio e Industria en Pequeno.
FARRAL.—State of Chihuahua. An important mining cen
ter ; population, 18,000 ; 174 miles from Chihuahua and 911 miles -
from Mexico City. f
How Reached.—By rail, via the National Railways of Mexico
from Mexico City and Chihuahua.
Banks.—Banco Comercial Mexicano, S. A. ; Banco Nacional
de Mexico, S. A.
Hotels.—Casa Fuentes; Central.
Industria.
PIEDRAS NEGRAS.—State of Coahuila. Important town on
United States border; population, 18,786. Located 840 miles
from Mexico City in stock-raising area.
How Reached.—Piedras Negras is a terminal of the National
Railways of Mexico. Bus service from Eagle Pass connects
with other cities in United States.
Bank.—Banco Fronterizo de Mexico, S. A.
Chambers of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio;
Camara Ganadera de Coahuila.
Note.—American consular office at Piedras Negras.
PROGRESO.—On Peninsula of Yucatan; one of the most
important ports in Mexico ; port business consists chiefly of ware
housing and transshipment. Population, about 12,500.
How Reached.-—By rail: The Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yuca
tan link Progreso with Merida and Campeche, but not with
central Mexico or the Territory of Quintana Roo. By water:
I MEXICO 55
American steamers maintain regular service between New York,

Progreso, and Veracruz, and between New Orleans, Progreso, and
Veracruz. There are occasional sailings for Europe from Pro
greso, and the Mexican companies offer fairly regular service
between Progreso and other Mexican ports. By highway:
Progreso is connected with Merida by highway.
PUEBLA.—Capital of State of Puebla; population, 114,793;
80 miles from Mexico City.
How Reached.—By rail, via the Mexican Railway from Mexico
City; via the National Railways of Mexico from Mexico City,
Tehuacan, Oaxaca, Jalapa, and Veracruz. By highway there is
connection with Mexico City, Tehuacan, Orizaba, Cordoba, Tlax-
cala, Jalapa, and Veracruz.
Hotels.—Italia ; Arronte ; Gran Hotel ; Colonial ; Pasaje.
Banks.—Banco Capitalizador de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Mer-
cantil de Puebla, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco
Nacional de Credito Agricola, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Credito
Ejidal, S. A.
PUERTO MEXICO (COATZACOALCOS).— State of Veracruz.
An important petroleum shipping port on Gulf of Mexico.
How Reached.—Puerto Mexico (Coatzacoalcos) is connected
by rail, via the National Railways of Mexico, with Salina Cruz,
where connections are made with trains for Veracruz, Tonala,
and Suchiate (on the Guatemalan border).
1 QUERETARO —Capital of State of Queretaro; population,
32,585 ; 167 miles from Mexico City.
How Reached.—From Mexico City, San Luis Potosi, Saltillo,
and Nuevo Laredo, via the National Railways of Mexico.
Hotels.—Internacional ; Jardin.
Bank.—Banco Nacional de Credito Agricola, S. A.
SALLNA CRUZ—State of Oaxaca ; port on the Pacific Coast ;
188 miles from Puerto Mexico and 300 miles from Acapulco.
How Reached.—Connected by rail, via the Nacional Railways
of Mexico, with Puerto Mexico (Coatzacoalcos) and Tehuan-
tepec, with branches for Veracruz and Tonala and Suchiate (on
Guatemalan border).
SALTILLO.—Capital of State of Coahuila ; population, 45,272 ;
234 miles from Laredo, Tex., and 568 miles from Mexico City.
How Reached.—By rail, via the National Railways of Mexico,
Saltillo is linked with Nuevo Laredo, Eagle Pass, Torreon, and
Monterrey. By automobile, Saltillo is connected with Laredo,
Monterrey, and Tampico.
Hotels.—Coahuila ; Arizpe ; Sainz ; Mexico ; Universal.
Banks.—Banco Nacional de Mexico. S. A. ; Banco Refac-
cionario y Fideicomisario de Coahuila, S. A.
SAN LUIS POTOSI.—Capital of State of San Luis Potosi; pop
ulation, 74,003; 282 miles from Tampico and 327 miles from
Mexico City.
56
How Reached.—San Luis Potosi is reached by rail, via the
National Railways of Mexico, from Tampico, Aguascalientes,
Mexico City, Guanajuato, Saltillo, Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo, and
Torreon.
Hotels.—Imperial ; Progreso ; Palacio ; Espana.
Banks.—Banco Ixtlero, S. A. ; Banco Capitalizador de Ahor
ros, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Credito Agrícola, S. A. ; Banco
Nacional de Mexico, S. A.
Chambers of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio ; Ca
mara Nacional de Comercio e Industria de San Luis Potosi.
Note.—American consular office at San Luis Potosi.
TAMPICO.—State of Tamaulipas; population, 68(126. Port
on Gulf of Mexico, 2,030 nautical miles from New York; 731
nautical miles from New Orleans ; 470 nautical miles from Gal
veston ; 497 miles from Laredo, Texas ; 602 miles from Mexico
City, via San Luis Potosi.
Hotels.—Imperial ; Inglaterra : Rivera.
Banks.—Banco Nacional de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Mercantil de
Tampico, S. A. ; Banco Capitalizador de Ahorros, S. A. ; Banco
Nacional de Credito Ejidal, S. A.
Note.—American consular office at Tampico.
TAZCO.—State of Guerrero; population, 3,372. Situated on
the Mexico City, Cuernavaca, and Acapulco highway, 163 miles
from Mexico City and 182 miles from Acapulco, Taxco has be
come an important tourist center.
How Reached.—The Mexico City to Acapulco highway is the
only means of reaching Taxco.
Hotels.—Rancho Telva ; Los Arcos ; Taxqueno ; Hotel de la
Borda ; Victoria.
Bank.—Fomento de Bienes Raices, S. A.
Industria.
TEHUANTEPEC.—State of Oaxaca ; 13 miles from Salina
Cruz and 177 miles from Puerto Mexico (Coatzacoalcos).
How Reached.—The Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Tehuantepec
(National Railways of Mexico) connect Tehuantepec with Salina
Cruz, Ixtepec, and Coatzacoalcos (Puerto Mexico). Connections
at Ixtepec for Veracruz.
Hotel.—Hotel Perla.
TIJUANA.—Northern Territory of Lower California ; popu
lation, 7,500. Tijuana is a tourist center and a free zone on
the United States border, 65 miles from Ensenada and 16 miles
from San Diego, Calif.
How Reached.—Tijuana is connected with points in the
United States and with Ensenada, Lower California, by means
of good paved highways. The Tijuana & Tecate Railway con
nects Tijuana with the United States.
MEXICO 57
Banks.—Banco de Baja California, S. A. ; Banco del Pacifico,

S. A. ; Banco Mercantil, S. A.
TOLUCA.—Capital of State of Mexico. Population, 41,234;
40 miles from Mexico City by highway.
How Reached.—By rail, via National Railways of Mexico
from Mexico City, Tultenango, Maravatio, Zitacuaro, Morelia,
Patzcuaro, and Uruapan. By highway, from Mexico City,
Morelia, and Guadalajara.
Hotels.—San Carlos ; Toluca.
Banks.—Banco del Estado de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Nacional
de Credito Agrícola, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Credito Ejidal,
S. A. ; and Banco Nacional de Mexico, S. A.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio, Agri
cultura e Industria de la Ciudad de Toluca.
TORREON.—State of Coahuila ; population, 66,000 ; 704 miles
from Mexico City and 520 miles from El Paso.
How Reached.—The National Railways of Mexico connect
Torreon with Laredo, Eagle Pass, El Paso, and Brownsville, in
Texas, and with Mexico City, Monterrey, Saltillo, Tampico, and
Durango within the Republic of Mexico. By highway, Torreon
is connected with Monterrey and Chihuahua. The highway
from Chihuahua to Torreon is not at present in very good
condition.
Hotels.—Plaza; Lafayette; Coliseo.
Banks.—Banco de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Mexico,
S. A. ; Banco Algodonero Refaccionario, S. A. ; Banco Capitali-
zador de America, S. A. ; Banco de la Laguna, S. A. ; Banco
General de Capitalizacion, S. A. ; Banco Mercantil y Capitaliza
dos S. A. ; Banco Mexicano Refaccionario, S. A. ; Banco Nacional
de Credito Agrícola, S. A. ; Banco Nacional de Credito Ejidal,
S. A. ; Banco Popular de Edificacion y Ahorro, S. A. ; Union
Lagunera de Credito, S. A.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio de la
Comarca Lagunera.
Note.—American consular office at Torreon.
TUXPAN.—State of Veracruz ; 90 miles from Jalapa, 95 nauti
cal miles from Tampico, 132 miles from Veracruz, 207 miles
from Mexico City, 322 miles from Monterrey, and 612 miles from
Guadalajara. Climate, semitropical.
Principal products: Crude petroleum, chicle, rubber, woods,
dyewoods, bananas, vanilla, skins, and hides.
Principal industries : Stock raising : manufacture of soft
drinks, mineral waters, and ice; printing.
How Reached.—By plane, from Tampico and Veracruz, also
by coastwise vessels.
Hotels.—Colon ; Pereda.
Chamber of Commerce.—Camara Nacional de Comercio e In
dustria de Tuxpan.
•
VERACRUZ.—State of Veracruz; population, 67,800. An im
portant port on Gulf of Mexico, 264 miles from Mexico City via
the Mexican Railway and 293 miles via the Interoceanic Rail
way (National Railways of Mexico) ; 1,973 nautical miles from
New York.
How Reached.—By rail.—Via the Mexican Railway Veracruz
is connected with Cordoba, Orizaba, Apizaco, Puebla, and Mex
ico City; via the Interoceanic Railway, with Mexico City,
Oriental, Jalapa, and Puebla ; and via the National Railways
of Mexico, with Tapachula and Suchiate on the Guatemalan
border. It is also connected by rail via the Ferrocarril de
Veracruz a Alvarado (National Railways of Mexico) with Al-
varado, State of Veracruz. By water.—Various steamships call
at Veracruz, connecting this port with New Orleans, New York,
Habana, and European ports. By air and highway.—The port
is connected by air with Mexico City, Merida, Tuxpan, and
Minatitlan; and by highway, with Jalapa, Puebla, Tehuacan,
and Mexico City.
Hotels.— Colon; Diligencias; Imperial; Terminal.
Banks.—Banco Nacional de Mexico, S. A. ; Banco Capitali-
zador de Ahorros, S. A. ; Banco Capitalizador de America, S. A. ;
Banco Nacional de Credito Agricola, S. A.
Note.—American consular office at Veracruz.
CENTRAL AMERICA
BRITISH HONDURAS
British Honduras is a British Crown Colony, the only political
division of Central America which is not a republic. Its area
of 8,600 square miles, or a little more than that of the State of
New Jersey, lies to the east of northern Guatemala and southeast
of the Mexican Peninsula of Yucatan.
Topography.—The coastal lands, which extend about 180 miles
along the Caribbean Sea, and the northern half of the Colony
are level ; but immediately back of the southern coastal area the
land rises in hills and mountains, having in the Cockscomb
Range a maximum elevation of about 3,500 feet. West of the
mountains lies an undulating, grassy country, suitable for
grazing.
Climate.—The climate is subtropical, with hot days and cool
nights prevailing. The heat is tempered along the coast by
trade winds, and in the interior by elevation. The hottest
months at Belize, the capital, are from May through September,
the highest average temperature being 83° F., in August. The
average during the coolest month, January, is usually about
76° F.
The rainy season begins in May, with a fall of about 5 inches ;
attains a maximum in November, with about 13 inches ; and
ends in January, with around 7 inches. The dry season extends
from February through April, when the average monthly rainfall
is about 3 inches.
The population of British Honduras is estimated at 57,000, or
about 6.6 per square mile. Only about 2 percent of the inhabit
ants are pure white—largely English, Scotch, and American.
Between one-fourth and one-third of the total live in Belize.
English is the commercial and official language, and is the
language taught in the schools, although Spanish is generally
understood and often used in the northern and western part of
the Colony.
About 10 percent of the people live moderately well. The
standard of living for the rest of the population, comprised
mostly of unskilled laborers, is not high because of the low scale
of wages prevailing. No statistics of national income or purchas-
202836—40 5 59
ing power are available, but the buying power for imported goods
is concentrated largely in the capital, a city of about 17,000
inhabitants. Per capita imports for domestic consumption
amount to approximately $45 ; per capita exports, exclusive
of reexports, are around $32. There are only about 140 auto
mobiles in use in the Colony.
The leading industries of British Honduras are cutting and
exporting timber, including mahogany, cedar, and rosewood ;
sapodilla-tree bleeding for the procurement of chicle ; and banana
growing. Banana production was formerly of outstanding im
portance in the foreign trade, but it has been retarded in recent
years by the Panama and Sigatoka leaf diseases and now ranks
third as a domestic-export industry.
Grapefruit is cultivated and shipped out, both fresh and
canned, in fairly large and increasing quantities. Coconuts are
plentiful, and from 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 are exported annually.
Sugarcane is grown for the manufacture of rum and sugar.
Corn, rice, beans, and garden vegetables are produced for local
consumption, but the output of rice, beans, and peas is not
sufficient for the Colony's requirements and considerable quan
tities have to be imported.
Manufacturing.—Manufacturing is for the most part unim
portant. It comprises mostly small plants for producing elec
tricity and ice ; building and repairing of small water craft ;
bottling of aerated waters ; sawing of lumber ; furniture mak
ing; cigarette and cigar manufacture; soap making; a little
moccasin and shoe making ; tailoring ; bakeries ; two rice mills ;
and a sugar factory.
Principal Exports.—The principal exports (including reex
ports) of natural products for 1938, in order of importance, were
mahogany logs and lumber ; chicle ; bananas ; fresh and canned
grapefruit ; coconuts ; cedar logs and lumber ; copra ; logwood ;
and rosewood. The rest consisted principally of manufactured
goods, petroleum products, and foodstuffs, brought in from
abroad and reexported to nearby areas.

Steamship Service.—British Honduras can be reached from
New Orleans by vessels of the United Fruit Co. Sailings, how
ever, are irregular, and information should be obtained from
the company, at either its New Orleans or its New York office.
Belize can also be reached from New York via the United Fruit
Co. service or from Boston by the Canadian National Steam
ships by transferring at Kingston, Jamaica, to vessels of the
Canadian National Steamships operating a shuttle service be
tween that city and Belize every 2 weeks. Service from New
CENTRAL AMERICA 61
Orleans via the United Fruit Co. line may be direct or by trans
ferring at Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. Time between New Or
leans and Belize by direct service is 3 days and the fare is $55 ;
but time and fare are necessarily increased when transfers are
made.
Air Service.—For travel by air, information should be ob
tained from the Pan American Airways at its offices in New
York ; Miami, Fla. ; or Brownsville, Tex. This company oper
ates a service between Miami, Fla., and Merida, Mexico, on
Thursdays, and an airplane of the Chiapas Air Service leaves
Merida, Yucatan, every Tuesday and Friday, and arrives in
Belize the same day.
Local Transportation.—The only systematic local transporta
tion from Belize to other ports of the country is by motorboats
along the coast, north and south, and on the Belize River. Ir
regular transportation is provided by auxiliary schooners and by
small boats. There is an airplane service between Belize and the
chief towns of the outlying districts.
Throughout a large part of the Colony overland transportation
is possible only by mules or by native carriers, over unsurveyed
bush or forest tracks. There are 75 miles of graded roads and
125 miles of metaled roads.
Postage.—British Honduras is a member of the Universal
Postal Union. Letter rate from the United States is 5 cents
per ounce or fraction thereof. Air-mail and parcel-post service
is available from the United States. Insufficiently paid mail
is charged double the deficiency on delivery.
Wireless Telegraph.—There is no cable service, but a wire
less telegraph station has been established at Belize. The full
rate between New York or Washington and Belize is 33 cents a
word, and between New Orleans and Belize, 29 cents. Between
Belize and these and other places there is a half rate for LCO
(deferred messages in the English language) and a one-third
rate for night letters, which must consist of at least 25 words.
ARRIVAL
Although no passport or visa is required for an American
citizen entering British Honduras, a passport is necessary if the
traveler desires to go on to another country of Central America.
It is therefore recommended that a passport be obtained for
this purpose before leaving the United States.
Quarantine Regulations.—When a person arrives in British
Honduras from a port where an infectious disease is known to
prevail, he may be required, on arrival, to be vaccinated against
the disease. The regulation is seldom, if ever, enforced against
persons arriving directly from the United States. Travelers
arriving with an infectious disease may be detained in quarantine
at their own expense. Although quarantine regulations pro
vide that passengers arriving from certain parts of the West
GUIDE
Indies and Latin America be permitted to land only on condition

that they report at the Belize hospital for a number of days for
medical inspection, it has become the practice to waive an appear
ance at the hospital, but, in the discretion of the medical officer
boarding the vessel, to require vaccination in cases where a recent
vaccination certificate is not available.
Salesmen's Samples and Licenses.— Sample trunks and con
tents are admitted on payment of a deposit equivalent to the
full duty on their value. This deposit is returned to payee on his
departure, provided his outgoing stock agrees with that brought
in.
Sample items may be sold by permission of the collector of
customs and the corresponding duty deducted from the deposit.
The salesman must produce a correctly itemized and correctly
priced list of ail his samples, and must deposit it with the cus
toms authorities, together with his samples, for checking. He
must then obtain from the town board a traveling salesman's
license, costing $15 in Belize and good for one visit, which he
must produce at the customs offices before his samples will be
released. For visiting any of the districts outside Belize, an
additional license, at a cost of $10 per license for each district
and good for 1 year, is necessary.
Sample displays sent to a traveling salesman, and therefore
unaccompanied, are admitted on certificate of the salesman that
they are samples, and are not for sale unless permission of the
collector of customs is obtained therefor and full duty deposited.
These samples must leave the Colony within 3 months, or the
deposit will be forfeited. When samples arrive ahead of the
salesman, they are bonded until his arrival. Samples sent to
resident agents or prospective customers are free if clearly
marked "Sample" and if valued at less than $1 ; if the value is
$1 or over, the goods are subject to duty. Catalogs, price lists,
and similar matter are admitted duty-free.
Used personal effects, including clothing, accompanying owner
or arriving for him, are admitted free on arrival and up to 6
months after arrival of passenger. Consular invoices are not
required for goods imported from the United States. Services
of a customs broker are not necessary.
SALES TERRITORIES
Most traveling salesmen visit Belize only. This is the capital
of the Colony, and the largest town and only one of importance.
The salesmen of Belize wholesalers canvass the places of less
importance. Resident agents should be appointed only in Belize.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—The best periods to visit Belize are
January to April, inclusive, and October—the former because of
CENTRAL AMERICA 63
climatic and business considerations, and the latter for business

reasons. The general practice of Belize merchants is to stock
up for the Easter and Christmas trade, and salesmen should
therefore endeavor to visit Belize sufficiently in advance of those
holiday seasons to insure timely delivery.
Conditions are not unhealthful in the capital for those who
live normal lives, are careful about diet, and guard against mos
quitoes, especially at night. Light tropical clothing is generally
worn.
Holidays.—New Year's Day; Baron Bliss Day (March 9) ;
Good Friday; Easter Even; Easter Monday; Empire Day (May
24) ; birthdays of the King and heir apparent (June 9 and April
21); St. George's Cay Day (September 10); Christmas Day;
Boxing Day (December 26) ; Regatta Day (usually December
27).
Legal Time.—Central standard time is observed in British
Honduras, but during the period from midnight on the first Sat
urday in October of every year, until midnight on the second
Saturday in the month of February in the following year, local
time in the Colony is 30 minutes in advance of central standard
time.
Currency.—British Honduran currency is based on the United
States dollar. Only notes and coins issued in British Honduras
are legal tender, although American money circulates inter
changeably with that of the Colony. Local coins are the copper
cent; silver-bronze 5-cent piece; silver dime, quarter, and half
dollar. The paper currency is limited to bills in denominations
of 1, 2, 5, and 10 dollars.
Guidebooks.—No directories or guidebooks are published in
the Colony, but British Honduras is included in such publications
as The South American Handbook, published in London, Eng
land, by Trade and Travel Publications, Ltd. ; and The West
Indies Year Book, published by the Canadian Gazette, Ltd.,
Montreal, Canada.
CHIEF COMMERCIAL CENTER
BELIZE.—Capital of the Colony ; largest town and principal
port; population, approximately 17,000, or 30 percent of the
Colony's total. Located approximately 1,660 miles from New
York, 860 miles south of New Orleans, and about midway be
tween New Orleans and the Panama Canal. Several whole
sale and retail importers located in Belize distribute general mer
chandise. An American consulate is located there. Steamers
anchor from 1 to 2 miles out, and passengers are taken ashore in
small boats. Cargo is lightered to the customs warehouse.
Bank.—Royal Bank of Canada.
Hotel.—Palace. Equipped with running water in each room,
and beds screened against mosquitoes.
COSTA RICA
Costa Rica is the smallest of the Central American Republics
with the exception of El Salvador. Its area, estimated at 23,000
square miles, is a little less than that of the state of West
Virginia. Costa Rica lies south of Nicaragua and northwest
of Panama, at the point where Central America narrows to the
Isthmus of Panama. The coast line on the Atlantic or Carib
bean side is about 181 miles and that on the Pacific side about
360 miles.
Topography. —The country is largely mountainous, the Conti
nental Divide traversing its entire length from northwest to
southeast. There are several high peaks in this chain, some of
which reach an altitude of over 10,000 feet. Much fertile and
productive land is found on both sides of the Divide and near
the coast ; about midway between the northern and southern
boundaries of the country, extending across the Divide, there is
a rolling section of very productive land, ranging in elevation
from 3,000 to 5,000 feet, known as the Meseta Central. The soil
is of volcanic origin, and is especially suitable for coffee cultiva
tion and for growing fruits, vegetables, and other crops of the
Temperate Zone.
Climate and Seasons.—The climate of Costa Rica is essen
tially that of the Tropics ; but temperatures vary considerably
in the several sections of the country because of differences in
altitude. On the coast and to a height of 3,000 feet the "tierra
caliente" prevails, with temperature averaging 72° to 82° F. In
the mountain regions, from 3,000 to 6,000 feet, the mean tem
perature ranges from 57° to 68° F. The extreme heights, 7,500
feet and above, are cool, and frosts are frequent. San Jose, in
the central part of the country, at an elevation of 3,800 feet,
has a temperate climate. The hottest months are March,
April, and May, when the monthly average is about 70° F.
December and January are the coolest months, with a mean
temperature of about 67° F.
The rainy season in San Jose begins in April or May and con
tinues through November. The heaviest rainfall is generally in
October, and ranges from about 12 to 30 inches. Practically no
rain falls in San Jose during January, February, and March.
The population of Costa Rica was estimated, as of December
31, 1937, at 606,581. San Jose, the capital and principal com
mercial center, then had a population of 63,436 ; Heredia, 9,083 ;
64
CENTRAL AMERICA 65
Alajuela, 8,677 ; Cartago, 8,206 ; Port Limon, 8,568 ; Puntarenas,

7,377. Most of the inhabitants, except in the Limon district,
are of European descent. The pure Spanish type is marked.
The Limon district has a number of blacks, mostly of West
Indian origin. While the standard of living of the upper classes
is rather high, the wants of the great mass of the population
are small, and purchasing power is limited. In the towns, par
ticularly, customs and tastes tend to resemble those prevailing
in Spain. The language of the country is Spanish.
Agriculture.—The wealth of Costa Rica is dependent chiefly
upon agriculture. Coffee growing is the principal industry ;
second in importance is banana cultivation, which has been devel
oped largely by American interests in the Atlantic coast region.
This latter industry, however, is declining rapidly in that area as
a result of the Sigatoka or leaf-spot disease; and the banana
interests are turning their attention to the Pacific coast, where
in the Province of Puntarenas extensive plantings have been
made. Cacao ranks third in importance of production, and
sugar fourth. Corn, beans, and a few other crops are produced
commercially. There is some cattle raising and a small exporta
tion of hides and skins.
Forest Products.—There is a considerable business in rose
wood, cedar, and mahogany, and some production of rubber.
Mining.—In several districts gold mining has been carried
on for many years. Gold exports from Costa Rica in 1938
amounted to $629,707, or 6 percent of total exports. Coal, re
ported to be semibituminous, has been discovered, but the mine
is not being operated. Some exploration for oil has been done ;
and while claims have been made that oil exists, no exploitation
is taking place.
Manufacturing.—Manufacturing has not reached a high stage
of development. There are shoe factories, electric power plants,
a small textile mill, brewing plants, and numerous small fac
tories of handicraft dimensions which are operated to supply
domestic consumption only. A refrigeration plant has been
established at Puntarenas, where shark and tuna fishing have
recently been developed.
Principal Exports.—Coffee, bananas, cacao, gold, lumber,
honey, tuna fish, and hides and skins are the principal exports,
in order of importance, but coffee, bananas, and cacao comprise
over 90 percent of the total.
Steamship Service.—Costa Rica is served by two main sea
ports, Port Limon on the Atlantic side and Puntarenas on the
Pacific, both equipped to handle all usual shipments. Direct
66 COMMERCIAL TRAVELER8' GUIDE
steamship service is available between these ports and the United

States. The United Fruit Co. (17 Battery Place, New York,
N. Y.) operates a weekly service from New York to Tort Limon
via Habana, Cuba, and also operates a weekly service from
New Orleans, via Habana, Cuba, and Panama, to Port Limon,
Costa Rica. There is a twice-monthly freight service (subject
to change) of this company from New Orleans to Puntarenas via
the Panama Canal, and a service every 2 weeks to a month
from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Puntarenas, via Mexican
and other Central American west-coast ports, by the Grace Line.
The Pacific Steam Navigation Co. operates a fortnightly service
between the Panama Canal port, Cristobal, and Puntarenas and
other west-coast Central American ports.
Air Service.—Airplane service is available between the United
States and San Jose, Costa Rica, by the Pan American Airways,
south-bound Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and north
bound Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. In addition to these
triweekly services north and south, a weekly air service is pro
vided by local aviation companies to Managua in Nicaragua and
David in Panama.
Local Transportation.—Transportation from Port Limon and
Puntarenas to the interior is by narrow-gage railway to San
Jose. There are no automobile roads from the central highlands
to the coast. Around San Jose there are about 54 miles of con
crete highway and 233 miles of macadamized road, radiating
from the capital to adjacent towns. Airplane service is avail
able between San Jose and various other cities of Costa Rica.
There is steamship service between Puntarenas and other ports
on the Gulf of Nieoya. Some river navigation is carried on
from the Gulf of Nieoya into Guanacaste Province on the Tempis-
que and Bededero Rivers. ■
Postage.—Letter rates to Costa Rica are the same as domestic
rates in the United States. Letters are ordinarily 9 to 15 days
in transit. The rate for air mail (2 to 3 days in transit to San
Jose) is 15 cents a half ounce or fraction thereof.
ARRIVAL
Quarantine Regulations.—There is no quarantine for passen
gers from the United States, but in case of suspicious illness
passengers may be detained.
Commercial Licenses.—A treaty providing for a single license
fee for commercial travelers and for customs treatment of
samples was ratified and ratifications exchanged on June 24,
1924. To obtain a license the traveler must submit a certificate
attesting his character as a commercial traveler, visaed by a
Costa Rican consul.
Although the law provides that commercial travelers may
operate throughout Costa Rica for a period of 1 year upon
CENTRAL AMERICA 67
payment of a fee of 100 colones, it is reported that during recent

years no fee has been collected from travelers except when a
quantity of samples is carried.
Salesmen's Samples.—According to the above-mentioned treaty,
samples without commercial value are admitted free of duty.
Samples marked, stamped, or defaced in such manner that they
cannot be put to other uses are considered to be without com
mercial value. Samples having commercial value are admitted
provisionally upon the giving of bond for payment of lawful
duties if the goods are not withdrawn from the country within a
period of 6 months. Duties must be paid on any proportion
of the samples not so withdrawn. A commercial traveler may
sell his samples without obtaining a special license as an
importer. All customs formalities are simplified as much as
possible in order to avoid delay in the dispatch of samples.
Reexportation of samples.—Samples may be reexported
through the customhouse at San Jose, Limon, or Puntarenas ;
but in the case of applications for reexportation through the
customhouse in San Jose (Aduana Central), the packages of
samples will be sealed, marked, and shipped, under bill of lading,
to the collector of customs at port of shipment. On comparing
the contents of the packages with the original customhouse entry,
if it is found that any of the samples are missing, the corre
sponding duties and other charges will be assessed on such
missing samples in the same manner as if dealing with an
importation of merchandise.
A period of 6 months is allowed American traveling salesmen
to avail themselves of the privilege of reexportation. Upon
reexporting the samples, the bond will be canceled and a charge
assessed at the rate of 0.10 colon i>er kilogram gross weight,
provided the contents of the packages are the same as at the
time of entry. This charge is for handling, and is not a duty.
Jewelry samples.—The provisions in the foregoing paragraphs
on salesmen's samples do not apply to samples of jewelry and
articles manufactured of gold and silver. Such samples can
not be taken out of the customhouse, and, according to the law,
should be left in charge of the collector of customs and shown
to merchants in presence of an official of the customs. In case
they are shipped to the "Aduana Principal" (main customhouse)
at San Jose, the same rule will apply. Samples of gilded and
plated jewelry—that is, imitation jewelry—are subject to the
same provisions as above.
Repacking samples.—It is desirable, whenever possible, to re
pack trunks exactly as at the time of entry. This facilitates
the clearance through customhouse at time of reexportation.
This applies with equal force to all other countries. The time
required for clearing samples is, as a rule, only a few hours, but
depends largely upon the ability of the salesman to give a satis
factory memorandum of the contents of his trunks.
GUIDE
Excess Baggage Rates.—The rates for baggage in excess of

the 44 pounds allowed free with each ticket are : Limon to San
Jose, 7.43 colones per 100 pounds ; San Jose to Limon, 9.70
colones. Samples carried by traveler, one-half of the above
rates.
Advertising Matter.—The rates of duty on advertising matter
are as follows, in colones per kilogram gross weight: Electric
advertising matter, 0.40; advertising matter on paper, 0.10; ad
vertising, framed, with or without glass, 1'.20 ; advertising matter
on sheet iron, 0.08 ; advertising matter with name on frames, 0.40.
There is a surtax of 5 percent of the duty on imports intended
for the Province of Limon, or 2 percent on those destined to
the central customhouse in San Jose, plus 1 percent of the de
clared value for consular impost, 0.02 per kilogram gross weight
for wharfage, and 0.005 per kilogram gross weight for charitable
purposes.
[Information regarding consular taxes on imports can be ob
tained upon application to the Division of Foreign Tariffs,
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Washington, D. C]
SALES TERRITORIES
Three places which practically all commercial travelers visit
are Port Limon, on the Atlantic coast ; San Jose, the capital, in
the interior ; and Puntarenas, the Pacific port. The most im
portant business center is San Jose, where there are numerous
wholesale houses; but good orders are also obtained in Port
Limon, where there are a number of important firms. Pun
tarenas has a number of good-sized commercial houses. Sales
men in certain lines find it advisable to visit the smaller places.
Some dealers in Costa Rica import direct from the United
States, instead of depending entirely upon the wholesale houses
of Port Limon or San Jose ; therefore, their business should also
be solicited by representatives of American houses.
The headquarters of agents, almost without exception, are in
San Jose, from where periodical trips are made to other trade
centers.
Suggested Route.—Arrival via Port Limon, Atlantic coast;
from there by Northern Railway to San Jose (a stop may be
made at Cartago en route to or from San Jose) ; thence by rail,
bus, or taxicab to Heredia and Alajuela ; thence by Pacific Rail
way to Puntarenas. Other cities of the country may be readily
reached from San Jose by air.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—Usually governed by conditions prevail
ing in the different lines of trade. The most agreeable period is
the dry season, from November to April. The period of greatest
CENTRAL AMERICA 69
prosperity is the last quarter of the year, when coffee comes into
bearing. Merchants, as a rule, prefer to have their goods arrive
somewhat in advance of the two principal holidays, Christmas
and Easter.
Hotel Kates.—In San Jose the best hotels charge from $5 to
$8 a day, American plan ; second-class hotels charge from $2
to $3, American plan. In the smaller towns the rates for the
best accommodations are considerably less, generally from $1
to $2 a day, American plan.
Holidays.—Many feast days are observed. Generally speak
ing, business is suspended on holidays officially recognized.
The following are national holidays : January 1, New Year's
Day ; March 19, St. Joseph's Day ; Holy Thursday ; Good
Friday ; April 11, Battle of Rivas ; May 1, Surrender of General
Walker; August 15, Assumption Day; September 15, Independ
ence Day ; October 12, Discovery of America ; December 8, Im
maculate Conception ; December 25, Christmas Day ; and on
December 29, 30, and 31, the banks are usually closed.
Currency and Exchange.—The unit of currency in Costa Rica
is the colon. Conversion of notes into gold was suspended on
September 18, 1914. Since 1932, official exchange control has
been in effect, but in practice foreign exchange is readily avail
able. The value of the colon in foreign exchange is fixed by
the Banco Nacional. The rate of exchange for some time has
stood at 5.61 colones to the United States dollar (1 colon =
$0.17825).
SAN JOSE.—Capital of the Republic, in Province of San
Jose ; population, 63,436 ; altitude, 3,850 feet ; average tempera
ture, 70° F. Located on the Pacific Railway and the Northern
Railway (formerly known as Costa Rica Railway), 103 miles
west of Limon and 71 miles east of Puntarenas. Products :
Agricultural, coffee being the chief source of wealth, followed
by cacao and sugarcane. Industries : Small shoe, furniture, and
soap factories, and a small cotton mill.
How Reached.—From Puntarenas, via Pacific Railway or air
plane ; from Limon, via Northern Railway or airplane ; from
Heredia, Cartago, and Alajuela, by automobile or railroad. Reg
ular service by air from other sections of the country.
Hotels.—Gran Hotel Costa Rica ; Europa ; Continental ;
Metropoli ; Rex.
Banks.—Anglo-Costarricense ; Banco Nacional de Costa Rica ;
Banco de Costa Rica. Som<e of these banks have agencies in the
other chief cities. Private bankers : Lyon Hnos. & Cia., Sues.
S. A.
Note.— San Jose is situated in a broad, fertile valley, and has
an excellent climate. It is the center of the commerce of the
Republic, and a considerable number of its wholesale houses

canvass the country thoroughly. These firms all make direct
importations, as do a large number of retail firms. Agencies
are almost without exception established here. While in San
Jose, the traveler can obtain information regarding vessels call
ing at either Puntarenas on the Pacific or at Port Limon on the
Atlantic, from the agents of the steamship lines who have local
offices. Seat of American legation.
LIMON.—Atlantic port, in Province of Limon ; population,
8,568. On the Northern (Costa Rica) Railway, 103 miles east
of San Jose ; 1,380 nautical miles from New Orleans. Landing,
direct from ship to pier. Products: Bananas, coconuts, cocao,
rubber, pineapples, and cattle. Industries : Manufacturing has
not been developed to any appreciable extent, shoemaking being
the only manufacturing industry of any consequence.
How Reached.—From New York direct; from New Orleans,
via the Panama Canal port of Cristobal, or Bocas del Toro,
Panama, by United Fruit Co. steamers. From San Jose, by
Northern Railway (6-hour trip).
Hotels.—Park ; America.
Banks.—Banco de Costa Rica ; Lindo Bros. ; F. J. Alvarado
& Co.
Note.—Limon, chief port of Costa Rica and principal center
of commercial activity on the east coast, owes its importance
largely to the banana industry. About half of the Costa Rican
coffee exports in recent periods have gone out through Limon.
The Costa Rica Supply Co. maintains a large commissary here,
and the city has a number of important commercial firms, many
of which do direct importing. Limon is but an overnight sail
from Colon, and many tourists en route to the Canal Zone in
clude it in their itinerary. American consular office.
HEREDIA.—Capital of Province of Heredia; population,
9,083: on the railroad, about 6 miles west of San Jose; average
temperature, 72° F. Principal industry, cattle raising.
How Reached.—From San Jose, by the Northern (Costa Rica)
Railway ; from Puntarenas, by the Pacific Railway. A good
automobile road connects Heredia with San Jose.
Hotel.—Central.
Note.—The enterprising little city of Heredia is located so
near to San Jose that it is largely dependent upon the latter
center for supplies. Salesmen who wish to canvass the small
places will find Heredia convenient to visit. Other towns nearby,
with their populations, are San Isidro (1,400), San Antonio de
Belen (1,600), Barba (850), Santa Barbara (950), Santo Do
mingo (2,600), and San Rafael (1,600).
ALAJUEIA.—Province of Alajuela ; population, 8,677 ; on the
Northern (Costa Rica) Railway, 14 miles west of San Jose;
climate, subtropical. Principal products: Coffee, sugar, fruits,
livestock products, timber.
CENTRAL, AMERICA 71
How Reached.—From San Jose, by the Northern (Costa Rica)

Railway and the Pacific Railway, or by automobile and bus;
from Puntarenas, by the Pacific Railway.
Hotel.—America.
Bank.—Banco Nacional de Costa Rica.
Note.—Alajuela is easily accessible from San Jose. It is the
center of the sugar trade, and is visited by salesmen who canvass
closely. Nearby towns, with estimated populations, are Grecia
(2,800), San Ramon (2,800), San Pedro (1,400), Naranjo (4,500),
Atenas (1,700), Palamares (1,400), San Mateo (2,200), Orotina
(2,300). The gold mines of Aguacate are a little north of
Atenas.
CARTAGO.—Province of Cartago; population, 8,206; altitude,
4,930 feet. On the Northern (Costa Rica) Railway, at the
southern base of Irazu Volcano (11,500 feet) ; 13 miles east of
San Jose and 02 miles west of Limon. Temperature averages
68° F. Principal products : Coffee, cattle, fibers, vegetables,
and fruits.
How Reached.—From San Jose and from Port Limon via the
Northern (Costa Rica) Railway, or by automobile and bus from
San Jose, passing en route through several villages and some
of the richest coffee estates in the country.
Hotels.—Frances ; Chicago.
Bank.—Credito Agricola de Cartago.
Note.—Cartago is a point of some importance, the center of
one of the richest agricultural districts of Costa Rica. With
its several suburbs, its population totals about 29,000. A fair
volume of business is done in Cartago. There are hot springs at
Aguas Calientes, 3 miles distant.
PUNTARENAS.—Province of Puntarenas; population, 7,377.
Pacific port on Gulf of Nicoya, and terminus of the Pacific Rail
way. A modern pier several hundred feet long serves both
passenger and freight ships. Located 71 miles west of San Jose,
and about 460 miles from Panama City. Temperature averages
80° F. Products: Sugar, cattle, coconuts, mother-of-pearl, tim
ber, dyewoods, hides and skins, fish.
How Reached.—From San Jose, via the Pacific Railway
(trains daily, 4-hour journey) ; from Panama, by Grace Line
and Pacific Steam Navigation Co. ; and from San Francisco and
Los Angeles, by Grace Line. Daily airplane service to San
Jose.
Hotels.—Imperial ; Europa.
Bank.—Banco de Costa Rica.
Note.—Puntarenas is the only Pacific port of Costa Eica.
A very fair volume of business is done, some excellent houses
being located here. The wholesale houses of San Jose canvass
Puntarenas frequently, and the southwestern part of Costa Rica
is canvassed from this point. Shark and tuna fishing has re
cently developed in the area, attracting fishing vessels from
the United States.
GUATEMALA
Area and Topography.—Guatemala, with an area of 42,364
square miles, lies just south of Mexico and has both an Atlantic
and a Pacific seacoast. A mountain range parallels the Pacific
coast from Mexico to El Salvador.
A plateau (elevation, 4,000 to 11,500 feet) forms the interior
section of Guatemala. From the narrow Pacific coastal plain,
mountains rise on the northeast to approximately 13,000 feet.
The land lying on the northeastern or Atlantic side of the Divide
is cut by transverse mountain ranges and descends more gradu
ally to sea level. The Department of Peten, which extends
wedge-like northward between Mexico and British Honduras, is
for the most part a low, rolling plain. There are several active
and semiactive volcanoes in the country. Rivers are numerous,
those emptying into the Pacific being short, swift streams. The
only river which has been used to any extent for navigation is
the Polochic, which empties into the Atlantic via Lake Izubal
and Rio Dulce.
Climate and Seasons.—The climate of Guatemala varies con
siderably in different parts of the country, depending principally
on the altitude. On the coastal plains it is tropical, and through
out the year it is hot and humid. In the highlands, where most
of the population lives, the altitude is from about 3,000 to 8,000
feet and the climate is delightful throughout the year. The days
are usually warm, but the nights are cool. The warmest months
are normally March and April, but in Guatemala City the tem
perature rarely exceeds 85° F. and the minimum temperature
in December and January is seldom below 45° F.
Guatemala has a pronounced rainy season, extending in the
highlands from about the middle of May to the middle of Novem
ber ; in the coastal regions it is somewhat longer, especially on the
Atlantic coast. During the rainy season showers occur almost
daily, but there is seldom an all-day rain. Little rain falls in
the dry season. The annual rainfall averages about 45 inches
in Guatemala City but exceeds 200 inches in some other parts
of the country.
Population.—The estimated population of Guatemala as of
December 31, 1938, was 3,044,490, representing a gain of 1,039,590
as compared with 1921, the year of the last official census. A
complete census of the country will be taken in April 1940.
72
CENTRAL AMERICA 73
Table 14.—Estimated Population of Guatemala, by Departments,
1938
Popula Percent Popula Percent

Department tion of total Department tion of total
Alta Verapaz 283,561 9.3 Quezaltenango 238,834 7.8

89, 678 2.9 218, 963 7.2
C h imal tunango 137, 324 4.5 Retalhuleu_.. 46,643 1.5
Chiquimula 144, 848 4.8 Sacatepequez 64,424 2.1
89,438 2.9 San Marcos 265,320 8.7
Guatemala. 337, 516 11.1 Santa Rosa 120,241 3.9
218, 423 7.2 Solola 99,702 3.3
Izabal 27,193 .9 Suchitepequez 136, 561 4.5
81,853 2.7 Totonicapan 131,079 4.3
151,341 5.0 94, 104 3.1
10, 725 .4
56, 719 1.9 Total 3, 044, 490 100.0
The country is composed predominantly of descendants of

Mayan (Indian) tribes. One official estimate indicates that ap
proximately two-thirds of the population is of pure Indian blood ;
other estimates run as high as 80 percent. The next largest
group consists of mixed races, principally Spanish and Indian,
which are known as "ladinos." By far the largest foreign immi
gration has been Spanish. During recent years the Government
has discouraged immigration, especially of those seeking employ
ment, and during the past 5 years emigration has slightly
exceeded immigration.
It is estimated that at least 90 percent of the population is
engaged in agriculture. The Indian groups grow and produce
practically everything which they require, and many are em
ployed during part of the year on the large plantations.
Language.—The language of the country is Spanish ; but
various dialects are spoken by the Indian population, and in
some of the more inaccessible sections, Spanish is understood
by only a few.
Standard of Living and Purchasing Power.—The standard of
living among the great mass of the population in Guatemala is
not high. The Indian population produces practically all the
foodstuffs which it consumes. Also, the Indians weave the major
ity of fabrics and make most of the utensils they require. Prod
ucts grown or made by the Indians are largely for their individual
consumption but when produced in excess of their requirements,
are traded among other groups. Except for a very few articles,
such as machetes, the Indian element offers no market for im
ported goods ; and, from the standpoint of commerce in general,
it comprises a separate and distinct group, entirely isolated from
74: COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS' GUIDE
the general trade of the country. Indians working on planta

tions generally earn between 15 and 25 cents a day, depending
largely on whether corn and other requisites are supplied as part
of the wages.
While the standard of living among the "ladino" element is
generally higher than that of the Indian, a large percentage
has very limited purchasing power. The laboring classes are
chiefly of this group. Unskilled labor generally receives between
25 and 40 cents per day of 8 hours, and the daily wage for
skilled labor is rarely over $1. There is a group of "ladinos"
however (constituting probably less than 10 percent of the total
population), which have a moderately high earning power, and
this group, together with a large part of the foreign element, pro
vides the principal outlet for imported products ; but even
among these, only a small proportion has sufficient purchasing
power to acquire the more expensive imported articles such as
automobiles and electric refrigerators.
In Guatemala at the close of 1938 probably not over 2,100 pri
vate passenger cars and about 13,000 radio receiving sets were
in use. While the market for these and similar products has
by no means become saturated, these figures indicate how few
are the families which have more than a very small purchasing
power.
Agriculture.—Guatemala is essentially agricultural. Coffee
is by far the most important money crop of the country, repre
senting approximately 05 percent of the total value of all agri
cultural exports and 60 percent of the value of all exports.
Coffee is grown in every Department of Guatemala, but prin
cipally at altitudes of 1,500 to 4,500 feet. The best coffee is
grown at the higher altitudes. During the past decade the
total annual coffee production has averaged approximately
1,000,000 quintals (765,000 bags of 60 kilos each). Fluctuations
in world prices for coffee are directly reflected in the general
business activity of the country.
The second most important export crop of Guatemala is
bananas, which represent approximately 29 percent of the total
value of exports. Bananas are grown on both the Atlantic and
Pacific coastal plains. The production has increased rapidly
during the past few years, and further increases during the next
few years are expected as a result of new plantings, particularly
on the Pacific coast. Serious damage has been caused by the
Panama and Sigatoka diseases on the Atlantic coast, and
only a small increase in production has occurred there in recent
years. It is estimated that total production during 1939 will
reach 10 to 11 million steins, as compared to only 5% million
stems in 1935.
CENTRAL AMERICA 75
A number of other agricultural products are exported from

Guatemala, including honey, sugar, cardamon seed, essential oils,
and hides and skins, but none on a large scale.
Agricultural production for domestic consumption is varied,
and generally sufficient for local requirements. Corn is by far
the most important of these, but wheat, beans, rice, potatoes,
tobacco, and practically all of the tropical and Temperate Zone
fruits and vegetables are produced. Livestock is sufficient for
local demands.
Forest Products and Mining.—Chicle is by far the most im
portant of the forest products in Guatemala, exports of which
normally represent approximately 3 percent of the country's
total exports. The only producing area is the Department of
Peten. Small amounts of mahogany, cedar, and other fine woods
are exported, but the value is unimportant.
While minerals are known to exist in Guatemala, there has
been practically no important commercial development. Small
quantities of gold are exported annually, and there is a limited
production of lead, chromite, and sulphur.
Manufacturing.—Only the simplest types of manufacturing
have been developed in Guatemala—the scarcity of raw materials
and fuel, combined with a limited market, operating as a deter
rent. One of the most important industries is textile manufac
turing. There are three cotton-textile mills, two of which spin
at least part of their own cotton, and two woolen mills which
also spin part of their yarn. In addition, there are two mills
manufacturing rayon piece goods, and five knitting mills. Fab
rics of cotton, wool, and rayon are manufactured, but the prod
ucts are generally of the lower qualities, for which the principal
demand exists. The finer textiles are, for the most part,
imported.
The soap industry is also important ; and numerous small
plants produce shoes and leather goods, wearing apparel, tiles,
cement, tobacco products, bottled beverages (including soft
drinks, beer, and liquors), foodstuffs, dairy products, and
candles. A large part of the clothing used in Guatemala is
made in small tailoring establishments.
Most communities are served with electric light and power,
but other types of fuel are not available.

TRANSPORTATION
Travelers from the United States can reach Guatemala by
airplane, railroad, or steamer, but the trip by railroad is long
and difficult. An increasing number of travelers have recently
made the trip by automobile ; though by this method it is neces
sary to ship the car by rail from Veracruz to Tapachula, in
202836—40 6
Mexico, and advance arrangements should be made for a flat-

car if delays are to be avoided. During the dry season the road
from Tapachula to the Guatemalan border (about 20 kilometers )
is passable without difficulty, and the Inter-American Highway
through Guatemala has been completed and is passable without
difficulty throughout the year. This road continues to the
capital of El Salvador.
Steamship Service to Atlantic Ports.—The United Fruit Co.
operates steamship service from the Atlantic and Gulf ports of
the United States to Guatemala. All services are to Puerto
Barrios, the principal port on the Atlantic coast. The following
schedules are available :
From New York.—Weekly sailings, with stop at Santiago de
Cuba or Tela, Honduras (alternate weeks). A stop is made at
Puerto Cortes, Honduras, on return trip. Tiaie to Puerto
Barrios, 6 days. Minimum first-class fare, $100.
From Philadelphia.—Weekly sailings direct to Puerto Bariios
and return. Time, 6 days. Minimum first-class fare, $100.
From, New Orleans.—Weekly sailing direct to Puerto Barrios,
with stop at Puerto Cortes or Tela, Honduras (alternate weeks),
on return trip. Occasional stops are made at Belize, British
Honduras, on southbound trip. Time, 4 days. Minimum first-
class fare, $70.
From Boston.—Usually weekly services to Puerto Barrios,
with stop at Habana or Honduran port, and returning via
Charleston, S. C. Primarily freight service, but limited passen
ger accommodations. Time, 7 days. Minimum first-class fare,
$100.
No direct services are available from east-coast and Gulf ports
of the United States, via Panama Canal, to the west coast ports
of Guatemala.
Steamship Service to West Coast Ports.—The Grace Line,
French Line, East Asiatic Co. (Danish), Italian Line, Johnson
Line (Swedish), Hamburg-American and North German Lloyd
Lines, Holland-American Line, and the Koyal Mail Line (Brit
ish) operate services from west coast ports of the United States
to Champerico and San Jose, Guatemala. All services south
bound from west coast ports are very irregular and the majority
of the boats are primarily for freight, though carrying a limited
number of passengers. Generally about seven sailings a month
are available during the coffee-shipping season (January to June
inclusive) , but in the off season only about three sailings a month
are available. Preference is given on European lines to pas
sengers booking through passages to Europe, and the limited
number of sailings makes it difficult to count on space.
Rates on "conference" line vessels (except Grace Line) from
San Francisco or Los Angeles for minimum first-class accom
modations are : Class "A" boats, $140 ; Class "B" boats, $135 ;
freight boats, $105. Minimum first-class fare, Grace Line (all
CENTRAL AMERICA 77
>
boats are freighters, with limited passenger accommodations),
$100. From Seattle an additional charge of $25 is made. Time
from San Francisco to San Jose, 9 to 12 days; Los Angeles to
San Jose, 7 to' 8 days, depending on freight, etc.
More frequent service is available from San Jose and
Champerieo north, owing to the greater movement of coffee in
that direction. Though regular sailings are not available, dur
ing the coffee season there is usually at least a weekly sailing.
Calls, however, depend largely on freight.
Air Service.—Pan American Airways operates a through serv
ice from Brownsville, Tex., to Cristobal, C. Z., three time a week
in each direction, with an overnight stop at Guatemala City.
Commercial travelers from Los Angeles can also reach Guate
mala via the Cia. Mexicana de Aviacion, and the Pan American
Airways, but with a stop-over in Mexico City. Distance from
Brownsville to Guatemala city is 1,145 miles ; time, 8% hours ;
fare, $106.29 (including taxes). Pan American Airways also
serves the other Central American countries on the Panama
route, and connections can be made with the company's South
American and Caribbean services. Fares from Guatemala City
to points in Central America and Mexico are as follows :
Mexico City (includes Managua (Nicaragua)- $46.00
Mexican taxes) $76.84 San Jose (Costa Rica) - 73.00
San Salvador (El Sal- David (Panama) 100.00
vador) 21.00 Panama (Panama) 104.00
> Tegucigalpa (Hon- Cristobal (Canal
duras) 32. 00 Zone) 106. 00
A 10 percent reduction is given on round-trip tickets.
The Compania Nacional de Aviacion "T. A. C. A." operates a
regular weekly service from Puerto Barrios to Belize, British
Honduras, with stops at Punta Gorda and Stan Creek, if there
are passengers. Also a service twice a week is available from
Puerto Barrios to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, which connects
with the services of the company in El Salvador, Honduras, and
Nicaragua. In addition, there is a service three times a week
from Belize to El Cayo, British Honduras.
The fare from Puerto Barrios to Belize is $15 and the time
1% hours; from Puerto Barrios to San Pedro Sula, $12.50, and
the time % hour.
The Compania Nacional "T. A. C. A." also operates the in
ternal air services in Guatemala. Daily service is operated
between Guatemala City and Quezaltenango, with stops at
Quiche, Huehuetenango, Mazatenango, and Retalhuleu, if traffic
offers. There is service three times a week between Guatemala
City and Coban, with stops at La Tinta, Salama, and Rabinal,
if traffic offers, and service twice weekly between Guatemala
City and Puerto Barrios, via Flores and Paso Caballos in the
Peten.
♦
Railroad Services.—The International Railways of Central

America, operators of the principal railway of Guatemala, pro
vide service between Guatemala City, Puerto Barrios, Pacific
ports, Mexico, and El Salvador. Another railway, the Ferro-
carril Verapaz, serves a limited territory.
Puerto Barrios to Guatemala City.—Two trains (morning and
evening) are operated daily in each direction between Puerto
Barrios and Guatemala City ; distance, 198 miles ; time, 10 to
12 hours. The morning train is provided with a chair car, but
there is no sleeping car or chair car on the night train. A stop
is made at Zacapa for lunch. Fare, Guatemala to Puerto Bar
rios, $5.95 ; seat in chair car, $4 ; lunch at Zacapa, $1. Special
trains are frequently operated to accommodate tourists arriv
ing from New York, if the number is sufficient.
San Jose to Guatemala City.—Two trains daily in each direc
tion. Distance, 76 miles ; time, approximately 5 hours ; fare,
$1.80.
Champerico to Guatemala City.—One train daily in each direc
tion from Champerico to Guatemala City, with change at
Retalhuleu or Mazatenango. Distance, 156 miles; fare, $4.70.
The most convenient way to reach Guatemala City from Cham
perico is with overnight stop at Retalhuleu. No chair or sleeping
car is provided.
Ayutla to Guatemala City.—Daily service in both directions,
but no chair car is provided. Distance, 177 miles ; time, 9 hours ;
fare, $5.35. Passengers to or from Mexico must spend the night
at Ayutla ; hotel rate, $1.50, including dinner and breakfast ;
launch service Ayutla to Suchiate, Mexico, at a charge of 25 cents
per person and for each piece of hand baggage (trunks, 50 cents
each). There is a daily service from Suchiate, Mexico, to
Veracruz, and three trains weekly are equipped with sleeping
cars. Time, Suchiate to Veracruz, 36 hours ; fare, approximately
$14; sleeping car, approximately $5 (United States currency).
Guatemala City to San Salvador.—There is a daily service
from Zacapa (on the Puerto Barrios-Guatemala line) to San
Salvador, El Salvador. From Guatemala City there is an over
night stop at Zacapa. The night train from Puerto Barrios neces
sitates only a short stop at Zacapa, but there are no sleeping-car
accommodations. Distance, Guatemala to Zacapa, 95 males;
Zacapa to San Salvador, 166 miles. Time, Guatemala to Zacapa,
5 hours ; Zacapa to San Salvador, 12 hours. Fare, Guatemala
City to San Salvador, $8.85. Hotel, $2 (lodging, dinner, and
breakfast).
Puerto Barrios to Livingston and Cohan.—A regular launch
service is operated by the Ferrocarril Verapaz between Puerto
Barrios and Livingston four times weekly, but arrangements
can be made for special services if required. Distance, 15 miles ;
fare, 75 cents for regular service ; time, 1 hour. A regular service
is also operated by this company from Livingston to Panzes and
Pancajche (river steamer via Rio Dulce, Lake Izabal, and Pold
CENTRAL AMERICA 79
chic River to Panzos, and rail from Panzos to Pancajche).

Busses are available from Pancajche to Coban. An overnight
stop is necessary at Panzos, but food should be carried for the
entire trip. Time, Livingston to Panzos, 8 to 10 hours, with
overnight stop ; Panzos to Pancajche, 2 hours ; Pancajche to
Coban, approximately 3 hours. Fares, Livingston to Panzos,
$5.50 ; lodging, Panzos, $1 ; Panzos to Pancajche, $1.40 ; Pancajche
to Coban $2.
Motor Vehicle Service.—Notable progress has been made dur
ing recent years in the development of highways throughout the
country. It is now possible to visit practically any city of
importance by automobile throughout the year. Regular bus
lines are operated from Guatemala City to the more important
centers in Guatemala and also to San Salvador. Cars can
be hired by the trip, by the day, or by the week, at reasonable
prices, by those desiring to cover the country more thoroughly.
COMMUNICATION
Cable, Radio, Telegraph, and Telephone.—The All America
Cable Co. operates a regular cable service to all parts of the
world. The Tropical Radio Telegraph Co. operates an interna
tional radiogram service, as well as a radiotelephone service to
the United States and other parts of the world.
The Government operates a telegraph service to practically
all centers in the country, and also to Mexico, El Salvador, and
Honduras. It also operates the local telephone system, and
service is available to San Salvador. A radio-communication
system has recently been established by the Government, which
provides radiotelephone communication with 30 of the principal
centers of the country.
Express.—International air express service is operated by the
Pan American Airways, and clearance through customs is facil
itated to expedite shipments. Internal air express is handled by
the Compania Nacional "T. A. C. A." at the rate of 10 cents
per pound.
Postage.—The letter rate from the United States is 3 cents
per ounce or fraction thereof; from Guatemala, 3 cents for the
first 20 grams, plus 1 cent "reconstruction" tax, and 2 cents
for each additional 20 grams or fraction thereof. Air mail
from the United States costs 12 cents per half ounce or fraction
thereof; from Guatemala, 15 cents per 10 grams, plus regular
postage and reconstruction tax. Parcel-post rates to North and
South America and Europe are as follows :
Quetzalea
Up to 1 kilogram 0. 75
More than 1 kilogram, up to 5 kilograms 1. 00
More than 5 kilograms, up to 10 kilograms 2. 00
80
Rates to Central America are one-half those shown, and every
package must have 1-cent reconstruction stamp. Weight limit
to United States, 20 kilograms.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Commercial travelers encounter no difficulties in entering
Guatemala, provided the necessary documents are in order ; but
regulations must be strictly complied with. Everything is done
to facilitate the entry of tourists, but immigration is not
encouraged.
Necessary Documents.—Guatemalan consulates will grant a
visa to travelers for business trips only on specific authorization
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guatemala. The visa is
usually for 30 days and specifies the port of entry. The ordinary
visa is valid only for a single entry and for the specified stay.
When an extension is desired, application is made in Guatemala
City through the Ministry of Foreign Relations. (Cost, Q 1.25,
including certificate.) The following documents are necessary
for the extension of a visa :
1. Valid passport.
2. Certificate of vaccination against smallpox, or health cer
tificate issued by a physician.
3. Police certificate stating that bearer has no criminal record.
4. Four photographs.
5. Letter certifying to applicant's employment or status as
businessman.
A fee of only $1 (tourist tax) is charged for visa.
All travelers arriving in Guatemala, except those entering with
tourist cards, must register, within 48 hours after arrival, at
police headquarters in Guatemala City or at the nearest police
office ; if the visitor is to remain in Guatemala more than 60
days, registration must be made in the "Foreigners' Registry"
maintained in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guatemala City.
No charge is made for police registration, but a charge of Q 2.25
is made for inscription in the "Foreigners' Registry."
Travelers leaving Guatemala must present passports to the
Passport Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (at least
48 hours before departure) for visa ; they will be returned within
24 hours. The applicant must state by what route departure will
be made, also date, destination, etc. ; the visa is good for 8 days.
If any change is made in departure plans, such as in the date,
method, or port of departure, a new visa must be secured. No
charge is made for the exit visa on American passports.
Failure to comply strictly with the regulations exposes the
traveler to heavy fines.
ARRIVAL
Salesmen's Samples.—All passengers arriving in Guatemala
are required to make a customs declaration. No consular in
CENTRAL AMERICA 81
voice is required covering salesman's samples, but a complete

list in triplicate of all samples carried must be given to the cus
toms authorities, indicating in detail the nature, quantity, and
value of the articles, together with the gross, legal, and net
weight. Dutiable articles, to be reexported, may be admitted
without payment of duty for a period of 2 months, and the time
extended for a like period upon application, if a bond is estab
lished, or a cash deposit is made, equal to the amount of the
duties. Application must be made for reexportation of samples
in order that they may be inspected. The bond is canceled or the
cash deposit refunded if the samples exported correspond to those
brought in.
Baggage.—The customs declaration of travelers to Guate
mala must state the character and number of pieces in their
personal baggage, indicating specifically the number of each
item and describing in general terms the personal effects. All
new and unused articles must be listed in detail. Tobacco in
excess of 3% ounces (100 grams), alcoholic beverages, playing
cards, and a few other items are dutiable, even when carried as
personal baggage, and must be declared.
Other dutiable articles may be imported as baggage without
the payment of duty, provided the total amount of duties does
not exceed $25, and this exemption is granted in any duties to
be collected. Portable typewriters, cameras, etc., are admitted
as baggage without payment of duty.
Commercial Merchandise.—A commercial invoice and cer
tificate of origin are required when travelers bring with them
either new or used merchandise, if the sum total of the duties
on the articles brought in at one time amounts to more than
$100. Small quantities of merchandise, particularly samples, do
not require either a commercial invoice or a certificate of origin.
All advertising matter (whether samples for distribution, cata
logs, posters, or other type) is subject to duty on arrival in
Guatemala and should be listed in the usual customs declaration.
Documentation.—Commercial invoices and certificates of
origin are required only under certain circumstances ; these
documents are issued without charge by the Guatemala consuls
in the United States. On arrival in Guatemala a fee of 4 percent
ad valorem is collected as the consular invoice fee. This is paid
on clearance of the merchandise through customs, at the time
customs duties are paid.
Customs Duties.—Guatemalan customs duties are generally
assessed on the basis of gross weight, but in a few instances they
are assessed on the basis of legal or net weight, or on an ad
valorem basis. If a traveler has dutiable merchandise, care
should be taken to show data required for the assessment of
duties—that is, gross weight, net weight, legal weight, or value—
and if it is not known on which basis the duty is assessed, com
plete data should be furnished in each case.
82
Clearance of Samples.—Hand baggage is usually cleared at

port of entry, but trunks, samples, and other baggage is usually
sent in bond to the Guatemalan custom house and cleared on
arrival there. In this way delays are avoided, and no difficulty
is encountered in effecting clearance at Guatemala City.
Customhouse Brokers.—Generally speaking, it is advisable for
commercial travelers who carry samples or merchandise to
utilize the services of customhouse brokers for clearing their
baggage. Charges of customhouse brokers are reasonable.
DIRECTORIES AND GUIDEBOOKS
There is no adequate directory available in Guatemala, and
telephone directories contain only meager, if any, classified
sections.
Railway time-tables are issued semiannually, and information
regarding busses and tourist facilities can generally be obtained
at hotels or through Clark's Tourist Agency. The Guatemalan
Tourist Commission has also published folders of interest to
those on tours, and the Compania Nacional "T. A. C. A." issues
frequent bulletins regarding its aviation services.
SALESMEN'S TAXES
Travelers selling from samples and from catalogs must pay
a tax of $25 for license (patente de agente viajero). Applica
tion for license is made to the customs authorities, and on pay
ment of the tax a certificate is issued authorizing sale of
merchandise in Guatemala for a period of 6 months. This
period can be extended on application to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, and on repayment of the prescribed fee.
If outdoor advertising displays are to be placed, specific per
mits must be obtained from municipal or police authorities in
each municipality. The cost of this permission is nominal.
For those representing products under the jurisdiction of the
Public Health Service, an additional permit is required, costing
$30, which is issued in the name of the individual salesman,
not the company. All samples and advertising matter must
be approved by the Public Health Service prior to distribution.
Drugs, pharmaceutical products, and cosmetics, are subject to
the regulations of the Public Health Service. Distribution of
samples from house to house is generally not permitted.
SALES TERRITORIES AND TRAVELERS' ROUTES
Except for the sale of a very few products, Guatemala should
be considered a single sales territory, with the central distribu
tion point Guatemala City. In some instances, merchants at
other centers import direct from manufacturers abroad ; but
CENTRAL AMERICA 83
during recent years, with the improvement of highways, there

has been an increasing tendency to purchase on a larger scale
through Guatemala City. It is believed that this trend will
continue. Most of the dealers in the small centers are not
equipped to carry large stocks, and a distributor in Guatemala
City can serve subdealers throughout the country. For some
lines, notably .pharmaceutical products, traveling representa
tives frequently cover even the smaller towns and solicit direct
business, but this method of distribution is not common in
Guatemala. Local traveling salesmen of distributors in Guate
mala City cover the entire country. For some products however,
subdealer arrangements should be made in a number of other
centers, depending on the type of product to be sold.
Distributing Centers.—Among the more important distributing
centers are Coban, Mazatenango, Quezaltenango, Retalhuleu, and
Zacapa. With the exception of Coban and Zacapa, all of the
centers named are in the southwestern part of the country and
are directly connected with Guatemala City by railroad or high
way, or both. Coban, in the north-central part of the country,
serves a distinct agricultural section. It is more inaccessible
from the capital than any of the other cities named, although
it is possible to reach Coban by highway. Zacapa, midway
between Guatemala and Puerto Barrios, on the International
Railways of Central America, serves as distributing center for
the principal tobacco-producing region of Guatemala. It is from
here that the branch line to El Salvador operates. In general,
it is recommended that any firm desiring distribution in Guate
mala first make arrangements in Guatemala City and, depending
on the product, secure further representation in other points.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—Since the rainy season extends from ap
proximately the middle of May to the middle of November, travel
to the interior from Guatemala City is somewhat more difficult
at that time. Improvements which have been made in highways
during the past few years make it possible to visit practically
any important center at all times of the year ; and the time of
visit may therefore be made to coincide with the best selling
season for individual products.
Since coffee is by far the most important crop of the country,
sales are directly affected by its harvesting. The harvesting
usually commences in the lower altitudes early in September and
extends through December in the higher altitudes. Most of the
coffee is generally contracted for by the middle of March, and
replacements and additional equipment for the coffee "bene-
ficios," or treatment plants, are usually ordered in the months
immediately following. Small agricultural implements have a
sale throughout the year ; June, July, November, and December
arc normally moderately good months for import orders of gen

eral merchandise for department stores. Retail business is
generally slow in January and February, and from Juno to the
middle of September.
Clothing.—Unless a traveler plans to spend most of his time
in the various banana-growing sections, tropical clothing is not
required in Guatemala. For Guatemala City, lightweight woolen
clothing, such as is used in the United States in spring and fall,
is suitable. Linen clothing is not worn in Guatemala City or
other sections of the highlands. A lightweight raincoat is
useful during the rainy season.
Hotels.—In the best hotels of Guatemala City the daily rate
per person ranges from $2.50 and up for room without bath,
and $3 and up for room with bath. The rates include meals, and
no discount is granted if guests take meals elsewhere. Rates are
lower in second-class hotels, but these places are not recom
mended. There are two or three good pensions, or boarding
houses, where accommodations by the week or month can be had
at approximately $60 a month and up. Hotel accommodations
in outlying centers are more limited, and rates are generally
lower. (The principal hotels in the more important cities and
towns are indicated in the section headed "Chief Commercial
Centers.")
legal Time.—The legal time throughout Guatemala is central
standard time, measured by the 24-hour system instead of by
two divisions of 12 hours each.
Business Hours.—The usual business hours, indicated by the
time system in use in the United States, are from 9 a. in. to
noon or 12 : 30 p. m., and from 2 or 2 : 30 p. m. to 6 p. m. Retail
stores are frequently open until 12:30 p. m. in order to permit
office workers to shop before lunch. Many lines of business
observe a half holiday on Saturday, closing at noon. Banking
hours are from 9 a. m. to noon and from 2 to 4 p. m. except Sat
urday, when they are 9 to 11 a. m. Government offices are open
from 8 a. m. to noon and from 2 to 6 p. m. The office of the
American commercial attache is open from 8 : 30 a. m. to noon,
and from 2 to 5 : 30 p. m. ; on Saturdays, 8 : 30 a. m. to 12 : 30 p. m.
CURRENCY, EXCHANGE, AND BANKING
Currency.—The quetzal is the monetary unit of Guatemala,
and the value is equivalent to $1 United States currency. The
paper quetzal circulates in denominations of 50 centavos and of
1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 quetzales. Silver coins are available in de
nominations of 25. 10, and 5 centavos, and copper coins in 2, 1,
and y2 centavo. The quetzal is usually indicated by a capital
"Q" placed before a numeral.
United States currency can be used in the hotels in Guatemala
City and in a few of the large retail establishments. It has
no circulation outside of Guatemala City.
CENTRAL AMERICA 85
Exchange.—United States currency is exchanged in Guate

mala at par, and no charge is made for the exchange of small
amounts.
Banking Facilities.—Only two banks in Guatemala City do
a general banking business. These are the Banco Central de
Guatemala, the sole bank of issue, and the Bank of London and
South America, Ltd. The Banco Central operates a branch at
Quezaltenango and maintains agencies at Coban, Retalhuleu,
Mazatenango, Zacapa, and other points. The Bank of London
and South America has no branches in Guatemala. Travelers'
checks can generally be cashed without difficulty at any of the
hotels in the larger cities.
The number of important distributing centers in Guatemala is
not large, though the number of distributing points to be con
sidered depends on the type of product for which distribution is
sought. In addition to Guatemala City, which far exceeds all
others in importance, at least four cities are of importance in
considering distribution in many lines. Many towns serving lim
ited areas may be of some importance to consider, depending on
the product involved.
GUATEMALA CITY.—Capital of Guatemala; altitude, 4,884
feet ; population, 167,000. Located 198 miles from Puerto Bar
rios and 76 miles from San Jose.
How Reached.—By rail from Puerto Barrios, and by rail
and highway from San Jose.
Banks.—Banco Central de Guatemala; Bank of London and
South America, Ltd.
Hotels.—Palace ; Gran ; Astoria ; Pension Gueroult.
Note.—American legation located at city of Guatemala.
COBAN.—Capital of Alta Verapaz ; altitude, 4,200 feet ; popu
lation, 8,065.
How Reached.—Reached from Livingston by river steamer,
rail, and bus ; time, approximately 1 V-i days ; from Guatemala
City, by automobile, or by rail and bus via El Rancho ; time,
approximately 12 hours.
Bank.—Agency of Banco Central.
Hotel.—Central.
QUEZALTENANGO.—Capital of Quezaltenango ; altitude, 7,808
feet; population, 26,083.
How Reached.—By highway from Guatemala City, 125 miles.
Bank.—Branch of Banco Central.
Hotels.—Recreo ; Europeo ; Pension Bonifaz.
RETALHULEU—Capital of Retalhuleu; altitude, 787 feet;
population, 3,951.
How Reached.—By rail or highway from Guatemala City and
Champerico, approximately 130 miles and 30 miles, respectively.
Hotel.—Astor.
ZACAFA.—Capital of Zaeapa ; altitude, 613 feet; population,
8,627.
How Reached.—By rail or highway from Guatemala City, ap
proximately 100 miles ; by rail from Puerto Barrios, 103 miles.
Hotel.—Ferrocarril.
ANTIGUA.—Capital of Sacatepequez ; altitude, 5,030 feet;
population, 12,267.
How Reached.—By highway from Guatemala City, 25 miles.
Hotels.—Aurora ; Manchen ; Alcazar.
CHIQTJIMULA.—Capital of Chiquimula; altitude, 1,247 feet;
population, 6,851.
How Reached.—From Guatemala City, via Zaeapa, by rail or
highway, 115 miles.
Hotel.—Zaeapa.
CUILAPA—Capital of Santa Rosa ; altitude, 2,986 feet ; popu
lation, 3,000 (est.).
How Reached.—From Guatemala City by highway, 45 miles.
ESCUINTLA.—Capital of Escuintla ; altitude, 1,111 feet ; popu
lation, 5,616.
San Jose, approximately 50 miles.
Hotel.—Ferrocarril.
FLORES.—Capital of Peten ; altitude, 295 feet; population,
1,800 (est.).
How Beached.—By air, from Guatemala City or Puerto
Barrios.
Hotel.—Cambranes.
HUEHUETENANGO —Capital of Huehuetenango ; altitude,
6,201 feet ; population, 7,139.
How Reached.—By highway, from Guatemala City and Que-
zaltenango.
Hotel.—Galvez.
JALAPA.—Capital of Jalapa ; altitude, 4,528 feet ; population,
5,720.
How Reached.—From Guatemala City, by highway or by rail
and highway.
JTJTIAPA.—Capital of Jutiapa ; altitude, 2.953 feet; popula
tion, 3,500 (est.).
Hotel.—Central.
LIVINGSTON.—Department of Izabal, 15 miles from Puerto
Barrios; population, 2,500 (est.).
How Reached.—By launch.
Hotel.—Pension Livingston.
CENTRAL AMERICA 87
MAZATENANGO. Capital of Suchitepequez ; altitude, 1,247

feet; population, 5,000 (est.).
Retalhuleu.
Hotels.—Guatemala ; Josue.
SANTA CRUZ QUICHE.—Capital of Quiche; altitude, 6,627
feet; population, 5,000 (est.).
How Reached.—By highway from Guatemala City, approxi
mately 120 miles.
Hotel.—Altense, or Mayan Inn (Chichicastenango).
PUERTO BARRIOS.—Department of Izabal ; population, 3,000
(est.). Principal Atlantic port; 198 miles from Guatemala
City with which it is connected by rail.
Hotel.—Internacional.
SALAMA —Capital of Baja Verapaz ; altitude, 3,018 feet;
population, 8,000 (est.).
How Reached.—From Guatemala City by highway or by rail
and highway, via El Rancho.
SAN PEDRO SACATEPEQUEZ-SAN MARCOS.— (Adjoining
cities.) Capital of San Marcos; altitude, 8,130 feet; population
(combined), 10,000 (est.).
How Reached.—From Quezaltenango and Guatemala City by
highway.
Hotel.—Espana (San Marcos).
SAN JOSE.—Department of Escuintla ; principal Pacific port;
population, 1,500.
How Reached.—From Guatemala City by rail or highway,
75 miles.
Hotel.—California.
TOTONICAPAN.—Capital of Totonicapan ; altitude, 8,333 feet ;
Hotel.—Central.
TUMBADOR.—Department of San Marcos ; altitude, 3,010 feet ;
How Reached.—By highway from San Marcos and Quezal
tenango.
HONDURAS
Honduras, with an area of about 40,000 square miles, or about
that of the State of Pennsylvania, is surpassed in size in Central
America only by Nicaragua and Guatemala. This Republic, lying
southeast of Guatemala, northeast of El Salvador, and northwest
of Nicaragua, has a northern coast line of about 350 miles on
the Caribbean Sea and a short Pacific seaboard of about 50
miles.
Topography.—The topography of Honduras is somewhat di
versified. The interior is mountainous, interspersed with large,
fertile plateaus and valleys. Along the north shore—and to a
smaller extent, on the Pacific side—spread extensive areas of
flat, alluvial lands, suitable for the growing of bananas. Be
tween these coastal plains and the mountains of the interior
are scattered foothills of varying heights. The country is well
watered by many streams, which, in general, flow northeast to
empty into the Caribbean, or southwest to the Gulf of Fonseca.
Climate.—The temperature varies according to the elevation,
being hot and humid in the coastal plains and mild and pleasant
in the mountain regions and on the elevated plateaus. The
change in temperature is very noticeable in traveling from the
coast to the capital of the country, which is situated at an
elevation of 3,500 feet. There are two seasons, the wet and dry.
Although they are not very plainly marked, the former may be
said to extend for the country as a whole from May to December,
and the latter from January to April. Rainfall varies with
the locality, but is greater along the Atlantic than along the
Pacific coast. In the capital area the annual precipitation is
about 05 inches, and the rainy season lasts from about June to
October.
The population of the Republic was OG2,000, according to the
census of 1935. The population of the cities is relatively small,
that of the capital, Tegucigalpa, being 35,000 ; of San Pedro Sula,
17,500 ; and of La Ceiba, 10,800.
The purchasing power of the people averages less than one hun
dred dollars per capita per annum. Wages for laborers ranges
from 25 to 85 cents, United States currency, per day ; women and
children are paid less. Wages in the cities, among the educated
88
> CENTRAL AMERICA 89
classes, are also low, ranging from $25 to $100 per month.
Owing to the high cost of transportation and the limited pur
chasing power, most products which would be considered staple
in the United States are regarded as luxuries in Honduras.
CHIEF ECONOMIC ACTIVTIES

The chief sources of wealth in Honduras are bananas, gold,
and silver. These constitute 90 percent of the total value of
exports.
Agriculture.—Agricultural activities, aside from banana
growing, consist largely of coffee and tobacco cultivation and
cattle raising, although sugarcane, beans, corn, and other crops
are raised for local consumption. When crops are sufficiently
large, the excess is exported to neighboring Central American
Republics. Coconuts are exported in fairly large quantities.
Forest Products.—Large quantities of mahogany and other
valuable hardwoods are found in the northeast, and smaller
quantities in the interior valleys and near the southern coast.
Only a small amount of mahogany and unimportant quantities
of other woods are exported.
Mining.—Honduras has a large variety of mineral deposits,
few of which except gold and silver have been worked on a com
mercial basis. Gold mining has become active since 1932, gold
exports in the fiscal year 1937-38 amounting to approximately
26 percent of total exports.
Manufacturing.—There has been practically no industrial de
velopment of importance. Local industries in the various cities
consist of the manufacture (on a small scale) of tiles, soap,
shoes, candles, alcoholic drinks, cigars, and matches. Most of
the larger towns have an electric light plant.
Principal Exports.—The principal exports in the fiscal year
1936-37, with their percentage relation to total exports shown in
parentheses, were: Bananas (65); gold, silver, and mineral
tailings (26) ; coffee (4) ; leaf tobacco and cigars (1).
Steamship Service.—The United Fruit Co. provides a weekly
steamship service from New York to Puerto Cortes, a fort
nightly service from New York to Tela, and a fortnightly service
from New Orleans to Puerto Cortes and Tela on the north shore.
The Standard Fruit & Steamship Co. provides a weekly serv
ice from the same ports in the United States to La Ceiba, also
on the north shore. The Grace Line provides a service at irregu
lar intervals between San Francisco and Los Angeles and
Amapala on the Pacific coast. The Pacific Steam Navigation
Co. has passenger steamers operating fortnightly between the

Panama Canal port of Cristobal and Amapala. Other foreign
lines occasionally call there. Almost all imports of freight for
southern Honduras come in through this latter port, and should
be thus routed unless the importer indicates differently. Freight
is lightered from Amapala, on Tigre Island (in the Bay of
Fonseca) to San Lorenzo, on the mainland.
Air Service.—Pan American Airways maintains a service of
three planes south-bound and three north-bound each week be
tween Brownsville, Tex., and Panama, which stop at Tegucigalpa.
Local Transportation.—From the Caribbean coast it is possible
to reach Tegucigalpa by rail and bus. There is a daily train
service from Puerto Cortes to Potrerillos, a distance of 60 miles,
where the railroad ends. From that point to Tegucigalpa there
is a daily truck-bus service. Passengers using this route leave
Puerto Cortes at 7 a. m., arrive at Potrerillos at 12 noon, and
continue the journey by road, crossing Lake Yojoa (the largest
lake in Honduras) by ferry, to the village of Siguatepeque,
where it is necessary to spend the night. The truck-bus pro
ceeds the following day to Tegucigalpa, the entire trip of about
200 miles taking the greater part of 2 days. Freight and mails
from the eastern part of the United States and from Europe are
forwarded to the capital by this route.
No highways connect the various ports on the north coast, and
travel between them is usually by boat.
From Amapala, the Pacific port, travelers going inland to the
capital journey by launch to San Lorenzo, and thence to Tegu
cigalpa by motorcar or bus over a motor highway.
Most travelers in Honduras utilize the services of the Trans-
portes Aereos Centro-Americanos (TACA), a local aviation com
pany which maintains twice-weekly services to the neighboring
Republics of El Salvador and Nicaragua, a twice-weekly service
to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, and Belize, British Honduras, via
San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and daily service between Tegu
cigalpa and the principal cities and towns of the Republic.
Postage.—Postage rates between Honduras and the United
States are the same as the domestic rates in the respective coun
tries. Local merchants are now using parcel-post shipments
more and more for the importation of goods of relatively small
bulk and weight. Such shipments do not require consular in
voices, and avoid certain port and transportation charges to
destination. Deliveries at Tegucigalpa by parcel post require
from about 10 days to 2 weeks from New Orleans and New
York when overland communications are normal.
Radio.—The Tropical Radio Telegraph Co. maintains constant
direct contact with the United States and other countries
through its station at Tegucigalpa. It is also possible to com
municate by radio telephone with the outside world. All
America Cables Inc. maintains an office in Tegucigalpa, using
CENTRAL, AMERICA 91
the Government-owned land telegraph lines for connection with

its cables in El Salvador.
Telephone.—The Honduran Government owns and operates
telephone and telegraph systems throughout the country. There
is also a local telephone service between the cities on the north
coast which is operated by the fruit companies.
ARRIVAL
Taxes on Salesmen.—No Government tax is levied on salesmen
entering Honduras; but the various municipalities impose a
fee, whether or not a salesman transacts any business while
there. For example, a salesman who is merely on a visit or
making a survey, without a view to doing business at the time,
must pay this fee. In Tegucigalpa the fee is $10, and in San
Pedro Sula it is $12.50.
Salesmen's Samples.—Samples of no commercial value are
exempt from duty. (Samples are considered to mean small
pieces of fabric or articles so mutilated as to be entirely un
salable.) The Honduran tariff provides that the duty on sam
ples must be deposited at the time of entry. When permission
is requested to reexport such samples, the deposit is refunded.
A fee of 5 centavos per kilogram is charged. Samples must be
reexported within 90 days of the time of entry or the entire
deposit is declared forfeited.
Advertising Matter.—Articles which have a commercial value
are dutiable, even though intended for advertising purposes,
the duty thereon being assessed on the basis of gross weight.
Advertising matter of no commercial value is admitted free.
SALES TERRITORIES
For sales purposes, Honduras can be divided roughly into three
sections. The distributing center for the north and northwest
ern section is San Pedro Sula ; for the north and northeastern
section, La Ceiba ; and for the central and southern section,
Tegucigalpa. Practically all direct importing is done at one
of these three commercial centers. In visiting the territory on
the north coast it is well not to count on reaching certain points
on given dates. Advantage must be taken of the transportation
as offered. Good connections are often a matter of chance.
It is impossible to suggest definite itineraries for canvassing
the north coast. Much depends on the seasons and on local
steamship connections. It is often necessary to double back—
that is, to work to and from some of the larger places, as Puerto
Cortes and La Ceiba. The movements of a traveler are governed
largely by the port at which he arrives. Tegucigalpa is usually
selected as the base for canvassing the interior.
202836—1O 7
92 COMMERCIAL. TRAVELERS' GUIDE
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—The commercial traveler should be gov
erned largely by conditions in his particular line of business in
deciding upon the time to visit Honduras. As a rule, dealers
prefer to place orders in time for delivery to supply the Christ
mas and Easter trade. The dry season is pleasant and agree
able, and lasts in the capital area from about November to May.
Clothing.—In the hot and humid coastal cities, white suits
are worn, and clothing should be suitable for typically tropical
conditions. In Tegucigalpa, the climate is always comfortable,
and lightweight woolens are usually worn. In the winter months
ordinary suits are comfortable ; overcoats are seldom needed.
Hotels.—In Honduras, particularly in the interior, the traveler
will find that hotel accommodations are limited. Whenever pos
sible, the traveler should endeavor to obtain letters of intro
duction from friends to correspondents in the smaller places,
with a view to making arrangements to board in private
homes, where he would have the best accommodations available.
Rates in the better hotels in the more important places run
from $2.50 to $4.50 a day. In the smaller places the rates are
somewhat lower. In the interior and in the small communities
the rates are from $1.25 to $2.50 a day, but the accommodations
are correspondingly inferior. These rates are for hotels con
ducted on the American plan.
Holidays.—Many feast days are observed. Generally speaking,
business is suspended on holidays—except in the smaller towns,
particularly in the interior, where merchants take advantage of
these days to transact business with the natives who visit the
towns in large numbers at that time. Holidays, other than those
set aside by the church, are : January 1, New Year's Day ; Janu
ary 19, national holiday ; February 1, Inauguration Day ; July 14,
Fall of the Bastille ; September 15, Independence Day ; September
29, St. Michael's ; October 3, Francisco Morazan ; and October 12,
Discovery of America. All Government offices and banks, and
practically all business firms, are closed for the 3 days preceding
Easter.
Legal Time.—Central standard time is used throughout the
Republic.
CURRENCY, BANKING, AND EXCHANGE
Since the beginning of 1932, a new currency, based upon the
gold-standard unit of 1 lempira equal to 50 cents, United States
currency, has been in circulation. Silver, nickel, and copper
coins are in circulation. Paper currency notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, and
20 lempiras are issued by the two banks of the country.
CENTRAL AMERICA 93
Banking business is carried on in Honduras by the Banco

Atlantida and the Banco de Honduras. The former was organ
ized in Honduras largely with American capital ; head office,
La Ceiba, and branches in other parts of the country. The
Banco de Honduras was organized in Tegucigalpa, largely with
Honduran capital. Head office, Tegucigalpa; branches and
agencies in numerous towns.
In 1934, an Exchange Control Commission was set up, and
all exchange transactions must be authorized by it. Applica
tions for the purchase of exchange are made directly to the
commission.
In the following paragraphs are listed and discussed the cities
and towns in Honduras which are thought to be of most interest
to American commercial travelers. In this group have been in
cluded a few places which are not always canvassed, but which
are important from the strategic or geographical standpoint.
AMAPALA.—Only port of Honduras on the Pacific coast with
good anchorage. Population, 2,943. Located about 114 miles
from Tegucigalpa in Department of Valle, on Tigre Island in
Bay of Fonseca. Steamers lie offshore, and small boats take
passengers ashore.
How Reached.—From Tegucigalpa, by the Carretera del Sur
(Southern Highway) to San Lorenzo, where the bay separating
the latter town and Amapala is crossed by boat; from Corinto,
Nicaragua, by coastwise steamers ; from La Union, El Salvador,
by launch ; from Tegucigalpa, by airplane twice weekly.
Hotels.—Venecia ; Morazan.
Bank.—Customhouse brokers carry on a banking business.
Note.—Most of the merchandise for the interior enters through
this port and is carried in barges to Saw Lorenzo and thence
overland by motortruck, mule-pack train, and oxcart train.
Nacaomc, a town of approximately 10,310 inhabitants, located
8 miles from San Lorenzo on Fonseca Bay, is reached by boat
to San Lorenzo and thence overland.
CHOLUTECA.—Capital of Department of Choluteca ; popula
tion, 4,241 (urban and rural, 13,624). About 80 miles from
Tegucigalpa and 37 miles from Amapala. Products : Vanilla,
coffee, dyewood, sugarcane, sarsaparilla, and cattle.
How Reached.—From Amapala, to San Lorenzo by boat, and
thence by automobile ; from Tegucigalpa, by automobile ; airplane
service twice a week between Choluteca, Tegucigalpa, and San
Lorenzo.
Bank.—Banco de Honduras (agency).
Note.—This district is devoted chiefly to agriculture and cattle
raising. A large commercial firm situated in Choluteca has
branches in Tegucigalpa and other towns, but merchants depend
generally on importers of Tegucigalpa. A fair volume of busi

ness is done.
COMAYAGUA.—Capital of Department of Comayagua; popu
lation, 4,287 (urban and rural, 6,045) ; 70 miles northwest of
Tegucigalpa ; climate tropical but healthful. Products : Sugar
cane, coffee, tobacco, hardwoods, cacao, corn, wheat, rice, beans,
cotton, fruit, and cattle. Principal industry, agriculture.
How Reached.—From Tegucigalpa, by automobile; from
Puerto Cortez, La Ceiba, and Tela, by rail to Potrerillos, and
thence by automobile.
Hotel.—Hotel of the Senoritas Ulloa.
Note.—Several firms in Comayagua make direct importations.
The nearest railroad station is Potrerillos, about 100 miles dis
tant. Comayagua is one of the principal towns on the automo
bile route from Potrerillos to Tegucigalpa.
DANLI.—Department of El Paraiso; population, 2,577 (urban
and rural, 8,875) ; 75 miles from Tegucigalpa. Products : To
bacco, coffee, sugar, and woods. Chief industries : Agriculture,
small sugar mill, and manufacture of aguardiente.
How Reached.—From Tegucigalpa, by automobile, and by air
plane twice weekly.
Note.—A fair business is done in Danli.
JTJTICALPA.—Capital of Department of Olancho; population,
3,342 (urban and rural, 8,251) ; altitude, 2,700 feet; 120 miles
from Tegucigalpa. Products : Cattle, tobacco, coffee, beans,
sugar, rice, and cheese. Industries : Agriculture and cattle
raising.
How Reached.—From Tegucigalpa, by automobile, or by air
plane weekly ; from Trujillo and La Ceiba, by rail to Olanchito
and thence by mule.
Note.—Juticalpa lies in a rich agricultural region and is
known principally as the center of the cattle trade. A fair
business is done.
LA CEIBA.—Capital of Department of Atlantida ; population,
10,786 (urban and rural, 13,795). Distances: 225 miles from
Tegucigalpa ; 55 miles from Tela by rail ; 81 miles from Puerto
Castilla by rail. Landing alongside wharf. Products : Bananas,
hides, oranges, grapefruit, coconuts. Industries : Brewery, ice,
soap, trunk, cigar, and shoe factories. Climate, tropical ; aver
age annual rainfall, 120 inches ; temperature range, 72° F. to
90° F.
How Reached.—From New Orleans and New York, by steamer ;
from Tela, San Pedro Sula, and Puerto Castilla, by railroad ;
from Trujillo, by boat ; from Puerto Cortes, by rail or boat ; from
Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and Trujillo, by airplane.
Hotels.—Royal ; Paris ; Italia ; International.
Bank.—Banco Atlantida.
CENTRAL AMERICA 95
Note.—La Ceiba is one of the most important ports on the

north coast of Honduras. It is the terminus of the railroad
which runs through important banana country, and the head
quarters of a large banana company which operates a com
missary here. A fairly large volume of business is done by firms
who carry on wholesale and retail trade. A number of retailers
import direct. For canvassing the coast cities, agencies are some
times established here. American consulate.
PUERTO CORTES.—Department of Cortes; population, 6,479;
37% miles from San Pedro Sula and 207 miles from Tegucigalpa.
Landing, steamer to wharf. Climate oppressive and torrid ; rain
fall 120 inches annually, with heaviest rains during April to
June and from October to December, inclusive. Average tem
perature, summer, 85° F., winter, 75° F. Principal occupation
is exportation of bananas, upon which the prosperity of the dis
trict largely depends. The interior produces coffee, tobacco,
beans, mahogany, hides and skins, liquidambar, and sarsaparilla.
How Reached.—From New Orleans and New York, by United
Fruit Co.'s steamers ; from San Pedro Sula, by National Railroad ;
from Tegucigalpa, by automobile and railroad, and by airplane
daily except Sundays.
Hotels.—Cosenza ; La Espanola ; Le Febre.
Banks.—Banco Atlantida ; Banco de Honduras.
Note.—At Puerto Cortes the principal business is done by
importing retailers. Important banana plantations are located
in the neighborhood. There is schooner service to Belize, British
Honduras, Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, Tela, La Ceiba, and the
Bay Islands. American consulate.
SAN JUANCITO.—Department of Tegucigalpa; population,
1,020 (urban and rural, 4,251) ; 20 miles from Tegucigalpa. Lead
ing products, gold and silver.
How Reached.—J'rom Tegucigalpa, by mule and oxcart, for
both passengers and freight.
Note.—At San Juancito is located the famous Rosario mine,
which has been in continuous operation for about 50 years. In
spite of distance from transportation and commercial centers, the
mine is kept in good condition. The milling plant is equipped
with the latest machinery. The operation company maintains
a commissary.
SAN PEDRO SULA.—Capital of Department of Cortes ; popula
tion, 17,516 (urban and rural, 32,721) ; located in fertile and
extensive Sula Valley, on National Railroad of Honduras, 37%
miles from Puerto Cortes and 216 miles from Tegucigalpa.
Climate, hot; average railfall, 60 inches. Products: Bananas,
sugar, tobacco, hides, skins, and hardwoods. Industries : Brew
ery, flour mill ; soap, candle, cigarette, and shoe factories ; cattle
raising ; and growing of bananas and sugarcane.
How Reached.—From Puerto Cortes by National Railroad of
Honduras ; from Tegucigalpa, by rail and automobile, and by
airplane ; from Tela, by airplane.
Bank.—Banco Atlantida ; Banco de Honduras.

Hotels.—Italia ; American ; International ; Baldarach;
Imperial.
Note.—San Pedro Sula is an up-to-date town, having good
light, water, and ice service; also has sewerage system. An
important distributing point for the interior of northern and
western Honduras, it is frequently selected as a place to estab
lish an agency for the Atlantic coast region, and is invariably
included in trips of salesmen who visit northern Honduras.
SANTA ROSA DE COPAN.—Capital of Department of Copan ;
population, 5,580 (urban and rural 10,513) ; altitude, 3,400 feet;
144 miles southwest of San Pedro Sula and 249 miles from
Tegucigalpa. Climate, cool. Principal products : Tobacco and
coffee. Industries : Cattle raising ; mining of gold, silver, and
copper.
How Reached.—Rather difficult of access ; weekly truck serv
ice to San Pedro Sula ; airplane service twice weekly from
Tegucigalpa, and four times weekly, or oftener, from San Pedro
Sula.
Hotel.—Santa Rosa.
Note.—Santa Rosa de Copan, one of the important cities of
Honduras, is the center of a rich coffee and tobacco district.
Considerable business is transacted.
TEGUCIGALPA.—Capital of Republic; population, 34,900
(urban and rural 57,998). On Choluteca River, 114 miles from
Amapala, 207 miles from Puerto Cortes, and 70 miles from
Comayagua. Altitude, 3,500 feet; climate subtropical, tempera
ture averaging 74° F. Industries: Mining (gold and silver) and
agriculture.
How Reached.—From Amapala (via San Lorenzo), by high
way ; from north shore, by rail and automobile ; and by airplane
from Puerto Cortes, Tela, La Ceiba, Amapala, and San Lorenzo.
Hotels.—Palace ; Ritz ; Ambos Mundos ; also several smaller
hotels and boarding houses.
Banks.—Banco Atlantida (branch) ; Banco de Honduras
(head office).
Note.—Tegucigalpa is the most important city in Honduras.
A good road connects it with the Pacific coast and another with
Comayagua and Potrerillos (the end of the National Railroad
from Puerto Cortes). Although some freight reaches Teguci
galpa through Puerto Cortes, the greater part comes from the
Pacific side. The chief wholesale business of the interior is done
from Tegucigalpa, and a considerable number of fairly large
wholesale firms carry on an importing business. Some retailers
also make direct importations. Tegucigalpa should receive the
attention of travelers who visit Central America. Two agencies
for the country are desirable, one at Tegucigalpa and the other
at San Pedro Sula or at La Ceiba. American legation located at
Tegucigalpa.
CENTRAL AMERICA 97
TELA.—Department of Atlantida, a port on the Caribbean

Sea; population, 6,893 (urban and rural 7,567). Distances: 887
nautical miles from New Orleans ; 1,734 nautical miles from New
York ; 153 miles from Tegucigalpa ; 36 miles from Puerto Cortes ;
55 miles from La Ceiba ; 91 miles from Puerto Barrios, Guate
mala. Products : Bananas and coconuts.
How Reached.—United Fruit Co. steamers from New York
and New Orleans ; from La Ceiba and Puerto Cortes, by railroad
or steamer ; from Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and Puerto
Cortes, by airplane daily except Sundays ; from La Ceiba, Tru-
jillo, .Puerto Castilla, and Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, by coast
wise power boats.
Hotels.—Balderrach ; Italia ; Tela Railroad Co. mess hall
(latter, meals only).
Bank.—Banco Atlantida (branch).
Note.—Tela is a port of entry on the north coast of Honduras
and the terminus of about 224 miles of railroad running into
banana country. The Tela Railroad Co. has a wholesale and
retail store here, a wholesale and retail store in El Progreso,
and a number of retail stores in the interior adjacent to Tela.
Various firms make direct importation of general merchandise.
NICARAGUA
Area.—Nicaragua, largest of the Central American Republics,
has an area of about 49,200 square miles, approximately equal
to that of the State of New York. It is bounded on the north
by Honduras, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by
Costa Rica, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Like Hon
duras, it has a greater coast line on the Atlantic side than on
the Pacific.
Topography.—The country is traversed by two ranges of
mountains. The Continental Divide, with its numerous vol
canic peaks, extends from northwest to southeast, passing nearer
the Pacific than the Atlantic. The Atlantic side is also crossed by
mountain ranges. East of the mountains of central Nicaragua
lies an extensive area of coastal plains which rise gradually
from the Caribbean into the mountains of the interior. These
plains are crossed by several important rivers, some of which are
navigable for small craft. Two large lakes, Lake Managua and
Lake Nicaragua, lie inland from the Pacific coast. The former
has a maximum length of 38 miles and a width of 6 to 20 miles.
The latter has a maximum length of about 105 miles and width
of about 40 miles. Many streams empty into these lakes, and in
this lake region are situated the three principal cities of the
Republic—Managua, Leon, and Granada.
Climate.—The climate of the eastern section of the country
is somewhat different from that of the western section. In the
east, rains are frequent during practically the entire year, while
the west is characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. The
prevailing winds are from the northeast. More temperate areas
are encountered on the slopes of the volcanoes and over much
of the sparsely settled regions of the interior. In the higher
altitudes of the central mountain area the climate is pleasant,
excessive heat prevailing only for short periods during the middle
of the day. The temperature variations in the lower altitudes
are about 70° to 90° F., and in the higher altitudes, from
60° to 80°. The rainfall in the Managua, or capital, district
averages annually between 60 and 65 inches and occurs during
the months of May to December.
The population of Nicaragua is now roughly estimated at one
million. More than 92 percent of the people live in the western
98
CENTRAL AMERICA V\)
half of the country. Spanish is the official language, but English

is spoken in many places on the east coast.
Living standards are simple. Owing to the fact that the
climate obviates the necessity for heavy expenditures for either
shelter or clothing, there appears to be little acute suffering,
however, and no unemployment, but rather a labor shortage
among able-bodied persons. Inasmuch as the currency has de
preciated recently in terms of foreign units, and wages and
salaries have not risen sufficiently to meet the effects of that
situation, the buying power of the people has been depressed
below its previous level.
Agriculture.—Nicaragua is predominantly agricultural and
pastoral, with a large part of the people engaged in the growing
of coffee and bananas, and the raising of cattle. Sugar, cotton,
and a little sesame are also raised for export ; corn, rice, beans,
and other staples are produced for domestic consumption. Coffee
is grown chiefly in the low hills near Managua and near Mata-
galpa, while the banana industry is centered on the east coast.
Grain and vegetables are raised largely in the Departments of
Leon and Chinandega, which are important also in the produc
tion of cotton and sugar. The cattle areas are in the Depart
ments of Chinandega, Chontales, and Rivas, the latter two bor
dering Costa Rica.
Mining.—Despite extensive mineral deposits, only gold and
silver are produced for export. Gold mining has long been
important, and has become particularly active in the past few
years. There are two important mines in the Atlantic coast
region, and five or six in the Pacific coast region.
Forest Products.—Timber cutting and exporting are important.
Coconuts are exported in small quantities, and some rubber has
been produced.
Manufacturing.—Industrial activities include coffee washing,
sugar refining, and sawmilling; but the only industries which
have developed beyond the handicraft stage are the manufacture
of cigarettes, beer, spirits, soft drinks, soap, and shoes.
Principal Exports.—The principal exports in 1938, with their
percentage relation to total exports shown in parentheses, were :
coffee (35) ; gold (26) ; bananas (13) ; timber for construction,
and cabinet woods, sawn and unsawn (6) ; cotton (4) ; hides and
skins (2) ; and sugar (2).
Steamship Service.—The United Fruit Co. operates a weekly
steamer service from New Orleans to Bluefields, Nicaragua, di
rect, with limited passenger accommodations, the Standard Fruit

& Steamship Co. has a weekly service from New Orleans to the
Panama Canal port Cristobal, via Habana, Cuba, with a call at
Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, on the return trip to New Orleans.
On the Pacific side, the Grace Line steamers in the west coast
South American service provide passenger service between San
Francisco and Los Angeles and Corlnto, with sailings every 2 or
3 weeks. Steamship service is also available from the Panama
Canal to Corinto.
Air Service.—Air travel in the Central American area has
become popular among commercial travelers, particularly in
Nicaragua, because of the possibility of reaching other outlying
centers quickly and conveniently. Pan American Airways planes
stop at Managua on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, south
bound ; and on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, north-bound.
Local Transportation.—Planes of the Transportes Aereos
Centro-Americanos, Ltd. (an American corporation having its
base in Honduras, and serving Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salva
dor, and Guatemala) connect Managua with Tegucigalpa, Hon
duras, by service both ways Tuesdays and Fridays. Planes of
this company also provide service between Puerto Cabezas and
Managua, via Bluefields, on Mondays and Thursdays, with one
plane in each direction on these days. On Mondays and Thurs
days a plane is operated from Managua to Matagalpa and Jino-
tega, and return. Planes of a Costa Rican company (Macaya)
call at Managua on Thursdays, and return the same day. Com
munication is also available from Managua to Leon, Chinandega,
and Corinto (the chief Pacific port of Nicaragua), in one direc
tion, and with Masaya and Granada in the other. Granada,
Managua, and Leon are connected by rail with Corinto. Domes
tic water transportation in Nicaragua is very limited, although
Lakes Managua and Nicaragua and the San Juan and other
rivers are navigated to some extent. Highways available to
motor traffic are few.
Postage.—As members of the Pan American Union, domestic
letter postal rates (first-class mail, 3 cents per ounce or fraction
thereof) are in effect between the United States and Nicaragua.
ARRIVAL
Travelers' Documents.—A visa waiver agreement of 1935, be
tween the United States and Nicaragua, provides that an Ameri
can citizen proceeding to Nicaragua under the status of a non
immigrant, as defined by the United States Immigration Act of
1924, will not only be charged no fee, but will not be required
to obtain a visa.
It is the custom of the Pan American Airways to ascertain that
passengers entering its planes are in jwssession of nonimmi
grant visas issued by Nlcaraguan consuls, or are eligible to re
ceive "transit cards" which that company, by special arrange
CENTRAL AMERICA 101
ment with the Nicaraguan Government, is entitled to issue upon

its own responsibility. These cards permit a visitor to Nicara
gua who has no visa to remain in that country for the period
between the arrival of one plane of the line and the departure
of the next in the same direction. The traveler in possession of
such a card needs no other documentation.
Temporary visitors wishing to leave Nicaragua, and not being
in possession of the "transit card" described, must appear per
sonally at the headquarters of the Nicaraguan National Guard
and obtain authorization to depart. Upon receiving this, they
must obtain authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Rela
tions, but need not call personally at that office.
These requirements should be attended to as soon as possible
after arrival in Managua. No fee is charged for these services.
Salesmen's Samples. —Samples which have no commercial
value are exempt from import duty. Those with commercial
value are allowed temporary free admission upon the furnishing
of bond for the amount of duty. If no bond is given, the cor
responding amount of duty must be deposited pending reexporta
tion of samples. Bond is usually signed by some reliable local
merchant. Many customs officials speak English.
Reexportation of Samples.— Samples must be reexported within
a period of 1 to 3 months, depending on the localities visited.
The time may be arranged with the collector of customs at the
port of entry. In case of necessity, arrangements can probably
be made for an extension.
Samples may be reexported within the prescribed time, pro
vided there is no discrepancy between the quantity imported and
that which is checked out. Bond is then canceled. Samples
may be entered through one port and reexported through another
if the necessary documents are presented. If any samples are
sold, duty must be paid thereon.
Advertising Matter.—Material which is obviously for free
distribution to the public is admitted free ; but this does not
cover items of unimportant size but unsalable nature, such as
miniature tubes of toothpaste, which are often considered sam
ples in the United States. These items may be distributed to
client firms in Nicaragua ; but they are sometimes sold to the
public later, and must therefore be imported in bond, or duty
paid thereon.
SALES TERRITORIES
When the commercial traveler arrives in Managua he is
usually able to ascertain whether special circumstances justify
his visiting other communities in Nicaragua. The two next
largest centers, Leon and Granada, are readily accessible by
rail ; and the few firms of importance which maintain head
offices in the port of Corinto (about a 6-hour ride from the
capital by train) maintain branches in Managua which are in
a position to discuss authoritatively most matters pertaining to
10-2
trade in Nicaragua. When principal agents are appointed for

western Nicaragua, they are rarely appointed to cover other
centers than those mentioned. Most important consumers sit
uated inland, such as the mining companies, maintain represen
tatives in Managua. Inasmuch as the large companies in the
Atlantic coast area also maintain representatives in the capital,
the advisability of a trip to that area can be determined there.
Salesmen's Taxes.—Taxes are not usually assessed against
commercial travelers in Nicaragua.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—In planning visits to Nicaragua seasons
of the year receive less consideration than other factors, such
as conditions affecting various lines of trade and time required
for orders to be placed and shipped. Nevertheless, it is well to
keep in mind that most Nicaraguan importers receive their
heaviest shipments of stocks in the month before Christmas.
Clothing.—Clothing suitable for the Tropics—of linen or of
lightweight suiting—can be worn at all seasons in Nicaragua,
unless visits are made to coffee regions, some of which are at
fairly high altitudes, when slightly heavier wear might be
desirable.
Hotels.—In Managua, two hotels—Lido Palace and the Gran
Hotel—are favored by most businessmen. Information as to
hotels in other centers can be obtained in Managua.
Holidays.—Many feast days are observed. Business is usually
suspended in the larger centers on the holidays officially recog
nized. In the smaller towns, particularly in the interior, mer
chants take advantage of these days for transaction of business
with the natives, who at that time visit the communities in
large numbers. Other holidays are January 1, New Year's Day ;
July 4, anniversary of independence of the United States ;
September 15, independence of Central America ; October 12,
Columbus or Discovery Day.
legal Time.—In Central America, Central Standard Time.
Currency and Exchange.—The Nicaraguan unit of currency is
the cordoba, officially quoted as of the latter part of November
1939, at 5 to the United States dollar. Persons requiring dollars
or other foreign exchange must obtain authorization of the
Commission of Control, and buy from the National Bank at
5.525 cordobas to the dollar (i. e., 5 cordobas plus one-half of
1-percent commission, plus a tax of 10 percent). There is also
a street market, in which the rate of exchange late in November
1939 was 5.55 cordobas to one dollar. Purchase and sale of
exchange in this market is not illegal, but the sending abroad
of funds so purchased without permission of the Commission of
Control and payment of the 10-percent tax is illegal.
CENTItAL AMERICA 103
Banking is carried on by the National Bank of Nicaragua, Inc.,

of which the Nicaraguan Government owns the entire stock, and
a branch of the Bank of London and South America, Ltd.
BLUEFIELDS.—Department of Bluefields; principal port of
entry on the Atlantic coast ; population, over 7,000. Situated
1ST miles from Managua. Products : Bananas ; mahogany, pine,
and cedar; gold; ^reen turtles; alligator skins.
How Reached.—From New Orleans, by a weekly steamer of
the United Fruit Co. By airplane, from Puerto Cabezas and from
Managua on Mondays and Thursdays.
Bank.—National Bank of Nicaragua, Inc. (branch).
Hotels.— Washington; .St. James; accommodations limited.
Noto.— Much of the volume of business formerly done in
Bluefields shifted to Puerto Cabezas with the reopening of the
Pis-P.s mining district. There is no longer an American con
sulate in Bluefields.
CHINANDEGA.—Department of Chinandega, on Pacific Rail
way; center of an agricultural district; population, around
11,000. Situated 13 miles from Corinto and 75 miles from
Managua. Products: Sugarcane, corn, rice, potatoes, cotton,
beans, and fruit. Industries: Sugarnrill, ice factories, cotton
gins, and sawmills.
How Readied.— From Corinto or from Managua, by the Pacific
Railway.
Bank.—There are no branch banks at Chinandega.
Hotel.—Chinandega.
CORINTO.— Department of Chinandega ; Chief port of the
Iiepublie; population, around 3.000. Located 13 miles from
Chinandega and 87 miles from Managua. Products: Not a pro
ducing area, as the town is situated on a srndj island and con
nected with the mainland by a bridge. Its principal importance
is as a railway terminus and point of shipm.-ni for foreign trade.
How Beached.—From all principal towns in western Nicaragua
by the Pacific Railway, also by airplane. By steamship from
San Francisco and Los Angeles, Calif.
Hotels.—Continental ; Asia.
Note.—About 70 percent of the foreign trade of the country
passes through Corinto, but the trade of the town itself is very
small. The retail stores are generally not importers, but a few
of the customs brokers do importing of staples.
GRANADA.—Department of Granada, on Lake Nicaragua ;
population, about 21,000. Located 36 miles from Managua and
118 miles from Corinto. Products: Sugar, coffee, cacao, alcohol,
cattle, and hides.
How Reached.—From Corinto and Managua, by railway and
airplane. Steamer service to towns on Lake Nicaragua.
104 COMMEKC1AL TKAVELEUS' GUIDE
Hotel.—Alliainbru.
Bank.—National Bank of Nicaragua (branch).
Note.—Granada is the third largest city of the Republic and
one of the country's most prosperous. Distributing point for the
Department of Chontales—a cattle, mining, lumber, and balsam
district on the opposite side of the lake. Some firms do a large
wholesale business, in addition to their retail trade. A number
of retailers are in a position to make direct importations. Numer
ous small towns on the lake are supplied from Granada.
LEON.—Department of Leon ; on Pacific Railway 35 miles
from Corinto and 52 miles from Managua; population, about
33,000. 1 'roducts : Sugar, corn, beans, and rice. Manufactures
include cigars, boots, and shoes. Cattle raising is important.
How Reached.—From Corinto and Managua, by the Pacific
Railway and by air.
Hotel.— Esringe
Brnk.—National Bank of Nicaragua, Inc. (branch).
Note.—Leon, one of the important centers of the Republic, is
the principal distributing point for the Departments of Nueva
Segovia, Esteli, and Jinotega. A number of wholesalers and
some retailers import direct.
MANAGUA.—Department of Managua ; capital of the Re
public : population estimated at over 100,000. Located on south
ern shore of Lake Managua, 87 miles from Corinto. Products:
Coffee, cattle, corn, beans, and dyewoods. Industries: Shoe fac
tory, brewery, and soap factory.
Ho'.v Beached.— From Corinto by Pacific Railway, and from
east -coast ports of Bluefields and Puerto Cabezas by airplane.
Two international air transportation companies provide stops at
Managua. One company operates exclusively in Central Amer
ica, and the other, an American company—Pan American Air
ways, Inc. —offers a regular service several times a week from
the United States, Mexico, other Central American countries, and
from the Canal Zone.
Eot:ls—Gran Hotel; Lido Palace.
Banks.— National Bank of Nicaragua, Inc.; Bank of London
and South America, Ltd.
Note.— Managua is an important distributing point for places
on or near the east shore of Lake Managua, and for Matagalpa.
A number of important wholesale firms in various lines send
travelers periodically to other points in the country and take care
of the demands of the smaller dealers. Managua also has a
number of retail houses that are in a position to make direct
importations. American legation located here.
HASAYA.— Department of Masaya, in an important agricul
tural district: population, approximately 20,000; 106 miles from
Corinto and 13 miles from Granada. Products: Beans, tobacco,
corn, rice, sugar, coffee, vegetables, tropical fruits, hides, skins,
rubber, and dairy products. Industries : Some manufacturing of
shoes, boots, cigars, starch, soap, and straw hats.
CENTRAL AMERICA 105
How Reached.—By the Pacific Railway from Managua, Leon,

Granada, and Corinto.
Hotel.—Esfinge.
Banks.—There are no banks in Masaya.
Note.—A number of concerns in Masaya import direct and do
both a wholesale and retail business. There is a large Indian
population.
MATAGALPA.—In Department of Matagalpa ; population,
approximately 10,000 ; 88 miles from Managua and 120 miles from
Leon. Products : Coffee, gold, hides, rice, corn, and beans.
How Reached.—From Managua, by motorcar in about 6 hours,
or by airplane Mondays and Thursdays.
Bank.—National Bank of Nicaragua, Inc. (agency).
Hotels.—Central ; Rivas.
Note.—Matagalpa is a small city, but serves the widely scat
tered population of the entire Department. Timbermen and gold
miners who work on the Coco, Grande, and other rivers, make
this their headquarters and base of supply. It produces a high
quality of washed coffee. There is no water or rail connection.
American consular agency.
PUERTO CABEZAS (BRAGMAN'S BLUFF) —Department of
Bluefields ; now the principal port in eastern Nicaragua ; popu
lation, approximately 2,000 ; located 120 miles north of Bluefields.
Products : Bananas ; pine and mahogany.
How Reached.—From New Orleans, by weekly steamer of the
Standard Fruit Co., via Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone, which
docks on Thursday mornings in time for connection by air with
Managua and Bluefields.
Hotels.—There are no hotels in this area, although the fruit
company (in port) and the mining companies (at Sinua and
Bonanza) maintain guest houses where traveling representatives
can obtain accommodations.
Bank.—The National Bank of Nicaragua operates an agency
in conjunction with the customhouse. Two customs brokers act
as representatives for the mining and timber companies, and
for the air transportation company.
Note.—The commercial possibilities of Puerto Cabezas are
limited by the fact that business is almost entirely controlled by
an American banana and lumbering company whose purchasing
department is in the United States.
EL SALVADOR
Area.—El Salvador, the smallest of the five Central American
Republics, has an area of about 10,000 square miles, or about
equal to that of the State of Vermont. Bounded on the north
west by Guatemala, on the north and east by Honduras, on the
southeast by the Gulf of Fonseca, and on the south by the
Pacific Ocean, El Salvador is the only country of Central
America without an Atlantic littoral.
Topography and Climate.—The country is mountainous and
subject to frequent slight earthquakes. In the lower areas the
climate is tropical, and during the rainy season (May to October),
is damp and unhealthful ; but in the foothills and the higher
interior regions it is semitropical the year round. In 1938 the
average rainfall was 60.5 inches ; average annual temperature,
72.34° F., with extremes of 48° and 97°.
El Salvador is densely settled as compared with the other
countries of Central America, having a population of 1,549,999, *J
according to the census of 1933, or 155 per square mile. The
people have small purchasing power.
Agriculture.—El Salvador is essentially an agricultural coun
try, almost entirely dominated by primary industries, principally
the cultivation of coffee. Coffee represented, by value, 87 per
cent of all exports in 1938. Corn, beans, rice, sugar, fruit, hene-
quen (sisal) , and tobacco are grown for local consumption. Gold,
balsam, henequen, sugar, and uncured hides are exported to
some extent. Stock raising meets the local demand for dairy and
meat products.
Manufacturing.—There is some manufacturing for local con
sumption ; but few industrial raw materials have been developed,
and power resources are restricted. Manufactures consist prin
cipally of shoes and leather goods, cotton yarn, cotton piece goods,
clothing, sugar, rum and alcohol, beer and soft drinks, wheat
flour, cigarettes, henequen bags, soap, candles, matches, furni
ture, ironware, tiles and bricks, salt, lard, and printed articles.
106
CENTRAL AMERICA 107
Mining.—The country's mineral resources consist, for the

most part, of gold, silver, copper, and lead. Minerals exist in
the Departments of Morazan, San Miguel, La Union, Santa Ana,
Chalatenango, and Cabanas. Although most mining is done on a
comparatively small scale, some fairly large quantities of gold
have recently been exported.
Principal Exports.—The principal exports in 1937, with their
percentage relation to total exports shown in parentheses, were
as follows: Coffee (91), bullion and specie (5), sugar (1), and
henequen fiber (1).
Steamship Service.—El Salvador can be reached by both steam
ship and airplane from the United States. The Grace Line and
the United Fruit Co., both American, operate steamship serv
ices between the United States and El Salvador ports. The
Grace Line, which operates on an irregular schedule, provides
accommodation for a limited number of passengers on its freight
ers from California ports. The United Fruit Co. operates services
connecting Philadelphia, New York, and New Orleans with Puerto
Barrios, Guatemala, from where travelers to El Salvador can
complete their journey over the International Railways of Cen
tral America. This company also operates a service out of New
Orleans to the Panama Canal, where it transships freight and
passengers to and from El Salvador ports.
Several foreign lines also call at Salvadoran ports on their
runs between the Panama Canal ports and the west coast of the
United States. Itineraries (and even passenger costs) are, how
ever, so flexible that it is advisable for prospective travelers to
obtain first-hand information from the offices of the various lines
in the United States.
Merchandise from the United States can be delivered on the
Pacific coast at the Salvadoran ports of Cutuco-La Union, La
Libertad, and Acajutla, and on the Atlantic coast at Puerto Bar
rios, Guatemala, for transshipment to El Salvador. The city of
San Salvador is connected with Cutuco and Puerto Barrios by
the International Railways of Central America, with Acajutla
by the Salvador Railway Co., Ltd., and with La Libertad
by the Agenda Salvadorena motor-transport utility. Charges
for delivery at the capital are the same from all four ports.
Air Service.—Airplane communication from the United States
to El Salvador is maintained over two routes by Pan American
Airways, one from Brownsville, Tex., and the other from Miami,
Fla., via Panama. Three trips in each direction are made
weekly, planes from Brownsville arriving in San Salvador Satur
days, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and from Panama on Sundays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays.
202836—40 8
108
Local Transportation.—A Honduran air line operates a serv
ice connecting Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nica
ragua. A locally operated air line serves the larger cities of
El Salvador.
Communication.—El Salvador is a member of the Postal
Union, and has a parcel-post service. Letters from the United
States require 3 cents postage per ounce or fraction thereof.
Telephone and telegraph services are operated throughout the
Republic by the Government. All America Cables, Inc., which
maintains an office in San Salvador, provides world-wide cable
communication. A recently inaugurated system provides radio
telephone communication between Panama and the capitals of
the Central American Republics, the capital and principal cities
of Mexico, and all points in the United States.
ARRIVAL
Travelers' Documents.—Every traveler entering El Salvador
must have a valid passport visa from the appropriate Salvadoran
consulate. A vaccination certificate, or evidence of recent vac
cination, may be required by any of the frontier authorities.
Other documents, such as good-conduct certificate and health
certificate, must be obtained before a Salvadoran visa will be
issued.
Salesmen's Samples.—Samples of no commercial value are
admitted free of duty or any other tax. To be considered as of
this category, samples having commercial value must be marked,
sealed, or defaced in such a manner as to preclude their being
sold or used for any other purpose.
Samples having commercial value are admitted provisionally
under guaranty by a bank or reputable firm acceptable to the
Government authorities, or by a deposit of cash in an amount
sufficient to cover the duties in case of eventual importation.
Samples provisionally imported in this manner and not exported
within 6 months are subject to the payment of full duties, plus
25 percent.
Persons offering merchandise for sale direct to the public—for
example, agents and peddlers—are not considered as traveling
salesmen, and are not, therefore, permitted to bring merchandise
into the country for handling under the foregoing provisions.
Those provisions do not permit the sale of such merchandise
direct to the general public. Sale to established merchants, how
ever, may be made upon presentation of acceptable proof of sale,
and duties will be collected only upon those articles sold.
Samples should be cleared as rapidly as possible. The Cus
toms Administration must notify the Ministry of Finance of
the names of commercial travelers entering the Republic, as well
as of the character and weight of the samples which they bring
in; the commercial traveler must, therefore, present to the
customs authorities a complete list of his samples.
CJENTKAL AMERICA 109
Baggage.—Every person entering El Salvador is entitled to

100 kilograms of baggage free of duty. Any excess is dutiable,
according to the specific classification in the customs tariff. The
term "baggage" covers only articles and objects for the traveler's
personal use which arrive with him on the same steamer, train,
or other means of travel.
Advertising Matter.—Printed advertising matter (including
chromos, almanacs, blotting paper, and similar articles), arriv
ing alone or as baggage, is dutiable at the rate of $4.20 per 100
kilograms. Commodities, articles, or objects (such as matches,
knives, inkwells, penholders, pencils, ashtrays) engraved, printed,
or stamped with advertising legends—and, in general, anything
subject to consumption, use, or wear—are subject to duties
according to their specific classification in the customs tariff.
Taxes on Salesmen.—A commercial traveler going to El Salva
dor on a sales or survey trip, or for similar purpose, should be
in possession of a letter from his firm accrediting him as such.
This letter should also bear the signature of an official of a
chamber of commerce or other merchants' association, and
should be visaed (free of charge) at a Salvadoran consulate.
Failure to present such a document will necessitate the payment
of a salesman's tax of 25 colones ($10).
SALES TERRITORIES
San Salvador, the capital of the Republic, is the largest sales
center of El Salvador. Most foreign firms doing an export busi
ness with El Salvador establish agencies or representation in the
capital, and these agencies canvass the remainder of the country.
This is to say that El Salvador may be classed as a single sales
area, with the capital, San Salvador, as its chief commercial
center. (Other cities of relative commercial importance are indi
cated under heading "Chief Commercial Centers.")
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Entry into El Salvador can be made through the Salvadoran
ports of La Union, La Libertad, and Acajutlsi ; from Guatemala
City, by highway or rail direct to San Salvador ; and from Puerto
Barrios, Guatemala, by rail to the capital. The rail fare from
Cutuco-La Union to San Salvador, via International Railways of
Central America, is $5; time, 8 hours. From La Libertad, by
motor : Time, 1 hour ; cost, $1. From Acajutla, via the Salvador
Railway: Time, 5% hours; cost, $2.50. From Puerto Barrios,
Guatemala, with change at Zacapa, by rail : Time, 20 hours ;
cost, $12. Rail service from Guatemala City to San Salvador
represents approximately the same time and cost as the trip from
Puerto Barrios. Travelers who can disembark at La Libertad
should do so, as baggage and samples are passed through the
customs on the dock at that port, and the trip to the capital is
short and inexpensive.
110
Best Visiting Time.—From a sales viewpoint, the best time to
visit El Salvador is between the raontlis of November and April,
inasmuch as the economic activities of the country ( dependent
principally upon the annual coffee crop) are at their highest level
during these months.
Clothing.—Clothing for travelers in El Salvador should be of
n type suitable for semi tropical wear, and of such materials as
white drill or light cashmeres.
Hotels.—Hotel rates (per day) in the capital and one or two
other localities are as follows: Pension Clark, Siin Salvador, $3,
Including meals, afternoon tea, and laundry ; Hotel Astoria, San
Salvador, $5, with meals and private bath, or $3.50, with meals;
Hotel Nuevo Mundo, San Salvador, $4 and $5, with meals and
private bath, or $2 and $3 with meals; Hotel Internaeional, San
Salvador, $2 for outside rooms, and $1.60 for inside, both includ
ing meals ; Annex Hotel Internaeional, $1.60 for outside rooms,
and $1.20 for inside, both including meals ; Hotel Espana, San
Salvador, $1.60 for outside, and $1 for inside, both including
meals; Hotel Florida, Santa Ana, $2.40, including meals; Hotel
Hispano, San Miguel, $1.20, including meals.
Holidays.—Recent legislation has fixed the following days as
national holidays: January 1, February 1, March 1 (every 4
years), April 14, May 3, June 22, July 1, August 3, August 2%
September 15, October 5, October 12. and November 5. There
are in addition, several religious holidays which, while not
generally observed by commerce, usually find Government and
municipal offices closed.
Legal Time.—The legal time in El Salvador corresponds to
central standard time in the United States.
CURRENCY, EXCHANGE, AND BANKING
The currency unit, the Salvadoran colon, is equal to $0.50,
United States currency, at par; hut the country has been on
an inconvertible paper-money basis since 1931, and the value of
the colon in American dollars has averaged $0.40 since November
1934. Silver pieces are issued in denominations of 50 and 25
centavos, and nickel pieces represent 1, 3, and 5 centavos. Bills
of exchange are issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and
100 colones. American currency circulates fairly freely, and
there are no exchange restrictions in force at present.
The bank of issue is the Salvadoran Central Reserve Bank
(Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador), established in
1934. The private banks, all located in San Salvador, are Banco
Occidental ; Banco Salvadoreno ; and Bank of London and South
America, Ltd. The Banco Salvadoreno and the Banco Central
de Reserva have branches in the more important commercial cen
ters of the country. A semiofficial mortgage bank was established
in 1935.
CENTRAL AMERICA 111

The following cities are believed to be of most importance to
American commercial travelers:
ACAJUTLA.—Department of Sonsonate ; population, 3,000 ; on
Salvador Railroad. Port with open roadstead ; landing very
difficult ; lighters used to reach iron pier. Distant 12 miles (20
km.) from Sonsonate; 65 miles (105 km.) from San Salvador;
62 miles (100 km.) east of San Jose, Guatemala.
How Reached.—From United States (San Francisco), by
steamer ; from San Salvador and Sonsonate, by Salvador
Railway.
Hotels.—Occidental ; Las Americas.
Note.—Landing is from steamer to boat by swing; thence to
pier, where passengers are again carried up by swing. Accom
modations are very poor here. Travelers should endeavor to
make quick connections and leave promptly for the interior.
Acajutla is of no commercial importance.
AHTJACHAPAN.—Capital of Department of Ahuachapau;
population, 31,281; altitude, 2,470 feet. Distant 72 miles (116
km.) from San Salvador; 22 miles (36 km.) from Sonsonate.
Climate : Tropical, but healthful. Principal products : Coffee,
cereals, tobacco, sugar, and rice. Industries : Cattle raising ;
some mining.
How Reached.—From Sonsonate, by motorcar via Progreso;
from Santa Ana, by International Railway of Central America.
Hotel.—Palace.
Bank.—Banco Salvadoreno (agency).
Note.—Ahuachapan is an important distributing point for the
southwestern part of El Salvador. It is usually visited only by
salesmen who canvass closely.
COJUTEPEftUE.—Capital of Department of Cuscatlan ; popu
lation, 21,500. Located 17 miles (28 km.) from San Salvador,
near Volcano Cojutepeque and Lake Ilopango. Climate, tem
perate. Principal products : Rice, coffee, indigo, sugarcane.
Manufactures : Chiefly cigars, for which this place is famous.
How Keached.From San Salvador, by motorcar and railroad.
Roads lead from Cojutepeque to Ilobasco and Sensuntepeque.
Numerous small villages are located in the vicinity.
Hotel.—America.
Bank.—Salvadoreno ( agency ) .
Note.—Cojutepeque is well known for its annual fair (held
on August 29), which is largely attended. The town is easily
accessible from San Salvador. It has considerable transient
trade and is usually visited by salesmen who are accustomed to
work the small towns.
ILOBASCO.—Department of Cabanas; population, 19,050.
Located 22 miles (36 km.) west of Sensuntepeque and 40 miles
(64 km.) northeast of San Salvador. Products: Coffee, sugar,
112
limes, indigo, cereals. Industries: Cattle raising and manu
facture of pottery.
How Reached.—From San Salvador by automobile.
Hotel.—Torres.
Note.—Annual fair, held on September 29. Ilobasco is easily
reached from San Salvador by automobile ; usually not included
in the itineraries of foreign salesmen.
LA LIBERTAD.—Department of La Libertad ; port on Pacific,
25 miles (40 km.) from San Salvador; population, 4,000; prin
cipal products : Grain, coffee, cattle, sugar, rice, indigo.
How Reached.—From San Salvador, by automobile, 1 hour
and 15 minutes ; from Acajutla, by steamer.
Hotel.—Miramar.
Note.—Steamers discharge by lighter. Although La Libertad
is the second port of the Republic, the business done is not
important.
LA UNION.—Capital of Department of La Union ; popula
tion, 8,362. Port on Gulf of Fonseca ; steamers lie alongside
wharf. On International Railway of Central America ; 156 miles
(252 km.) from San Salvador and 37 miles (60 km.) from San
Miguel. Products : Corn, coffee, rice, and beans.
How Reached.—From San Miguel, by International Railway ;
from Amapala, Honduras, by steamer or motorboat across Bay
of Fonseca.
Hotels.—Italia ; America.
Note.—La Union is the only protected port of any consequence
in El Salvador. The International Railway of Central America
has a concrete wharf for its terminus. La Union is the port of
shipment for the products of San Miguel and other places of
eastern Salvador ; now handles about one-half of the exports
originating at Santa Ana and San Salvador.
SAN MIGUEL.—Capital of Department of San Miguel ; popu
lation, 44,385. On International Railway of Central America,
at foot of volcano of San Miguel (7,120 feet) , 117 miles (189 km. )
from San Salvador; 38 miles (63 km.) from La Union; 74 miles
(119 km.) from San Vicente. Products: Chiefly agricultural
(coffee, cereals, cattle, henequen).
How Reached.—From San Salvador, by International Rail
way ; from La Union, by International Railway.
Hotels.—Hispano Americano ; Paris.
Bank.—Banco Salvadoreno (agency).
Note.—Considerable distributing trade is carried on through
San Miguel. This city is usually visited only by those travelers
who canvass closely, although it is gaining in importance.
SAN SALVADOR.—Capital of Department of San Salvador
and of the Republic of El Salvador. Altitude, 2,115 feet ; popula
tion, 106,091. On the railroad near foot of volcano of San
Salvador; distant 65 miles from Acajutla, 25 miles from La
Libertad, 156 miles from La Union. Climate, semitropical ;
CENTRAL AMERICA 113
average temperature, 76° F. ; average rainfall, 72 inches. Prin

cipal products : Coffee, rice, sugar, tobacco, balsam, hides, corn,
beer, beans, cotton cloth, silk goods, hats, soap, hosiery, cigarettes
and cigars.
How Reached.—From Acajutla, by the Salvador Railway ;
from La Union, by the International Railway ; from La Libertad,
by automobile, 1 hour and 15 minutes ; from Guatemala City, by
automobile and train via Santa Ana, and by train via Zacapa.
Roads leading from San Salvador north to Chalatenango via
Tonacatepeque ; south to La Libertad via Santa Tecla and to
Santa Ana. Scenery in the vicinty of the volcano of Ilobasco is
exceedingly attractive.
Hotels.—Nuevo Mundo ; Astoria ; Internacional ; Espana.
Banks.—Commercial Bank of Spanish America, Banco Agri-
cola Commercial, Banco Occidental, Banco Salvadoreno, and
Anglo-Sud Americano.
Note.—San Salvador, the capital of the Republic, is the city
of greatest commercial importance. Here are located many im
portant wholesale houses, representing practically all branches
of trade, which canvass the entire country and supply the
smaller dealers. In addition, a large number of firms which
do a retail business are in a position to make direct importa
tions. San Salvador should receive the attention of every for
eign traveler who visits Central America. It is a good place
for an agency, and sometimes the agent here canvasses some
of the other Republics. The volume of business transacted when
conditions are normal is very large. The prosperity of the Re
public is governed to a considerable extent by the coffee market.
American legation located at San Salvador.
SAN VICENTE.—Capital of Department of San Vicente ; popu
lation, 27,350. On Acahuapa River, near foot of volcano of San
Vicente (7,120 feet) ; 45 miles (72 km.) from San Salvador.
Principal products: Corn, tobacco, indigo, coffee, fruits, sugar
cane. Industries : Sugar refining ; manufacture of rebozos,
shawls, hats, and cigars.
How Reached.—From San Salvador, by motorcar and rail
road ; from La Union, by International Railway.
Hotels.—Italia; Tria.
Note.—San Vicente is the center of a considerable district de
voted to agriculture and has a large trade with the surrounding
country. Chief feast day is November 1 (All Saints' Day), when
an annual fair is held. Canvassed by travelers who work the
smaller towns.
SANTA ANA.—Capital of Department of Santa Ana; popula
tion, 85,440. On the Salvador Railway and the International
Railway of Central America ; distant (via Sitio del Nino) 48 miles
(78 km.) from San Salvador and 66 miles (107 km.) from'
Acajutla. Altitude, 2,102 feet ; climate, semitemperate ; tempera
ture from August to October, about 68° F. Products include
cigars, coffee, sugar, cattle, beans, corn, rice, limes, beer.
How Reached.—From San Salvador by either the Salvador

Railway or the International Railway of Central America.
Roads leading from Santa Ana include a good "carretera" north
to Metapan, south to Sonsonate and Acajutla, Ahuachapan, and
San Salvador ; and a road to Guatemala City.
Hotels.—Florida ; Internacional ; Paris ; Corona.
Banks.—Banco Agricola Comercial (agency) ; Banco Occi
dental (branch) ; Banco Salvadoreno (agency) ; Banco de Santa
Ana.
Note.—Santa Ana, second city of El Salvador in size, has
a number of substantial business houses through which a large
volume of business is transacted. Some wholesale as well as
retail firms import direct. A large business is done in coffee,
as a fifth of the entire production of the Republic comes from this
district.
SANTA TECLA (Nueva San Salvador).—Capital of Department
of La Libertad ; population 33,048. On Salvador Railway, 7Vj
miles from San Salvador. Climate, cool. Products : Black
balsam, coffee, sugar, cattle, salts, woods, cereals. Industries :
Soap and candle factories, tanneries, coffee cultivation.
How Reached.—From San Salvador, by automobile.
Banks.—Agencies of the Banco Salvadoreno.
Note.—Owing to its proximity to the capital, there is little
commercial activity in Santa Tecla. The town is south of the
volcano of San Salvador (or Quezaltepec), whose immense crater
can be visited conveniently.
SONSONATE.—Capital of Department of Sonsonate; popula
tion, 28,129. On the Salvador Railroad, 53 miles from San
Salvador and 12 miles from Acajutla. Center of a rich agricul
tural district. Products : Coffee, sugar, hides, dyewoods, tobacco,
rice, corn, fruits, and balsam. Manufactures : Coarse cotton
cloth, mats, baskets, and cigars.
How Reached.—From San Salvador, Acajutla, and Santa Ana,
by the Salvador Railroad.
Hotel.—Toniatti ; Ferrocarril.
Banks.—Banco Salvadoreno (agency) ; Banco Agricola Co
mercial (agency) ; Commercial Bank of Spanish America.
Note.—While Sonsonate has a number of houses that import
direct, many of its firms are branches of those established in San
Salvador. Sonsonate has an important weekly market. The
area is particularly important because of the so-called "Peruvian
balsam!" which is cultivated only in this Department. There are
large cacao plantations and a sugar central.
USULUTAN.—Capital of Department of Usulutan ; population,
18,932. Distant 62 miles from La Union and 95 miles from San
Salvador. Principal products : Maize, tobacco, beans, bananas.
Industry: Tannery.
How Reached.—From San Salvador, by International Rail
way; from La Union, by International Railway.
CENTRAL AMERICA 115
Hotels.—Ingles ; Oriental.
Note.—Usulutan is canvassed by salesmen who visit the
smaller towns. It is chiefly dependent on the houses of the
capital.
ZACATECOIUCA.—Capital of Department of La Paz; popu
lation, 25,753; distant 61 miles (98 km.) from San Salvador.
Products : Coffee, tobacco, sugarcane, vanilla, cereals. Indus
tries : Silk and cotton mills, cattle raising, cigar manufacturing.
How Reached.—From San Salvador and from La Union, by
railway.
Banks.—Banco Salvadoreno (agency).
Hotel.—Italia.
COLOMBIA
Area and Topography.—The Republic of Colombia has an area
of 439,828 square miles divided into 14 Departments, 4 inten-
dencias, and 6 commissaries. The country has an extensive
coast line on two major bodies of water—the Pacific Ocean and
the Caribbean Sea. Its entire area, excepting the broad grass-
covered plains of the southeast, is rugged, the country being
traversed by three great parallel terminal ranges of the Andes,
with intervening longitudinal valleys running north and south.
Rivers.—The chief river is the Magdalena, the commercial
artery of the Republic, flowing from south to north in the great
valley lying between the ranges of the Central and the Eastern
Andes. It is navigable for about 825 miles. Next in importance
commercially is the Cauca River, which empties into the Mag
dalena. Interior Colombia is connected with the Orinoco system
of Venezuela by the Meta River, and with the Amazon in Brazil
by the Putumayo and Caqueta Rivers. Other rivers in Colombia,
navigable to a greater or lesser degree, are the Sinu, Atrato,
Patia, San Juan, Arauca, Guaviare, and Zulia.
Climate.—Colombia may be divided climatically into five
zones. First is the coastal zone, including both the Caribbean
and Pacific littorals, which is characterized by humidity and uni
formly high temperatures throughout the year ; second, the low
foothills and valleys of the interior, up to about 3,000 feet above
sea level, which comprise a region of relatively uniform tempera
tures, averaging approximately 78° P. The third zone, which
embraces the low hills and first ranges of the Andes up to eleva
tions of about 6,000 feet, has a stable temperature averaging
70° F. The fourth zone, of higher ranges and plateaus above
6,000 feet, has moderate temperatures, with occasional frosts at
the higher levels. The fifth zone, or eastern llanos (prairies),
has a humid, tropical climate.
PURCHASING POWER
Approximately two-thirds of the employed population of Co
lombia are engaged in agricultural pursuits, and the maximum
daily wage paid to agricultural workers at the close of 1937, the
last data available, was 1.30 pesos, or about $0.73 a day. The
minimum wage paid was 0.25 pesos, or $0.14 (U. S.). As a result
of the low incomes received by a great majority of the population,
purchases are limited almost entirely to bare necessities. The
116
COLOMBIA 117
per capita import trade of Colombia during 1937 was $11.10, as
compared with $25.10 for the United States, $36.75 for Argentina,
$19.15 for Chile, and $15.65 for Venezuela.
Table 15.- -Area and Population of Colombia, by Governmental
Divisions, 1938
Popula
Divisions, with capital cities " Area tion, 1938
(sq. km.) (estimated)2
DEPARTMENTS
Antioquia (Medellin) 6,581 1, 185, 120

Atlantico (Barranquilla) 3,470 269, 047
Bolivar (Cartagena) 59, 560 762, 226
Boyaca (Tunja) 64,580 751, 188
Caldas (Manizales) 13, 370 770, 721
Cauca (Popayan) 30, 200 353, 715
Cundinamarca (Bogota) 23, 590 1, 177, 521
lluila (Neiva) 20,700 217, 553
Magdalena (Santa Marta) 53, 920 342, 453
Narino (Pasto). 29,910 461, 705
Santanderdel Norte (Cucuta)... 21,490 346, 915
Santander del Sur (Bucaramanga) 32, 070 609,347
Tolima (Ibague) 22,990 538,796
Valla (Cali) 20, 940 613, 333
INTENDENCIAS
Amazonas (Leticia)... 124, 340 6,832
Checo (Quibdo) 46, 570 112,119
Meta (Villavicencio) 85, 220 53, 033
San Andres y Providencia (San Andres) 55 6, 342
COMMISSARIES
Arauca (Arauca) 25, 830 11,515
Caqueta (Florencia) 102, 990 18, 630
Ooajira (Uribia) 12, 240 36,000
Putumayo (Mocoa) 26, 470 16, 188
Vaupes (Mitu) 149, 850 7,694
Vichada (Puerto Carreno) 102,990 9, 125
Total 1, 139, 155 8, 693, 293
' Capital cities in parentheses.

' Unofficial returns, census of July 5, 1938.

Agriculture.—Colombia has great agricultural resources,
although but a small portion of the country is under cultivation.
The differences in latitude permit the growing of crops ranging
from those of the Tropics to those of the Temperate Zone. The
chief crop is coffee, in which Colombia ranks second to Brazil in
volume. Other important crops are bananas, sugar, wheat, cot
ton, tobacco, corn, rice, beans, peas, cacao, flque fiber, potatoes,
yucca, anise, and fruits. Vast stands of timber support a lumber

industry that supplies most of the demand for woods. Numer
ous medicinal barks and plants, chicle, tanning materials, gums,
and rubber abound, but are not extensively exploited. Many
cattle are raised on the plains of eastern Colombia, in the Cauca
Valley, and on the Savana de Bolivar.
Manufacturing.—A wide variety of articles for local consump
tion is turned out by factories located at Medellin, Barranquilla,
Cartagena, Manizales, Bogota, Cali, and Bucaramanga. It has
been estimated that more than 150,000,000 pesos have been in
vested in plants for the manufacture of textiles, shoes, clothing,
furniture, cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, flour, cement, distilled
liquors, beer, nonalcoholic beverages, glassware, chinaware,
drugs, matches, nails, wire, soap, candles, chocolate, confection
ery, foodstuffs, paper boxes and bags, knit goods, bricks, wood
work, pottery, vegetable oils, perfumes, and other products.
Mining.—Colombia is rich in minerals. Gold is found in
practically all parts of the country, the most important produc
ing areas being the Departments of Antioquia, Cauca, Caldas,
Narino, and Tolima, and the Intendencia del Choco. There are
large reserves of coal, but it has not been mined on an important
scale, and most of the deposits are inaccessible. Emeralds have
been produced at Muzo, Cosquez, and other mines, located in the
Department of Boyaca, for many years. Platinum is of major
importance, Colombia being one of the few countries producing
this metal. Rock-salt mining is carried on in numerous dis
tricts, and deposits of copper, lead, silver, mercury, iron ore,
antimony, manganese, zinc, mica, and other minerals exist, but
are not being worked on a commercial scale. Petroleum is pro
duced in large quantities, principally by the Tropical Oil Co.,
which also operates a refinery manufacturing gasoline, lubri
cants, asphalt, and other byproducts.
TRANSPORTATION
STEAMSHIP SERVICES.—The principal direct steamer serv
ices between the United States and Colombian ports are the
following :
Lines From New York.—Grace Line (Head Office, 10 Hanover
Square, New York, N. Y.).—Caribbean Service: Sailings every
Friday from Pier 57 for Curacao, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello,
Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Cristobal ; reach Barranquilla in
8 days, Cartagena in 9 days. West Coast South America Serv
ice : Sailings every Friday from Pier 57, North River, New York,
via the Panama Canal to Buenaventura, Colombia, and west
coast of South America; reach Buenaventura in 8 days.
United Fruit Co. (Office, 11 Battery Place, New York, N. Y.).—
Sailings every Wednesday from Pier 3, North River, New York,
COLOMBIA 119
for Kingston, Puerto Colombia, Cartagena, Cristobal, and Kings

ton ; reach Puerto Colombia in 5 days, Cartagena in 7 days.
West Coast Line (Wcssel, Duval & Co., Inc.) (Office, 90 Broad
Street, New York, N. Y. ) .—Sailings every 2 weeks from Pier 46,
Brooklyn, New York, via the Panama Canal, for Buenaventura
and ports of the west coast of South America. Ships do not
regularly carry passengers. Reach Buenaventura in 10 days.
Lines From New Orleans.—United Fruit Co. (Office, 821
St. Charles Street, New Orleans, La.).—Sailings every Saturday
for Habana, Cuba, and Cristobal, Canal Zone, where connections
may be made with steamers for Cartagena and Puerto Colombia ;
6 days to Cristobal. Also sailings every Wednesday for Car
tagena and Barranquilla, with a call at Santa Marta every other
week.
Standard Fruit and Steamship Co. (HO Carondelet Street, New
Orleans, La.).—Weekly service to Cristobal, where transship
ment may be made to Colombian north-coast ports.
Lines From San Franeiso.—Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line.—Sail
ings for Buenaventura every 28 days ; reach Buenaventura in
15 days.
Other Lines.—Lykes Bros. Steamship Co. (Head Office, Hous
ton, Tex.) —Fortnightly sailings from Houston-Galveston to
Habana, Cristobal, Cartagena, and Puerto Colombia. Limited
passenger facilities. Beaches Colombian ports in 16 to 18 days.
Pacific-Argentina-Brazil Line (McCormick Steamship Co.)
(Head Office, 461 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif.).—Calls
at Puerto Colombia on north-bound voyages from River Plate
and east-coast South American ports to San Francisco; limited
passenger facilities.
AIR SERVICES.—Pan American Airways, Inc., provides service
every Tuesday and Thursday between Miami, and Barranquilla,
with stops at Habana and Cienfuegos, Cuba, and at Kingston,
Jamaica. Return flights are made on Wednesdays and Fridays.
At Barranquilla connections can be made for the Canal Zone ;
Maracaibo and La Guaira, Venezuela ; Port of Spain, Trinidad ;
and the east coast of South America. Planes of the Pan Ameri
can Grace Airways, Inc., leaving Cristobal every Wednesday and
Sunday, stop at Cali, Colombia ; Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador ;
and other west-coast cities.
The Uraoa, Medcllin & Central Airways, Inc. (a company of
Pan American Airways system) operates a service on Wednes
days, Saturdays, and Sundays, between Cristobal, Canal Zone ;
Panama City ; and Turbo, Colombia. At the latter point, connec
tion is made with the lines of the Colombian-German Air Trans
port Service (Scadta), for Monteria, Cartagena, and Barran
quilla. The Scadta air lines reach most of the important cities
and towns in the country. Bookings over the lines of this carrier
may be made in the United States at the oflices and agencies of
the Pan American Airways system, and in Colombia through
Scadta's oflices and agencies.
Ticket Taxes.—A 5-percent national stamp tax is collected on

the one-way value of steamship and air-line tickets paid for and
issued in Colombia for passage from Colombian ports to foreign
ports, including tickets issued in Colombia for exchange orders
honored at Colombian ports, or tickets purchased in Colombia for
passage beginning at a foreign port. The tax is not assessed on
tickets issued in foreign ports for transit passengers through
Colombia, nor on such tickets providing for stopovers in the
country, but is applied on the one-way value of exchange orders
purchased outside of Colombia for passages beginning in Colombia
destined to foreign ports. In addition to the 5-percent tax, a
10-percent "national defense and exchange tax" is collected on
the full value of all steamship and air-line tickets or exchange
orders purchased in Colombia for passage to foreign ports.
MAGDALENA RIVER SERVICE.—With the development and
extension of air lines, fewer persons than formerly, traveling be
tween the north coast and the interior, use the passenger service
provided by boats on the Magdalena River. This service is now
used principally by port-to-port travelers, those who may be
carrying heavy baggage, or persons to whom time is not a
primary factor. When conditions are favorable, the river trip
from Caracoli (Honda), the head of navigation on the lower
Magdalena, down to Barranquilla can be made on express boats
in about 4 days, and up the river between the same points in
about 5 to 6 days.
In January, February, and March, the river is low and naviga
tion south of Puerto Wilches is often interrupted. Sailings both
up and down the river are frequent.
RAILROADS.—No rail facilities from the Caribbean coast to
central Colombia are available. From Buenaventura, on the
Pacific coast, rail transportation is available via the Pacific
Railway to Cali, Popayan, Cartago, Armenia, and other cities in
the Cauca Valley. Bogota may be reached from the west coast
by way of the Pacific Railway to Armenia, then by motorcar to
Ibague, where connection is made with the Girardot-Tolima-
Huila Railway to Bogota. Several railways serve the area ad
jacent to Bogota. Puerto Wilches and Puerto Berrio, on the
Magdalena River, are connected by rail with Bucaramanga and
Medellin.
HIGHWAYS.—The construction of numerous trunk and feeder
highways by the Colombian Government during recent years has
eliminated many of the transportation difficulties formerly en
countered by commercial travelers.
CABLEWAYS.—Passenger cableways operate from Gamarra,
on the Magdalena River, to Ocana, Department of Santander del
Norte, a distance of 29 miles; from Manizales to Aranzazu,
Department of Caldas, a distance of 15 miles, on the overland
route to Medellin.
-\
COLOMBIA 121
COMMUNICATION
Telegraph, Cable, Radio, and Telephone.—The country is well
served by telegraph lines, which are operated by the Ministry of
Posts and Telegraphs. There are also commercial wireless-
telegraph stations for internal communication, pertaining to the
Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs, in all the principal centers.
All America Cables, Inc., and the Marconi Wireless Telegraph
Co., Ltd., provide international communication service and an
internal service in connection with Colombian Government-
owned stations at those points where they do not maintain their
own offices.
Practically all the cities and towns of importance have local
telephone service. The country is covered by a network of long
distance lines and radiotelephone stations which provide both
domestic and international service.
Postage and Parcel Post.—Colombia is a member of the Uni
versal Postal Union. First-class ordinary letter postage from
the United States is 3 cents an ounce or fraction thereof. There
is also parcel-post service between the United States and Colom
bia, the weight limit being 44 pounds. Letters from Colombia
to the United States and countries belonging to the Pan Ameri
can Postal Union cost 5 centavos for each 20 grams or fraction
thereof. The rate on air-mail letters from the United States
to Colombia is 35 cents for each half ounce or fraction thereof ;
from Colombia to points in the United States, 35 centavos for
each 10 grams or fraction thereof. Mail matter for transmittal
from the United States to Colombia should have affixed (or be
marked) "Par Avion—By Air Mail" ; from Colombia to the
United States, "Correo Aereo." There is an international money-
order service and an international insurance service for valuable
mail.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
An American passport visaed by a Colombian consul is neces
sary. Commercial travelers visiting the country for a brief
period are charged no visa fee. Passports must be presented
in person for visa and must be accompanied by (1) a health
certificate, issued by a reputable physician within 30 days prior
to departure, stating that the person desiring the visa is not
suffering from any chronic or contagious disease or mental de
rangement, and is not a chronic alcoholic, ataxic, epileptic, or
drug addict ; (2) a recently issued smallpox vaccination certifi
cate; (3) three signed photographs; (4) a letter of introduc
tion to the Colombian consul from the traveler's employer, stating
the purpose of the trip and attesting to the traveler's integrity
and good reputation; (5) a police certificate covering a continu
ous period of 10 years, issued within 30 days prior to applying
for a visa; (6) a statement as to civil status (married or single,
122 COMMERCIAL. TRAVELERS' GUIDE
birth, etc.). Since entry requirements are subject to change, up-

to-date information should be obtained from the nearest Colom
bian consulate.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Identification Card.—Foreign commercial travelers are ex
empted from payment of the deposit required of entering aliens.
Immediately after arrival in the country travelers should present
themselves at the nearest Exchange and Export Control Office
of the Bank of the Republic to declare the amount of foreign
currency they have in their possession ; and within 5 days after
arrival they must call personally, with their passports and ac
companying papers, at the Alien's Section of the National Police
in Bogota, or at the Identification Offices in the departmental
capitals, or in other cities at the mayor's office, to obtain! a
"cedula de extranjeria" or alien's identification card. In the
case of transients, this card is valid for a period of 6 months.
Foreign travelers arriving at Bogota with identification cards
issued elsewhere in the Republic must present themselves within
3 days at the Alien's Section of the National Police to have their
cards visaed. All changes of address, as well as all arrivals or
departures, must be reported.
Departure.—No foreign traveler may leave the country with
out (a) an identification card, (6) a clearance certificate from
the income-tax office, and (c) a departure permit issued by the
Alien's Section of the National Police at Bogota, and at other
points by the authorities charged with the registration of for
eigners. Foreign commercial travelers are not subject to income
tax ; nevertheless, the traveler must obtain a clearance certifi
cate from the nearest income-tax office before he is permitted
to leave the country. The clearance certificate is issued upon
the traveler's presentation of his alien's identification card.
Salesmen's Samples.—Samples brought in by commercial trav
elers are subject to the same documentary requirements as those
for shipment by freight ; and, under the same circumstances,
are subject to consular certification.
Samples which definitely have no commercial value may be
brought in duty free. To be considered samples of no value,
the goods must be mutilated or be in a form that renders them
totally unsalable and unusable except for taking orders. Sam
ples of textiles (measured in the direction of the warp) and
paper of any kind can be the full width of the piece, but they
must not be over 40 centimeters in length. Samples of these
articles which cannot be shown except in larger pieces will be
multilated in the customs by cuts 10 centimeters apart.
Samples of oilcloth and felt cannot exceed 30 by 30 centimeters.
Cables, metal thread, cords, moldings, rope and string of any
kind, must not exceed 16 centimeters in length. Other mer
chandise samples, such as hooks, buckles, buttons, rivets, screws,
COLOMBIA 123
and similar articles, jewelry and imitation jewelry, and chiwi

ware, representative of different types, patterns, and sizes, must
be multilated in a manner that will render them unsalable.
Immutable samples (including wines, liquors, and liquids of
different kinds) and samples having a commercial value may be
entered temporarily duty free, under bond equal to twice the
regular rates of import duty, or a cash deposit equal to the
amount of duty plus 40 percent, to guarantee reexportation
within a period of 6 months.
Duly licensed customhouse brokers can furnish the required
bond when the amount involved does not exceed 2,500 pesos.
Samples may be reexported through any customs port, but the
cancelation of the bond or refund of the cash deposit, if one
has been made, is conditioned on the presentation of a copy
of the customs manifest duly authenticated by the customs
administrator, proving that the samples have been received
on board the carrier by which they are reexported.
Time Required for Clearance.—There is no unusual delay in
the clearance of travelers'" baggage and samples when docu
ments are in order. If samples have no value, the matter is
relatively simple. Travelers bringing in a personal supply of
pipe tobacco, cigarettes, liquor, playing cards, perfumery, and
articles considered luxuries may have to pay duty on these items.
Advertising Matter.—Catalogs of all kinds for advertising
purposes are admitted duty free. Advertising matter is subject
to the following rates of duty per kilogram (2.2046 pounds),
gross weight: Almanacs, prospectuses, advertising and propa
ganda in sheets or unbound, printed in one color only, 40 cen-
tavos ; when printed in different colors, 45 centavos. Other
prospectuses, advertising matter and propaganda, bound, printed
in one color only, 50 centavos ; when printed in different colors,
55 centavos. Advertisements of iron or steel, galvanized, tinned,
bronzed, varnished, painted, or enameled, 30 centavos ; nickel
or copper plated, 50 centavos. Advertisements on tin plate,
painted or enameled, 30 centavos ; when nickel plated, 50 cen
tavos. Advertisements of wood and aluminum, 50 centavos ; of
ordinary wood in several colors, 60 centavos. Electrically illumi
nated, advertising, 72 centavos. Shipments of advertising by
parcel post are subject to a surtax of 15 percent of the import
duty, and each package is also assessed a package fee of 10
centavos. If a parcel-post package (or a group of packages in
a single shipment) has a value of.more than 50 pesos, and arrives
in Colombia without the required import license, consular in
voice, and certificate of origin, the customs clearance of the
goods and their delivery to the addressee will be delayed, pend
ing receipt of the required documents. For each day's delay, a
storage charge of 1 percent of the import duty is also assessed.
Dutiable articles in letters and packages prepaid at the letter
rate are prohibited.
202836—4O 9
124
SALESMEN'S TAXES
No national commercial travelers' tax is levied on traveling
salesmen, but in certain cities and towns there are municipal
license fees to be paid ranging from 10 to 50 pesos. In each town
inquiry should be made concerning this matter before canvass
ing is started, so as to avoid any unpleasant complications
through failure to comply with local laws.
SALES TERRITORIES AND ROUTES
Some sales-agency subdivision of the territory must be made
for Colombia, if it is to be covered properly. There are five
major (separate and distinct) commercial areas in the Republic,
excluding that of Cucuta, which is often worked out of Mara-
caibo, Venezuela. A few firms in Colombia are organized on a
national scale, but as a rule, agencies granted for the entire
Republic are not very successful. In most instances it will be
found advisable to appoint separate agents for Cartagena, Bar-
ranquilla, Medellin, Bogota, and Cali. If a further break-down
of the territory is to be made, other agencies may be estab
lished at Buearamanga, Manizales, Santa Marta, and Pasto.
TRAVEL ROUTES
The routing of a traveler through Colombia to cover the ter
ritory adequately, and at the same time keep travel and ex
penses down to the necessary minimum, is something of a prob
lem. Most American exporters have included Colombia in their
Carribbean sales territory, and the majority of salesmen arriving
in the country enter via Barranquilla. If the salesman has
been working up the west coast of South America, entry may
be made overland from Quito, Ecuador. Should he arrive from
the south by plane, he will enter at Cali ; or if he is using boat
transportation, he will land at Buenaventura. Overland travel
ers from Venezuela enter at Cucuta, from which point they may
proceed to Bogota or Buearamanga by highway. Those arriving
by plane or boat from Maracaibo usually stop over first a.t Bar
ranquilla before canvassing interior Colombian cities. Travelers
from Panama may proceed direct from Cristobal, Canal Zone,
to Medellin by air line ; or they may take a steamer to Cartagena
or Barranquilla (Puerto Colombia), or a plane to Barranquilla.
Arriving at Barranquilla, a salesman should allow from 5 to
8 days to canvass the city. Santa Marta can be covered from
Barranquilla in 2 to 3 days, if it is included in the salesman's
itinerary of places to be visited. Cartagena may also be easily
reached from Barranquilla. After having canvassed the Carib
bean coast cities, the trip to the interior can be started. If
leaving from Barranquilla, which is the most convenient point
COLOMBIA 125
from which to start, the salesman might select one of a number

of routes, depending upon his choice of transportation and the
amount of baggage he carries. There is no baggage-checking
system on the river boats serving the interior, but it is possible
to arrange with responsible baggage handlers known as "equipa-
jeros" or one of several express companies to look after the
baggage for a definite charge. This relieves the traveler of a
good deal of responsibility and worry, reduces the danger of
pilferage, and is well worth the additional expense, which will
probably not be as great as if one tried to make arrangements
for the transfer of baggage each time it is necessary on the
interior journey.
Barranquilla-Medellin-Cali-Bogota-Bucaramanga.—This jour
ney, which includes the leading cities of the interior, can be
made by plane in 30 to 40 days, including reasonable stop-overs
for doing business at all centers. Planes leave Barranquilla
daily for Medellin, making the trip in 2 to 2% hours. Cali is
reached from Medellin in little more than 2 hours. From Cali
the route leads to Bogota via Medellin. Should occasion be
found to visit Manizales, the traveler leaves the plane at Cartago
and proceeds to that city by rail or highway in 2% to 4 hours.
The daily flight from Cali to Bogota consumes approximately
6 hours. Planes leave Bogota for Bucaramanga and Medellin
twice a week. The cost of air transportation for the entire trip
from Barranquilla and return to that point is less than 300 pesos.
Barranquilla-Bogota-Bucaramanga-Medellin-Cali.—The first
stage of this journey is made in express plane, which takes
2% hours from Barranquilla to Bogota. After working the
capital of the Republic, the traveler can proceed to Bucaramanga
by air line for a 2-day or 3-day stay, or he may leave Bogota
direct for Medellin. There is a daily plane service between
these latter two cities. From Medellin there are daily plane
departures for Cali.
Buenaventura is reached in 6 hours by rail from Cali. Con
nections are made at Buenaventura with ocean steamers for
Ecuador and the Canal Zone, also with the "SCADTA" planes
twice a week for Quibdo, Cartagena, and Barranquilla. If the
traveler wishes to. leave the country from Cali by air line, he
may take one of the planes of the Pan American Grace Airways
for the Canal Zone or for Guayaquil, Ecuador. If he desires,
he may proceed to Quito, Ecuador, overland. The overland trip
affords him the opportunity of visiting Popayan and Paste
Popayan is reached in 5 hours from Cali ; from Popayan the
traveler proceeds to Pasto by highway in 8 hours ; and Ipiales,
on the Ecuadoran-Colombian frontier, is reached in 8 hours
from Pasto by highway.
Barranquilla-Medellin.—When leaving Barranquilla for the
interior by the Magdalena River, the first stage of the journey
is by boat to Puerto Berrio. Under favorable conditions this
part of the Journey takes about SVi days. At Puerto Berrio a

train is taken for Medellin, a trip of 6 to 7 hours.
Medellin-Bogota.—When the air line is not used, this journey
is usually made by one of two routes. A train ride from
Medellin to Puerto Berrio is necessary in both cases. The most
rapid route is from Puerto Berrio by highway to Bogota via
Barbosa, or highway to Barbosa and then by train to Bogota.
The latter city is reached from Puerto Berrio in 1 day. The
other route is from Puerto Berrio to Puerto Salgar by river
boat, and thence to Bogota by the Cundinamarca Railway. This
trip takes from 2 to 3% days.
If Bucaramanga is to be visited on the up-river journey, it is
necessary to stop at Puerto Wilches on the Magdalena, 2 to 3
days' travel from Barranquilla and below Puerto Berrio. At
Puerto Wilches the railway is taken to Las Bocas, and from that
point by automobile to Bucaramanga, a 1-day trip. If it is
desired to avoid returning to Puerto Wilches for a river-boat
connection for Puerto Berrio, the traveler may proceed in 1 day
by highway from Bucaramanga to Puerto Berrio, where he
can take the train for Medellin.
Bogota-Ibague-Armenia-Manizales.—After canvassing the Bo
gota district a traveler can work the western part of Colombia
by rail to Ibague, thence by motorcar over the Quindio Pass to
Armenia, where a day may be spent calling on the trade before
continuing the journey to Manizales by rail or highway. A
stop-over en route can also be made at Pereira. Manizales is
reached from Bogota in ll/> days if intervening cities are not
visited.
Manizales-Cali.—This trip can be made by railway or high
way in 1 day. Business in the intervening cities is small and
usually does not justify stop-overs.
Travelers entering the country through Buenaventura, which
is the seaport for Cali, or arriving overland at Cali from
Ecuador, or from abroad by plane, as a rule leave the country
via one of the Caribbean ports, and the itineraries they follow
are usually the reverse of those beginning with Barranquilla as
the point of departure for the interior cities.
A salesman's time in Colombia, if traveling by air, is often
distributed more or less as follows : 2 weeks in the coastal towns
of Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Santa]. Marta ; 1 week in
Medellin ; 14 days in Bogota ; 3 days in Bucaramanga ; 4 days
in Manizales ; 7 days in Cali. As very little time is lost in
traveling between cities by plane, all the leading commercial
areas of the country can be visited in less than 8 weeks. When
such means of transportation as river boats, railways, and high
ways are utilized to the exclusion of air lines, the time ordi
narily required to canvass the main business districts averages
from 70 to 75 days.
COLOMBIA 127
The expense of a salesman for air transportation, subsistence,

and minor incidentals in canvassing the three cities on the
Caribbean coast and Medellin, Cali, Manizales, Bogota, and Bu-
caramanga would be in the neighborhood of 1,200 pesos. If the
same cities are visited by boat, railway, and highway routes, the
cost might be some 200 pesos less, unless a large amount of
baggage is carried.
ADDITIONAL TRIPS
Extreme Eastern Part.—From Maracaibo, Venezuela, across
Lake Maracaibo to Bncontrados ; thence by rail to Cucuta ; from
Cucuta by highway via Pamplona to Bogota or Bucaramanga,
and continue as outlined in trips from the two latter cities.
Southward in the Interior.—Bogota to Neiva, Carzon, Floren-
cia, Venecia, and thence to the Amazon Basin. This is a difficult
trip and is made only by travelers having special missions to
perform.
Northward From Bogota.—Bogota to Tunja, thence either to
Duitama, Malaga, Pamplona, or Cucuta ; or to Barbosa and
Puerto Berrio ; or to Barbosa, Socorro, and Bucaramanga.
These places, which can be reached by highway, are generally
left to the wholesalers of the large commercial centers.
From Cartagena.—To Turbo ; thence via the Atrato to Quibdo
by air line or boat. Also, from Cartagena by boat via the Sinu
River to Lorica, Monteria, and Cerete ; these places, however, are
usually left to the attention of houses located in Cartagena.
Only travelers who work "very close" occasionally visit them.
From Cali.—To Popayan, Pasto, Tuquerres, Ipiales, Barbacoas,
and Tumaco. This is a rather hard trip, but it permits the
traveler to visit some places at which business is done, including
Popayan, Pasto, and Barbacoas. The traveler can leave by way
of Tumaco or Ipiales.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—The improvement of transportation fa
cilities in recent years has relieved merchants of the necessity of
carrying large inventories as a safeguard against uncertain or
long-delayed deliveries, and it also has tended to eliminate heavy
buying periods or seasons during which requirements for the
next 4 to 6 months are placed. Travelers now find it possible to
sell at any time of the year. As in most South American coun
tries, merchants like to display a wide variety of lines for the
Christmas holidays and for the Easter trade. Foreign orders
for Christmas goods are usually placed from August to October;
for Easter, in December and January.
Importance of Coffee Crop.—Salesmen who anticipate visiting
Colombia should make inquiry about the coffee crop, inasmuch
as the ability of Colombia to import foreign merchandise is in
direct relation to the yield of the coffee crop and its market price.
Crop Information is obtainable from the Colombian consuls sta

tioned in various parts of the United States, and also from the
United States Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, De
partment of Commerce, Washington, D. C, or from its District
Offices.
Holidays.—The population of Colombia being largely Roman
Catholic, many of the feast days of the church are observed.
On all the following holidays business houses, banks, and Gov
ernment offices are closed : January 1, New Year's Day ; January
6, Epiphany ; March 19, St. Joseph ; May 1, Labor Day ; May 27,
Corpus Christi ; June 29, St. Peter and St. Paul ; July 20, Inde
pendence Day ; August 7, Battle of Boyaca ; August 15, the
Assumption ; October 12, Columbus Day ; November 1, All
Saints' Day ; December 25, Christmas ; also Holy Thursday, Good
Friday, Holy Saturday, and the Ascension. If a holiday falls
on Friday, the intervening Saturday is also generally observed
as a holiday. The banks are closed from June 25 to June 30 and
during the last 5 days of each calendar year for balance taking.
Equipment for Travel in Colombia.—Travelers should carry
the usual toilet articles ; several summer suits for use in the
tropical areas; at least one medium-weight wool suit for Mani-
zales, Bogota, and other places in the higher altitudes ; and if
possible an outer garment that will serve the dual purpose of
raincoat and overcoat. If the air lines are to be utilized exten
sively, baggage should consist only of the indispensable, to avoid
excess charges, and containers should be light, yet strong enough
to withstand hard use.
Hotels.—With few exceptions, hotels in Colombia are op
erated on the American plan, which is found acceptable to most
travelers because of the absence of good restaurants, even in the
larger cities. Outside of Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Manizales, and
Barranquilla, a wide range of accommodations is not available.
In the first-class establishments, rates for a single room, bath,
and meals are 5 to 8 pesos a day. In the smaller towns, single
rooms with meals cost from 2.50 to 5 pesos a day.
Credit Terms.—A few firms have open accounts. Most re
sponsible houses are sold on 30 to 90 days' sight draft, except
in the textile trade, where well-rated buyers are given up to 120
days by some American exporters.
Shipments to Order.—As the present customs regulations
allow only 4 working days after the arrival of steamer for the
presentation of customs manifests, it is highly important, if fines
and other penalties are to be avoided, that commercial travelers
who ship materials separately arrange to comply with this
requirement.
Currency and Exchange.—The monetary unit of Colombia is
the peso, worth approximately 56 cents (U. S. currency) in 1938.
There are silver coins of 10, 20, and 50 centavos and nickel coins
of 1, 2, and 5 centavos.
COLOMBIA 129

In the following paragraphs are discussed the cities and towns
in Colombia which are likely to be of most interest to American
commercial travelers. A few places have been included which
are not always canvassed.
ARMENIA.—Department of Caldas; population, 43,201; alti
tude, 5,087 feet. Distances : 220 miles from Bogota by railway
and highway ; by railway, 41 miles from Pereira ; 72 miles from
Manizales; 112 miles from Cali ; and 227 miles from Buenaven
tura. Center of an important coffee-producing region ; railhead
of Pacific Railway, where transfer is made to motor vehicles
crossing Quindio Pass en route to Bogota. Industries : Chocolate
and carbonated beverages. Larger merchants import for their
own account.
How Reached.—From Buenaventura and Cali, by Pacific,'
Railway ; from Cali, by highway ; from Manizales and Pereira,
by railway or highway ; from Ibague, by highway ; from Bogota,
by railway and highway or by highway.
Banks.—Bank of the Republic (agency) ; Bank of Colombia ;
Agricultural, Industrial, and Mining Credit Bank (agency) ;
Central Mortgage Bank (agency) ; Agricultural Mortgage Bank
(agency).
Hotels.—Atlantico ; Internacional ; Pension Alemana ; Boli
var. Rates, 2.50 to 5 pesos a day, American plan.
Note.—Armenia is a growing commercial center. It may be
canvassed with little loss of time en route to or from Bogota
and Manizales or Cali.
BARRANQUIILA.—Capital of Department of Atlantico ; alti
tude, 13 feet; population, 180,000 (estimated). On west bank
of the Magdalena 11 miles from the Bocas de Ceniza, where the
river empties into the Caribbean Sea ; distance from Bogota by
rail and river boat, 673 miles; by direct air line, 466 miles;
from Medellin, by rail and river boat, 577 miles ; from Cartagena,
by river boat via Canal del Dique, 147 miles ; by air line, 75
miles ; by ocean steamer to Puerto Colombia, 62 miles ; from
Santa Marta, by ocean steamer to Puerto Colombia, 59 miles, by
air line 50 miles ; from Puerto Colombia by rail, 18 miles. Dry
season, November until May ; rainy season, May until November.
During the dry season the temperature is moderated by the
northeast trade winds. The rainy season is hotter than the dry
season. The average mean temperature during the rainy season
does not exceed 88° F. ; the maximum is 96° F. Principal prod
ucts : Cotton, yuca, corn, rice, cattle, and hides. Chief indus
tries : Manufacture of cotton and rayon textiles, vegetable oils
and fats, flour, tobacco products, beer, nonalcoholic beverages,
footwear, lumber, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, cosmetics, metal
wares, candles, and soap. Drydocks and shipyards are main
tained for river steamers and small craft.
How Reached.—From Bogota, by airplane or rail and river

boat; from Puerto Colombia, by rail or highway; from Carta
gena, by airplane, ocean steamer, river boat, rail and river boat,
or highway; from Santa Marta, by airplane, ocean steamer, or
rail to Cienaga, thence by river boats through the estuaries of
the Magdalena.
Local Steamboat Service.—Regular passenger and freight sail
ings for all principal ports on the lower Magdalena River, for
Cartagena, and Cienaga.
Banks.—Bank of the Republic ; Bank of Bogota ; Royal Bank
of Canada ; French and Italian Bank for South America ; Bank
of London and South America ; German Antioquian Bank ; Com
mercial Bank of Barranquilla ; Central Mortgage Bank (agency) ;
Agricultural, Industrial, and Mining Credit Bank (agency) ;
Agricultural Mortgage Bank ; Colombian Savings Bank.
Hotels.—Hotel del Prado; Astoria; Tivoli-Natilli ; Royal;
Moderno. Rates, 4 to 8 pesos a day, American plan.
Note.—Barranquilla is the chief port of entry and distributing
point for a large section of the interior served by the Magdalena
River; located 11 miles from the mouth of the river and 18 miles
from the seaport of Puerto Colombia, with which it is connected
by railway and highway. Many of the Barranquilla merchants
do a general importing business and handle a wide variety of
merchandise. A large percentage of the goods arriving at Bar
ranquilla is shipped to inland centers. There is considerable
rivalry between Cartagena and Barranquilla, especially for the
trade of the interior west of the Magdalena River.
The chief customhouse of Colombia is located at Barranquilla,
through which between 46 and 50 percent of the total volume of
the country's imports is cleared. In Barranquilla an agent or
distributor should be appointed to care for the surrounding ter
ritory. The importance of Barranquilla is increased by the fact
that it is the terminus of national and international air lines
and the Magdalena River steamboat companies. American con
sul in residence.
BOGOTA.—Capital of the Department of Cundinamarca and
of the Republic; population, 350,000 (estimated) ; altitude, 8,671
feet. Climate, springlike and cool, temperature averaging 58°
F. ; rainy season, March to May ; frequent rains September to
December. Principal products : Wheat, coffee, potatoes, corn,
cattle hides, and other products of the temperate and subtropical
zones. Leading manufactures : Cotton and woolen textiles ;
wearing apparel ; glassware ; footwear and other leather goods ;
tanned hides and skins ; construction materials ; perfumes ; cos
metics ; distilled liquors; beer; nonalcoholic beverages; choco
late ; crackers and biscuits ; cigarettes ; wood products ; cement ;
flour.
How Reached.—From Barranquilla.—By air line, 466 miles ;
by river boat and rail, 673 miles. From Mcdellin.—By air line,
COLOMBIA 131
162 miles ; by rail, river boat, and rail, 336 miles ; by railway and
highway, 369 miles. From Buenaventura.—By rail, highway,
and rail, 441 miles. From Call.—By air line via Medellin, 410
miles ; by rail, highway, and rail, 333 miles. From Manizales.—
By rail, highway, and rail, 303 miles. From Bucaramanga.—By
Highway, 295 miles ; by rail and highway, 285 miles ; by air line,
170 miles. From Oucuta.—By highway, 377 miles.
Hotels.—Granada; Regina; Pacifico; Claridge; Imperial.
Banks.—National City Bank of New York; Royal Bank of
Canada ; Bank of London and South America ; German Anti-
oquian Bank ; French and Italian Bank of South America ; Bank
of the Republic ; Bank of Colombia ; Bank of Bogota ; Mort
gage Bank of Colombia ; Mortgage Bank of Bogota ; Central
Mortgage Bank ; Agricultural Mortgage Bank ; Agricultural, In
dustrial, and Mining Credit Bank ; Colombian Savings Bank.
Note.—Bogota is the most important city of the Republic.
It is the seat of the National Government and the center of
trade and commercial activity for a region which includes the
Departments of Boyaca, Cundinamarca, part of Tolima, Huila,
and the western section of the llanos. The American legation
is located at Bogota.
BUCARAMANGA.—Capital of Department of Santander del
Sur; altitude, 3,340 feet; population, 82,000 (estimated). Dis
tances : From Barranquilla, 461 miles ; from Bogota, by high
way, 295 miles ; by rail and highway, 285 miles. Mean annual
temperature, 69° F. ; annual rainfall, about 63 inches ; dry sea
sons, from November to April and from June to September ;
period of heaviest rainfall, September to November. Principal
products : Coffee, tobacco, cotton, cacao. Leading manufactures :
Cigars and cigarettes, hats, matches, chocolate.
Banks.—Bank of the Republic; Bank of Colombia; Central
Mortgage Bank (agency) ; Agricultural, Industrial, and Mining
Credit Bank ; German Antioquian Bank ; Colombian Savings
Bank.
Hotels.—Rosedal; Cepeda Apartments; Savoy; St. Cloud.
Note.—Bucaramanga, an important commercial center in n
large coffee and tobacco area, has a number of sizable cigar
and cigarette factories. Principal merchants import for their
own account. While Bucaramanga is to some extent still tribu
tary to Barranquilla, American exporters occasionally appoint
local agents to canvass the immediate territory.
BUENAVENTURA—Department of Valle ; altitude, 39 feet;
population, 30,500 (estimated). On Cascajal Island in Buena
ventura Bay, near mouth of Dagua River ; terminus of the
Pacific Railway. Distances : From Cali, 108 miles ; from Bogota,
by combined rail and highway route, 441 miles. Climate un-
healthful ; average temperature, 86° F. ; rains almost daily.
Principal products : Coffee, hides, gold, and platinum.
Hotel.—Estacion.
Bank.—Bank of Colombia.
Note.—Buenaventura, most important Colombian port on the
Pacific and entrepot for the rich Cauca Valley, has little com
mercial activity except shipping, and travelers usually leave
promptly for Cali. American consular agency.
CALL—Capital of Department of Valie; altitude, 3,290 feet
(1,003 meters) ; population, 130,000 (estimated). Located near
the Cauca River, and on the Pacific Railway. Distance from
Buenaventura by rail, 108 miles ; from Bogota, by combined rail
and highway, 333 miles. Climate, semitropical ; average tem
perature, 77° F. Products: Sugar, coffee, rice, gold, coal, cattle,
and hides. Manufactures : Alcoholic beverages ; cotton textiles ;
soap, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals ; footwear ; tobacco prod
ucts ; wearing apparel.
How Reached.—By air, rail, and highway, as indicated under
"Travel Routes."
Banks.—National City Bank of New York ; Royal Bank of
Canada ; German Antioquian Bank ; Bank of London and South
America ; Bank of the Republic ; Bank of Colombia ; Bank of
Bogota; Central Mortgage Bank (agency) ; Agricultural, Indus
trial, and Mining Credit Bank (agency) ; Agricultural Mortgage
Bank ; Colombian Savings Bank.
Hotels.—Alferez Real ; Majestic ; Europa.
Note.—Cali, in the heart of the Cauca Valley, is the chief dis
tributing point for the foreign commerce of this territory, which
extends south as far as Popayan and north to Manizales. A
number of large, well-reputed firms in Cali carry on a consider
able business in importing and send salesmen several times a
year to Popayan, Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, and intervening
towns. Owing to its importance as a commercial center, agencies
are usually established in Cali to solicit business from mer
chants and distributors. American consulate.
CARTA6ENA.—Capital of Department of Bolivar; seaport on
northwest coast ; altitude, 17 feet ; population, 115,000 (esti
mated). Distance from Barranquilla, by river boat 147 miles
and by highway 90 miles ; from Puerto Colombia, 62 miles ; from
Bogota, by rail and river boat, 700 miles. There are two
seasons—wet or rainy season from April to October, dry season
from November to March. Average temperature, 86° F., with
much humidity. Principal products : Sugarcane, rice, cattle, and
hides. Manufactures : Sugar, hog lard, candles, soap, footwear,
leather, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, wood products, knit goods,
chocolate. The pipe line of the Andian National Corporation
(Ltd.) terminates at Mamonal on Cartagena Bay, from which
point the country's entire export of crude petroleum is shipped.
American consul in residence.
How Reached.—From abroad, by airplane and steamship ;
from other Colombian points, as outlined under "Travel Routes."
Banks.—Royal Bank of Canada ; German Antioquian Bank ;
COLOMBIA 133
Bank of the Republic; Central Mortgage Bank (agency) ; Agri

cultural, Industrial, and Mining Credit Bank (agency) ; Colom
bian Savings Bank.
Hotel.—Americano.
Note.—Cartagena is the trade center for the Intendencia of
Choco and the Sinu region, with which it has communication by
river steamers. Much of the commercial business is handled
by a few large firms, which are importing wholesalers as well
as retailers. Foreign exporters often establish agencies here
to cover the immediate territory. American consulate.
CUCUTA.—Capital of Department of Santander del Norte;
population, 70,500 (estimated) ; altitude, 705 feet; average tem
perature, 81° F. Distances : 10 miles by highway from San
Antonio (Venezuelan frontier), 377 miles by highway from
Bogota, 170 miles by highway via Pomplona from Bucaramanga.
Principal products : Coffee, cattle, and hides. Leading indus
tries : Manufacture of candles, soap, chocolate, and brown sugar.
How Reached.—From Maracaibo, Venezuela, by boat to En-
contrados and thence by railway; from Caracas, Venezuela, by
highway (time, 4 to 5 days) ; from Bucaramanga, by highway
(1 day) ; from Bogota, by highway (1% days).
Hotels.—Palace ; Pension Inglesa ; Central ; Internacional.
Banks.—Bank of Colombia ; Bank of Bogota ; Bank of the
Republic; Agricultural, Industrial, and Mining Credit Bank;
Agricultural Mortgage Bank; Central Mortgage Bank (agency).
Note.—While politically a part of Colombia, Cucuta is de
pendent upon Venezuelan commercial facilities for ready access
to foreign markets. A considerable over-the-border business is
done. Several firms in Maracaibo, Venezuela, have branches in
Cucuta, and there is a considerable amount of direct importing.
American firms sometimes appoint agents or distributors to cover
the immediate territory. The Catatumbo oil field is located near
Cucuta.
GIRARDOT.—Department of Cundinamarca ; altitude, 1,070
feet; population, 28,000 (estimated). On east bank of Magda-
lena River; distance from Bogota by highway, 88 miles; from
Ibague by highway, 37 miles. Heavy rainfall ; average tem
perature, 63° F. Principal products : Coffee, cattle, hides, and
tropical produce. Industries : Tanning ; coffee growing.
How Reached.—-From Bogota, by rail or highway ; from
Ibague, by rail or highway ; from Neiva, by railway.
Banks.—Bank of Bogota; Bank of the Republic (agency);
Agricultural Mortgage Bank; Central Mortgage Bank (agency).
Hotels.—Gran ; Cecil ; San German.
Note.—Girardot is a large coffee center, but the completion
of the Cundinamarca Railway and other routes of communica
tion has detracted from the importance of the city as a transfer
point. The semiannual livestock fairs draw large numbers of
visitors from adjacent territory and serve as a periodic stimu
134
lant to trade. Some Bogota importers maintain branches in
the city, which is a distributing point for surrounding towns.
HONDA.—Department of Tolima; altitude, 751 feet; popula
tion, 15,500 (estimated). On Guali River, at its junction with
the Magdalena River ; 1 mile from Oaracoli, head of navigation
on the lower Magdalena ; 130 miles from Bogota by highway ;
103 miles from Ibague by rail ; 20 miles from La Dorada by rail.
Average temperature, 84° F. Principal products : Coffee, to
bacco, cattle, hides.
How Reached.—From Bogota, by highway and direct air line ;
from Ibague, by railway ; and from La Dorada, by rail or
highway.
Hotel.—America.
Banks.—Bank of Bogota; Bank of the Republic (agency) ;
Central Mortgage Bank (agency)
Note.—Honda is an important coffee market and a merchan
dise-distributing point for a number of small adjacent towns,
although it has lost much of its former transshipment trade.
Travelers visiting Bogota occasionally make a side trip to
Honda.
IBAGUE.—Capital of Department of Tolima; altitude, 4,101
feet; population, 76,000 (estimated). Situated in the Valley
of the Combeima, 37 miles from Girardot and 68 miles from
Armenia by highway; 125 miles from Bogota and 216 miles
from Cali by highway. Average temperature, 71° F. Principal
products : Coffee, garden produce, gold. Chief industry : Mining.
How Reached.—From Bogota, by rail ; from Girardot, by
rail or highway from Armenia, over the Quindio Highway ;
from Cali, by rail and highway ; from La Dorada, by the La
Dorada and the Ambalema-Ibague Railways ; from Manizales,
by combined rail and highway route, or by highway.
Banks.—Bank of Colombia; Bank of the Republic (agency) ;
Agricultural, Industrial, and Mining Credit Bank ; Central
Mortgage Bank (agency) ; Agricultural Mortgage Bank.
Hotels.—Lusitania ; Colombia ; Royal.
Note.—Ibague is the railhead of the Girardot-Tolima-Huila
Railway. Here the traveler takes an automobile to cross the
Quindio Highway to Armenia. The city has some importance
as a commercial center and transfer point. Several of the
larger merchants import direct.
MANIZALES.—Capital of Department of Caldas; altitude,
7,064 feet; population, 100,000 (estimated). Distance from
Bogota, by combined rail and highway route, 303 miles ; from
Medellin, by air line and highway, 174 miles ; from Cali, by
rail, 178 miles ; from Buenaventura, by rail, 286 miles. Climate,
springlike and cool ; average temperature, 63° F. Principal
products : Coffee, cattle, gold. Industries : Mining ; manufac
ture of cotton textiles, footwear, and chocolate.
How Reached.—From Bogota, combined rail and highway
route, or by railway ; by airplane via Medellin to Cartago, thence
COLOMBIA 135
by highway. From Oali, by rail or by airplane to Cartago,

thence by highway. From Buenaventura, by rail.
Hotels.—Splendid Suisse ; Europa ; Pension Latina.
Banks.—Boyal Bank of Canada ; Bank of the Bepublic ; Bank
of Colombia ; Agricultural, Industrial, and Mining Credit Bank ;
Central Mortgage Bank (agency).
Note.—Manizales, one of the larger commercial centers, is
often visited by traveling salesmen with good results. Many
firms import for their own account, and trade is well organized.
As the city is the wholesale center for a region that is very pros
perous when coffee prices are good, it may well be selected as
the headquarters of a resident agent.
MEDELLIN.—Capital of Department of Antioquia; altitude,
5,046 feet; population, 155,000 (estimated). Distance from
Cristobal, C. Z., 436 miles ; from Bogota, by airplane 162 miles,
or by rail, river boat, and rail, 336 miles ; from Barranquilla,
by rail and river boat, 577 miles ; from Manizales, by airplane
and highway, 173 miles ; from Cali, by airplane, 410 miles ; from
Bucaramanga, by airplane, 196 miles ; from Puerto Berrio, by
rail, 119 miles. Climate good, temperature averaging 70° F.
Seasons of dry and wet weather alternate practically every 2
mohths. Principal products : Coffee, tobacco, hides, gold, cotton.
Industries : mining ; manufacture of cotton textiles, wearing
apparel, leather goods, tobacco products, chinaware, beer, food
stuffs.
How Reached.—From Cristobal, C. Z., by airplane; from
Bogota, by airplane, combined rail and highway, or combined
rail and water route ; from Barranquilla, by air or by river
boat and railway ; from Manizales, by highway to Cartago and
thence by air ; from Cali, by air ; from Bucaramanga, by air or
highway, or by combined rail, river, and highway route; from
Puerto Berrio, by rail.
Hotels.—Continental ; Europa ; Bristol.
Canada ; German Antioquian Bank ; Bank of London and South
America ; French and Italian Bank for South America ; Bank of
the Republic ; Bank of Bogota ; Agricultural, Industrial, and
Mining Credit Bank ; Agricultural Mortgage Bank ; Central
Mortgage Bank (agency) ; Colombian Savings Bank.
Note.—Medellin, one of the most prosperous cities in the Re
public, is an important distributing point in an excellent coffee-
producing section. Being the hub of commercial activity for
the entire Department of Antioquia, Medellin is a good location
for a resident agent. From this point the mining country in
the northern part of the Department can be reached.
PEREIRA.—Department of Caldas; population, 66,500 (esti
mated) ; altitude, 4,843 feet. Distances: From Armenia, by rail
way, 41 miles ; from Manizales, by rail, 39 miles ; from Cali, 128
miles. Average temperature, 70° F. Principal product, coffee ;
leading industry, general agriculture.
How Reached.—From Armenia, Manizales, or Call, by railway

or highway.
Hotels.—Savoy; Espana; Francia.
Banks.—Bank of Colombia; Bank of the Republic (agency) ;
Central Mortgage Bank (agency) ; Agricultural, Industrial, and
Mining Credit Bank (agency) ; Agricultural Mortgage Bank ;
German Antioquian Bank.
Note.—Pereira is a large coffee center and is rapidly growing
in importance as a distributing point for nearby towns. A num
ber of houses import for their own account; others supply
themselves through Cali or Manizales.
SANTA MARTA.—Capital of Department of Magdalena ; alti
tude, 13 feet; population, 43,000 (estimated). Seaport on Santa
Marta Bay, at mouth of Manzanares River ; landing from
steamer to wharf. Distances : From Puerto Colombia, 59 miles
by ocean steamer ; from Barranquilla, 50 miles by air ; from
Cartagena, 121 miles by ocean steamer and 125 miles by air.
Average annual rainfall, 18 inches ; average temperature, 86° F.
Principal products: Bananas, coffee, livestock, hides.
How Reached.—From Barranquilla, by air or by river boat,
and thence by rail ; from Puerto Colombia, by ocean steamer ;
from Cartagena, by air or ocean steamer, or by train to Calamar,
thence by river boat and rail via Barranquilla.
Banks.—Bank of Colombia; Central Mortgage Bank
(agency) ; Agricultural, Industrial, and Mining Credit Bank ;
Bank of the Republic (agency).
Hotels.—Park, International, Frances.
Note.—Santa Marta owes its importance to the development
of banana plantations in the surrounding country. The city
deserves the attention of most travelers, as considerable busi
ness is done and merchants are active and progressive. The
hinterland is connected with the seaport by the Magdalena
National Railway.
VENEZUELA
Venezuela, sixth country in South America in size, has an area
estimated at 352,143 square miles, divided into 20 States, two
Federal Territories, and a Federal District.
Topography.—There are four distinct geographic regions in
Venezuela: (1) The Guiana Highlands, covering the southeast
ern portion of the country south and east of the Orinoco River
toward Brazil ; (2) the great central area of the llanos, or
plains ; (3) the Maracaibo Basin, or the low-lying region sur
rounding Lake Maracaibo ; and (4) the Andean highlands, which
extend up from Colombia, surround the Maracaibo Basin, and
continue along the northern coast separating the llanos from
the sea.
Climate.—Elevation is the principal factor in climatic condi
tions in Venezuela. At an elevation of about 2,000 feet or less,
the mean annual temperature is around 75° to 95° F. The
cities of Maracaibo, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Valencia, Mara-
cay, Ciudad Bolivar, and others less important are in this zone.
From about 2,000 to 6,500 feet the temperature ranges between
50° to 77° F. Caracas is within this zone. The cold zone, above
6,500 feet, has temperatures ranging from 40° to 50° F. The
mean annual temperature (degrees Fahrenheit) in some of the
principal cities is as follows: Caracas, 69° ; Ciudad Bolivar, 81° ;
Valencia, 78° ; Merida, 67°. Temperatures of 95° and over have
been recorded only at cities located similarly to Maracaibo.
Being situated within the Tropics, Venezuela has only two
seasons—winter (or rainy season) and summer (or dry season).
The rainy season is from April through November ; the dry sea
son lasts from December through May.
POPULATION
The population of Venezuela, according to the 1936 census, was
3,491,159, principally persons of mixed Spanish and Indian
blood. There are a few full-blood whites and a considerable
number of uncivilized Indians in the interior. There is a large
amount of Negro blood in the population adjacent to the coast.
PURCHASING POWER
Among 80 percent of the population, including principally the
agricultural and pastoral groups, incomes are small and pur
chases are confined to bare necessities. However, in Caracas,
137
Maracaibo, and a few of the larger cities, the standard of living

is relatively high. In general, living costs are higher than in
the United States, as a result of high freight rates and customs
duties and the necessity for importing a large percentage of the
foodstuffs, clothing, and other essentials. Consequently, the
market for luxury and semiluxury goods is confined to the well-
to-do class, the affluent business group, and the higher salaried
people living in the cities.
Table 16.—Population of Venezuela, by Governmental Divisions
Division Population Capital Population
283,418 Caracas _ .. 203, 342
STATES
130,573 12, 856

Apure -. 71,271 7.972
129, 746 Maracay 29,759
50, 193 Barinas ___ 1,615
101, 084 25,134
172, 127 49, 214
48. 091 San Carlos .. 3,075
215, 140 Coro _ 15,612
120,420 San Juan de los Morros 4,560
291,230 36. 429
179, 122 12,006
216, 527 9,028
93,805 Maturin . 7, 498
71, 675 4,600
73, 375 4,655
263, 744 21,623
216,387 21, 874
Tmjillo 242, 005 Trujillo 10,857
123,904 San Felipe 9,849
Zulia -. 290,896 Maracaibo... 110, 010
FEDERAL TERRITORIES
Amazonas 41, 165 Atures 414

28, 936 Tueupita 3,334
Federal dependencies 345
23,320
Total 3, 491, 159 605,310
Source: Venezuelan census of 1930.
Average Wages.—Wages paid by the petroleum industry in

the Maracaibo Basin are based on a minimum of 8 bolivares a
day for unskilled labor. Semiskilled labor receives a minimum
of 22 bolivares a day, while the average for all workers has been
estimated at 12 bolivares a day. Commercial employees in
Caracas receive the following average monthly salaries :
VENEZUELA 139
Bolivarea
Junior executives 1,300
Accountants 850
Bookkeepers 450
Stenographers :
Spanish only 350
English-Spanish 600
Senior clerks 800
Junior clerks 620
Secretary (two languages) 850
File clerk 250
Messenger-janitor 280

Agriculture.—Agriculture is the primary factor in the econ
omy of Venezuela, and business conditions are affected most
directly by crop conditions ; although mining, stock raising, for
estry, and manufacturing are also of importance. Coffee and
cacao are the principal money crops. Other products include
corn, tobacco, cotton, coconuts, sugar, tonka beans, wheat, rice,
vanilla, balata, bananas, divi-divi, chicle, and cevadilla.
Stock Raising.—The production of cattle hides and skins is
important, and goatskins are a noticeable item in Venezuelan
commerce. Exports of alligator hides and deerskins have in
creased considerably in recent years. A livestock census taken
during 1936-37 gave the following results:
Number Number
Cattle 3,090,661 Goats 614,749
Horses 194,033 Sheep 61,678
Mules 43,042 Hogs 3:55, 551
Burros 191, 134
Forest Resources.—Venezuela's large forest resources include
many varieties of hardwood. There are numerous sawmills in
the country, and the high protective tariff on lumber and furni
ture encourages the use of domestic wood. Wood charcoal is
the customary household fuel ; but during recent years the ex
haustion of immediately available wood supplies and Govern
ment efforts at forest conservation have encouraged the use of
other fuels, notably kerosene. There are 6,800 known plants in
Venezuela which furnish dyeing and tanning substances, gums
and resins, fibers of industrial value, oleaginous seeds, and edible
and industrial oils.
Manufacturing.—Numerous steps have been taken by the
Government to promote manufacturing. Duties have been in
creased on domestically manufactured articles and reduced on
machinery and raw materials; and an industrial bank has been
created to grant loans at low interest to incipient industries.
202836—40 10
An industrial census was taken in 1936, and although not com

pleted for the entire country, showed invested capital at Bs.
128,221,190 in the Federal District and at Bs. 17,373,159 in the
State of Aragua. These are the principal industrial areas. The
total industrial investment for the country has been estimated at
Bs. 300,000,000. Factories, though mostly small, are numerous
and make a variety of products, including knitted hosiery, under
wear, jackets, sweaters, blankets and cotton cloth, leather, cigars
and cigarettes, shoes, beer, refined sugar, canned fish and meat,
soap and candles, glass, cement and mosaic works, furniture, car
riages and wagons, nails, corrugated sheet steel, paper, leather
goods, fibers, rope, and clothing, butter and cheese, biscuits, and
chocolate.
Mining.—Mining has been an important industry in Venezuela
since the colonial period ; and while only gold, coal, salt, and
diamonds are now mined, traces of most minerals can be found
in some part of the country. In 1896, the Government listed 226
known mineral deposits. In recent years, deposits of asbestos,
iron, chromate, tin, manganese, and mercury have been reg
istered, but none of these are being developed. Venezuelan min
eral production during the year 1938 was : Gold, 3,576,499 grams ;
coal, 5,591,110 metric tons ; diamonds, 13,600 carats ; and salt,
22,658,740 kilograms. Salt production is a Government monop
oly, and imports are prohibited.
Petroleum Industry.—Venezuela during the past 18 years has
risen to third place among oil-producing countries of the world,
following the United States and Russia. There are two petro
leum zones in Venezuela. The most important, in the Maracaibo
Basin, contributes about 70 percent of the total output ; the other,
in eastern Venezuela, includes part of the States of Monagas and
Anzoategui and the Federal Territory of Delta Amacuro. It is
estimated that around $360,000,000 in foreign capital has been
invested in the petroleum industry of Venezuela. Ninety-five
percent of the oil production is exported, and the remainder is
refined at seven small local refineries, which produce gasoline,
kerosene, gas oil, and fuel oil, for local consumption. The larg
est of the refineries (that located at San Lorenzo) has a daily
capacity of 15,000 barrels and is being expanded to handle 30,000
barrels.
TRANSPORTATION
STEAMSHIP SERVICE.—Three lines offer direct steamship
service from the United States to Venezuela:
(a) From New York.—Grace Line (Office : 10 Hanover Square,
New York, N. Y. ) .—Sailing from Pier 57, Manhattan, every Fri
day at noon, via Curacao. Time to La Guaira, 5 days ; minimum
first-class fare, $150. Royal Netherlands Line (Office : 25 Wall
VENEZUELA 141
Street, New York, N. Y.).—Weekly sailings from Pier 9 or Pier

12, via Port au Prince, Haiti, and Curacao, where connection may
be made for Maracaibo. Time to La Guaira, 8 days ; minimum
first-class fare, $115.
(b) From Gulf Ports.—Aluminum Line.—Sailings every week
from Mobile and New Orleans, to La Guaira ; also, twice a month
from Mobile and New Orleans to Maracaibo, via Curacao, La
Guaira, and Aruba. All are freight steamers, but carry a limited
number of passengers. Time from Mobile to La Guaira, 14 days ;
from New Orleans, 12 days.
(c) Prom Pacific Ports.—No direct service. Transshipment
must be made at Panama.
Tourist Steamers.—There are frequent tourist steamers from
the United States to Venezuela, and travelers frequently save
time by making connections with them.
European Lines.—Steamship service, with first-class accom
modations and frequent sailings, is normally maintained by sev
eral European lines, with connections between La Guaira and
European ports.
Coastwise Service.—Compania Anonima de Navegacion de
Garenero (Agents, H. L. Boulton & Co., Caracas).—Sailings
fortnightly from La Guaira, with calls at Carenero, Guanta,
Cumana, Porlamar, Carupano, Guiria, and Caripito ; also fort
nightly sailings from La Guaira to Puerto Cabello and Mara
caibo.
Compania Anonima Venezolana de Navegacion (Head Office,
Caracas).—Serves all Venezuelan ports of any importance. Op
erates a service between Ciudad Bolivar and Trinidad, and a
service on Lake Maracaibo. All steamers of this line are small
and slow ; trip from La Guaira to Ciudad Bolivar may take as
long as 3 weeks.
The Royal Netherlands Steamship Co.—Operates a feeder serv
ice between Maracaibo and La Guaira.
AIR SERVICES.—The Pan American Airways offers a 24-hour
weekly service between New York and La Guaira via Miami and
Maracaibo. South-bound planes leave Miami at 7 : 15 a. m. every
Saturday and arrive at Maracaibo the same day at 5 : 30 p. m.
Planes leave La Guaira every Monday at 6 a. m. and arrive
at New York City on Tuesday at 5 : 40 a. m. Pan American Air
ways also maintains an east-to-west service, connecting Vene
zuela with Colombia and Trinidad. Three services a week
schedule stops at Cumarebo, La Guaira, Guanta, and Caripito ;
one additional service stops only at La Guaira.
The Royal Dutch Airways (K. L. T.) operates scheduled
flights between Curacao, Aruba, La Guaira, Maracaibo, and
Barranquilla, Colombia. Fares from La Guaira to the different
points linked by this line are as follows : to Curacao, Bs. 120 ;
to Aruba, Bs. 135 ; to Coro, Bs. 135 ; to Maracaibo, Bs. 190 ; to
Barranquilla, Bs. 290. (For exchange value of bolivar, see
section under heading "Currency and Exchange.")
The Lined Aeropostal Venczolana maintains daily services

from Caracas to most of the important commercial centers of
the country. Passengers go from Caracas to the airport (located
at Maracay, 06 miles from Caracas) by automobile. Fares from
Caracas to the principal stops are as follows : Aragua de Barce
lona, Bs. 180 ; Ciudad Bolivar, Bs. 240 ; Valle de La Pascua, Bs.
105 ; Zaraza, Bs. 140 ; Upata, Bs. 305 ; Guasipati, Bs. 315 ; Tume-
remo, Bs. 340; Luepa, Bs. 420; Santa Elena, Bs. 400; Altagracia
de Orituco, Bs. 70 ; Rio Chico, Bs. 50 ; Barcelona, Bs. 90 ; Cumana,
Bs. 125 ; Porlamar, Bs. 145 ; Carupano, Bs. 180 ; Guiria, Bs. 270 ;
and Maturin, Bs. 160.
RAILROADS.—Railway transportation in Venezuela is not
highly developed, and few foreign commercial travelers use this
medium. Total number of passengers carried by the 11 railway
lines during the year 1938 was 327,223. The principal lines are :
Ferrocarril de La Guaira a Caracas (electric), La Guaira to
Caracas, 23 miles ; Gran Ferrocarril de Venezuela, Caracas to
Valencia, 112 miles; Ferrocarril de Puerto Cabcllo a Valencia,
34 miles ; Ferrocarril Bolivar, Tucacas to Barquisimeto, Palma
Sola to San Felipe, main line 101 miles, and secondary line 26
miles ; Gran Ferrocarril del Tachira, Encontrados to Estacion
Tachira, 83 miles; Gran Ferrocarril de La Ceiba, La Ceiba to
Motatan, 50 miles ; Ferrocarril Central do Venezuela, Caracas to
Ocumare del Tuy, 35 miles.
BUS SERVICE.—The Compania Anonima "Lineas A. R. C."
offers fairly good bus service between Caracas and the most
important cities in Venezuela. The following fares are now in
force from Caracas to : Maracay, Bs. 3 ; Valencia, Bs. 4 ; Puerto
Cabello, Bs. 5; Villa de Cura, Bs. 3; San Felipe, Bs. 6; Bar
quisimeto, Bs. 8; Acarigua, Bs. 11; Valera, Bs. 15; Trujillo, Bs.
16; Maracaibo, Bs. 29; and Ciudad Bolivar, Bs. 30.
COMMUNICATION
Telegraph, Cable, Radio, and Telephone.—The Government-
operated telegraph service covers all the important centers
through a chain of 300 stations. Rates are Bs. 1 for the first 10
words, and Bs. 0.25 for each additional 5 words or fraction
thereof.
All America Cables, Inc., operates a cable service between La
Guaira and Maracaibo and an international service with the
United States. An international (Government) radio service is
also available.
Telephone systems operate in and between the principal cities,
and long-distance service with the United States is also available.
Postage.—The first-class letter rate from the United States to
Venezuela is 3 cents per ounce or fraction thereof; from Vene
zuela to the United States, Bs. 0.25 if not exceeding 20 grams in
weight, and Bs. 0.15 for each additional 20 grams or fraction
thereof. Air-mail rates to the United States are :
VENEZUELA 143
Bolivares
From 1 to 5 grams 0. 70
The rates continue on a sliding scale in series of 5 grams up to
260 grams.
Parcel-post rate to the United States (maximum weight per
parcel, 5 kilograms) is Bs. 6 for each parcel, irrespective of
weight.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Entry Deposit.—Aliens entering Venezuela, unless specifically
exempted, are subject to the payment of a deposit of Bs. 500,
payable in Venezuelan currency. This deposit is refunded upon
departure, or after 1 year's time upon establishment of a
domicile in the country.
Necessary Documents.—The following documents are required
on entering Venezuela :
1. A passport, visaed by the Venezuelan consul or consulate
agent at port of departure. ( Visa fee, Bs. 10, paid upon arrival
at Venezuela.)
2. A smallpox vaccination certificate, not older than 7 years,
visaed by a Venezuelan consular official.
3. A certificate of identity.
4. A health certificate.
5. A certificate of good conduct.
Fees.—A fee of Bs. 2 is collected for each piece of baggage
brought into the country. There is also a payment of Bs. 2 in
fiscal stamps. When leaving the country, travelers must obtain
a visa from the prefectura, or police. Departure fees are :
Bs. 2 on the passport visa ; Bs. 2 per piece of luggage ; and Bs. 2
for an embarkation permit.
ARRIVAL
Salesmen's Samples.—According to the Venezuelan Customs
Tariff, the following articles are considered to be samples :
Pieces or parts of any article, valueless or having an insignificant
value and in quantities strictly necessary for showing the na
ture, kind, and quality of the goods. Textile samples are deemed
to be valueless when imported in one single specimen of dimen
sions not exceeding those which are strictly necessary in order
to form a judgment of the goods, and which may not be used
for making up neckties or other articles. The following are
also deemed to be samples : The three specimens or samples of
pharmaceutical specialties or biological products destined to the
Ministry of Health and Public Welfare on application for a sales
permit ; pharmaceutical products, destined exclusively for com
mercial advertising, in containers having a limited content and
which in no circumstances shall exceed 50 cubic centimeters,

and providing the container is not the same content as sold to
the public. These samples must have the phrase "Muestra
Gratis" (Free Sample) printed over the text of the label. Such
samples exceeding 25 kilograms in quantity shall be dutiable
under class 3, Bs. 0.20 per gross kilogram. Chapter XI of the
Customs Law provides that samples of commercial value may
be introduced into the country without previous payment of
duties if the traveler provides satisfactory bond, but they must
be reexported within 1 year. Samples may be introduced under
consular invoice or in the baggage of passengers, and may be
reexported through any customhouse of the Republic.
Baggage.—Passengers and baggage are landed prior to cargo,
and the baggage is taken to the customhouse for inspection.
Baggage may include wearing apparel, professional instruments,
furniture, vehicles, and other effects which are for the personal
use of the passenger. Furniture and vehicles are subject to duty,
but a reduction is allowed on used articles proportionate to the
use they have had. Unused effects brought in as baggage are
classified in accordance with the customs tariff, and, in addition,
pay a surcharge of 20 percent. Unused effects not considered
as baggage pay a 50-percent surcharge. When the duty on
unused effects brought as baggage by a passenger exceeds Bs. 500,
the amount will be subject to 25-percent surcharge. Baggage
brought by passengers from the colonial West Indian islands
and the Guianas are subject to other regulations. Employees
who examine baggage are entitled to 25 percent of the duties
and fines imposed, and are therefore quite diligent. Fines are
very high. The following specific articles may be introduced
free of duty by passengers : A portable typewriter, 100 sheets
of paper and corresponding envelopes and copy sheet; a photo
graphic or cinematographic camera and 12 rolls of unexposed
films ; 25 books ; sporting goods for the exclusive use of the
passenger ; and noncommercial photographs and photoengravings.
Advertising Matter.—Catalogs are admitted free of duty.
Advertising on cardboard is dutiable at Bs. 0.16 per gross kilo
gram, and on paper, Bs. 1.20 per gross kilogram. Calendars,
with or without pictures, are dutiable at Bs. 2 per gross kilogram.
Shipping Documents.—On freight shipments the following are
required : Six copies of the consular invoice ; two copies of
the certificate of origin, duly signed by the shipper and his
chamber of commerce ; and the original bill of lading. Sanitary
and health certificates are required in specific instances. Parcel-
post shipments require no consular invoice, and the country of
origin may be shown on forms or tags furnished by the post
office. For air express aii airway bill in quadruplicate is re
quired, and proof of origin, signed by the chamber of commerce,
should be submitted in duplicate to the consulate, and, when
legalized, forwarded to the consignee. Air-express shipments
should be accompanied by four copies of a special declaration in
VENEZUELA 145
Spanish. Three copies of U. S. Shippers' Export Declaration are

required on all shipments.
Caution.—"To Order" bills of lading are strictly prohibited.
Complete protection is not given the shipper, as it is possible
for consignee to withdraw the goods without having accepted or
paid the draft. To protect themselves in cases where they are
not sure of the standing of the purchaser, shippers consign the
goods to a customs broker to be turned over to the consignee
when the bank advises that the shipper's instructions regarding
the documents have been complied with.
Salesmen's Taxes.—No officially certified papers, licenses, war
rants, or permits are required to do business in Venezuela.
SALES TERRITORIES
There are three principal sales areas in Venezuela: namely,
(1) the Caracas area, comprising the north central portion
of the country; (2) the Maracaibo area, covering the State of
Zulia, the Andean States of Merida, Tachira, Trujillo, and part
of the State of Falcon ; and (3) an area which centers at Ciudad
Bolivar and serves the Venezuelan Guiana and the vast inland
llano region. Approximately 85 percent of total Venezuelan im
ports enter through the ports of La Guaira (the port serving
Caracas), Maracaibo, and Ciudad Bolivar.
Caracas.—In Caracas, financial and commercial center of
Venezuela, are located the main offices of the national and foreign
banks and the largest commercial houses, many of which main
tain branches in the other business centers of the country.
Wholesale importers and distributors in Caracas cover the entire
country by means of branch offices, stores, and traveling sales
men. A fairly good highway connects Caracas with Barquisi-
meto, passing through the important cities of Maracay and
Valencia. A branch road connects this highway with Puerto
Cabello.
Maracaibo.—Maracaibo, commercial center of the western
part of the country, owes its importance to the petroleum in
dustry which has developed on the periphery of Lake Mara
caibo and to the lack of adequate highway or railway trans
portation between Caracas and the western States.
Ciudad Bolivar.—During the rainy season Ciudad Bolivar
can be reached from Caracas only (a) by airplane, or (6) by a
long boat trip via Trinidad and thence up the Orinoco, or (c)
by coastwise and river vessels. This is the least developed
region of Venezuela, but it contains the gold and diamond mines
and is the source of the country's exports of forest products.
TRAVEL ROUTES
Travelers who include Venezuela on a tour of other Latin
American Republics usually enter at La Guaira or Maracaibo,
14G
depending upon which region of South America is to be covered

or whether Venezuela is the first or last country of call. Trav
elers who have visited Central America or the west coast of
South America usually enter Maracaibo and, after covering the
country, sail from La Guaira either for the United States or for
Trinidad, where they can make connections for visiting the
east coast. Travelers making Venezuela the first call enter at
La Guaira, and after covering the country, depart from Mara
caibo for Panama, from which point they can continue on to
Central America or the west coast of South America, or leave
again from La Guaira for Trinidad and the east coast.
Salesmen usually cover at least Caracas and Maracaibo. If
they want a thorough coverage, they usually take the Trans-
Andean Highway, visiting all cities between La Guaira and
Cucuta, Colombia, with side trips to Puerto Cabello and Mara
caibo. However, the Trans-Andean Highway from Barquisimeto
to Cucuta, a distance of about 750 kilometers, is quite bad
during the rainy season and is not recommended as a route
of travel. A still more thorough itinerary would include a
trip from La Guaira to Cumnna and Carupano, thence to Trini
dad, or Cristobal Colon, and by river steamer or barge up the
Orinoco to Ciudad Bolivar, or even beyond to San Fernando do
Apure. Travelers wishing to cover only the Ciudad Bolivar
area should proceed directly to Trinidad for the trip up the
Orinoco. Curacao and Trinidad may be included in trips to
Venezuela.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—The seasons in Venezuela are fairly
uniform, and business is conducted throughout the year. During
June and July, however, business slackens, particularly in the
dry-goods trade, as inventories are taken at that period. For
agricultural and other farm equipment, the best selling time is
after the coffee-crop harvest in December, January, and the
first half of February. Holiday orders are usually placed during
September and October. The best visiting time for a traveler is
usually March, April, and May, or August, September, and
October.
Clothing.—In Caracas, summer clothing or tropical worsteds
are used during the day the year round except in the winter
months. For evening, light woolens are advisable in summer
and heavier woolens in the winter, when a topcoat may also
sometimes be comfortable. Because of the daily variation in
temperature, changes in clothing may be necessary. This is
applicable to all other centers located 3,000 feet or more above
sea level. In Maracaibo, Ciudad Bolivar, and other centers situ
ated near sea level, tropical clothes are always worn. A rain
coat is advisable, particularly in the rainy season. Travelers'
lightweight baggage is recommended, especially if the itinerary
includes side trips by airplane or automobile.
VENEZUELA 147
Hotels.—Hotel rates are high and the service not always sat
isfactory, particularly in the interior. The better hotels in
Caracas—the Majestic, the Palace, and the Guimera—charge
Bs. 25 and up (daily rate per person) for a room with bath and
meals ; no reduction for two persons in one room. At second-
rate hotels and pensions the daily rate is from Bs. 15 to Bs. 20
per person. Daily rates at the Hotel Scandia, often patronized
by American travelers, are Bs. 18 and up for room and meals,
without private bath.
Holidays.—Venezuelan holidays are : January 1, New Year's
Day; January 6, Epiphany; Carnival Monday, half day; Shrove
Tuesday ; March 19, St. Joseph ; Holy Thursday ; Good Friday ;
April 10, first movement for independence ; Ascension Day ;
Corpus Christi ; June 24, Battle of Carabobo ; June 29, St. Peter
and St. Paul ; July 5, Venezuelan Independence Day ; July 24,
Bolivar's Birthday; August 15, Assumption Day; October 12,
Columbus Day ; November 1, All Saints' Day ; December 9, Im
maculate Conception ; December 25, Christmas. Occasionally
other holidays are decreed.
CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE
Currency.—The bolivar of 100 centimos, based on gold, is
the monetary unit of Venezuela. The bolivar has a nominal
value of $0,193. There are gold coins of 100, 20, and 10 bolivares,
although few are in circulation ; silver coins are 5, 2, and 1
bolivar, and 50 and 25 centimo pieces ; nickel coins are of 12%
and 5 centimo values. The Government does not issue paper
currency. The paper currency is issued by six authorized banks,
the notes being in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and
1,000 bolivares.
Exchange.—Since April 1937, the exchange value of the
bolivar has been fixed at 3.17 buying and 3.19 selling, to the
dollar. Foreign exchange has been sufficiently plentiful to meet
commercial requirements. (Current information on exchange
can be obtained from the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Com
merce, Washington, D. C, or from its District Offices.)
Banking Facilities.—The Banco de Venezuela, of Caracas, cor
respondent of the Guaranty Trust Co. of New York, has branches
or agencies in every important city of the interior. The National
City Bank of New York and the Royal Bank of Canada have
branches in Caracas. All of these institutions offer banking
facilities for American exporters and travelers.
BARCELONA.—Capital of State of Anzoategui; altitude, sea
level ; population, 12,856. Situated on west bank of Neveri
River, 3 miles from ocean ; 12 miles from Guanta ; 155 miles
from Caracas ; 62 miles from Cumaua. Average temperature,
148 , COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS' GUIDE
81° F. Products: Cattle, petroleum, coal, coffee, sugar, cacao.

How Reached.—Connected by railway with Government-
owned coal mines of Naricual and with the port of Guanta.
Reached from La Guaira by steamers calling at Guanta and by
air from Maracay.
Bank.—Banco de Venezuela (agency).
Hotels.—Central ; Nacional.
BAROUISIMETO.—Capital of State of Lara; altitude, 1,857
feet ; population, 36,429 ; 224 miles from Caracas, 97 miles from
Puerto Cabello. Temperature averages 77° F. Principal prod
ucts : Coffee, sugarcane, maize, wheat, and goatskins.
How Reached.—From Caracas, by air and automobile high
way.
Bank.—Banco de Venezuela (branch).
Hotels.—Central ; Perez Correa ; San Jose ; Universal.
CARACAS.—Capital of Republic ; altitude, 3,025 feet ; popula
tion, 203,342. Although it is in the Tropics, Caracas has spring
like weather, due to its situation and altitude ; temperature aver
ages 71° F. December to April are the driest months, and July,
September, and October are the wettest. Principal products:
Coffee, cacao, sugarcane, tobacco. Principal industries : textile
mills, cement plant, alcoholic-beverage plants, cigarette and cigar
factories, tanneries, shoe and clothing factories.
How Reached.—Reached from all commercial centers by air,
also by rail, steamer, or highway from many points. Connected
with La Guaira, principal port, and with Maracay, starting point
of the domestic air company, by excellent concrete roads and by
railway.
Banks.—National City Bank of New York (branch) ; Royal
Bank of Canada ; Banco de Venezuela ; Banco Caracas ; Banco
Holandes Unido ; Banco Venezolano de Credito ; Banco Industrial
de Venezuela ; Banco Mercantil y Agricola ; Bank of London and
South America, Ltd. ; Banco Aleman Antioqueno.
Hotels.—Majestic ; Palace ; Guimera ; Royal ; Domke ; Mel
rose.
Note.—Caracas, capital of the Republic of Venezuela, is an
attractive, picturesque city, and is the country's most important
commercial and financial center. Here are located the chief
wholesale importers and other commercial houses, some of which
maintain branches in other cities of the Republic. From Caracas
practically the entire country is covered by traveling representa
tives, and business is done with even such distant places as
Trujillo, Merida, and San Cristobal, which are really tributary
to Maracaibo. A single agency for covering all of Venezuela
can best be located in Caracas. Seat of American embassy.
CARUPANO.—State of Sucre; population, 30,153; altitude,
23 feet. On Caribbean Sea ; landing, open roadstead. Tempera
ture averages 81° F. Principal products : Cacao, tobacco.
How Reached.—From Caracas and Maracaibo by steamers or
by air.
VENEZUELA 149
CITJDAD BOLIVAR.—Capital of State of Bolivar; population,

25,134; altitude, 125 feet. Situated on right bank of Orinoco
River, 262 miles from its mouth. Vessels lie alongside quays.
Distances : 590 miles from Caracas ; 300 miles from Port of
Spain, Trinidad. Climate, tropical (region of plains) ; tempera
ture averages 84° F. Principal products : Gold, diamonds, balata,
chicle, cattle, tonka beans, alligator hides, woods.
How Reached.—From Puerto Cabello, La Guaira, and Trini
dad, by local steamers ; from Caracas, by highway and airplane.
Bank.—Banco de Venezuela (branch).
Hotels.—Bolivar ; Cyrnos.
CtrMANA —Capital of State of Sucre; population, 21,623;
altitude, 56 feet. Located on both banks of Manzanares River,
less than a mile from Puerto Sucre, with which it is connected
by tramway. Vessels lie alongside wharf. Distance from
Caracas, 248 miles ; from Barcelona, 62 miles ; and 2 miles from
the sea. Temperature averages 80° F. Principal products :
Cacao, tobacco, fish.
How Reached.—From La Guaira and Carupano, by steamer;
from Caracas, by air.
Hotel.,—Sucre.
LA GUAIRA.—Department of Vargas, Federal District;
population, 9,717. Average temperature, 82° F. On Caribbean
Sea ; port of entry for Caracas. Good piers, now being greatly
enlarged ; vessels lie alongside. Distances : 65 miles from
Puerto Cabello ; 23 miles from Caracas by rail. Principal activ
ity, shipping.
How Reached.—From Caracas, by railway and by automo
bile, 1 hour; from Puerto Cabello, Maracaibo, and many other
ports, by steamer.
Banks.—Agencies for all Caracas banks.
Hotels.—Miramar (at Macuto) ; Alemania (at Macuto).
Travelers who find it necessary to spend more than one day at
La Guaira go to the hotels at Macuto, a nearby seaside resort.
Note.—La Guaira is the chief port of entry in Venezuela.
Practically all of the business, both export and import, of the
central part of the Republic passes through it. To most sales
men it is of interest merely as the entrepot for Caracas. The
majority of the important business houses are branches of Cara
cas firms. American vice consul stationed at La Guaira.
MARACAIBO.—Capital of State of Zulia; altitude, 30 feet;
population, 110,010. Landing, from steamer to wharf ; distance
572 miles from Caracas. Maracaibo is the hottest large city in
Venezuela ; average temperature, 86° F. ; the warmest months,
July, August, and September. There is generally a sea breeze
from 3 p. m. until the following morning. Principal products :
Petroleum, coffee, cacao, sugar, dairy products, woods.
How Reached.—From Caracas, by steamer, highway, and air.
Banks.—Banco de Venezuela ; Royal Bank of Canada ; Banco
de Maracaibo ; Banco Commercial de Maracaibo ; Banco Vene-

zolano de Credito.
Hotels.—America ; Franklin ; Granada ; Scandia ; Victoria.
Note.—Maracaibo, second city of the Republic in importance,
is known chiefly for petroleum production and exportation. An
active trade is carried on by steamers which ply between Mara
caibo, La Ceiba, and Encontrados. Many large wholesale im
porting and exporting firms are located in Maracaibo, and it is
often chosen as a place in which to establish an agency or sub-
agency, with the principal office located in Caracas. Maracaibo
is the distributing point for the States of Merida, Tachira, Tru-
jillo, Zulia, and the Department of Santander del Norte in Colom
bia. American consul in residence. About 50 percent of the
Venezuelan exports of coffee pass through the port of Maracaibo.
Some cotton is raised in the region lying on the eastern side of
the lake.
Lake Maracaibo extends inland from the Gulf of Venezuela
on the Caribbean Sea for a distance of approximately 132 miles.
Its maximum width east and west is 57 miles. The region covers
about 17,000 square miles ; the lake itself, 4,800 square miles.
The lake is actually a large, shallow, inland gulf, or bay, con
nected with the sea by four channels, of which the largest is
called San Carlos, generally designated the "Barra de Mara
caibo." This bar is approximately 2 miles wide ; the current
through it is at a velocity of 5 to 6 miles an hour and the water
depth is only 13 feet, preventing the passage of craft drawing
more than 11 feet. Plans for the removal of this bar are now
under way.
MARACAY.—Capital of State of Aragua ; population, 29,759 ;
altitude, 1,400 feet. Distances : 66 miles from Caracas ; 29 miles
from Valencia ; 60 miles from Puerto Cabello. Average tem
perature, 84° F. Products: Cattle, coffee, cacao. Industries:
Agriculture, cattle raising, dairying, meat packing, manufactur
ing textiles and paper.
How Reached.—From Caracas, by railway and concrete high
way. Planes leave Maracay every day for the most important
commercial centers in Venezuela.
Hotels.—Jardin ; Maracay.
MARGARITA ISLAND.—Forms the State of Nueva Esparta ;
situated off the north coast; area, 444 square miles (42 miles
long, 19 miles wide) ; population, 73,375. The island is visited
by steamers and sailing vessels from near-by ports, and is
reached from Carcacas by steamers and by air. Principal prod
ucts : Fish, pearls, and dates. The chief industry is pearl fish
ing; exportation of pearls to Europe is important.
Cities.—La Asuncion, the capital has a population of 4,655.
Porlamar, the chief port and commercial center, has a popula
tion of 9,890. Several houses in Porlamar import direct from
the United States.
VENEZUELA 151
Bank.—Banco de Venezuela (agency), in Porlamar.

Hotels.— (In Porlamar) Porlamar and Nuevo.
PUERTO CABELLO.—State of Carabobo ; population, 22,213.
Situated on shores of Mar de la Antillas, 65 miles west from La
Guaira ; 127 miles from Caracas ; 31 miles from Valencia.
How Reached.—Puerto Cabello has an excellent harbor, which
is visited by a number of steamship lines, and there is good
communication with the rest of Venezuela ; also has a drydock
shipyard. Good highways connect Puerto Cabello with Valencia,
Maracay, Caracas, and La Guaira, and with San Felipe, in the
State of Yaracuy. Reached from Caracas by highway and
railway.
Hotels.—Hotel de los Banos; America; Universal.
SAN CRISTOBAL.—Capital of State of Tachira ; population,
21,874 ; altitude, 2,707 feet. Distances : 665 miles from Caracas ;
34 miles from the Colombian border ; 108 miles from Encon-
trados ; 22 miles from San Antonio, which is near the railroad
from Cucuta to Puerto Villamizar. Average temperature, 72°
F. Products: Coffee; wheat; cattle.
How Reached.—By automobile from San Felix, which is on the
railroad from Econtrados ; from Caracas, by highway.
Hotels.—Central ; America.
Note.—San Cristobal is a town of some importance, being
particularly well situated in respect to traffic from the western
llanos to Zulia or Colombia.
SAN FERNANDO.—Capital of State of Apure; population,
7,972; altitude, 239 feet. On south bank of Apure River, near
mouth of Portuguesa River ; port of call for steamers on Orinoco
and Apure Rivers. Average temperature, 86° F. Products :
Cattle ; alligator hides.
How Reached.—By steamer, via Orinoco and Apure Rivers ;
regular service with Ciudad Bolivar. From Caracas, by air
and (during dry season) by highway.
VALENCIA.—Capital of State of Carabobo ; third largest city
in Venezuela ; population, 49,214 ; altitude, 1,568 feet. Situated
on west bank of Cabriales, 3 miles from its mouth, near Lake
Valencia ; 96 miles from Caracas ; 31 miles from Puerto Cabello ;
129 miles from Barquisimeto. Average temperature, 82° F.
Principal products : Coffee, cacao, sugar. Industries : Hat fac
tories, tanneries, cotton mills, sawmills, cigarette factories, sugar
mills, cattle raising.
How Reached.—From Caracas and Puerto Cabello, by high
way and railroad.
Banks.—Banco de Venezuela (branch) ; Banco Mercantil y
Agricola (branch).
Hotels.—Juana de Arco ; Central ; Ottolina ; San Cristobal ;
Aleman.
THE GUIANAS
BRITISH GUIANA
British Guiana, only British Colony in South America, is
located in the northeastern part of the continent on the Atlantic
Ocean, with Surinam on the east, Brazil on the south and west,
and Venezuela on the west. Its area, 89,480 square miles, ex
ceeds that of England, Scotland, and Wales, combined; coast
line, 270 miles. Population is estimated at about 305,000, or ap
proximately 3.5 inhabitants per square mile.
Topography and Climate.—British Guiana can be divided
roughly into three regions: (a) The flat, swampy coastal lands,
from 10 to 40 miles wide; (B) a region of undulating land,
slightly higher, consisting in some places of sand dunes, and in
others of heavily timbered sections ; (c) an area, by far the
largest and most elevated portion of the country, lying to the
south of the other two regions and having several mountain
ranges and extensive savannas. Portions of this third area are
heavily wooded, and various minerals are also known to be
present. Its resources have never been fully explored and are
largely undeveloped.
The average annual temperature of Georgetown is 80° F., and
monthly averages range from 78.9° F. in February to 81.2° in
September and October. A secondary average maximum temper
ature, 80.2° F. occurs in April and May. Rainfall is heavy
throughout the year. Two maxima occur—one of 11.87 inches
in June and another of 11.75 inches in December. The driest
months are September and October, when the precipitation is 3.1
and 2.5 inches, respectively.
POPULATION AND INDUSTRY
The population of approximately 305,000 is composed of about
3,000 north Europeans, 8,500 Portuguese, 128,000 East Indians,
122,000 Negroes, 9,000 aborigines, and about 34,500 persons of
mixed race. The language of the country is English.
The chief crop of British Guiana is sugar, in which there is
a large export trade, as well as in its byproducts, molasses and
rum. A considerable amount of rice is grown. Other products
are cacao, coconuts, copra, coffee, and citrus fruits. The forests
152
GUIANA 153
of British Guiana contain dyewood and hardwoods of various

kinds. An important product is balata, the export of which has
increased materially. The chief mineral products are gold,
diamonds, and bauxite ; bauxite is becoming increasingly im
portant. Grazing is carried on in the interior. Cattle, goats,
and sheep are raised.
Manufacturing.—Manufacturing industries consist of a
match factory, a shoe factory, an edible-oil factory, a meat plant,
and a few sawmills, foundries, and machine shops.
Principal Exports.—The principal exports, in order of im
portance, are sugar, bauxite, gold, rice, rum, diamonds, molasses,
and balata. By value, 6 percent of total exports were taken by
the United States in 1937 and 4 percent in 1938.
Steamship Services.—British Guiana can be reached from the
United States both by steamship and by airplane. The Canadian
National Steamship Line provides fortnightly sailings from
Canada and Boston ; the Royal Netherlands Steamship Co. has
a service about every 20 days from New York ; and the Alumi
num Line operates freight and passenger service between George
town (British Guiana), Trinidad, and New Orleans, about every
10 days. The Harrison Line (British) provides service with
London, via Trinidad.
Internal Communications—Georgetown, the capital, being the
only important commercial center in the Colony, internal com
munications are not of great interest to the commercial traveler.
A Government railway is operated along the east coast and areas
adjacent to Georgetown, and a system of roads covers the same
area. Internal communication is maintained by boats on the
rivers, by foot over mountain trails, and by chartered airplanes.
The latter method, the only one suitable for commercial travel
ers, is expensive (Georgetown to Rupununi gold fields, $500
round trip).
Air Service.—Pan American Airways operates planes once a
week from Miami to Georgetown, and more frequently to Port-
of-Spain, Trinidad. The same company provides service on
down the South American coast from Georgetown, with stops in
Surinam (Netherlands Guiana) and French Guiana, and at the
northern ports of Brazil.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Visas are not required at the present time by American citizens
entering British Guiana. Temporary visitors in possession of
return-trip tickets are not required to obtain passports; all
others must have passports, and may be called on to post a
bond of $250. Passports are useful for identification purposes ;
steamship companies usually will not accept American citizens

for passage to the United States without definite proof of citi
zenship.
ARRIVAL
Samples.—No duty is levied on the personal effects of tem
porary visitors, nor on samples, except those of commercial value.
Samples of commercial value may be imported under bond for a
limited period. Advertising matter without commercial value is
admitted free of duty, but is subject to 3-percent bill-of-entry tax.
No license is collected from commercial travelers.
SALES METHODS
The only city generally visited by traveling salesmen is the
capital, Georgetown, where are located the principal wholesale
houses ; these distribute to the interior and supply the small
dealers. A number of retailers also customarily import direct,
both from the United States and from Europe. If necessary, the
traveler can visit Berbice (New Amsterdam), which is but a
short distance from Georgetown and easily reached by railroad.
The West Indies Year Book contains much useful information
concerning this area.
If it is desirable to establish an agency, Georgetown is a satis
factory location. From Georgetown the traveler can also ar
range to visit Surinam (Netherlands Guiana) by steamship or
airplane. Occasionally French Guiana is included in the terri
tory of the agent in Georgetown. If the amount of business
warrants it, more satisfactory results can be obtained by the
appointment of an agent in the principal city of each of these
three Colonies.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—The climate of British Guiana varies
little throughout the year, but the best weather is in the months
of November to January.
Clothing.—Light clothing is suitable throughout the year,
and a lightweight but waterproof raincoat will be found useful.
Packing.—Packing must be adequate for frequent rough han
dling and exposure to heat and dampness.
Hotels.—The only two available hotels are the Park Hotel
and Tower Hotel, both in Georgetown.
Holidays.—The holidays usually observed are : New Tear's
Day ; Easter Bank Holiday, Easter Monday ; Empire Day, May
24 ; Whitmonday (May 29 in 1939) ; King's Birthday, June 8 ;
August Bank Holiday, first Monday in August ; Christmas, De
cember 25 ; Boxing Day, December 26.
Currency and Banks.—The currency of the Colony is the Brit
ish Guiana dollar, fixed to the pound sterling at $4.80. Banks
are Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial, and Overseas) and the
Royal Bank of Canada.
GUIANA 155

Georgetown.—Capital of the Colony; population, 70,000.
Situated just within mouth of Demerara River ; landing, along
side wharf. Distances : From Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana, 214
miles; from New Amsterdam, 70 miles; from Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad, 363 miles ; from Cayenne, French Guiana, 395 miles ;
from Barbados, 385 nautical miles. Principal products : Agri
cultural (sugar and rice) ; balata, greenheart, and other timber ;
coconuts ; bauxite, gold, and diamonds. Industries : Mining ;
tropical agriculture. American consul in residence.
How Reached.—From the United States, by steamer and air
plane; from Trinidad and Netherlands Guiana, by steamship
and airplane .
Hotels.—Park; Tower.
Banks.—Royal Bank of Canada; Barclays Bank (Dominion,
Colonial, and Overseas).
Note.—Georgetown is the principal city of British Guiana,
and agencies may properly be established here. A number of
important commercial firms do both a wholesale and a general
importing business. The surrounding territory is canvassed by
representatives of these firms. Several mining companies have
their offices in Georgetown. This city is often canvassed in
connection with Trinidad.
202S36—40 11
FRENCH GUIANA
French Guiana, the only French possession in South America,
is bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east and
south by Brazil, on the west by Netherlands Guiana. The area
is about 32,000 square miles, or one-third that of France.
Population, 47,500, 4,500 of whom are deportees ; the remainder
comprises different races, including aborigines.
Topography.—The coast is a lowland, rising to savannas or
plains ; at about 50 miles inland the highlands commence. The
numerous ridges and low mountains of the area are broken by
many valleys and rivers. The interior is heavily forested.
Climate.—Tropical, with excessive rainfall. At Cayenne, the
capital, the average is 130 inches yearly. In the interior, rain
occurs on 160 to 175 days of the year. The temperature of
Cayenne varies little throughout the year ; the average is 79° F.
in January, about 80° in June, and 83° in September and Oc
tober. The long rainy reason extends from November, with 5
inches, through December, with about 11 inches, to July, with
7 inches. The maximum is about 22 inches in May. Slightly
more than 1 inch falls in September and October, respectively.

Agriculture.—Agriculture is not of great importance; chief
crops are sugar, coffee, and cacao. Bananas, sweetpotatoes,
manioc, tobacco, Indian corn, and vegetables are grown for local
consumption.
Timbering.—The forests are of great extent, but as yet hardly
touched, because of the lack of roads. The chief forest products
are rosewood, extract of rosewood, and balata gum. A fair
amount of hardwood is exported.
Mining.—The mineral resources are the most important. The
chief mines are those producing gold, worked principally by
convicts.
Cayenne can be reached from the United States by airplane
from Miami once a week; from Surinam (Netherlands Guiana),
by fortnightly sailings of the Surinam Navigation Co. ; from
Trinidad and Surinam, by the French Line ; and from points
in the West Indies, Georgetown (British Guiana), Paramaribo
156
GUIANA 157
(Surinam), and east-coast South American Republics, by planes
of Pan American Airways.
A coastwise steamship service calls at practically all the coast
towns of French Guiana, including the lie de Salut. Internal
communication is limited. There are no railways. A few roads
connect the capital with the centers of population in the interior.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Travelers' Documents and Samples.—No commercial travelers'
licenses are required. Passports, however, are necessary ; these
are also useful for identification purposes.
Samples.—Arrangements can be made for the importation of
samples under bond, which is canceled upon reexportation of
goods.
Holidays.—The population being largely Roman Catholic, the
feast days of the church are generally observed. In addition,
the following holidays are officially recognized : January 1, New
Tear's Day ; July 14, Fete Nationale (Fall of the Bastille) ;
December 25, Christmas.
Currency.—The currency of France is used in this Colony ;
bank notes and coins are of different design, but are similar to
those used in France.
COMMERCIAL CENTERS
CAYENNE.—Capital ; population, 12,500. Situated at mouth of
Cayenne River, on island of Cayenne. Steamers anchor close to
the town. Distant 260 nautical miles from Paramaribo, Nether
lands Guiana, and 395 miles from Georgetown, British Guiana.
Temperature average 80° F. Annual rainfall is at least 100
inches.
Principal Hotel.—Grand Hotel Verdun.
Bank.—Banque de la Guyane.
SURINAM (NETHERLANDS GUIANA)
Surinam, the only Netherlands possession in South America,
lies between French and British Guiana, with the Atlantic
Ocean on the north and Brazil on the south. The Corentyn
River separates it from British Guiana. Surinam has an area
of about 54,000 square miles and a population of about 171,000,
mostly British East Indians, Javanese, and Negroes.
Topography.—The low coastal region rises to savannas and
hills which cover most of the country's interior, where the forests
are practically impenetrable.
Climate.—The climate is tropical—hot and humid. Paramar
ibo, the capital, has an average temperature of about 80° F.
Temperatures range from about 78° F. in January, February,
and March, the coolest months, to approximately 82° for the
warmest months, September and October.
The rainfall is heavy throughout the year, with the exception
of September and October, when precipitation for each month
is less than 3 inches. The monthly precipitation from December
through July is more than 8 inches, except for February, which
has 7 inches. The annual total is more than 90 inches.
Agriculture.—Sugar is the most important crop; then follow
coffee, cacao, rice, and maize. Rum and molasses are also
produced.
Timbering.—There is some timber cutting, but the forests
require exploiting. Balata is produced.
Mining.—Mining is chiefly for gold, obtained largely from
placer mines. Bauxite, however, is the chief mineral product,
there being large deposits.
Steamship and Air Service.—Surinam can be reached both by
steamship and by airplane from the United States. The Royal
Netherlands Steamship Co. has sailings out of New York ap
proximately every 20 days for Paramaribo, with calls en route at
Curacao, Aruba, Maracaibo, Venezuelan ports, Trinidad, and
British Guiana.
The Aluminum Line (Norwegian) provides a steamship serv
ice from New Orleans fortnightly, with calls en route in the
Dominican Republic. Curacao, Puerto Cabello, and La Guaira.
158
GUIANA 159
Fortnightly service between Paramaribo and Georgetown, Brit

ish Guiana, and between Paramaribo and Cayenne, French
Guiana, is maintained by the Surinam Navigation Co. Para
maribo is a scheduled stop on the Pan American Airways twice-
weekly service to the east coast of South America. Local steam
ship service comprises weekly sailings from Paramaribo to
Nickerie and Georgetown, and about every 2 weeks from Para
maribo to Cattice, Albina, and other points. Sailing vessels
also ply from Paramaribo up the Surinam River and along the
coast to Nickerie.
Postage.—Rates for letters from the United States are 5 cents
for the first ounce and 3 cents for each additional ounce or
fraction thereof. There is also a parcel-post service between
the United States and Surinam.
ARRIVAL
Licenses.—No license is required except by those who deal in
liquors.
Samples.—Samples of no commercial value may be imported
without difficulty. Those subject to duty may be brought in if
security is given to guarantee their reexportation. Duties must
be paid on any part of the samples left in the country. The
customs authorities establish the period during which reex
portation must take place.
Baggage.—Owing to the humid climate, it is well to protect
luggage against damage from moisture.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
The only town of primary importance is the capital, Para
maribo, where are located the principal wholesale houses.
Trade naturally being limited, the wholesale business is not
on a large scale. Some retailers import direct. Certain firms
in Paramaribo also conduct a business in Georgetown, British
Guiana. Surinam is, in the main, quite undeveloped, although
the country possesses great natural wealth.
Agencies.—If a separate agency is desired, it may be satis
factorily established in Paramaribo, but some firms prefer to
grant the agency to a representative in Georgetown, who is ex
pected to cover British, Dutch, and French Guiana, in order to
obtain a larger volume of business. Periodic visits are made by
agents to Paramaribo and Cayenne, which can easily be reached
by local steamship service. When an agent has a number of
lines, as is usually the case, he is justified in remaining in each
of these cities a sufficient time to transact the necessary volume
of business.
Hotels.—Hotel rates in Paramaribo range from $3 to $5,
American plan, which is the plan usually followed.
1G0 COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS' GUIDE
Holidays.—The chief holidays of Surinam are: January 1,

New Year's Day ; August 31, Queen's Birthday ; December 25,
Christmas Day ; December 26, day after Christmas ; also Good
Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, and Whitmonday (mov
able dates).
Currency.—Based on Dutch guilder, or florin.
Packing.—Should be adequate for rough and frequent han
dling, and for hot and humid climate.
COMMERCIAL CENTERS
PARAMARIBO.—Capital of Surinam (Netherlands Guiana) ;
population, 38,191. Situated on west bank of Surinam Kiver, 10
miles from its mouth ; 214 miles from Georgetown, British
Guiana ; 2,338 nautical miles from New York. Vessels lie along
side wharf. Products : Balata, sugar, cacao. American consular
agent in residence.
Hotels.—Waller and Ganz (boarding house) ; Palace.
Bank.—Surinamische Bank. Paramaribo is the only entrepot
and port of export of Surinam.
ALBINA.—On west bank of Maroni River, opposite St. Lau
rent, French Guiana. Products : Lumber and gold. Fortnightly
steamers from Paramaribo.
CORONIE.—On northwest coast; population, 2,100. Cacao is
the chief product. Reached by steamer from Paramaribo or
Georgetown.
Nickerie.—Near mouth of Nickerie River; population, 6,225.
Products : Cacao and lumber. Weekly steamer service from
Paramaribo and Georgetown. Vessels lie alongside wharf.
WEST INDIES
BAHAMA ISLANDS
Area.—The Bahamas, an archipelago of 700 islands belonging
to Great Britain, lie east of Florida and northeast of Cuba. The
total surface area of the group, 25 islands of which are inhabited,
is 4,400 square miles.
Topography.—The soil of the Bahamas is white limestone
with a very thin layer of top soil; rich earth occurs only in
pockets. The surface is flat, the highest elevation in the group
being about 110 feet, on the island of New Providence. There
are running streams on the island of Andros only. Little forest
remains except on the islands of Abaco, Grand Bahama, and
Andros, where there are fairly extensive growths of pine ; Andros
has some mahogany and other hardwoods.
Climate.—The islands as a whole lie outside the Tropics and
close to the Gulf Stream. Climatic conditions at Nassau, a
popular winter tourist resort, may be accepted as typical for the
group. Average annual temperature there is 77° F. During the
hottest months, June to September, the temperature ranges
from 80° to about 82° F., while during the coolest months,
January and February, the average is less than 72° F. The
rainy season extends from April through November; average
annual precipitation, about 51 inches. The islands lie within
the hurricane belt. There is an absence of malaria and other
tropical diseases.
Population.—The estimated total population, as of January 1,
1937, was 65,900, of which about 85 percent are colored and
15 percent white. The latter are chiefly of British origin, but
there are a number of Greeks engaged in the sponge industry.
Wages.—Wages for unskilled labor are from 1 shilling 6
pence to 3 shillings a day ; for skilled labor, from 4 to 20 shillings
a day.
The winter tourist trade represents the principal source of
wealth in the Colony. In 1937 the total number of winter visitors
exceeded 60,000; they spent from $5 to $25,000 each. Local
merchants make large sales of alcoholic beverages and perfumes
to visitors. This trade accounts in a large measure for the great
excess of imports over visible exports. The chief local industry
is sponge fishing. Following in importance come tomato grow
ing, small-scale general agriculture, fishing, lumbering, and
trading.
161

Steamship Service.—The Munargo Line (formerly the Munson
Line) operates a fortnightly service from New York to Nassau,
thence to Miami and Habana ; return to Miami, Nassau, and
New York. Minimum fare from New York to Nassau, $50;
minimum round-trip fare, $80. The Munargo Line provides a
12-day all-expense cruise from New York to Habana and return
via Nassau and Miami at a minimum fare of $135. The Royal
Mail Line, Ltd., also serves the Bahamas.
Air Service.—Pan American Airioays operates a mail and pas
senger service between Miami and Nassau. From January to
May a daily service is operated, while during the remainder of
the year a triweekly service is maintained. Fare one way, $20:
round trip, $36. During the summer months the round-trip fare
is usually reduced to $29. The Bahamas Airways operates a
commercial service to Eleuthera, leaving Nassau every Wednes
day and returning the same day ; round-trip fare, $15.
Local Services.—The chief local means of transportation are by
motor or horse-drawn vehicles. The islands have a total of 400
miles of road which may be classified as suitable for motor
traffic ; of this total, 107 miles are on the island of New
Providence. There are no street cars or railways, but a bus
service has been inaugurated on the island of New Providence.
Outlying islands are reached by motorboat.
Communication.—There is a central wireless station at Nas
sau which provides communication with ships at sea and with
planes of the Pan American Airways in flight. Interisland
service on short wave is maintained between New Providence
and other islands.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The customs tariff of the Colony is designed for revenue rather
than for protection. In most cases the duty is reduced 50
percent on imports which are the produce or manufacture of
any part of the British Empire. Advertising matter and samples
without commercial value are free of duty, and the duty on
valuable samples may be refunded upon their exportation. A
license fee (license issued by the magistrate) of 5 shillings a
year is required of commercial travelers.
Visitors are permitted to enter the Colony for a period of 8
months, but are not permitted to engage in business. Persons
desiring to engage in business must apply to the Colonial Secre
tary for permission. There is no income tax or property tax
in the Bahamas.
WEST INDIES 163
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—The "season" in Nassau extends approxi
mately from January 15 to April 1. The climate is moderate,
and there are few cloudy days. Social life is active at this
time ; sports and amusements are offered in great variety. Prices
are at their peak during the season, and hotel costs are a difficult
problem for the average commercial traveler. Out of season
(May to December) the large hotels are closed, and accommo
dations are difficult to find. A few small hotels and cottages are
open and rates are fairly reasonable, but much higher than in
towns of the same size in the United States.
Clothing.—Men's tropical clothing may be obtained at mod
erate prices, but formal wear and medium-weight suits are not
very satisfactory. White dinner jackets or mess jackets are
usually worn in lieu of the usual black tuxedo.
Hotels.—Principal hotels (daily rates in parentheses) of the
Bahama Islands are : British Colonial, Nassau (from $12 up,
American plan) ; Fort Montagu Beach, Nassau (from $9 up,
American plan) ; Royal Victoria (from $8 up, American plan) ;
Prince George, Nassau (from $5 up, European plan) ; Lucerne,
Nassau (from $1.50 up, European plan) ; Charlotte (from $1.50
up, European plan).
Holidays.—The chief holidays (which are those usually ob
served in Great Britain) are : January 1, New Year's Day ; Good
Friday ; May 24, Empire Day ; June 9, King's Birthday ; August
4, Bank Holiday ; October 12, Columbus Day ; November 11,
Armistice Day; December 25, Christmas. Stores are closed at
noon on Fridays throughout the year, except in the winter tourist
season when a cruise vessel is in port ; in such case, they remain
open until 5 p. m.
Currency, Exchange, and Banking.—The currency system of
the Bahama Islands is that of the United Kingdom, and Bank
of England notes are legal tender, as well as the gold and silver
coins. American currency is accepted everywhere. Many prices
are stated in dollars, particularly during the tourist season.
The Royal Bank of Canada has a branch at Nassau. There is a
Government Savings Bank at Nassau.
COMMERCIAL CENTERS
NASSAU.—Capital and chief town of the Bahamas; popula
tion, about 20,000 ; on New Providence Island. The channel and
turning basin permit steamers of 25-foot draft to go alongside
Prince George's Wharf. Nassau is 145 nautical miles from
Miami, Fla., and 960 nautical miles from New York. Chief
industries : Preparation of sponges and sisal for export and
growing of tomatoes for winter market. Nassau owes its im
portance largely to its very pleasant climate, which makes it a

great pleasure resort. The business is chiefly retail trade of
fair volume.
ABACO ISLAND.—Distance of 116 miles from Nassau ; popula
tion, about 4,500. Principal industries : Lumbering, fishing, and
agriculture. Reached by schooner from Nassau.
ANDROS ISLAND.—Lies 20 nautical miles from New Provi
dence; reached by schooner from Nassau. Principal products
are sponges and pineapples.
BARBADOS
Area.—Barbados, most easterly of the Caribbean islands, is
in latitude 13°40' N. and longitude 59°37' W. Area, about 166
square miles; greatest length, 21 miles; and greatest width,
14 miles.
Topography.—A deep valley divides Barbados into two unequal
parts, the northern part being the larger. Near the center of
the northern half is Mt. Hillaby, 1,104 feet, highest point on
the island. Many of the island's numerous valleys are quite
fertile. Small streams are numerous, but none are navigable.
Climate.—Barbados has an equable climate—moderate tem
perature, with a constant breeze ; oppressive weather occurs only
in the summer and autumn. September to November are the
least agreeable months on the island, owing to heavy rainfalls
at that season.
Population.—The population of Barbados, nearly 200,000, is
largely (93 percent) Negro. Most of the European element is
English. The prevalence of low wages among the large Negro
population tends to keep purchasing power at a low level.
Chief Economic Activities.—All business in Barbados hinges
on the sugar crop. There are 33 important sugar factories and
more than twice as many smaller ones. Production of cotton,
which was formerly important, is now a secondary industry. An
increasing tourist trade reaches its height during the winter,
but maintains a fair level throughout the year.
Steamship Service.—The "Good Neighbor" ships have begun
calling at Barbados every other week on their south-bound trips
to the east coast of South America, stopping at nearby Trinidad.
The principal steamship lines calling regularly are as follows:
From the United States.—American Republics Lines ; Amer
ican Caribbean Line ; McCormick Steamship Co. (from San Fran
cisco) ; Aluminum Line (from New Orleans) ; Booth Line;
Canadian National Steamship Co. (from Boston) ; Furness Line's
Bermuda West Indies Steamship Co. ; Ocean Dominion Line ;
Canadian Transport Co. (from Canada).
From Europe.—Hamburg-American Line; Royal Netherland
Steamship Co. ; Harrison Line ; Compagnie Generale Trans-
atlantique.
165
Air Service.—The Dutch K. L. M. Line calls at Barbados

three times a week. Only the two principal runways of the
landing field at Barbados have been completed, but regular serv
ice has been started. This new service will be of value only in
connecting Barbados with Trinidad, although the planes usually
come from Curacao and return there via La Guaira. Pan Amer
ican Airways planes fly several times each week in both direc
tions between Trinidad and Miami.
Postage.—First-class letter rate is 5 cents to or from the
United States. South-bound air mail is 10 cents additional, but
north-bound air mail is 20 cents additional.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
No special registration of commercial travelers is required in
the Colony. Duty must be paid on samples, but this payment is
refunded when the samples are reshipped under customs super
vision. Commercial travelers may also have to pay the trade
tax, which is imposed on all persons doing business in the
Colony; and they must obtain a license, valid for 6 months, for
which the charge is 5 pounds sterling.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Directories and Guidebooks.—The West Indies Year Book
(published by Thomas Skinner of Canada, Ltd., Montreal) is an
authoritative directory for Barbados.
Best Visiting Time.—January to May, the dry months, are
most popular for visitors from the North. The only disagree
able season (owing to excessive rainfall and lack of trade winds)
is the early autumn.
Clothing.—Tropical-weight clothing is desirable the year
round. Sun helmets and white wear are not necessary.
Hotels.—The principal hotels, in the order named, are the
Marine, Ocean View, Windsor, Royal, Hastings, and Balmoral,
all of which are located in Hastings, about 2 miles from Bridge
town. The highest daily rate is about $7 (U. S. currency) per
person for room with bath, American plan, during the crowded
winter season. Summer rates are usually about half the winter
rates.
Holidays.—As Barbados is a British Colony, the holidays are
those of Great Britain. Those principally observed are : Janu
ary 1, New Year's Day ; Good Friday ; Easter Monday ; Whit-
monday ; Victoria Day, May 24 ; August 5 and October 6, Bank
Holidays ; Christmas, December 25.
Currency, Exchange, and Banking.—The English penny is
established at 2 cents Barbadian currency, the shilling at 24
cents Barbadian, and the pound sterling at $4.80 Barbadian.
Thus, Canadian and American dollars fluctuate in exchange
WEST INDIES 167
value, based on the London price. Three banks conduct busi

ness in Bridgetown: namely, Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colo
nial, and Overseas) ; Canadian Bank of Commerce ; Royal Bank
of Canada.
Bridgetown.—Only large town in Barbados. Together with
its immediate suburbs it has a population in excess of 50,000.
The climate is warm, rather than hot, owing to the almost con
stant trade winds. There is a good boat service ; a few taxicabs,
and numerous cars with chauffeurs, are available for hire.
BERMUDA ISLANDS
Area.—Bermuda, situated at latitude 32°14' to 32°23' N. and
longtitude 64°38' to 64°53' W. in the Atlantic Ocean, is 668
nautical miles southeast of New York. It is not a part of the
British West Indies. The Bermuda Islands are so closely bound
together as to constitute in effect a single island about 22 miles
in length, by road ; total area, slightly under 20 square miles.
Topography.—The surface is rolling, but there are no moun
tains, the highest point being only some 260 feet above sea level.
There are no lakes or rivers, and rain water is collected in
cisterns to furnish a fresh-water supply for drinking and other
use.
Climate.—The climate is subtropical; though cool in winter,
frosts are unknown. The average temperature ranges from ap
proximately 50° to 70° F. in winter and 70° to 90° F. in summer,
with high humidity, ample sunshine, and considerable wind.
Population and Purchasing Power.—The population is esti
mated at nearly 31,000 persons, three-fifths of whom are colored.
The language is English. The standard of living is about that
of a semiurban community in the United States. The purchas
ing power among the tourists (who visit the islands to the num
ber of 80,000 annually) is relatively high, that of the average
inhabitant modest, and that of the colored element low. The
market, though small, is healthy and well balanced. Practically
everything consumed, inclusive of food and clothing, must be
imported. The cost of living is high. There is no demand for
industrial supplies.
Chief Economic Activities.—Bermuda is almost entirely de
pendent on the tourist trade. Manufacturing is not important;
the only manufacture produced for export is a small amount of
natural-flower perfume. Agriculture, now a secondary activity,
furnishes practically all the exports, the value of which approxi
mates $160,000 and consists largely of potatoes, onions, kale,
Easter-lily bulbs, and tomatoes. Imports annually exceed
$10,000,000 in value, some 40 percent of which are from the
United States.
Transportation within the island is accomplished by carriage
($0.75 for % mile, $1 for 1 mile, $1.50 for 2 miles), by bicycle,
168
WEST INDIES 169
by ferry, or by train. The distance of 12 miles between Hamil

ton and St. George's requires about 50 minutes by train (first-
class fare, $0.60 to $1.20).
Steamship Service.—The only regular steamship services be
tween the United States and Bermuda, with their minimum
round-trip fares, are as follows :
One or two sailings a week between New York and Hamilton
by the large steamers of the Furnesg-Bermuda Line, $60 to $70.
Sailings once a week during the spring and summer between
New York and St. George's by the fast steamers of the Eastern
Steamship Line, $45. Sailings nearly every week between Bos
ton and Hamilton, Bermuda, by the cruise steamers of the
Canadian National Lines, $70. Other steamship lines touching
at Bermuda en route to Europe and South America are Pacific
Steam Navigation Co. ; Elders & Fyffes. Numerous large cruise
ships also stop periodically.
Air Service.—Air travel, New York to Hamilton, is main
tained four times a week by the planes of Pan American Airways
and Imperial Airways; round-trip fare, $110. (Baltimore is
also a port of call for the American planes.) The sea trip re
quires about 42 hours and the air trip 5.
Communication.—Bermuda is accessible by radiotelephone
($15 for 3 minutes and $5 for each additional minute), cable,
and air mail (10 cents per % ounce from the United States and
9d. from Bermuda). Ordinary postage is 5 cents an ounce.
ARRIVAL
No passport or visa is required of American citizens, but a
round-trip ticket or an outward-bound ticket to another desti
nation is required.
Samples.—Samples without commercial value are admitted
free; samples in general are admitted against a deposit, which
is refunded upon reexportation of the goods, from either Hamil
ton or St. George's.
Baggage.—Baggage consisting of wearing apparel and per
sonal effects, exclusive of goods intended for sale or not the
property of the accompanying passenger, may enter free of duty.
Advertising.—Advertising matter is admitted free only when
in book or booklet form. Single sheets, folders, and posters pay
12% percent.
Directories and Guidebooks.—Of value to the traveler are the
booklet "Bermuda," available at the Trade Development Board,
without charge, and Picturesque Bermuda—Bushell's Handbook
(very complete and revised yearly).
Taxes on Salesmen.—Commercial travelers must obtain a
license from the Board of Trade ; fee £10. There is no income
tax or other direct tax.
Sales Territories.—Bermuda is so small that it constitutes a
single sales territory.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Visiting Time.—Both the winter and the summer are popular
visiting times ; the Easter season is the most active. The best
climatic conditions should prevail in May and June and in
October to December.
Clothing.—In winter, light woolen clothing is desirable ; in
summer, white tropical attire is almost essential.
Hotels.—At Hamilton : Princess and Bermudiana ( both re
sort hotels) ; Hamilton, New Windsor, and American House (all
semicommercial ) . At St. George's : St. George. Out of town :
Belmont Manor ; Inverurie ; Elbow Beach ; Coral Island Club ;
Castle Harbor. In addition, there are many good guest houses.
Holidays.—These include Good Friday ; May 24 ; July 28 ; No
vember 11; the King's birthday (December 14) ; December 25th
and 26th ; and New Year's Day. Business houses close Thurs
day afternoons in summer ; some close on Thursdays throughout
the year.
Legal Time.—The official time is 1 hour in advance of Eastern
Standard Time (corresponds to "daylight saving" time in New
York).
Currency, Exchange, and Banking.—The currency unit is the
pound sterling; American dollars are freely accepted. Normal
dollar-pound exchange rates prevail. Banks : The Bank of N. T.
Butterfleld & Son, Ltd. ; The Bank of Bermuda, Ltd. ; a brokerage
business is conducted by Thatcher & Co.
HAMIETON.—Capital and principal city; estimated popula
tion, 4,000. The head offices of most large business houses are
in Hamilton, which is the chief port for freight as well as pas
senger traffic. Most business is retail, rather than wholesale,
and purchases in the United States are usually made direct
rather than through commission agents, except for such com
modities as food and feedstuffs. There is a chamber of com
merce. American consul in residence.
ST. GEORGE'S.—A small tourist town; has branches of the
Hamilton banks and principal shops ; also has some shops of its
own. Coaling station, and the second port of Bermuda. Ameri
can consular agency.
CUBA
AREA AND CLIMATE
Area.—Cuba, the largest and most important of the West
Indian islands, has an area of approximately 44,164 square
miles—about equal in size to the State of Pennsylvania. The
island is about 780 miles long, has an average width of 50 to
60 miles, and has a coastline of about 2,000 miles. Cuba is only
about 90 nautical miles from Key West, Fla., the nearest point
in the United States.
Climate.—Cuba's climate is semitropical, tempered by sea
breezes. At Habana, temperatures average 71° F. in January
and 81° in August. Temperatures at the eastern end of the
island are slightly higher. The warmer (rainy) season begins
about the middle of May and continues until the end of October ;
but even during this period the mornings are bright and clear
and the nights fairly pleasant. The cooler (dry) season begins
in November and continues until May.
Population.—The population of Cuba, according to official
estimates, was 4,215,199 as of June 30, 1938, divided by Provinces
as follows :
Pinar del Rio 363,654
Habana 1, 042, 709
Matanzas 362, 713
Santa Clara 868, 672
Camaguey 437, 720
Oriente 1, 139, 731
Total 4, 215, 199
The population of Habana and its immediate vicinity was
shown as 728,197. The number of families in Cuba was 755,979
on September 30, 1931 (the latest official estimate available),
the average family consisting of 5 members.
The majority of the people are of the white race, descendants
of Spanish colonial settlers and immigrants. Along the seacoasts
and in certain Provinces (Oriente, in particular) there are
many Negroes and mulattoes. Habana, the capital and by far
the most important commercial center, has a cosmopolitan popu
lation, including considerable numbers of Spaniards, West In
dians, Americans, Chinese, Central Europeans, and other
nationalities.
202836—40 12 171
Language.—The language is Spanish, although English is

widely understood except in the more isolated rural areas. A
knowledge of both languages is of great advantage in the busi
ness world, but many of the leading Cuban businessmen can
and will transact business in English if necessary.
Purchasing Power.—No statistics are available as to the dis
tribution of income by families or the purchasing power of the
various population groups. Based upon unofficial estimates, not
more than 3 percent of the population of Cuba can be classified
as wealthy. The upper middle-class comprises approximately
8 percent of the population ; the lower middle-class, 25 percent ;
and the poorer classes, 64 percent.
Business depression and consequent unemployment have se
verely affected the wage scale for common and skilled labor in
recent years. The Minimum Wage Law has forced a slight in
crease in wages paid to common labor, and since 1935 there has
been au upward tendency in general wage scales. The following
average daily rates of remuneration (based on 8-hour day) are
essentially correct for Habana and larger cities and towns as
of 1937.
Bricklayers $2.40- $3.00
Masons 2.40- 3.00
Laborers (male) 1.40- 1.80
Laborers, semiskilled 1.80- 2.40
Electricians 2.40- 3.00
Plumbers 2.40- 3.00
Carpenters 2.40- 3.00
Sugar-mill or field workers .80- 1.00
Painters 2.25- 3.00
Hodcarriers 1.40
Mechanics 2.40- 3.00
Tinsmiths 2.50- 3.00
Truckdrivers (per week) 18.00- 22.00
The following figures represent the approximate number of
persons in various employments: Agricultural, 682,000; general
commerce, 123,000 ; transportation, 58,000 ; government workers,
including armed services, 50,000 ; professions, 32,000 ; and mining,
2,000.
The average annual income of the poorer class is estimated at
$245, that of the middle class about $450, and of the well-to-do
group around $3,000. The average annual income for all groups
is about $395.
During 1937, 153,243 residential customers were connected in
on the electric supply lines of the island's principal power com
pany, which supplies an estimated 95 percent of the electrical
energy used. On December 31, 1938, there were 52,847 tele
phones in service throughout the island, and total registrations
of automotive vehicles were 44,199, of which 17,135 were pri
WEST INDIES 173
vately owned passenger automobiles. On the same date, ac

cording to rough estimates, there were about 175,000 radios
and 20,000 mechanical household refrigerators in use throughout
Cuba.
CHIEF ECONOMIC ACTIVTIES
Agriculture.—Although Cuba has during recent years made
substantial progress toward agricultural and industrial diversi
fication, the island is still dependent mainly upon sugar for its
prosperity. The volume and value of sugar exports are deter
mining factors in the economic trend, and are directly reflected
in imports and other commercial activities. During 1933, when
exports of sugar and molasses reached a low level of $61,000,000,
Cuba's imports aggregated only $42,000,000. Improved returns
from the sale of Cuban sugar in the United States market
(which purchases from 75 to 80 percent of all Cuban exports)
resulted from tariff concessions under the Reciprocal Trade
Agreement of 1934 between Cuba and the United States, and
from sugar legislation enacted in the United States in 1934 and
subsequent years. As a result, Cuban sugar and molasses ex
ports had in 1937 increased to about $146,000,000 and imports
to about $130,000,000. In 1938, however, when sugar prices
were somewhat lower, imports were roughly $23,500,000 below
those of the preceding year.
Although exports of Cuban tobacco and tobacco products have
been gradually declining during recent years, they nevertheless
totaled almost $15,000,000 in 1937, and exports of fresh fruits
and winter vegetables aggregated almost half that amount.
Agricultural diversification, stimulated by the protective-tariff
policy inaugurated in 1927, has made substantial progress, and
Cuba is now self-sufficient in a number of farm products, includ
ing coffee, corn, eggs, dairy products, and jerked beef, which
were formerly purchased abroad in substantial quantities.
Mining.—Mineral production consists mainly of iron, copper,
manganese, and chrome. Cuba estimatedly has one of the larg
est iron-ore reserves in the world. Exports of minerals (chiefly
the four just named) amounted to more than $7,000,000 in 1937.
The mining of gold is on the increase ; other ores mined include
silicious ore and barytes. Petroleum and natural naphtha are
produced in small quantities, but several foreign companies are
engaged in large-scale drilling operations in the hope of finding
oil in important quantities.
Manufacturing.—Although Cuba's principal industrial activ
ity is the manufacture of sugar, there are many secondary indus
tries on the island. Some of these—cigar making, cabinet,
making, distilling, brewing, confectionery manufacture, petro
leum refining, and paper making—have been established for
many years ; while others—including the spinning, weaving, and
knitting industries, meat packing, vegetable and fruit canning,
manufacture of tin and other containers, paint and varnish

manufacture—post-date the 1927 tariff.
Industrial development has been handicapped by a lack of
natural power resources. No coal is found on the island, and its
hydroelectric resources are extremely limited. Should explora
tions for petroleum lead to the production of oil on a large scale,
it would doubtlessly provide an important stimulus to further
industrial expansion.
TRANSPORTATION
Representatives visiting Cuba usually go directly to Habana,

the most important commercial center and distributing point,
through which more than 70 percent of Cuba's imports clear.
If other cities are to be visited, an itinerary may be easily
arranged.
STEAMSHIP SERVICE.—The Peninsular & Occidental Steam
ship Co. operates an overnight service from Miami to Habana.
During the winter months, from about December 15 to March 15,
this company operates a daily service from Miami to Habana
and return; during the remainder of the year sailings from
Miami are twice weekly. The Peninsular & Occidental also
offers year-round sailings, twice weekly, from Tampa, via Key
West, to Habana.
From New York.—Steamship service out of New York is fre
quent, several lines offering direct service between New York
and Habana. The New York & Cuba Mail Steamship Co. (Ward
Line) and the United Fruit Co. operate weekly services ; while
the Munargo Line (a United Fruit Co. subsidiary) operates a
fortnightly service via Nassau and Miami.
From New Orleans.—The United Fruit Co. operates a weekly
direct service from New Orleans to Habana, while the Vaccaro
Line (Standard Fruit & Steamship Co.) offers a weekly service
on its south-bound trip only.
Other Services.—The Lykes Bros.-Ripley Steamship Co. offers
approximate fortnightly sailings from Houston and Galveston
to Habana on their south-bound trip. The United Fruit Co.
offers weekly sailings from Boston to Habana ; this service, how
ever, is not on a definite schedule. Ships of the Panama-Pacific
Steamship Co. call weekly at Habana on the east-bound trip of
their coast-to-coast service ; while ships of the Grace Line call
at Habana every 3 weeks on the north-bound voyage of their
service between New York and the west coast of South America.
During the winter months, cruise ships touring the Caribbean,
or making a round-the-world cruise, frequently make Habana a
port of call ; and on these the traveler can often obtain passage
from New York to Cuba.
WEST INDIES 175
Several lines offer regular sailings from Habana to Mexico

and Central American countries and the Panama Canal Zone.
The United Fruit Co. boats also call at Santiago de Cuba en route
to Honduras and Guatemala, and the Pacific Steam & Navigation
Co. offers approximate monthly sailings from Habana to Kings
ton (Jamaica), Panama, and South America.
European lines operate regular services between Habana and
parts of Europe, Central America, and South America.
AIR SERVICE.—-Pan American Airways maintains daily
service between Miami and Habana. Several planes are op
erated daily during the tourist season ( from about December 15
to March 15).
In addition, Cuba is connected through the international serv
ice of Pan American Airways with other points of Latin
America by regularly scheduled flights as follows : Habana-
Mexico, weekly ; Habana-Central America, via Cristobal, twice
weekly; Habana-South America, via the Atlantic and the An
tilles, three times a week, and via the Pacific, twice weekly.
There is a connection with Jamaica three times a week. At
Antilla connection is made three times a week for Miami, and
also three times a week for Haiti, the Dominican Republic,
Puerto Rico, and the Atlantic coast of South America. At
Santiago de Cuba the line connects with the international service
for Jamaica once a week, and for Haiti, the Dominican Repub
lic, Puerto Rico, and South America once a week also. From
| Cienfuegos, connections are made three times a week for Ja
maica, and twice a week for Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, and
the Atlantic coast of South America, also twice a week for
Cristobal, Panama, and the Pacific coast of South America.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION.—Steamship Service.—The Isle of
Pines Steamship Co., in conjunction with the United Railways
of Habana, offers sailings from Batabano, Habana Province,
to Nueva Gerona, Isle of Pines, three times weekly (Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday). First-class through fare, one way,
$6.40; round trip, $10.23, good for 15 days. Train leaves Ha
bana at 7 : 25 p. m. and arrives at Batabano at 9 p. m. the same
day. Boats leave immediately upon arrival of train, arriving at
Nueva Gerona at about 7 the following morning. The through
boat-train fare includes stateroom on the boat.
The Empresa Naviera de Cuba, S. A. (Cia. Naviera de Cuba,
S. A.) offers frequent coastwise service sailings, calling at prac
tically every Cuban outport. Every 3 weeks they operate a
round-trip service from Habana to La Guaira, Venezuela, via
Baracoa, Santiago de Cuba, Ciudad Trujillo (Dominican Re
public) , Puerto Rico, and Curacao.
Air Service.—The Cia. Nacional Cuoana de Aviacion, S. A.
(subsidiary of Pan American Airways) operates a daily (except
Sunday) passenger and mail service between Habana and Guan-
tanamo, via Cienfuegos, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Manzanillo,
Preston, and Santiago, and a service between Santiago and

Baracoa, with Antilla, Preston, and Cayo Mambi ; also a service,
three times weekly, from Santiago to Baracoa, via Guantanamo.
Railroads.—There are about 3,500 miles of steam railways
in Cuba. All important commercial centers can be reached by
railway. The two most important lines—the United Railways of
Habana and the Cuba Railroad—collaborate in operating a
through service from Habana to Santiago de Cuba. The junc
tion point of the two railways is at the city of Santa Clara.
The standard flrst-class fare on Cuban railroads is 2 cents
per passenger-kilometer, but substantially lower rates are in
effect between points where active bus competition is encoun
tered. Several of the railroads offer special round-trip week
end rates, in some instances at considerable saving over the
straight one-way fare.
COMMUNICATION
Telephones.—There is telephone service in almost every lo
cality in Cuba ; telephone installations throughout the island
totaled 52,847 as of December 31, 1938. Long-distance telephone
service to most foreign countries and radiotelephonic communi
cation to ships at sea are available.
Postage.—The flrst-class letter rate from the United States
to Cuba is 3 cents per ounce or fraction thereof. Daily air
mail service between Cuba and the United States is available
at a letter rate of 10 cents per half ounce or fraction thereof.
Cuban post offices issue and cash international money orders.
Parcel-post service between the United States and Cuba is of
fered, and rates are reasonable.
Newspapers.—Several Spanish-language daily newspapers are
published in Habana, the most widely read of which are the
"Diario de la Marina," "El Pais," "El Mundo," "El Crisol," and
"Avance." Other important Spanish-language daily newspapers
are published throughout the island. There is one English-
language daily, The Havana Post, which circulates largely
among American residents.
Telegraph.—The Cuban Government maintains the domestic
telegraph system through approximately 374 telegraph offices
distributed over the island.
Cables.—The Western Union Telegraph Co. operates three
cables between Habana and Key West, from which point con
nection is made with all parts of the United States. The West
Indies Cable & Wireless Ltd. (part of the British Imperial Sys
tem) maintains cable service between Habana, Cienfuegos, and
Santiago de Cuba. Cable service is available to the islands
south of Cuba.
The Cuban All American Cable Co. (Postal Telegraph) has
direct submarine cables to New York and Miami. This com
pany maintains three cables between New York and Fisherman's
WEST INDIES 177
Point (Guantanamo Bay), Cuba, for the West Indies and both
coasts of South America.
Wireless.—The Cuba Transatlantic Radio Corporation, a sub
sidiary of the Radio Corporation of America, has the following
wireless direct circuits ; Habana to New York ; Habana to San
Juan, P. R. ; Habana to Madrid ; Habana to Berlin ; and Habana
to New Orleans. It also has a domestic circuit within the Re
public of Cuba, between Habana and its branch offices at Cien-
fuegos, Camaguey, and Santiago de Cuba.
The wireless service formerly handled by the United Fruit Co.
at Cape San Antonio, Cuba, communicating with Puerto Limon,
Costa Rica, New Orleans, and Panama, is now taken care of by
the Cuba Transatlantic Radio Corporation. In addition to its
telegraph and wireless service, the Cuba Transatlantic Radio
Corporation maintains a Program Transmission Service, through
a radio link, between Cuba and the United States, by means of
which Cuban broadcast stations are connected with the broad
cast networks of the United States.
The Press Wireless of the United States maintains a press cir
cuit between New York and Habana, the Habana terminal being
operated by Teleradio, S. A., a Cuban corporation.
A coast-to-steamer radio service is operated by the Cuban
Government, which maintains radio apparatus at Morro Castle
(in Habana), Cienfuegos, Guantanamo, and Santiago de Cuba.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
There are no specific requirements regulating the entrance of
American or other foreign commercial travelers in Cuba. Amer
ican commercial travelers enter Cuba as tourists or transients.
No formalities are necessary for tourists remaining in Cuba not
more than 6 months or for transients whose sojourn does not
exceed 30 days. No passports or visas are required of American
citizens.
It is recommended that commercial representatives or others
entering Cuba for an indefinite or permanent stay obtain (from
the Bureau of Foreign arid Domestic Commerce in Washington,
D. C.) full information as to the requirements in their case.
ARRIVAL AND CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Baggage.—Ordinary baggage, consisting of wearing apparel,
toilet necessities, and other articles for personal use, is not
subject to duty. Personal baggage can be dispatched to Cuba
from any point in the United States through an express agency.
It is suggested, however, that the traveler, whenever possible,
bring all needed baggage with him, so as to facilitate its customs
clearance on arrival in Cuba.
Express companies have representatives at the wharf to meet

steamers; there are also agents of hotels, with whom arrange
ments may be made for transfer of baggage. The principal
express companies are Railway Express Co. ; Wells Fargo Co. ;
Cia. Cubana e Internacional de Expresos y Transportes ; and
Guillermo Savio.
Samples.—A traveler must present to the customhouse at the
port of entry an invoice for samples and merchandise carried,
certified by a Cuban consular officer in the port from which
departure was made. This invoice must list and clearly identify
all articles at their market price at the place of exportation.
It is important that all possible explanation as to prices be made,
as many difficulties arise in Cuban customhouses on account of
discrepancies in the matter of valuing imports.
All samples of dutiable merchandise must pay full duty, which
is, however, refunded upon reexportation of the samples within
3 months (an extension of 3 months may be obtained).
The following provisions are made by the customs tariff of
Cuba for the free admission of certain samples, whether brought
by a traveler or sent in the regular way to a customer (this
exemption not necessitating reexportation) : Samples of felt,
wall paper, and fabrics, when the following conditions are com
plied with : (a) When not over 40 centimeters long in the
direction of the warp of the fabric, even though they have the
full width of the piece (this shall be determined in the fabrics
by the selvage, in felt and wall paper by a narrow edge which |
shall not have passed through the press) ; (6) samples not
containing these features can be admitted duty-free only when
they do not exceed 40 centimeters in any direction ; (c) samples
shall be entered duty-free when rendered useless by means of
cuts spaced 20 centimeters apart when presented for clearance;
(d) samples of trimmings in small pieces, without commercial
value or possible use, shall be exempt from duty.
The Cuban tariff provides for the duty-free entry of "ma
chinery, apparatus, instruments, and articles in general of a
scientific, artistic, or industrial character, brought into the
Republic temporarily to demonstrate their utility and the advis
ability of their acquisition." (Information regarding the condi
tions for bringing in this type of goods can be obtained from the
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Washington, D. C.)
Refund of Duties.—In order to obtain the refund of duties
within 3 months of entry, it must be possible for the customs
officials at port of reexportation to easily recognize the samples
upon which duty has been paid ; and no refund will be made on
samples reexported unless the samples, when brought into Cuba,
are specifically invoiced and cleared as such.
Reexportation Through Other Ports.—When a traveling sales
man leaves Cuba from a port other than that by which he
entered, taking with him the samples which he brought in, he
WEST INDIES 179
>
must present to the customhouse at point of embarkation the
receipt for the duties deposited, together with certified copies of
other clearance papers from customhouse at port of entry, in
order to facilitate the identification of the samples. Refund of
duties is made only by customhouse at which entry was made
and upon presentation of identification and proof of reexpor
tation certificates extended by customhouse at point of
embarkation.
Samples Shipped by Freight.—In cases where samples (on
account of their volume or nature) must be carried on the ship's
manifest as freight, the same exemption is allowed as regards
payment of duty, provided the traveler conforms to the require
ments regarding consular invoices, special clearance papers, and
deposit of duties covering samples to be eventually reexported,
as outlined in the preceding paragraphs. Shipment of such
samples by freight to a bona fide salesman can be made on a
steamer other than the one on which the traveler takes passage.
Time Kequired for Clearance.—The nature of the clerical work
involved in the clearance of samples, necessitating the use of
special forms and their presentation to various departments in
the customhouse, especially at the time of reexportation and
refund of duties, makes almost imperative the employment of a
customhouse broker. In the case of entry, the time required is
not excessive; but in the case of reexportation and refund, the
. better part of a day is taken up, and if a broker is not employed,
F the refund will be made only upon the traveler's ability to iden
tify himself in the presence of witnesses, entailing at times much
delay. Reexportation and refund of duty should be accom
plished at least a day before sailing, in case that takes place
on a weekday, and on the Friday preceding the sailing, if that
is on Sunday. In most cases the final signatures, inspection,
and formalities cannot be accomplished on Saturdays. Cuban
customhouses have the following schedules: Weekdays, except
Saturdays, Habana Customhouse, 7 : 30 a. m. to 12 : 30 p. m. and
3 to 5 p. m. ; all others, 8 a. m. to 1 p. m. and 3 to 5 p. m. Dur
ing the afternoon, customhouses maintain a skeleton force and
handle only matters of an urgent nature. On Saturdays, Cuban
customhouses are open from 8 a. m. to 12 noon, only. The
cashier's office is open only in the morning and always closes
one-half hour before the closing time of the customhouse. Fail
ure to present final papers necessary for obtaining refund before
the closing hour of the cashier's office will entail the extra delay
and expense necessary in giving a power of attorney to a broker
in order that he may collect the refund in the name of the
traveler in case the latter's departure must be made before the
next working session of the customhouse.
Customhouse Broker's Fees.—A licensed customhouse broker
usually charges $5 for the work connected with clearance and
$5 for that relating to reexportation and refund of duty. There
is no fixed schedule for these charges ; therefore they should be

arranged beforehand.
Export Tax.—The only disbursement apart from the broker's
fees, if a broker is engaged, in connection with the clearance
and reexportation of samples is that of the Cuban export tax
of one-fourth of 1 percent on the value of the invoice, which is
refunded when a certificate showing landing at a United States
port of debarkation, duly legalized by the Cuban consulate at
such point, is presented at the Cuban port of reexportation in
accordance with the procedure pertaining to this operation.
Broker's fees and the other costs involved in obtaining this
refund of the export tax are generally higher than the actual
tax ; the tax is only 25 cents per $100, and for this reason most
salesmen consider it as a disbursement.
ADVERTISING MATTER.—Advertising matter without com
mercial value, for free distribution, may be imported into Cuba
free of duty.
DIRECTORIES AND GUIDEBOOKS
No recent commercial directories for Cuba are available. A
local concern published an extensive commercial directory iu
1927, but no subsequent editions have been issued. The Cuban
telephone guide carries a classified section for the city of Habana
which is often helpful.
The Cuban National Tourist Commission recommends The
Blue Guide to Cuba (published by Roger Le Febure, 204 Fourth
Street, Vedado, Habana). The Tourist Commission itself pub
lishes numerous less-extensive guidebooks and pamphlets, in
cluding a hotel directory. The Times of Cuba and Pan-American
Review publish a Spanish and English monthly, Par, which
contains considerable information on Cuba.
SALES TERRITORIES
It is practically impossible to lay down definite rules for
canvassing Cuba. The methods and routes to be followed de
pend upon the nature of the merchandise, class of merchants
visited, and other factors. If only the larger wholesale houses
or distributors are to be visited, only Habana, Santiago de Ouba,
and possibly Cienfuegos need be included in the itinerary. In
Habana are located the principal jobbing houses which supply
the retail houses in the rest of the island. Santiago de Cuba
is the second city in importance, where also will be found a
aumber of large distributors.
Except in highly specialized articles which require particular
subdivision, most lines are handled through representatives
located in Habana. Subagents may be named for Santiago de
Cuba and several of the other key cities, but general agencies
_X
WEST INDIES 181
in Habana and Santiago can, and often do, cover the entire
island satisfactorily.
Commercial Season.—The best time for selling goods in Cuba
depends entirely on seasonal and other characteristics of each
individual line. The most active commercial season is during
the latter part of the year, when preparations for the sugar
crop begin, and during the actual grinding season, which com
mences in January and ends in April or May.
Visiting the Interior.—The commercial traveler can visit in
terior points by railroad, bus, or plane. Sleeping-car accommo
dations are readily available on railroad trips calling for all-
night runs, as are satisfactory hotel accommodations if the trip
is made by bus. The plane trip from Habana to Santiago takes
only a few hours.
Railway Baggage.—The railroads do not differentiate be
tween baggage carried by traveling salesmen and that of other
travelers. The amount of baggage carried free on first-class
tickets is 50 kilograms (110 pounds). Excess-baggage charges
range downward from $0.0312 per 100 kilograms per kilometer
for distances of from 1 to 10 kilometers to $0.0025 per 100
kilograms per kilometer for distances greater than 500
kilometers.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—From the commercial traveler's view
point, the best time to visit Cuba varies in accordance with the
type of merchandise handled, especially if the demand is affected
by seasonal factors. Otherwise, it would appear preferable to
visit Cuba during the more pleasant winter months, which for
tunately coincide with the period of greatest commercial activity.
Clothing.—The traveler visiting Cuba during the winter
months (November through April) should include some light
weight spring or fall clothing in his wardrobe. A topcoat is
not necessary. During the warmer months the majority of the
business men wear suits of linen or other lightweight materials.
Hotels.—Habana has several first-class hotels with rates of
$11 a day up, American plan, and from $5 a day up, European
plan, during the winter season, from December through March.
During the off season these rates are subject to substantial re
ductions. Second-class hotels charge from $7 a day up, Ameri
can plan, during the winter months and from $3.50 a day up
during the off season.
In the smaller towns in the interior, rates range from about
$2 up, European plan, and from $3 up, American plan, depending
largely upon the importance of the town.
Holidays.—The chief national holidays in Cuba are : January
1 and 28, February 24, Good Friday, May 1 and 20, August 12,
September 4, October 10 and 12, December 7 and 25. In usual

practice, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are half-holidays.
Legal Time.—The legal time corresponds to eastern standard
time. Cuba has not yet adopted daylight-saving time. ;
The usual business hours are from 8 or 8: 30 a. m. to 5 p. m.,
with a 2-hour lunch period from 12 noon to 2 p. m., when all
offices are closed. A half holiday on Saturday is general. All
retail stores must, by law, close from 12 noon until 2 p. m.
Banking hours are from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m., and all banks remain
open during the lunch hours. Government offices are open from
8 a. m. to 1 p. m. The office of the American commercial attach^
is open from 8 : 30 a. m. to 12 noon and from 1 : 30 to 5 p. m.,
every day except Saturday, when the office closes at 1 p. m.
CURRENCY AND BANKING

j
The peso is the monetary unit of Cuba and the circulating i
media are silver coins, silver certificates (backed by a reserve of \
coined silver pesos), and American currency, which is legal -
tender in Cuba. The coins circulated are the silver peso (100 *
centavos) ; silver coins of 40, 20, and 10 centavos ; and nickel
coins of 1, 2, and 5 centavos. Cuban paper money (first issued J
in 1934), redeemable in silver, is in denominations of 1, 5, 10, s
20, and 50 pesos. Cuban silver and paper money, although
nominally at par with United States currency, has lately been
quoted at a discount.
The Chase National Bank, the First National Bank of Boston,
and the National City Bank of New York all have offices in
Habana, with branches throughout the island. In addition,
there are several well-known Canadian banks and several Cuban
banks with offices in Habana and branches in other cities.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

The metric system is in general use, although certain Spanish v
weights and measures are also used. Of these latter the most
common, with their English equivalents, are as follows: Vara,
33.4 inches; libra (Spanish pound), 1.0143 English pounds;
arroba, 25 Spanish pounds or 25.3575 English pounds ; quintal,
100 Spanish pounds or 101.43 English pounds ; and the caballeria,''
equal roughly to 33% acres.
Habana.—Capital of the Republic and largest commercial
center in Cuba (including suburbs), 728,197. Approximately 75
to 80 percent of Cuba's imports and about 25 percent of its ex
ports clear through the port of Habana, which has an excellent
harbor. Many large transatlantic liners call at this port during
R
WEST INDIES 183
the winter tourist season. The city is very attractive and boasts
of many modern improvements. Hotel accommodations are
good. Principal industries : Cigar and cigarette making ; brew
eries ; textile mills ; packing plants and canneries ; bottling
plants ; cement and tile factories ; stone works ; foundries and
machine shops ; soap, perfume, and cosmetic factories ; pharma
ceutical manufacture ; confectionery ; bakeries ; leather and
shoes ; furniture.
How Reached.—See section, "Transportation and Communi
cation."
Taxicabs.—Taxicab fares are regulated according to zones.
Minimum fare within zone 1 is 20 cents for one or two persons,
and 10 cents for each additional person. Principal business
houses and most of the hotels are located in zone 1. Fares from
pier to hotel are usually higher, but are subject to prior agree
ment with taxicab driver. Most of the taxicabs in Habana are
small 5-passenger cars. The rates for 7-passenger cars are
always a matter of special arrangement, and care should be
taken to reach an agreement on fare before taking one of the
larger cars.
Hotels.—First-class hotels include the National and the Se-
villa-Biltmore. Other hotels are Presidente ; Parkview ; Flor
ida ; Lincoln ; Royal Palm ; LaFayette ; Ambos Mundos ; Plaza.
Banks.—National City Bank of New York; Chase National
Bank ; First National Bank of Boston ; Royal Bank of Canada ;
Canadian Bank of Commerce ; Bank of Nova Scotia ; N. Gelats y
Cia. All are members of the Habana Clearing House.
BAYAMO.—Province of Oriente; population, 75,793; 81 miles
from Santiago de Cuba ; 25 miles from Manzanillo. Principal
products: Cattle, tobacco, swine. Industries: Chiefly agricul
tural; also tobacco and tile factories, and large condensed-milk,
butter, and cheese factories.
How Reached.—By railroad or Central Highway.
Banks.—Royal Bank of Canada ; Banco Nunez.
Hotels.—Telegrafo ; New York.
Note.—Bayamo is located in the largest cattle-raising dis
trict of Oriente Province.
CAMAGUEY.—Capital of Province of Camaguey ; population,
137,893 ; located near center of the Province, 355 miles from
Habana, 250 miles from Santiago de Cuba, and 45 miles from
Nuevitas, its chief port. Principal products: Cattle, sugar,
molasses, lumber. Industries : Distilleries ; sawmills ; furniture,
butter, cheese, match, and soap factories ; bottling plants.
How Reached.—By railroad ; by the Central Highway ; or
by plane.
Hotels.—Camaguey ; Plaza ; Inglaterra ; Habana ; Gran ;
Colon ; Isla de Cuba.
Banks.—Royal Bank of Canada ; National City Bank of New
York : Bank of Nova Scotia.
184
Note.—Camaguey is an important city in the center of a large
cattle-raising and agricultural district. Many wholesale firms,
particularly in provisions and groceries, are located here and
distribute to smaller towns in this and adjoining Provinces.
Camaguey is the headquarters and a division point of the Cuba
Railroad, and is the junction point for branches to the north
coast (Nuevitas) and to Santa Cruz del Sur, center of the ma
hogany and cedar district on the south coast.
CIEGO DE AVILA.—Province of Camaguey; population, 67,-
347 ; 287 miles from Habana ; 317 miles from Santiago de Cuba ;
17 miles from Jucaro, a port on the southern coast. Principal
products : Sugar, cattle, and oranges. Industries : Sawmills,
brickyards, and bottling works.
How Reached.—By railroad or by Central Highway.
Hotels.—Rueda; Plaza; Sevilla.
Note.—Ciego de Avila is a railroad junction in the center of a
large sugar-growing district.
CIENFUEGOS.—Province of Santa Clara ; population, 92,063 ;
situated on south coast on Bay of Cienfuegos or Jagua, 227
miles from Habana and 41 miles from Santa Clara. Principal
products : Sugarcane, coffee, and tobacco. Industries : Sugar
mills ; soap, candle, tobacco, brick, and tile factories ; cabinet-
making ; manufacture of luggage and clothing ; ice and soft drink
factories; and distilleries.
How Reached.—By railroad, highway, boat, or plane.
Banks.—National City Bank of New York; First National
Bank of Boston ; Royal Bank of Canada ; Bank of Nova Scotia.
Hotels.—San Carlos ; Union ; Suiza ; Bristol.
Note.—Cienfuegos is one of the most important commercial
centers in Cuba, ranking after Habana and Santiago de Cuba
and holding seventh place in importance as a port for the export
of sugar. There is some direct importation, but most of the
imported products consumed here are cleared through Habana.
Principal imports are provisions (including rice, flour, beans,
chickpeas, oats), wines, liquors, drugs, hardware, petroleum
products, coal, and lumber. There are a number of wholesale
houses and many retail concerns. American vice consul in
residence.
GUANTANAMO.—Province of Oriente; population, 68,311.
Port at Caimanera (U. S. Naval Base), Guantanamo Bay, which
is 20 miles from Guantanamo by railroad ; 40 miles from San
tiago de Cuba ; 572 miles from Habana. Principal products :
Sugar, beeswax, lumber, coffee, and bananas.
How Reached.—By railroad or plane from Santiago.
Hotel .—Washington .
HOIGUIN.—Province of Oriente; population, 140,451; 88
miles northwest of Santiago de Cuba. Principal products:
Sugar, tobacco, vegetables, cattle, and gold.
WEST INDIES 185

Note.—Holguin, largest municipality in Oriente, does con
siderable business in coffee, corn, and beans.
ISLE OP PINES.—Province of Habana; population, 10,165;
80 miles from Batabano. Principal products : Grapefruit,
oranges, melons, and winter vegetables. Industries: Sawmill-
ing, gold mining, marble quarrying, and sponge fishing.
How Reached.—From Habana by railroad to Batabano, and
thence overnight by steamer. (See section on local steamship
services under heading "Transportation.")
Hotels.—Santa Rita and Santa Barbara Inn, at Santa Fe
and Santa Barbara, respectively ; Anderson's and San Jose, at
Nueva Gerona. Nueva Gerona is the chief business center.
MATANZAS.—Capital of Province of Matanzas ; population,
72,481. Port on Matanzas Bay ; 63 miles from Habana and 541
miles from Santiago de Cuba. Principal products : Sugar, mo
lasses, honey, beeswax, fruits, sisal and henequen fibers. In
dustries : Cordage factory ; sugar mills ; tanneries and shoe fac
tories ; foundries ; brickyards ; soap, match, and confectionery
factories; fertilizer plant.
How Reached.—From Habana, by railroad and by Central
Highway in about 3 hours.
Canada.
Hotels.—Louvre ; Seville ; Paris ; Velasco.
Note.—Matanzas is an important industrial city, easily
reached from Habana. It ranks fourth in national importance
as a port of export. Matanzas is about 30 miles from San
Miguel de los Banos, a popular spa. American vice consul in
residence.
PINAR DEL RIO.—Capital of Province of Pinar del Rio;
population, 64,470. Located in western end of the island 110
miles from Habana. Principal products : Tobacco, fresh fruits
and vegetables, sugar, copper, and manganese.
How Reached.—From Habana, by railroad or by the Central
Highway in about 4 hours.
Hotels.—Ricardo ; Marina ; Globo.
Note.-—Pinar del Rio is a city of considerable importance. A
large business is done with the surrounding districts. The chief
wealth is in tropical agricultural products, especially tobacco,
the finest grade being grown in this district (Vuelta Abajo).
SANTIAGO DE CUBA.—Capital of Province of Oriente ; popu
lation, 106,860. On southeast coast, 604 miles from Habana, 40
miles from Guantanamo. Principal products : Sugar, iron ore,
manganese, rum, tobacco, lumber, honey, and beeswax. Indus
tries : Breweries and distilleries ; mining ; agriculture ; brick
yards ; sawmills and lumber yards ; manufacture of ice, matches,
candles, soap, cigars, preserves, and confectionery ; foundries and

machine shops.
How Reached.—By railroad, by Central Highway, by airplane,
or by coastwise steamers.
Banks.—First National Bank of Boston; National City Bank
of New York ; Royal Bank of Canada ; Bank of Nova Scotia.
Hotels.—Casa Grande ; Venus ; America ; Imperial.
Note.—Santiago is second in importance among the cities of
Cuba. Most of the leading wholesalers, distributors, and agents
in Habana have subagents in Santiago who handle the eastern
end of the island for them. It is an important port, and somi>
wholesalers and retailers make direct importations. Several im
portant mining companies are located near Santiago. American
vice consul in residence.
SANCTI SPIRITUS.—Province of Santa Clara; population,
92,006. Located 50 miles from the city of Santa Clara and 240
miles from Habana. Principal products : Sugarcane, tobacco,
and cattle. Industries : Cigar and cigarette factories ; farming :
cattle raising ; condensed-milk factory.
Banks.—First National Bank of Boston; Royal Bank of
Canada.
Hotels.—Plaza ; Isla de Cuba ; Perla de Cuba.
SANTA CLARA.—Capital of Province of Santa Clara ; popula
tion, 99,363. Located 179 miles from Habana and 41 miles from
Cienfuegos. Principal products: Sugar, tobacco, and cattle.
Canada.
Hotels.—Santa Clara; Plaza; Telegrafo; Florida; Central;
Suizo.
Note.—Santa Clara is the terminus for both the United Rail
ways of Habana and the Cuba Railroad.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the
West Indies island known as Hispaniola, which is shared in the
west by Haiti. The island, second largest in the Antilles group,
lies between Cuba and Puerto Rico, between the 18th and 19th
parallels north, just within the tropical zone.
Area and Topography.—The area of the Dominican Republic
is approximately 19,332 square miles, twice that of the adjacent
Republic of Haiti and more than five times the area of Puerto
Rico lying some 45 miles to the east. Four mountain ranges
cross the country from east to west. The Pico Trujillo, in the
central portion of the island, rises to well over 10,000 feet and
is reputed to be the highest point in the West Indies.
Climate.—While the climate is tropical, it is for the most
part neither unpleasant nor unhealthful, and largely because of
the high mountains and the trade winds, is much more varied
than might be expected in such a comparatively small land
body. The island is far enough north, however, to have a cool
season extending from November until April. Even during the
warm season the temperature seldom- goes above 90° F., and
the nights are relatively cool. During the summer the humidity
is relatively high. The winter months constitute a definitely dry
season. Following the equinoxes are the wettest periods of the
year. Throughout the summer it is likely to rain at any time,
although there are considerable periods of dry weather. The
western third of the Republic, bordering on Haiti, is semiarid,
with actual desert conditions in some regions.
Population.—On the basis of Government estimates made in
1937, the population of the country was reported at 1,587,437.
There has been a considerable intermixing of races. Continen
tal American residents are estimated to number little more than
400, although several thousand American citizens of Puerto
Rican origin are residing in the country.
Illiteracy is high among the laboring classes, but the minority
in control of the country's economic, social, and political life
is composed of educated, progressive persons, usually of some
wealth.
202836—40 13 187
Income.—For the majority of the population, since the chief

industry of the country is sugar production and the raising of
other agricultural staples (such as cacao, coffee, and tobacco),
wages may be considered as the basis of income. The basic
daily wage for labor is generally about 30 cents, and annual
per capita income for the population as a whole is estimated
at no more than $200. Large agricultural enterprises (such as
the 13 sugar estates in the country) which require capital in
vestment are controlled by foreigners, and beyond landholding
and small industries, nationals have not invested locally to any
important extent.
The Dominican Republic is predominantly agricultural. Sugar,
cacao, coffee, and tobacco are the principal export crops. Other
important agricultural products are corn, beans, rice, oranges,
bananas, coconuts, pineapples, and mangoes. Leading manu
factures are shoes, cigarettes, rum, cigars, furniture, shirts,
straw hats, tiles, soap, beer, starch, matches, and sole leather.
Exports during 1938 amounted to $14,347,033. Countries pur
chasing from the Dominican Republic were as follows in 1938:
United States (32 percent), sugar, coffee, cacao, and molasses;
England (20 percent), sugar, lignum vitae, and hides; Ireland
(20 percent), mostly sugar; France (8 percent), sugar and
coffee; Germany (3 percent), cacao, tobacco, scrap metal, and
coffee.
Imports into the Dominican Republic in 1938 totaled $11,342,-
495. The sources of these imports were largely as follows :
United States (54 percent), cotton goods, machinery, and phar
maceutical products ; Japan (11 percent) , textiles ; Germany
(8 percent), hardware, cement, and automobiles; British India
(5 percent), jute bags, and rope.
TRANSPORTATION
American travelers can reach the Dominican Republic by both
steamship and airplanes.
STEAMSHIP SERVICE.—The principal lines are as follows:
New York and Puerto Rico SS. Co. (25 Broadway, New York,
N. Y.) provides weekly sailings (Thursdays) from Brooklyn for
Dominican Republic (Ciudad Trujillo), via San Juan, Puerto
Rico ; time, slightly over 5 days ; passengers, mail, and freight.
Bull Insular Line, Inc. (40 West Street, New York, N. Y.), fort
nightly service for freight and limited passenger space between
New York, Ciudad Trujillo, San Pedro de Macoris, La Romana,
Sanchez, Dominican Republic. Aluminum Line, regular fort-
-\
\ WEST INDIES 189
nightly passenger, mail, and freight service between New Or

leans, Mobile, Port-au-Prince, Ciudad Trujillo, Curacao, La
Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Surinam, Trinidad, and New Orleans,
La. Lykes Line, occasional service with freight and limited
passenger ships from Gulf ports to the Dominican Republic.
Empresa Naviera de Cuba, S. A., sails every 21 days from Habana
and Cuban ports to Ciudad Trujillo, San Juan, Puerto Rico,
Curacao, La Guaira, and back via San Juan, Puerto Rico,
Ciudad Trujillo, and Habana, Cuba; passenger, freight, and
mail service. Horn Line (German), regular mail, passenger,
and freight service once a month between Hamburg, Antwerp,
Ciudad Trujillo, Jacmel, Kingston, Port-au-Prince, Santiago
de Cuba, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Royal Netherlands
SS. Co., regular fortnightly passenger, mail, and freight serv
ice between Ciudad Trujillo and Dominican ports to Curacao,
connecting with Colon Line to Europe. Cie. Generale Trans-
atlantique (French), regular monthly mail, passenger, and
freight service from Ciudad Trujillo to Pointe-a-Pitre, F. W. I.,
where connections may be made for Europe ; monthly freight
service to other West Indian ports. Nippon Yusen Kaisha
(Japanese), regular mail and freight service every 6 weeks
from Japan via California ports, Panama, Venezuela, Curacao,
Ciudad Trujillo, Habana, New Orleans, North Atlantic United
States ports, and back to Japan. Empresa Naviera Dominicana,
0. por A. (Dominican), freight and passenger service from
Ciudad Trujillo and other Dominican ports to Netherlands West
Indies. Fixed schedule not observed, although sailings are
frequent.
AIR SERVICE.—Pan American Airways provides additional
facilities for travelers through the operation of three airplanes
weekly from Miami, Fla., to the Dominican Republic via Cuba
and Haiti. Planes land at San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican
Republic, just 1 hour by automobile from the capital, Ciudad
Trujillo. This stop is on the regular trunk line of the Pan
American Airways system through to South America via Puerto
Rico and the Lesser Antilles.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION.—No railroads enter the capital.
The only common-carrier roads in the country are the State-
owned Central Dominican Railway, which runs between Moca,
Santiago, and Puerto Plata, a distance of 62 miles, and the
privately owned Samana & Santiago Railway, which runs 87
miles between Sanchez, La Vega, and Moca. Travelers seldom
use this mode of transportation, since automobile travel is more
convenient.
Approximately 3,000 miles of highways and roads serve as
the principal transportation routes in the Dominican Republic.
\ll-weather routes are as follows : Ciudad Trujillo to San Pedro
de Macoris (46 miles) ; Ciudad Trujillo to Santiago de los

Caballeros (109 miles) ; Santiago to Puerto Plata (40 miles) ;
Santiago to Monte Cristi (75 miles) ; Monte Cristi to Dajabon,
on the Haitian border at the north (24 miles) ; Ciudad Trujillo
to the southern Haitian border point, at Comendador (101
miles).
Passenger-bus service operates between Ciudad Trujillo and
San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago de los Caballeros, San Cristobal,
and Barahona. Besides the busses, the larger towns are regu
larly served by automobiles of 5-passenger and 7-passenger
capacity. While there are only about 2,000 passenger auto
mobiles in the Dominican Republic, most of them are relatively
new and in good operating condition. Regular passenger auto
mobiles may be hired for trips to any part of the island, at
charges no greater than in the United States for similar service.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Under the Immigration Law and regulations which went into
effect on June 1, 1939, passports and visas are waived in the
case of visiting and transient Americans. Classified as visitors
are those aliens who enter the Republic for business or study,
pleasure, or curiosity. Visitors may be admitted for the period
they request, up to a maximum of 60 days. Thereafter they
may apply for an extension of time up to a maximum of 6
months. The fee for the latter is $400. Persons entering the
country are generally requested to present a recent vaccination
certificate.
ARRIVAL
Samples.— Samples having no commercial value may be en
tered free of duty. It must be demonstrated to the satisfaction
of the customs officials, however, that the samples are actually
unsalable. If samples are salable and of commercial value,
bond may be required to insure eventual payment of duties or
reexport of the goods. The bond may be either cash or a
guaranty by one of the local banks or insurance companies.
Where the cash bond is used, a sum is deposited with the cus
toms equal to the amount of the customs duties and internal
revenue taxes applicable. When the articles are reexported, the
cash bond is returned and no charge made for the service.
Where a local bonding house is called upon to cover the duties
by bond, charges for the service are as follows : $3 for a bond
up to a value of $500 ; $5 from $500 to $2,000 ; from $2,000 up.
one-fourth of 1 percent. These charges cover 30 days. An
additional charge of one-fourth of 1 percent is made for each
additional 30 days or fraction thereof.
WEST INDIES 191
If a business representative has no local agent or representa

tive with a license to do business in the Dominican Republic,
he must obtain such a license, at a cost of $50, when he takes
orders or offers articles for sale during his visit.
Advertising Matter.—All printed advertising matter is entered
free of duty, provided it is of no intrinsic value and is for free
distribution.
Baggage.—Free entry is granted all used wearing apparel
and personal effects. Baggage is thoroughly inspected ; and, iu
order to avoid delay and possible fines, articles to be offered for
sale should not be included under the classification of baggage.
Directories and Guidebooks.—The "Direccion General de
Turismo" (Tourist Department of the Dominican Government)
makes available to all travelers literature and personal guide
service where required.
SALES TERRITORIES AND ROUTES

The Dominican Republic has two important distribution cen
ters, the capital, Ciudad TrujiUo (population 71,297), on the
southern coast, and Santiago de los Caballeros (population
33,919), in the north-central portion of the island. Santiago de
los Caballeros is linked with the capital by a good, all-weather
highway of 109 miles, which passes through Bonao, La Vega,
and Moca. Santiago is also connected with the northern port
of Puerto Plata by a good highway of 40 miles.
Routes for salesmen generally begin in Ciudad Trujillo. From
this point, depending upon the thoroughness with which he ex
pects to cover the territory, a commercial traveler might go to
San Pedro de Macoris and farther east to La Romana by auto
mobile. A similar trip may be made to Barahona, but in both
cases return to the capital is necesasry in order to cover any
other important portion of the Republic by automobile. From
the capital, also, the traveler can make a trip to the northern
portion of the island by the Duarte Highway, which bisects the
Republic and leads to Santiago de los Ca"balleros, and from there
to Puerto Plata and Monte Cristi.
The sugar plantations, located principally at San Pedro de
Macoris, La Romana, and Barahona, operate commissaries in
connection with their plants. These are an important factor in
business, as they are heavy purchasers of many lines of goods,
including foodstuffs and wearing apparel. Although these mills
have head offices in New York which act as purchasing agents
for a considerable quantity of their requirements, agents travel
ing in the Republic would do well to visit them. All of them
are within 1 day's travel time from the capital.
192
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—This depends largely upon the particular
products offered on the market, although, generally speaking,
the summer months are the least active commercially. Pur
chases are usually made in accordance with the requirements
and conditions of the trade. As in most Latin American coun
tries, it is usually desirable to have good stocks on hand for the
Christmas and Easter holidays. The coolest time of the year
is November to March, which happens to come between two im
portant crops of the island—cacao and tobacco. The sugar-
grinding season generally extends from early in January to the
latter part of June.
Clothing.—Lightweight clothing is desirable at all times of
the year. Tropical suits are the most practical particularly dur
ing the warm season. During the winter, lightweight woolens
may be worn with comfort at night. Unfortunately, however,
the facilities for cleaning woolen clothing are inadequate.
Hotels.—The capital has no modern hotels, a need which
has received Government consideration. Present charges are
from $3 to $6 a day, American plan. Prices and accommoda
tions in inland towns are correspondingly under these, with the
exception of Santiago de los Cabelleros, which has fair hotel
facilities even in comparison with those in the United States.
Holidays.—The predominant religion being Roman Catholic,
many of the feast days of the church are observed. Other holi
days are : January 1, New Year's Day ; February 27, Dominican
Independence Day ; April 14, Pan American Day ; July 17, Day
of the Fathers of the Country; August 16, Dominican Restoration
Day ; October 12, Columbus Day, "Dfa de la Raza" ; October 24,
Trujillo's Birthday; November 2, Dominican Memorial Day;
December 5, Anniversary of the Discovery of the Island by
Columbus.
Legal Time and Business Hours.—The official time of the en
tire country is 20 minutes earlier than Eastern Standard Time.
The sugar estates, however, operate each on its own time.
From May 1 to September 30, the hours of work in the Gov
ernment offices are from 8 a. m. to 1 p. m. only. Some business
houses and institutions observe the same hours.

In the following paragraphs are listed, in alphabetical order,
towns in the Dominican Republic which are thought to be of
most interest to American commercial travelers. In this group
have been included a few places which are not always canvassed,
but which are important from the strategic or geographic stand
point.
WEST INDIES 193
Table 17.—Centers of Population in Dominican Republic
[Census of 1935]
Community Urban Rural Total
Ciadad Trujillo 71,297 22, 910 94,207

4,531 63,556 68,087
Banl 7,469 28,844 36, 313
33, 919 82, 876 116, 795
1,137 21,823 22,960
9,342 77,040 86,382
2,124 19, 369 21, 493
1,401 34,586 35, 987
5,762 22,044 27, 806
3,6% 47,008 50,704
2,508 21, 173 23,681
1,020 21, 013 22,033
San Pedro de Macoris .. __ _. 18,889 18,562 37,451
Puerto Plata 11, 777 37,188 48, 965
10,305 52,662 62,967
El Seybo 2,604 37,879 40,483
10, 935 13, 336 24,271
2,151 25,575 27,726
Higuey 3,102 27,454 30,556
5,704 55,406 61, 110
8,359 17,833 26, 192
1,246 37, 553 38,799
1,639 10, 652 12,291
3,575 2,897 6,472
AZUA.—Capital of Province of Azua, 3 miles from the south

ern coast; 75 miles from Ciudad Trujillo. Principal products;
Sugar, coffee, potatoes, honey, rice, beans, corn, resin, timber,
and medicinal plants.
How Reached.—Prom Ciudad Trujillo, over a good highway
which continues on to the Haitian border.
Note.—One of the important centers in the southwestern part
of the Republic. Quite a number of merchants here do direct
importing.
BARAHONA.—Province of Barahona, on Neyba Bay, at base
of mountain range running to Haiti ; 115 miles by automobile
road from Ciudad Trujillo. Temperature averages between 65°
and 90° P. ; days are hot, but nights are cool. Products : Sugar,
coffee, lignum-vitae, and fruits ; abundance of fish. Salt is
mined and tobacco raised on small scale.
How Reached.—By automobile, from Ciudad Trujillo, on the
Southern International Highway through Azua, and thence
south to Barahona.
Bank.—National City Bank of New York.
Hotels.—Venecia ; Central.
Note.—Barahona's chief commerce centers around the sugar
industry. In the neighborhood is a large sugar central, which
maintains a commissary. The town is located in a fertile
valley of the Yaque del Sur River, whose waters are now used
194
to irrigate thousands of acres of sugar land. Coffee is the
second most important product. A number of merchants here
make direct importations.
CIUDAD TRUJILLO.—Capital of Republic. Located at mouth
of Ozama River ; depth of channel inside port works averages
around 30 feet ; modern dock and customhouses. Climate,
tropical but pleasant ; maximum temperature 90° F., minimum
55° ; nights decidedly cool. Most pleasant months, December
to first of April. Products : Sugar, cacao, wax, hides, woods,
skins, and coffee. Industries : Sugar mills, shoe manufacture,
clothing finishing, brewery, woodworking, and hat manufacture.
How Reached.—See paragraphs under heading "Transporta
tion."
Hotels.—Fausto; Casa Senior; Colon; Frances; Palace;
Plaza ; America ; Presidente.
Canada ; Bank of Nova Scotia.
Note.—Ciudad Trujillo is the most important city of the Re
public. A large volume of importing and exporting is carried
on, and the most important wholesale and retail houses are in
Trujillo. Its wholesale houses for textiles and provisions can
vass practically the entire country, but particularly the region
in the south and southeast. Seat of American legation.
LA ROMANA.—Province of Seybo, 65 miles by automobile
from San Pedro de Macoris by fair dirt road. Climate, tropical
but pleasant. Principal products : Sugar, coffee, wax, hides,
tobacco.
How Reached.—By automobile from Ciudad Trujillo to San
Pedro de Macoris, and thence by automobile over a second-
class road to La Romana.
Hotels.—Alta Gracia ; Grand.
Note.—La Romana is the only port of importance in the
Province of Seybo. Agriculture, particularly sugar, is the im
portant industry. The Central Romana, the largest sugar central
in the Republic, is located here, and has an independent com
missary department. La Romana may be visited by those who
canvass the country intensively. The Province of Seybo is the
largest cattle-raising section of the country.
LA VEGA.—Capital of Province of La Vega, 80 miles from
Ciudad Trujillo. Products : Cattle, tobacco, coffee, cocoa.
How Reached.—By automobile, either from Ciudad Trujillo
on the southern coast of the island or from Puerto Plata on
the northern coast. Trips may be made to Sanchez on the
Samana & Santiago Railroad.
Hotel.—Italia.
Bank.—National City Bank of New York.
Note.—La Vega, an important distributing point (terminus
of the Samana & Santiago Railway), is surrounded by an ex
tensive agricultural district which produces large amounts of
WEST INDIES 195
coffee and cacao. It can easily be reached from Santiago, and

is the direct link between Sanchez and the rest of the country.
Some of its merchants import direct.
MONTE CRISTI —Capital of Province of Monte Cristi. Lo
cated on northern shore of Dominican Republic near Haitian
border ; vessels lie about a mile offshore ; little maritime activity.
How Reached.—From Puerto Plata, via Santiago de los Ca-
balleros (115 miles), or from Ciudad Trujillo to Monte Cristi
(184 miles) ; both routes over good, all-weather highways.
Hotels.—American ; Noroeste.
Note.—Monte Cristi has a fair volume of imports and ex
ports of hides and skins. It is on the highway leading to Cap
Haitien on the northern coast of Haiti, and travelers by auto
mobile could arrange to make a stop here on a circle trip from
Ciudad Trujillo north through Santiago de los Caballeros, Monte
Cristi, Cap Haitien, and south to Port-au-Prince.
PUERTO PLATA.—Capital of Province of Puerto Plata.
Principal seaport on northern coast; vessels drawing less than
20 feet lie alongside customhouse wharf ; larger ships, 400 yards
offshore. Principal products : Tobacco, sugar, hides, coffee,
cacao, mahogany and other hardwoods.
How Reached.—From New York, by transshipment at Mar
tinique to steamers of the Cie. Generale Transatlamtique, and by
highway from Ciudad Trujillo. Boat lines from European ports
touch this port.
Canada.
Hotels.—Europa ; Espana ; Mercedes.
Note.—Puerto Plata is the principal seaport on the northern
coast, although it appears to be losing importance in direct
proportion to the growth of business in the harbor at Ciudad
Trujillo. Exports and imports are handled through Puerto
Plata for the agriculturally important Cibao region in the north-
central portion of the country. It is also the terminus and head
quarters of the Dominican Central Railway, which serves the
interior towns of Santiago de los Caballeros and Moca. A num
ber of firms carry on relatively large businesses; there is con
siderable importing.
SANCHEZ.—Province of Samana on Samana Bay (vessels lie
about 500 yards from shore), 24 miles from Samana. Products :
Cattle, rice, cacao, coffee, honey, tobacco, beeswax, and lumber.
Industries: Railroad shops, sawmill, soda-water factory.
How Reached.—From Ciudad Trujillo or Puerto Plata, by
automobile to La Vega, by rail to Sanchez. Alternate route,
from Ciudad Trujillo to Sabana de la Mar, through San Pedro
de Macoris and Hato Mayor. From Sabana de la Mar, by daily
mailboat across Samana Bay to Sanchez.
Hotels.—Aleman ; Borinquen.
Note.— Sanchez is the distributing point for Salcedo, San
Francisco de Macoris, Pimentel, and Moca, as well as other places
196
on the Samana & Santiago Railway, for which Sanchez is the
terminus and headquarters. Several large exporting and im
porting houses buy from and sell to firms in the interior. San
chez is one of the most important cacao shipping ports for the
Cibao district.
SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORIS —Capital of Province of
Duarte. Products : Coffee, cacao, fruits, leather, wax.
How Reached.—From Sanchez and La Vega, by Samana &
Santiago Railway.
Hotels.—Hispano ; Inglaterra ; San Francisco ; Macorizano.
Note. — San Francisco de Macoris is in the center of a rich agri
cultural district, the chief product of which is cacao. A num
ber of houses do a direct business.
SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS.—Capital of Province of same
name. Climate, tropical but pleasant ; temperature averages 82°
in daytime, 55° at night. Principal products : Sugar, molasses,
wax, timber, cattle, and cacao. Industries : Sugar mills, tannery,
distillery, soap factory, foundry.
How Reached.—By automobile, over all-weather highway, 45
miles from Ciudad Trujillo. Regular stop on Pan American
Airways air route to South America.
Canada.
Hotels.—Grand ; Las dos Americas ; Inglaterra.
Note.—San Pedro de Macoris is the country's principal sugar
port. A considerable volume of importing is done ; has several
very good firms.
SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS.—Capital of Province of
Santiago, on a high bluff of Yaque del Norte River. Principal
products: Tobacco, coffee, cacao, wax, hides. Industries: Cigar
and cigarette making. Terminal for Dominican Central Rail
road.
How Reached.—From northern ports of Monte Cristi and
Puerto Plata by automobile highways which join at Santiago and
continue through the center of the country to the capital, Ciudad
Trujillo.
Canada.
Hotels.—Grand Hotel Mercedes ; Garibaldi ; Frances ; Italian ;
Santiago.
Note.—Santiago de los Caballeros is the largest town in the
northern part of the Republic and its chief commercial center.
Many wholesale firms here canvass the surrounding country;
also a number of retail firms, some of which make direct im
portations. Tobacco is cultivated extensively in the vicinity.
Santiago occupies such a strategic position that many firms find
it advantageous to divide the Republic into two territories, es
tablishing one agency in Ciudad Trujillo and the other in San
tiago. This city should be visited by all salesmen.
GUADELOUPE
Area.—Guadeloupe, situated in the Lesser Antilles, consists
of two islands separated by a narrow channel called Riviere
Salee. The island to the west is called Guadeloupe proper ; the
one to the east is Grande-Terre. Together they have an area
of 532 square miles. Five smaller islands (Marie-Galante, Les
Saintes, Petite Terre, Desirade, St. Barthelemy, and the French
part of St. Martin) which are dependencies of Guadeloupe bring
the total area up to 688 square miles.
Topography.—The island of Guadeloupe is volcanic ; the east
ern half is flat while the western half is mountainoua The
highest point is La Soufriere with an elevation of 4,900 feet
above sea level.
Climate.—The climate is typical of the trade-wind region ;
the mean annual temperature is 7&° F. Period from December
through March is somewhat cooler than the other months.
Annual precipitation is 92 inches (well distributed throughout
the year) on Guadeloupe proper, but only 49 inches on Basse
Terre. From February through April the rainfall is less than
at other seasons.
Population and Purchasing Power.—The population of Guade
loupe and its five dependencies was 267,407 in 1932. The low
wage scales which prevail are reflected in a very small purchas
ing power.
Industries, Transportation, and Communication.—Guadeloupe
is essentially an agricultural community. It produces sugar,
bananas, rum, coffee, and cocoa. Regular steamship service to
Guadeloupe is maintained by the Aluminum Line, the Furness-
West Indies Line, and the French Line. Pan American Airways
has a weekly plane service to Guadeloupe. Internal transpor
tation is supplied by motor car or bus.
Holidays.—The following are the chief holidays of the French
West Indies (Guadeloupe and Martinique) : January 1, New
Year's Day ; Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras Carnival ; Ash Wednes
day ; Good Friday ; Holy Saturday ; Easter Monday ; Whitmon-
day; Bastille Day, July 14; Ascension Day, August 16; All
Saints' Day, November 1 ; December 25, Christmas Day. If a
holiday falls on Friday or Tuesday, the banks are closed on
Saturday or Monday, respectively.
Currency, Exchange, and Banking.—French money is legal
tender in Guadeloupe. The franc (of 100 centimes) is in gen
eral circulation. There is no gold or silver coinage. The prin
cipal banks of Guadeloupe are Banque de la Guadeloupe, Credit
Guadeloupeen, Royal Bank of Canada. Prices may be quoted
in United States dollars, f. a. s. an American port.
197

BASSE-TERRE.—Capital and seat of government; population
13,638, according to census of 1936. Situated on southwest side
of the island. Landing is accomplished by means of lighters
from ships which anchor in front of the town.
Hotels.—The principal hotels are the Antilles and the Hotel
des Bains.
Note.—Basse-Terre owes its importance to the fact that it is
the capital of the Colony and a port of call for some of the
large steamship lines. It is the center of a rich agricultural
region ; products include coffee, cacao, vanilla, bay oil, and bay
leaves.
POINTE A FITRE.—Chief town of Guadeloupe; population
(which is almost entirely colored), 43,r>51 in 1936. Located near
southern mouth of the Riviere Salee, 41 miles from Basse-Terre.
Hotels.—The Family House ; Grand Hotel des Antilles ; Paris ;
Moderne.
Note.—Pointe a Pitre is the chief commercial city of the
Colony, whose chief wealth is tropical agriculture.
DEPENDENCIES OF GUADELOUPE
Sesirade.—Desirade, 6 miles off northeast coast of Grande-
Terre ; population, 1,600. Reached from mainland by mailboats
and small sailboats. Chief products are sugarcane and vege
tables ; principal industry, stock raising.
Isles des Saintes.—Tis island (area 6 square miles, popula
tion 1,900) lies a few miles off Basse-Terre. Principal indus
tries are fishing, agriculture, and stock raising. Communica
tion with this dependency is irregular.
Marie Galante.—Located 16 iles southeast of Basse-Terre;
area 65 square miles ; population 20,000, very few of whom are
whites. Products are chiefly agricultural ; industries are the
distilling of rum and the refining of sugar. A weekly mailboat
from Guadeloupe provides communication.
St. Barthelemy.—Situated 108 miles northwest of Guadeloupe;
area, 5 square miles ; population of 2,600. Chief town, Gusta-
val ; reached by schooner.
St. Martin.—Lies between Anguilla and St. Barthelemy ; area,
41 square miles; population, 6,000. The northern half of this
island belongs to France, the southern half to the Netherlands.
The capital of the French section is Marigot. Products of the
island are salt, cotton, and cattle. Communication is by sloops
and schooners.
HAITI
Area.—The Republic of Haiti occupies the western third of
Hispaniola, second largest of the Caribbean islands, and has an
estimated area of 10,204 square miles (about the size of the
State of Vermont). The eastern two-thirds of the island is
the Dominican Republic. Haiti lies almost due south of New
York City.
Topography.—The surface of the country is rugged. The
mountain ranges which traverse it from the Dominican border
to the sea rise in the north to 4,600 feet and in the south to
almost 10,000 feet. There are extensive coastal plains and
fertile mountain valleys, but only a few rivers. Many stream
beds are dry except during the rainy seasons. The forests have
been almost completely destroyed.
Climate.—Haiti lies wholly within the Tropics. Tropical
clothing is worn throughout the year. At Port-au-Prince the
annual mean temperature is 81° F., with a daily temperature
range of approximately 19°. There is a spring and an autumn
rainy season. Certain sections of the country are arid ; in
others, precipitation is heavy.
Population.—The estimated population is 2,700,000, more than
90 percent of which is negro. A small but influential minority
of mulattoes is concentrated in the towns, and there are about
1,500 resident white foreigners. Port-au-Prince, the capital,
with an estimated population of 100,000, is the only large town.
Agricultural methods are primitive and individual holdings
small. Food, clothing, and shelter are the chief needs of the
peasant, and he is usually able without much effort to satisfy
most of his simple wants from the produce of his own land.
Purchasing Power.—The average daily wage for unskilled
labor ranges from $0.20 to $0.40, which barely covers the pur
chase of necessities. Late reports indicate that the amount of
money in circulation is approximately $2,000,000, which is about
$0.75 per capita.
Language.—French is the official language and the language
of the educated minority. Creole, a French-African patois, is
the language of the countryside; but a knowledge of it is not
necessary for business purposes. Spanish is not used, and
communications and catalogs in that language should not be
sent to Haiti.
199
200

There is little manufacturing in Haiti. Agriculture is the
principal industry, and coffee is the most valuable crop, ac
counting for 50 percent of export values. Cotton, sugar, sisal,
bananas, cacao, goatskins, cottonseed cake, and logwood are
also exported. Except for American-operated sugarcane, sisal,
and banana plantations, there are no large-scale agricultural
enterprises. There is no mineral production except marine salt.
Total imports in the fiscal year 1937-38 amounted to $7,594,-
778, of which the United States participation was $4,105,525.
Exports were valued at $6,946,390, and the United States share,
$2,972,123. Cotton textiles usually represent one-fourth of total
imports. Other significant imports are wheat flour, fish, and
agricultural implements.

TRANSPORTATION
AIR SERVICE.—Pan American Airways operates a passenger,
mail, and express service four times weekly from Miami to
Port-au-Prince (fare, $85) and other West Indian ports. There
is one plane weekly from Port-au-Prince to Maracaibo, Venezu
ela (fare, $85), and three planes weekly to San Juan, Puerto
Rico (fare, $55). Plane connections once each week are avail
able from Port-au-Prince to Kingston, Jamaica, via Santiago de
Cuba (fare, $35 to Cuba and $50 to Jamaica). Five planes a
week are available between Haiti and San Pedro de Macoris in
the Dominican Republic (one-way fare, $30).
STEAMSHIP SERVICES.—From New York: Panama Railroad
Steamship Line (24 State Street, New York) operates weekly
freight and passenger service to Port-au-Prince. First-class
fare from New York to Port-au-Prince, $75; round trip, $137.
Fare from Port-au-Prince to Cristobal, $45 one way ; $81 round
trip.
Royal Netherlands Steamship Co. (25 Broadway, New York)
provides weekly freight and passenger service to Port-au-Prince ;
freight and passenger service once every 3 weeks to all Haitian
ports. Rates on this line to New York are the same as on the
Panama Line. Fare to Curacao is $45. Direct sailings once
every 3 weeks.
From Gulf Ports: Aluminum Line (1512 American Bank Build
ing, New Orleans, La.) operates freight and passenger service
fortnightly from New Orleans and Mobile to Port-au-Prince;
freight service once every 3 weeks from Mobile and New Orleans
to Port-au-Prince. Lykes Bros. Steamship Co., Inc. (Galveston,
Tex.) operates irregular freight and passenger service from
Houston, Galveston, and Beaumont, Tex., and Lake Charles,
La., to Port-au-Prince.
WEST INDIES 201
ROADS.—There are approximately 1,500 miles of motor roads

in Haiti, connecting all the important cities. The roads from
Port-au-Prince to Jacmel, Jeremie, and Cayes are frequently
impassable for short periods after heavy rains during the rainy
season. Other roads are passable during most of the year.
The highway from Port-au-Prince to Ciudad Trujillo, Domini
can Republic, is used throughout the year. Providing the driver
is able to obtain four or five passengers, the fare between these
two cities is approximately $15 apiece ; otherwise, if an individ
ual automobile is hired, the cost may be about $50. The trip
takes approximately 8 to 10 hours. The trip to Ciudad Trujillo
can also be made by the northern route, via Cap Haitien, but
takes much more time.
COMMUNICATION
Telephone and Telegraph.—The principal towns of Haiti are
connected by the telephone and telegraph system. International
telegraph connections are also available here.
Cables.—There are cable connections with all parts of the
world. A large American radio company is established in Haiti,
and a radio station is also operated by the Haitian Government.
Commercial messages are accepted over the Government station.
Postal Regulations and Rates.—The regular postal rate on
letters from the United States to Haiti is 3 cents an ounce or
fraction ; the air-mail rate is 10 cents for each half ounce or
fraction. From Haiti to the United States the rate on first-
class letters is 2 cents an ounce, while the air-mail rate is 12
cents an ounce.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A passport is not necessary to enter Haiti ; however, it is
advisable that every commercial traveler provide himself with
such a document, as it is a means of identification and facilitates
entry.
ARRIVAL
Salesmen's Samples.—Travelers' samples must be declared as
intended for reexportation and must be reported separately from
personal effects, which are duty free. Samples of no commer
cial value are admitted duty free if verified as such by the ap
praising officer. Samples which have commercial value are
dutiable at the usual rates, but duty paid will be refunded if the
samples are reexported within 6 months. The application for
refund, however, must be made within 30 days after payment of
duty.
Samples may be entered through one port and reexported from
another. The traveler should obtain from the port of entry a
document which will certify that duty has been paid. If this
certificate is carefully preserved and presented at the port of
exportation, there is no difficulty, provided that no samples
have been sold and that the contents of the trunks agree with
the memorandum of importation.
Advertising Matter.—The Haitian import tariff provides for
prints, chromes, lithographs, photographs, engravings, etchings,
drawings, pictures, atlases and maps not specified, charts (in
cluding geographical globes and spheres), and illustrated calen
dars and commercial advertisements, either in albums or sep
arate. When in one color or printing, the duty is $0.30 per net
kilogram, or 30 percent ad valorem. When in two or more
colors or printing, the duty is $0.35 per net kilogram, or 20 per
cent ad valorem. There also is a surtax of 20 percent of the
duties.
Taxes on Salesmen.—Commercial travelers are subject to a
license tax of $50 and a patente tax of $40 per annum, payable
quarterly. Of this amount, $22.50 is collected on arrival, and
no further payment is necessary unless the stay of the traveler
exceeds 3 months.
Directories and Guidebooks.—There are no directories or
guidebooks available in the country except the telephone di
rectories of the principal cities.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting Time.—Merchants purchase their stocks or place
orders during the so-called "dead season," May to August, in
order that they may be stocked up before the coffee season,
which starts in October. The most agreeable period on the
island, however, is from October to May, as the weather
is cooler at that time. There are two rainy seasons, one from
March to May and the other from September to December.
During these periods it is somewhat difficult to travel overland,
but roads are maintained and such travel is possible.
Clothing.—In Haiti only the lightest tropical clothing is worn
throughout the year, as the average mean temperature is 81° F.
There is little seasonal variation in temperature.
Men's suits of drill or linen can be purchased locally at prices
ranging from $6 to $10. Seersucker and other lightweight suits
are also worn ; if purchased locally, the cost is about $18 to $23.
Evening wear for men generally consists of an all-white dinner
jacket and black trousers and a pleated shirt with turned-over
collar.
Women wear the usual light clothing of silk or cotton fabrics
and lightweight evening gowns. A light wrap may be used
occasionally. Women's shoes, stockings, and hats should be
purchased in the United States. There are no shops selling
ready-made women's clothing in Port-au-Prince; but there are
WEST INDIES 203
several dressmakers who make simple house dresses at reason

able prices.
Persons visiting Haiti and traveling in the mountains should
be equipped with slightly heavier clothing, for use on trips into
the interior. Sun helmets are seldom worn in the city but
may be obtained for $2 in a local store. Panama or straw hats
are usually worn by men. White shoes are generally worn by
men ; they can be purchased locally at prices ranging from $5
to $12.
There are no modern dry-cleaning establishments in Haiti ;
therefore, washable clothing is preferable.
Sanitation.—From 1915 to 1934 the United States Marines
were in charge of the sanitary conditions in Haiti. Upon their
withdrawal, sanitation was turned over to the Haitian Public
Health Service, and although a commendatory effort has been
made to maintain the high sanitary standards established by the
Marines, there has been a slight falling off in the efficiency of
this service, primarily from lack of funds. Although the water
supply in Port-au-Prince is chlorinated, most Americans boil the
water before drinking it, for the piping system is somewhat
antiquated, and the water may become contaminated while en
route to the home from the reservoir. Most houses in Port-au-
Prince are equipped with septic tanks and an adequate waste-
disposal system.
The Haitian Sanitary Inspection Service makes frequent in
spections throughout the country, reports the existence of any
epidemics, and endeavors to control them. Malaria and various
minor skin diseases are common in Haiti. The use of mosquito
nets at night is advisable. Such nets may be purchased in
Port-au-Prince for $5 each. Most of the hotels provide nets.
Persons visiting Haiti should be inoculated against typhoid and
smallpox.
Hospital Facilities.—There is one hospital in Port-au-Prince,
under supervision of French nuns, in which there is a special
section reserved for Americans needing hospitalization. There
are no American doctors in Port-au-Prince.
Hotels.—There are four first-class hotels where comfortable
accommodations can be obtained for from $3 to $12 a day, includ
ing meals. There are small hotels where food and lodging
can be obtained for $1 to $3 a day. They are not, however,
generally used by commercial travelers.
Holidays.—Legal holidays in Haiti are January 1 ; May 1 ;
Corpus Christi ; Ascension Day ; All Saints' Day ; and Christmas
Day. Many other days during the year are declared holidays
by presidential decree. Business is more or less at a standstill
during holidays.
Legal Time.—The legal time is eastern standard time.
Weights and Measures.—The metric system is the official sys
tem of weights and measures in the Republic of Haiti.
202836—40 14
204
CURRENCY AND BANKING
Currency.—The unit of currency is the gourde, which is
equivalent to 20 cents United States currency, the gourde being
by law exchangeable on demand and without charge at the fixed
rate of 5 gourdes to 1 American dollar. The gourde is divided
into 100 centimes. United States currency circulates freely.
Banking.—There are only two banks in Haiti—the Banque
Nationale de la Republique d'Haiti, which has a monopoly of
the note issue, and the Royal Bank of Canada. The Banque
Nationale has its principal office in Port-au-Prince and branches
in all important towns. The Royal Bank of Canada has a New
York office at 68 William Street and an office in Port-au-Prince.
Obtaining Delivery of Goods.—The bill of lading should be
made out "to order, notify " (giving name of purchaser).
Such bills of lading should be endorsed in blank and forwarded
to a local bank. Shipments should never be consigned to a bank,
because the laws of Haiti prohibit the importation of merchan
dise without an import license. The release of merchandise
shipped by freight cannot be obtained without the production of
(a) negotiable copy of bill of lading bearing the visa of a Haitian
consular officer; (6) consular invoice; (c) commercial invoice.
Exchange.—For the purpose of saving the cost of exchange,
drafts should read as follows : "Payable to Bank, at the
selling rate for New York Exchange." This makes it possible
for the bank to collect from the drawees at the selling rate, plus
stamps, the remitting charges and collection fee being borne by
the remitters.
Drafts.—It is imperative that drafts and shipping documents
be mailed on the steamer carrying the merchandise, unless they
have been previously forwarded by more rapid means. The
drawee of a draft is not compelled to pay exchange charges; for
that reason such charges are frequently included in the amount
of the draft.
Credit Conditions.—It is well to make a careful investigation
before granting credit ; where there is any doubt, cash should be
insisted upon. A number of medium-sized houses, most of the
smaller ones, and occasionally large firms work on borrowed
capital or credit. Care is also necessary in making arrange
ments with local sales representatives.
COMMERCIAL CENTERS
In the following paragraphs are listed and discussed the cities
and towns in Haiti which are thought to be of most interest to
American commercial travelers. Port-au-Prince, however, is the
outstanding center and none of the others mentioned approach it
in commercial importance.
CAYES.—Capital of Department of the South; population,
15,000. On southeastern coast of Tiburon Peninsula ; steamers
WEST INDIES 205
lie about one-half mile from the shore. Distances : 1,487 nauti
cal miles from New York ; 125 miles by road from Port-au-Prince.
Products : Coffee, bananas, sugarcane, dyewoods, hides, and cot
ton. Industries: Distilleries.
How Reached.—By automobile from Port-au-Prince in about
4 hours.
Banks.—Banque Nationale de la Kepublique d'Haiti (branch).
Hotels.—Continental ; Imperial.
Note.—Cayes, the most important port on the south coast of
Haiti, acts as a source of supply for the villages scattered along
the coast for miles in both directions.
CAP HAITIEN.—Capital of Department of the North; popu
lation, 15,000. Steamers anchor about one-half mile from town ;
small boats transport passengers to shore. Distances: 34 nau
tical miles from Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic ; 40 nautical
miles from Port-de-Paix, Haiti; 170 miles from Port-au-Prince.
Climate, pleasant and healthful ; temperature averages 86° F. ;
cool ocean breezes. Principal products : Coffee, bananas, cacao,
honey, logwood, grapefruit, pineapples, and sisal.
How Reached.—By automobile, from Port-au-Prince (about
8 hours), also from Monte Cristi and Port-de-Paix. Grace
Steamship Line and Royal Netherlands Steamship Co. steamers
call once a week. Cap Haitien is connected with all sections
of Haiti by motor roads. Motor roads also connect it with the
cities of the Dominican Republic.
Banks.—Banque Nationale de la Republique d'Haiti.
Hotels.—Cosmopolitan ; Atlantide ; Pension Andre\ Rates, $3
to $4 a day, American plan.
Note.—Cap Haitien is the chief city of the northern part of
the Republic and is second in importance only to Port-au-Prince.
It has a good harbor and considerable trade is done. Cap
Haitien supplies a large agricultural territory. American con
sular agent in residence.
G0NAIVES.—Capital of Department of Artibonite ; population,
10,000. Located 110 miles from Port-au-Prince, on west coast
of Haiti. Vessels anchor about one-fourth mile from shore ;
well protected in bad weather. Climate, hot. Principal prod
ucts : Coffee, bananas, cotton, logwood, wax, hides and skins,
and castor beans.
How Reached.—From Cap Haitien and Port-au-Prince by
automobile or steamer.
Bank.—Banque Nationale de la Republique d'Haiti.
Hotel.—St. Michel.
Note.—Gonaives is connected by automobile roads with all
sections of Haiti. Under normal conditions the territory tribu
tary to Gonaives absorbs considerable quantities of merchandise.
There is some direct importing and a good deal of exporting.
American consular agent in residence.
JACMEL.—On southern coast of Haiti; population, 10,000.
Distances: 55 miles from Port-au-Prince; 1,489 nautical miles
from New York. Vessels anchor about one-half mile from shore.
Products : Coffee, cotton, bananas, cottonseed, beeswax, honey,
turtle shells, dried orange peel.
How Reached.—By automobile from Port-au-Prince in about
2% hours.
JEREMIE.—Open port, on northern tip of Tiburon Peninsula,
100 nautical miles from Port-au-Prince ; vessels anchor short
distance from shore. Population, 7,500. Principal products:
Cacao, bananas, coffee, honey, logwood, and hides.
How Reached.—From New York, by steamers of Royal Neth
erlands Steamship Co. every other week ; from Port-au-Prince,
by steamer and automobile via Cayes (195 miles from Port-au-
Prince).
Hotel.—Excelsior.
Note.—Jeremie, a city of growing commercial importance with
a considerable export trade, is the source of supplies for the
many small towns and villages in the surrounding area. The
territory dependent upon this center has a population of approxi
mately 30,000.
MIRAGOANE.—A port in the Department of the South, 58 miles
from Port-au-Prince ; small pier with about 6 feet of water.
Population, 3,000 (with neighboring communities, about 15,000).
Products : Coffee, bananas, logwood, and cotton.
How Reached.—By automobile from Port-au-Prince.
Note.—Miragoane is easily visited from the capital by repre
sentatives of American houses.
PETIT GOAVE.—District of Leogane ; population, about 3,000.
Port 45 miles west of Port-au-Prince ; wharf and customhouse.
Climate, cool from October to April ; warm from May to Sep
tember. Products : Coffee, cotton, sweetpotatoes, coconuts,
oranges, lemons, mangoes, bananas, and grapefruit.
How Reached.—By automobile from Port-au-Prince in less
than 1% hours.
Note.—Considerable quantities of coffee are shipped through
this port ; cacao is also exported. Easily reached from Port-
au-Prince. Travelers can visit Petit Goave and return the same
day to Port-au-Prince.
PORT-AU-PRINCE—Capital of the Republic; population.
105,000. In the Department of the West on Port-au-Prince Bay ;
good harbor and pier. Distances : 1,033 nautical miles from
Trinidad ; 1,372 nautical miles from New York ; 170 miles from
Cap Haitien ; 186 nautical miles from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba ;
and 236 miles from Ciudad Trujillo. Climate, pleasant and
healthful. Industries : Sugar mills, cottonseed-oil factory, ice
plant, three tobacco factories, shoe factory, and distilleries.
How Reached.—Steamships and Airplanes.—Prom New York,
by Panama Railroad Steamship Line and Royal Netherlands
WEST INDIES 207
Steamship Line ; from Houston and Galveston, by Lykes Bros.

Steamship Line; from Miami, Camaguey, Ciudad Trujillo, San
Juan, Kingston (Jamaica), Maracaibo (Venezuela), and all
parts of Central and South America, by planes of the Pan
American Airways, Inc.
Railroads.-—National Railroad to Verrettes, 88 miles; Com-
pagnle du Chemin de Fer de la Plaine de la Cul du Sac, 27 miles,
for transportation of sugarcane.
National Highways.—National highways extend from Port-
au-Prince to Jacmel, Cayes, Jeremie, and Cap Haitien. There
are two highways to the latter city, one by way of St. Marc and
Gonaives and one by way of Hinche. Automobile fares to
various cities are approximately as follows : Cap Haitien, $40 ;
Port-de-Paix, $40; Gonaives, $35; St. Marc, $15; Petit Goavo,
$15; Miragoane, $20 to $25; Jacmel, $15 to $20; Cayes, $35 to
$40. Automobiles may be hired for out-of-town trips for ap
proximately $12 a day, and a chauffeur may usually be obtained
for $1 a day. (Taxicab rate must always be established before
trip is started.)
Banks.—Banque Nationale de la Republique d'Haiti; Royal
Bank of Canada.
Note.—Port-au-Prince is the chief commercial city of Haiti,
as well as its capital. It is the logical place in which to estab
lish an agency ; and as most places in Haiti can be visited from
this point, salesmen may use it as their headquarters. A num
ber of concerns, both wholesale and retail, make direct impor
tations. There is also a considerable export trade. American
legation located at Port-au-Prince.
PORT-DE-PAIX.—Capital of Department of Northwest ; popu
lation, 7,500. Port on north side of the Department, 40 nautical
miles from Cap Haitien and 140 nautical miles from Port-au-
Prince. Products : Coffee, bananas, cacao, hardwoods, cotton,
manioc, sisal, hides, and skins.
How Reached.—From New York, by Royal Netherlands Steam
ship Co. ; from Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien, by automobile.
ST. MARC—Situated at head of St. Marc Bay, 60 miles from
Port-au-Prince. Vessels lie one-fourth mile offshore. Popula
tion, 10,000. Products : Coffee, cotton, bananas, logwood, and
sisal. Industries : Cottonseed-oil mill.
How Reached.—From New York, by Royal Netherlands Steam
ship Line ; from Port-au-Prince, by automobile.
Note.The port of St. Marc is situated on the western side
of the Republic midway between the north and south coasts,
a few miles from the mouth of the Artibonite River. There is
considerable export business, especially in logwood, cotton,
coffee, and bananas.
JAMAICA
Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea, lying about 90
miles south of Cuba, 100 miles west of Haiti, and 550 miles
northeast of Colon, Panama. It is a British Crown Colony.
Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Morant Cays, and
Pedro Cays are dependencies of Jamaica.
Area and Topography.—The area of Jamaica is 4,450 square
miles. The greatest length of the island is 144 miles ; the width
varies from 21^ to 49 miles. Nearly all of the surface is
mountainous or hilly. Some of the peaks attain a height of
5,000 to 7,000 feet. The most important chain of mountains is
the Blue Mountains; Blue Mountain western peak rises in
height to 7,360 feet. The island is well watered by small
streams and there are numerous fertile valleys, some of which
are very picturesque.
Climate.—Jamaica has a tropical climate; the mean annual
temperature on the coast is 79.3° ; December through March
are the cooler months. Temperatures in the uplands are slightly
lower. Striking contrasts in amount of rainfall exist in differ
ent parts of the islands. At Kingston, in the lee of the Blue
Mountains, the mean annual rainfall is 31.56 inches; the pre
cipitation increases to a maximum in the mountains.

Population.—The estimated population of Jamaica on Decem
ber 31, 1938, was 1,173,645, or approximately 264 inhabitants
per square mile. The population of Kingston (capital) was
estimated on December 31, 1938, to be 80,195 ; of Kingston and
St. Andrew Corporation, which includes the parish of Kingston
and the adjoining suburban parish of St. Andrew, 143,570.
According to the last official census (1921), the populations of
other larger towns of the island were as follows : Spanish Town,
8,694; Montego Bay, 7,000; Port Antonio, 6,500; Savanna-la-
Mar, 3,442; St. Ann's Bay, 2,090; Falmouth, 2,136. People in
general estimate the population of Montego Bay to have in
creased to 10,000.
The language of the island is English. Correspondence in
Spanish should be avoided.
Purchasing Power.—While the more well-to-do people have the
same standards of living as do similar classes of Europeans,
208
WEST INDIES 209
their number is very small. The average purchasing power of

the population in general is low, as a large proportion consists
of laborers or small landholders (peasant proprietors). Articles
of importation consist chiefly of essentials, especially foodstuffs
and clothing of cheap quality. Climatic conditions and an
abundance of fruit reduce the volume of clothing and foodstuffs
which would otherwise be required.

Jamaica is essentially agricultural. The most important crop
is bananas, followed by sugar, coconuts, pimento, citrus fruits,
coffee, ginger, and minor crops. Other products are rum, log
wood and logwood extracts, cacao, and dyewoods. Beer,
matches, aerated waters, biscuits, native wines, cigars and ciga
rettes, soaps, and cooking oils and fats are manufactured for
local consumption.

TRANSPORTATION
STEAMSHIP LINES.—The United Fruit Co. (Pier 3, North

River, New York, N. Y.) has a weekly passenger and freight
service direct to Kingston.
The United Fruit Co. (321 Charles Street, New Orleans, La.)
operates a weekly freight service from New Orleans to Kingston
via Santiago de Cuba. One or two passengers are sometimes
able to sail on vessels of this service upon making arrangements
with the captains.
The Orace Line (10 Hanover Square, New York, N. Y.) has
a weekly passenger service from New York, via Curacao, La
Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Puerto Colombia, Cartagena, and Cristo
bal, to Kingston, thence to New York via Cap Haitien.
The Standard Fruit and Steamship Co. (21 West Street, New
York, N. Y.) operates a weekly passenger and freight service
between New York and Kingston via Santiago de Cuba, return
ing to New York via La Ceiba. Passengers are not accepted for
La Ceiba.
The East Asiatic Line (433 California Street, San Francisco,
Calif.) has a passenger and freight service calling at Kingston
about twice a month.
The Canadian National Steamships (186 Tremont Street, Bos
ton, Mass.) has a twice-a-month service between Montreal and
Kingston, via Halifax, Bermuda, and Nassau. From November
until April, boats call at Boston instead of Montreal.
The Aluminum Line (1512 American Bank Building, New
Orleans, La.) has a passenger and freight service from New
Orleans and Mobile to Kingston, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Bar
210
bados, Trinidad, British Guiana, and Dutch Guiana, thence to
Trinidad, Kingston, and return to New Orleans. The passenger
accommodations are limited to 12 persons.
The Horn Line (German) has a monthly passenger and freight
service from Kingston to Port-au-Prince, Puerto Plata, San Juan,
Curacao, and Ciudad Trujillo and thence to Kingston, Cap
Haitien, and Puerto Plata. Some vessels have accommodations
for 10 passengers, and other vessels for 40 passengers.
The Pacific Steamship Navigation Co. (British) has a monthly
passenger and freight service from Kingston to Habana, Cris
tobal, Salinas, Callao, and Valparaiso.
The Royal Mail Line (British) has a monthly passenger and
freight service from Kingston to Puerto Colombia, Cristobal, and
Los Angeles. The vessels carry 12 or 18 passengers.
The Royal Ncthcrland Steamship Co. (Dutch) has twice-a-
month passenger and freight service from Kingston to Puerto
Limon, Cristobal, Cartagena, Puerto Colombia, Curacao, Puerto
Cabello, La Guaira, Trinidad, and Barbados ; the same service
calls at Puerto Colombia, Cartagena, and Cristobal before coming
to Kingston.
The Hamourg-Amcriean Line (German) operates a monthly
service from Kingston to Santiago de Cuba, Port-au-Prince, Cap
Haitien, and Puerto Plata. This service has accommodations
for four passengers.
Other Service.—Kingston is also served by steamship lines
coming from Europe.
AIR SERVICE.—Pan American Airways operates planes once
a week between Kingston and San Pedro de Macoris via Santiago
de Cuba and Port-au-Prince, and return over the same route.
This company also has service three times a week to Miami via
Cienfuegos and Habana, three times a week to Cristobal, and
twice a week to Barranquilla.
RAILWAYS.—The Jamaica Government Railway has a daily
service (except Sundays) between Kingston and Montego Bay,
which is on the northwestern coast of the island 113 miles from
Kingston. Daily train services (except Sundays) are main
tained between Kingston and Frankfleld (57 miles) and Kings
ton and Ewarton (27 miles) in the interior of the island. There
is a daily train service (including Sundays) between Kingston
and Port Antonio (75 miles) on the northeast coast of the
island.
AUTOMOBILES.—Automobiles are available for reaching all
points of the Colony. The usual charge for hiring an automobile
is 20 cents per mile for a 5-passenger car and 25 cents per mile
for a 7-passenger car. The minimum charge is at the rate of
60 miles per day. Arrangements as to fare and other charges
must be made in advance.
WEST INDIES 211
COMMUNICATION
Wireless and Cables.—Radio messages are accepted for ships
at sea in direct communication with Kingston Radio at a charge
of 10 pence per word. If a ship is not in direct touch with
Kingston, messages may be relayed through other ships at an
extra charge of 4 pence per word for each relay. Radiotele-
grams are not admitted at deferred or letter telegram rates.
The rate on cable messages to New York City, New Orleans, and
Key West, is 36 cents per word.
Postage.—First-class letter rate from the United States is 5
cents for the first ounce, and 3 cents for each additional ounce
or fraction thereof. Parcel post is 14 cents per pound. First-
class letter postage from Jamaica to the United States is 2%
pence for the first ounce, and 1% pence for each additional ounce
or fractional part thereof. Air-mail postage (three times a
week) from United States to Jamaica is 10 cents for each half
ounce or fraction thereof; air-mail postage (three times a week)
from Jamaica to the United States is 7% pence for each half
ounce or fraction thereof.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Transients.—According to Jamaica Law No. 32 of 1933, a
"tourist" is any person who satisfies the officer that he is a
passenger in transit or that he arrives in Jamaica for reasons
of health, pleasure, or business, and does not intend to remain
in the island for a period longer than 6 months, or such longer
period as the Governor by any special or general direction may
authorize ; the term also includes a person who comes to the
island for the purpose of entering an educational institution
as a pupil.
The tourist should have a ticket through to another country
or a return-trip ticket to the country from which he came ; other
wise he may be classified as an alien attempting to enter the
island permanently and may be required to deposit the sum of
$150 in the Treasury of the Colony.
Jamaica Law No. 16 of 1935 provides that there shall be paid
by a transport company in respect of every passenger trans
ported by such company a duty of 10 shillings, but if the passen
ger departs from the island within 72 hours of his arrival thereat,
the duty shall be 4 shillings.
Samples.—Samples of value may be brought into Jamaica
without the payment of duty ; but an invoice must be deposited
with the customs, the goods carefully checked, and a sufficient
deposit left to cover duties thereon. When the traveler leaves
the island, the goods are again checked and the deposit returned.
Baggage.—The baggage of commercial travelers is treated the

same as that of other persons. It is examined along with other
passengers' baggage and is subject to the same duties.
Advertising Matter.—Advertising matter, with the exception
of printed matter, is subject to duty.
Directories and Guidebooks.—There are no city or town direc
tories. Telephone directories of Kingston may be obtained with
out charge from the Jamaica Telephone Co., Ltd. Tourist guide
books may be obtained free of charge at the Tourist Trade
Development Board, Kingston.
Taxes on Salesmen.—Commercial travelers are required to pay
a commercial traveler's tax of £25. According to Jamaica Law
No. 3 of 1936, a commercial traveler is a nonresident person not
otherwise licensed under Law No. 3, who takes, solicits, or
receives orders for goods on his own behalf or on behalf of a
person, firm, or company carrying on business outside of the
island. A commercial traveler is not required to take out a mer
chant's license if he sells his samples, but if such goods are
sold, the duty thereon must be paid. There are no other sales
men's taxes.
CANVASSING JAMAICA
Canvassing Outside Kingston.—There is only one city in
Jamaica of real importance; that is Kingston, the capital. la
Kingston are located the chief Government offices, also the main
offices of most wholesalers and important firms of the island. In
some lines it is not advisable for commercial travelers to call
on country firms, because the Kingston wholesalers have sales
men who canvass country customers, and the travelers would be
competing with them ; in other lines the travelers' agents in
Kingston object to the accepting of orders by the travelers
unless the agents receive the commission. Some dealers in
Kingston stipulate that they will not purchase goods if orders
are accepted in the country districts.
Routes.—When salesmen travel in Jamaica they usually fol
low the eastern coast of the island and the north coast to An-
notto Bay, which is almost directly north of Kingston, and re
turn to Kingston by the Junction Road, which is at the narrowest
part of the island. They then leave Kingston and travel west
ward through Spanish Town, Ewarton to St. Ann's Bay on
the north coast, and follow the coast towns and nearby towns
to Montego Bay, Lucea, Savanna-la-Mar, and Black River, in
the western parts of the island and on the coast. They return
to Kingston by way of Mandeville, Christiana, and other towns
in the interior, calling at May Pen, Chapelton, and Old Harbour,
in the south-central section of the island.
Agencies.—-Agencies for Jamaica are almost always placed
with firms in Kingston, whose salesmen are expected to canvass
the rest of the island.
WEST INDIES 213
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Best Visiting lime.—There does not appear to be any set
visiting time for commercial travelers, although most merchants
are busily engaged in the Christmas trade during December or
in stocktaking in January.
Clothing.—Tropical clothing is worn throughout Jamaica.
Holidays.—The following are the holidays observed in
Jamaica : January 1, New Year's Day ; Ash Wednesday ; Good
Friday ; Easter Monday ; May 24, Empire Day ; King's Birthday;
August 1, Abolition of Slavery ; December 25, Christmas Day ;
and December 26, Boxing Day. When holidays fall on Sundays,
they are observed on the Mondays following.
Legal Time.—The legal time is the same as the eastern stand
ard time of the United States. Daylight-saving time is not
observed.
Currency and Exchange.—The monetary system is the same as
that in England, but United States paper currency and silver are
accepted in units of 25 cents and over. There are no exchange
restrictions.
Weights and Measures.—English units, as used in Great
Britain, are standard. Imperial gallons and long tons are the
rule.
Credit Information.—Credit information on local firms may
be obtained from Barclays Bank, the Bank of Nova Scotia, the
Canadian Bank of Commerce, the Royal Bank of Canada, or the
Commercial Information Bureau, all in Kingston.
KINGSTON.—Capital of the island; population (with the ad
joining parish of St. Andrew, comprising the Kingston and St.
Andrew Corporation) estimated on December 31, 1938, at
143,570. Kingston is 113 miles from Montego Bay; 75 miles
from Port Antonio by rail, and 60 miles by road ; and 13 miles
from Spanish Town. It is 1,414 nautical miles from New York.
Landing, from steamer to wharf. Temperature averages 79° F.
Manufactures : Beer, matches, aerated waters, biscuits, native
wines, cigars and cigarettes, soaps, cooking oils and fats, all for
local consumption.
How Reached.—From New York, by United Fruit Co. and the
Standard Fruit & Steamship Co. From New Orleans, by the
United Fruit Co. and the Aluminum Line. From Mobile, by the
Aluminum Line. From San Francisco and Los Angeles, by
the East Asiatic Line. From Boston, during the winter months
by the Canadian National Steamships. From Miami, by the Pan
American Airways.
Hotels.—The leading hotels and approximate daily rates are :
Myrtle Bank ($7.50 up) ; Constant Spring ($7.50 up) ; South
214
Camp Road ($5 up) ; Manor House ($5 up) ; Roslyn Hall ($4
up); Mona Great House ($5 up) ; Melrose House ($4 up). All
rates are for American plan.
Banks.—Barclays Bank; Bank of Nova Scotia; Royal Bank
of Canada ; Canadian Bank of Commerce.
Note.—Kingston is a port of call for many steamship lines
trading with the West Indies and South and Central America.
Many commercial travelers stop off here between steamers, while
others remain and devote sufficient time to canvass the city
thoroughly. American consulate.
MONTEGO BAY.—A tourist resort in the parish of St. James
on northeast end of island ; population, between 7,000 and
10,000. It is next in importance commercially to Kingston.
Located 113 miles from Kingston, from which it is reached by
rail, motorcar, or motorbus.
Hotels.—Casa Blanca, Beach View, Ethelhart, Richmond
Hill Inn. All charge $5 a day up, except during tourist season
(December-March), when the rates for the first two above-named
hotels are increased 50 percent and upward.
Banks.—Barclays Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of
Nova Scotia.
PORT ANTONIO.—In the parish of Portland; population,
6,500. Distances from Kingston : 60 miles by post road by car ;
80 miles by shore road by car; 75 miles by rail.
Banks.—Barclays Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia.
Hotels.—Titchfield ($5 a day up) ; De Montevin Lodge
(boarding house, $3.75 a day).
CAYMAN ISLANDS.—Dependencies of Jamaica. Georgetown
the capital (situated on Grand Cayman, the largest island of
the group) is about 300 miles from Kingston. Motorboat service
twice a month between Kingston and Georgetown. Products
of the islands are turtles, phosphates, and coconuts. Not rec
ommended for a visit by a commercial traveler. Most imports
are obtained from Jamaica or from Tampa, Pla.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.—Dependencies of Jamaica,
about 450 miles to the northeast of Jamaica ; Grand Turk is
the capital ; salt is the leading product. Monthly schooner
service between Kingston and Grand Turk. Not recommended
for visit by a commercial traveler.
LEEWARD ISLANDS
ANTIGUA
Area.—Antigua, governmental headquarters of the Leeward
Islands, is located about 40 nautical miles east of Nevis, 27
miles northeast of Montserrat, and 40 miles north of Guadeloupe.
Its area is about 108 square miles ; its dependencies, Barbuda
and Redonda, have an area of about 62% square miles.
Topography.—Antigua is comparatively level, with few hills,
no mountains, and few forests. It has no river of any
importance.
Climate.—The climate of Antigua is warm, dry, and pleasant-
Hurricanes sometimes occur during the summer. Annual rain
fall averages 46 inches, well distributed through the year.
Population and Industries.—Combined population of Antigua,
Barbuda, and Redonda, on December 31, 1936, was estimated
at 34,230. Main industries of Antigua are production of sugar
and cotton. Antigua is somewhat off the beaten track, and is
not usually visited by the tourists' ships which each winter
call at the other West Indian islands.
Transportation and Communication.—The following steamship
lines make Antigua a point of call : Canadian National Steam
ship ; Harrison Line ; Ocean Dominion Steamship Corporation ;
American Caribbean Line. The island is also served by the
planes of the Pan American Airways, St. Johns having an air
port with a regular service from Miami and Trinidad. There
are no railways in Antigua except two private lines for the
conveyance of cane from plantations to the factory. A regular
motorbus service has been established between St. Johns and
the bathing beach of Fort James.
Entry Requirements.—No registration is required of com
mercial travelers. A deposit must be made to cover the import
duty on samples of commercial value. However, this sum is
returned in full when samples are taken from the island.
Directory and Guidebooks.—A business and professional
directory is included in the section devoted to Antigua in the
West Indies Year Book.
Salesmen's Taxes.—No license fee is required of commercial
travelers.
Best Visiting Time.—The winter months of December to
April are the coolest and most pleasant of the year. This period
is the most popular for visitors.
Clothing.—Tropical clothing is most appropriate for wear in
Antigua.
215
216
Hotel.—Globe Hotel; rate, $4 a day, American plan; lower
rates for permanent guests, and for two persons in one room.
Currency and Banking.—The currency in Antigua is British,
and all coins of the United Kingdom are current. Banks con
ducting business on the island are Barclays Bank (Dominion,
Colonial, and Overseas) and the Royal Bank of Canada. There
is also a Government savings bank, the Antigua Savings Bank
of St. Johns.
Chief Commercial Center.—St. Johns, the only town of any size
in Antigua, is 39 nautical miles from Montserrat and 330 miles
from Barbados. Landing is effected from steamer to tender
and from tender to shore.
Barbuda Island is 25 miles north of Antigua, of which it is
a dependency ; area 75 square miles ; industries, tea and cotton
production, broom and basket making. Barbuda is reached from
Antigua by small sailing sloops, in 5 to 6 hours.
DOMINICA
Area.—Dominica, a British possession in the Leeward group,
is about 30 nautical miles from Guadeloupe and the same dis
tance from Martinique. The island is 29 miles long and 16
broad ; total area, 304 square miles.
Topography.—The island is of volcanic formation and some
what mountainous ; highest point, about 5,000 feet above sea
level. A range of hills runs north and south, with spurs branch
ing off to the sea. There are numerous small rivers. The heavy
annual rainfall makes necessary the construction of the best
quality roads.
Climate.—Temperature along the coast averages between
70° and 90° F. In the hills, however, it sometimes falls as low
as 54°. Throughout the winter months there is a constant sea
breeze and the nights are always cool.
Population and Industry.—According to recent estimates, the
population of Dominica is 48,280. Only industries of importance
are manufacture of concentrated lime juice and citrate of lime.
Principal products are limes, cacao, oranges, spices, coconuts, and
hardwood.
Transportation and communication.—Steamship Service.—The
island of Dominica is served by the following steamship com
panies: Canadian National Steamship Line; Furness-West In
dies Line ; Ocean Dominion Steamship Corporation ; American
Caribbean Line. The port of Roseau is an open roadstead with
anchorage in from 6 to 8 fathoms of water one cable offshore.
Vessels 60 feet long, with a loaded freight of 8 feet, can be
berthed alongside the large jetty. Licensed boatmen convey
passengers from the ship to the jetty. Fare without personal
luggage is 6 pence for each person; with luggage, 1 shilling—
personal luggage being not more than two trunks or three hand
WEST INDIES 217
bags, or packages of corresponding size, and a deck chair. A

coastal motor-launch service three times a week has been es
tablished between Roseau and Portsmouth.
Railways and Highways.—There are no railways in Dominica.
There are 45 miles of highway open for traffic in the western
district and 33 in the northern. These roads open up communi
cation between the ports of Roseau and Portsmouth and the
interior of the island. The streets of Roseau and of some coun
try districts have been oiled.
Communication.—A wireless station has been established at
Morne Diablotin, but is not being used at present. The princi
pal towns of the island are connected by telephone service,
while telegraphic communication is provided by the Pacific
Cable Board, the West Indian System, and the West Indian &
Panama Telegraph Co., Ltd.
Entry Requirements.—The traveler visiting Dominica should
be provided with a valid passport. Deposit of duty on value
of samples must be made; this is refunded on departure, pro
vided goods are packed in the presence of a customs officer and
placed .in customs awaiting shipment.
Hotels.—Leading hotels and daily rates are Carlton House,
$3 ; Cherry Lodge, $3 ; Hotel de Paz, $2.
Currency and Banking.—-The currency of Dominica is British.
Two banks conduct business on the island: Barclays (Dominion,
Colonial, and Overseas) ; Royal Bank of Canada. There is also
y savings bank which has been established by the Government.
Chief Commercial Center.—Roseau, capital of Dominica and
its only town of commercial importance, is located on the south
west coast at the mouth of the Roseau River. Landing from
ships is accomplished by shoreboats to the jetties. Considering
the small population, a fair volume of retail trade is carried
on. Roseau is visited by those who canvass smaller places.
MONTSERRAT
Area.—Montserrat, a British possession in the Leeward
Islands, is 27 nautical miles southwest of Antigua and about
35 miles from Nevis. The island of Montserrat is about 11 miles
in length and 7 miles in width at the broadest part ; total area,
about 33 square miles.
Topography.—The island is of volcanic origin and has three
groups of mountains. The highest point is Mt. Soufriere; ele
vation, 12,200 feet. The cultivated land is chiefly on the western
and southeastern sides. There are numerous small streams.
Climate.—-The climate is relatively cool and healthful. The
southern part of the island is somewhat dry ; the north has an
abundance of water. Average annual temperature, 78° F. ; aver
age annual rainfall, 40 to 80 inches.
Population and Industry.—The estimated population, as of
December 31, 1936, was 13,630.
218 COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS' GUIDE .
Cotton growing is still the chief industry. The industry is

well organized, with provision being made for Government con
trol in the production and distribution of all seeds for planting.
The growing of citrus fruits, especially the cultivation of
limes, is making steady progress ; however, grapefruit, oranges,
and lemons do not grow rapidly on Montserrat. The growing
of tomatoes and vegetables, although a minor industry, continues
to show development.
Transportation and Communication.—Steamship Service is pro
vided by the Canadian National Steamship Co. and the Furness-
West Indies Line.
Highways and Railways.—There are 68 miles of roads open
for traffic on the island, of which 26 miles are main roads
suitable for motor traffic. Motorcars may be hired at the rate
of 1 shilling a mile. There is no railway or tramcar service.
Produce is transported by oxcart or motortrucks, and along the
seacoast by boat.
Communication.—There is no cable station on the island. A
wireless station is maintained by the West India & Panama
Telegraph Co., Ltd., on behalf of the Government.
Entry Requirements.—There are no special regulations regard
ing the registration of commercial travelers or the entry of
samples.
Hotel.—The Coconut Hill Hotel in Plymouth has 10 double
rooms ; rate, $3 a day, with reduction for prolonged stay.
Currency and Banking.—The currency of Montserrat is Brit-J
ish. The Royal Bank of Canada maintains a branch at Plym
outh ; there is also a Government Savings Bank.
Chief Commercial Center.—Plymouth, the only port of entry,
is an open roadstead facing the southwest. A reasonably good
supply of water is available, but there is no public electric-light
service. Ice may be obtained readily at low cost, the island
recently having been supplied with an up-to-date refrigerating
and ice-making plant. The trade is small.
ST. CHRISTOPHER, NEVIS, AND ANGUILLA
Area.—The island of St. Christopher, a British possession in
the Leeward group, lies in latitude 17°18' N. and longitude
62°48' W. ; about 100 nautical miles from Guadeloupe. Total
area, 68 square miles. St. Christopher, Nevis, and Angnilla
are under a single administrator, and are known as a presidency.
The island of Nevis has an area of 50 square miles, or about
32,000 acres; while Anguilla, about 60 miles northwest of St.
Christopher, has a total area of only 35 square miles.
Topography.—The main body of the island of St. Christopher
forms a long oval. The central portion of the island is moun
tainous, the highest peak being Mount Misery (3,711 feet).
Nevis, of volcanic origin, is nearly circular in shape. It rises
«
WEST INDIES 219
steadily from the shore toward the center, the highest point
being Nevis Peak, 3,593 feet above sea level.
Climate.—The climate of all three islands is healthful. The
temperature averages between 56° and 88° F. The islands are
sometimes visited by hurricanes, usually in March, August, or
September. Nevis has slightly less rainfall than St. Christopher.
Population and Purchasing Power.—The population of the
three islands, as of December 31, 1936, was: St. Christopher,
18,395 ; Nevis, 13,542 ; Anguilla, 5,517 ; total 37,454. The popula
tion is largely negro ; there are a few Englishmen and native-
born whites.
The prevailing low wages of the average laborer result in a
limited purchasing power. On the other hand, necessary ex
penses are small. The food of a large portion of the population
consists of plantains, yams, bananas, and similar products. The
house of the laborer often costs nothing, space being given for
his shack on the estate where he is employed. Fuel may be
obtained for the picking up ; or charcoal be bought cheaply in
the small quantities needed for the ordinary culinary purposes
of the average family. Clothes consist usually of overalls,
shirts, and denim jackets.
Chief Economic Activities.—The leading industry of St.
Christopher, sugar, is highly developed. Its central factory is
considered to be one of the most efficient and up-to-date in the
West Indies. The cotton industry, which in the past was of
considerable interest to the people of St. Christopher, has dimin
ished in importance. The principal products of Nevis are cotton
and sugar, and those of Anguilla are cotton and livestock.
Transportation and Communication.—Water Traffic.—The
following steamship lines provide service to St. Christopher :
Canadian National Steamships ; Ocean Dominion Steamship Cor
poration ; Furness-West Indies Line ; Harrison Line ; American
Caribbean Line. Motorboat service between St. Christopher and
Nevis was inaugurated in February 1937. Anguilla may be
reached from St. Christopher and the United States Virgin
Islands by sailing vessels.
Railways and Highways.—A light railway runs around the
island of St. Christopher for the transportation of cane to the
factory and of sugar to the pier at Rawlins Bay. The total
length of the line is 36 miles. There are about 11 miles of good
streets in Basseterre, and a further 49 miles of road in and
around the island. In Nevis there are 3 miles of road.
Communication. —Cable communication between St. Christo
pher and all parts of the world is maintained by the West India
& Panama Telegraph Co., Ltd. There is no wireless communi
cation between the islands.
Entry Requirements.—There are no special regulations affect
ing commercial travelers. Samples must be taken out of the
Presidency within 3 months from date of entry. A deposit equal
202836—40 15
220
to the amount of duty is required, but this is refunded when

samples are shipped out.
Hotels.—St. Christopher: Seaside Hotel, 7 rooms ; rate, $3 a
day. Nevis: The Bath House, 5 double and 10 single rooms ; rate,
$3 to $4 a day, American plan. Famous mineral baths attached
to the hotel.
Currency and Banking.—The monetary system is British.
British gold, silver, and copper coins are current and are legal
tender. American gold coins are also in circulation. Two banks
conduct business in St. Christopher and Nevis. These are Bar
clays Bank (Dominion, Colonial, and Oversea) and the Royal
Bank of Canada.
Chief Commercial Centers.—Basseterre (population, over
8,000), capital of St. Christopher, is a busy port, being a dis
tributing center for merchandise to neighboring (British and
other) islands. The town, located at the southwestern end of
the island about 15 nautical miles from Antigua, has an open
roadstead which requires the use of tenders.
Charlestown, principal town on the island of Nevis, is 13
miles from Basseterre and may be reached from the latter port
by motorboat, which maintains a daily service. The roughness
of the sea occasionally prevents communication between the two
ports.
Crocus Bay, principal town of Anguilla, is a small place with
a correspondingly small trade. No foreign steamers call at this
port.
MARTINIQUE
Area.—Martinique, in the Windward group of the Lesser
Antilles, is a French Colony situated between the islands of
Dominica and St. Lucia. The area approximates 385 square
miles, or slightly more than one-third that of the State of Rhode
Island. For purposes of administration, Martinique is divided
into 32 communes.
Topography.—The surface of this volcanic island is a series
of low mountains with narrow intervening valleys. The high
est point is Mount Pelee, which rises to 4,500 feet. About 110,000
acres of land are arable and 25,000 acres are pasture land. The
remainder consists of forests and waste land.
Climate. —The climate of Martinique is subtropical ; mean
annual temperature in the lowlands, 79° F. January and Feb
ruary are the coolest months. Rainfall is abundant and distrib
uted throughout the year, with less in April and March.
Population and Industries.—According to the census of 1937,
the population of Martinique was 246,712, predominantly black
or colored. A few thousand whites control the greater part of
the industries and most of the important commerce. The stand
ard of living is not high. While the island has an excellent
public lighting system, water storage and distribution are inade
quate during most of the year.
WEST INDIES 221
The chief industries of Martinique are the production of rum,

sugar, and bananas. Minor industries include the manufac
ture of chocolate, soap, macaroni, essential oils, lime juice, tile,
and beer, and the canning of pineapples.
Transportation and Communication.—The island is well served
by steamship companies. The French Line, with steamers from
France and way ports in the West Indies, call regularly at
Martinique. The Aluminum Lime has fortnightly service from
New Orleans. The Furness-West Indies Line has passenger and
freight service from New York.
Local transportation is by motortruck, small coasting steam
ers, and sailing vessels. The island is well supplied with well-
maintained roads, most of which are suitable for motor traffic.
Air service is provided by Pan American Airways. There is
telegraphic communication with the rest of the world.
Best Visiting Time.—Martinique has little variation in climate
throughout the year. Any preference that exists for a visiting
time is for the months of January to April.
Clothing.—Light clothing is suitable throughout the year. A
very light weight waterproof raincoat will be found useful.
Hotels.—Principal hotels are De la Paix ; Excelsior ; Bediat ;
Family House.
Currency and Banking.—Martinique has its own currency,
value of which is based on the French franc. The three banks
on the island are Banque de la Martinique ; Credit Martiniquais ;
Royal Bank of Canada.
Chief Commercial Center.—Fort de France, capital of Marti
nique, has a population of 54,051. It is 1,787 nautical miles from
New York. Vessels anchor offshore and small boats take pas
sengers ashore. Practically all the important business of the
island is done through Fort de France. Although some of the
. dealers in the interior import, shipments are usually handled by
agents in the port.
NETHERLANDS WEST INDIES (CURACAO)
The Netherlands West Indian Colony. of Curacao includes six
islands: Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire, near the coast of Vene
zuela, between 68° and 70° west longitude; and St. Eustatius,
Saba, and a part of St. Martin, in the northern Leeward Islands
near the Virgin Islands of the United States.
Area, Topography, and Climate.—The area of Curacao is 210
square miles ; Aruba, 69 square miles ; Bonaire, 95 square miles ;
St. Eustatius, 7 square miles ; Saba, 5 square miles ; and St.
Martin (Dutch part), 17 square miles.
Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire are low-lying islands of coral
formation, while St. Eustatius and Saba are quite mountainous
and of volcanic origin.
Rainfall in Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire is light—about 16
inches per annum, usually falling in the latter half of the year.
The temperature averages around S0° to 85° P. throughout the
year.
Population and Purchasing Power.—The latest official esti
mates of the population of the Colony of Curacao are as follows :
Curacao (island), 62,000; Aruba, 2-1,000; Bonaire, 6,000; St.
Martin (Dutch part), 3,000; St. Eustatius, 1,000; and Saba,
1,500.
Owing to the employment of the majority of the adult males by
the refineries at relatively high wages, the standard of living in
Curacao and Aruba is higher than in any other islands of the
West Indies. In Bonaire and the Leeward group, the standard
of living is about the same as in other West Indian Islands.
There is practically no unemployment in Curacao or Aruba, be- _
cause of the Government's immigration regulations. Because '
of the high wages paid and the absence of unemployment, the
purchasing power of the general population is fairly high.
Chief Economic Activities.—Petroleum refining completely
dominates the economic activities of Curacao and Aruba. Dur
ing 1937, imports of crude oil were valued at $124,651,000 and
the exports of refined products at $163,507,000. Minor activities
include the transshipment of merchandise destined for, and com
ing from, the Maracaibo Basin of Venezuela ; the preparation
of gum aloes; and the making of straw hats (the straw coming
from Venezuela).
Steamship Service.—A weekly steamship service between New
York and Curacao is maintained by both the Grace Line and
the Royal Netherlands Steamship Co. During the tourist sea
222
WEST INDIES 223
son (December to March) an average of 35 vessels with cruise

passengers from New York and European ports call at Curacao.
Curacao is also a port of call for all regular steamship services
between Europe, Trinidad, Venezuela, and Colombian ports,
and Panama.
Air Service.—Daily air service (mail, passenger, and cargo)
is maintained by the Dutch Airlines (K. L. M.), which connects
with Pan American Airways at La Guaira, Coro, and Mara-
caibo, in Venezuela ; and Barranquilla, in Colombia.
Communication.—Curacao and Aruba are connected by All
America Cables with the United States and other countries,
and there are Government wireless stations in Curacao, Aruba,
and Bonaire, which accept commercial messages.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
There are no severe immigration restrictions on commercial
travelers visiting the Netherlands West Indies, except that the
usual time allowed in each island is 2 weeks. Should the busi
ness not be completed within 2 weeks, extensions are usually
granted upon application. No license is required and no fees
are payable. There are no taxes on salesmen.
Samples and Advertising.—An invoice of samples having com
mercial value should be prepared for the customs. A deposit
of the amount of duty thereon is usually required, which is
refunded when the samples are taken out of the Colony. There
is no import duty on advertising matter such as window cards,
outdoor signs, and posters. Small leaflets are dutiable at 3 per
cent ad valorem ; those classed as books or booklets are duty
free.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Directories and Guidebooks.—The only directories available
are those issued by the telephone company. The Chamber of
Commerce in Curacao issued an interesting and attractive folder
covering the island of Curacao. General information sheets
may be procured at the American consulate.
Best Visiting Time.—Perhaps the best time for commercial
travelers to visit the Netherlands West Indies is between Feb
ruary and August, as the climate is more agreeable at that
time and merchants usually make most of their purchases after
the Christmas and tourist seasons.
Clothing.—The most suitable clothing is white linen or cotton
suits, since the temperature averages around 80° to 85° P. prac
tically every day of the year. Such clothing is not dry-cleaned,
but is washed and ironed by a laundry and may be changed
daily. Suits of this kind cost from $7 to $15 each locally.
Hotels.—The only hotels in the Colony which may be termed
more or less modern and up to date are as follows (all on the
American plan), with daily rates: Curacao.—Americano, rates

$4 to $6 ; Central, rates $3 to $4 ; Juliana, rates $3 ; Piscadera
Bay Club (by special arrangement only), rate $4. Aruba
(Oranjestad) .—Palace, rates, $3 to $4; Iris, rate $3.
Holidays.—The following are the chief local holidays officially
recognized : January 1 ; January 31 (Princess Beatrix's Birth
day) ; April, Monday after Easter; April 30 (Princess Juliana's
Birthday); Ascension; Whitmonday; June 29 (Prince Bern-
hard's Birthday) ; August 31 (Queen Wilhelmina's Birthday) ;
December 25 ; December 26.
Legal Time.—The legal time of Curacao is 30 minutes ahead
of eastern standard time and corresponds with that of
Venezuela.
Currency and Banking.—The official currency of Curacao is
that of the Netherlands, the basic unit being the florin, or
guilder, worth approximately 55 cents in United States cur
rency. United States currency is also freely accepted, and
prices are often quoted in dollars and cents.
The leading banks are as follows : Curacao.—Curacaosche
Bank (official bank of issue) ; Maduro & Curiel's Bank; Hol-
landsche Bank Unie N. V. Aruba.—Aruba Bank; Hollandsche
Bank Unie N. V.
COMMERCIAL CENTERS
The chief commercial centers are Willemstad, Curacao, and
Oranjestad, and St. Nicolaas, Aruba. Willemstad, capital of
the Colony, is the most important, about 90 percent of the
commercial business of the Colony being transacted there.
Aruba may be reached from Curacao daily, either by air or by
small steamers. The other islands of the Colony are visited
by small Dutch steamers about once a week, but are seldom
visited by travelers, since most of the . business is conducted
through Curacao, and a trip to the other islands would seldom
justify the expense and inconvenience involved. American vice
consul in Curacao.
PUERTO RICO
Area.—The Island of Puerto Rico, rectangular in shape, is
approximately 100 miles long and 35 miles wide. It is the
most eastern island of the Greater Antilles ; its position is 1,399
miles southeast of New York, 963, miles from Key West, Fla.,
and 450 miles east of Cuba. The islands of Culebra, Vieques,
and Mona form part of the territory of Puerto Rico, belonging
to the United States.
Topography.—Puerto Rico has one mountain range rising to
an elevation of 3,650 feet, El Yuque being the highest peak. The
island is well watered by several rivers and numerous streams.
Climate.—The climate of Puerto Rico is warm, but is not
uncomfortable at any time. Owing to its geographical situ
ation, the island is favored by the constant trade winds and is
spared the heat common to other countries of the same latitude.
The average winter temperature is 73° and the summer average
is 79° F.
Population.—The population, according to the census taken in
1935 (under the auspices of the Puerto Rican Reconstruction
Administration and under the supervision of the United States
Bureau of the Census), was 1,723,534, or 506.8 to the square
mile, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the
world. The largest city is San Juan, on the north coast (popu
lation, 137,215), and the next largest is Ponce, on the south
coast (population, 60,867).
Purchasing Power.—Puerto Rico has an important place in
the offshore commerce of the United States. In 1938 the value
of American goods purchased by Puerto Rico amounted to
$84,988,000 out of total purchases aggregating $93,314,783.
Puerto Rico shipped to the United States mainland goods valued
at $79,808,000, as compared with total shipments amounting to
$82,077,000. Foodstuffs represent the largest item of trade be
tween the mainland and Puerto Rico. Essentially an agricul
tural area, most of the products sold by the island are agricul
tural. Its prosperity, therefore, depends entirely upon the
fruitfulness of the soil.
225
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
Sugar.—The largest single industry in Puerto Rico is the
production of sugar. It represents the largest amount of in
vested capital and brings the greatest annual gross income to
the island. The distillation of rum and alcohol is a new industry
which is rapidly growing in importance.
Tobacco.—The industry second in importance in Puerto Rico is
the raising of tobacco, which is an increasing factor in the
island's economic life. The tobacco produced finds a ready
market on the mainland, and large overseas shipments are made
each year.
Other Products.—A high grade of coffee is grown on the western
mountain slopes of the island. Although ranking far below the
sugar, tobacco, and fruit production in value, coffee is of mate
rial importance to Puerto Rican economy, in that the industry is
entirely in the hands of native farmers, many of whom are small
landowners. Coffee, citrus fruit, pineapples, vegetables, cotton,
and coconuts are the chief items of agricultural commerce.
Manufactures.—The most important single manufacturing
enterprise is the needlework industry ; the production of hand
embroidery is outstanding. In 1938, the total value of cotton,
linen, and silk manufactures shipped to the United States
amounted to $11,519,280. Tobacco manufacture ranks third
among Puerto Rico's industries, and its products have an estab
lished market in the United States. The manufacture of cigars
is a long-established art in Puerto Rico.
Steamship Service.—Rapid and dependable steamship connec
tions with American and European ports is provided by the fol
lowing steamship lines : Baltimore Insular Line ; Bull Insular
Line ; French Line ; Hamburg-American Line ; McCormick Steam
ship Co. ; New York & Puerto Rico Line ; Waterman Line ; Horn
Line ; Lykes Line ; Empresa Naviera de Cuba. In connection
with ocean transportation, it should be noted that the United
States law of coastwise traffic applies, making it impracticable
for foreign vessels to use Puerto Rican and American ports on
the same voyage.
Railways.—Puerto Rico has an adequate railroad system, the
principal line being the American Railroad of Puerto Rico, with
a total mileage of 350.
Air Service.—Pan American Airways maintains a triweekly
schedule for the transportation of passengers, mail, and express
between Miami, Fla. ; San Juan ; and South American ports.
Communication.—Two radio-broadcast systems, telephone, and
telegraph service provide ample communication with the United
States and other countries.
WEST INDIES 227
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Entry Requirements.—American citizens are not required to
carry passports for entry into Puerto Rico. United States pass
ports are issued in Puerto Rico by the Governor of the island.
Visa requirements for aliens entering Puerto Rico are the same
as for entry into continental United States.
Directories and Guidebooks.—The following may be useful :
Industrial and Commercial Puerto Rico (published by the De
partment of Agriculture and Commerce of the Government of
Puerto Rico, San Juan, P. R.) ; The West Indies Year Book
(published by Thomas Skinner of Canada, Ltd., 437 St. James
Street, West, Montreal) ; Guide to San Juan, Puerto Rico (pub
lished by the Institute of Tourism, Government of Puerto Rico,
San Juan).
Language.—Spanish is the language of the masses, but Eng
lish is widely used and generally understood, particularly in the
larger commercial centers and trade circles.
Holidays.—Holidays observed in Puerto Rico are the follow
ing : New Year's Day, January 1 ; Washington's Birthday, Feb
ruary 22; Emancipation Day, March 22; De Diego's Birthday,
April 16 ; Good Friday ; Decoration Day, May 30 ; Independence
Day, July 4 ; Munoz Rivera's Birthday, July 17; Occupation Day,
July 25 ; Dr. Barbosa's Birthday, July 27 ; Labor Day, first Mon
day in September ; Columbus Day, October 12 ; Thanksgiving
Day, in November ; Christmas Day, December 25 ; Election Day,
first Tuesday after first Monday in November every 4 years.
Banking, Currency, Weights, and Measures.—Banking facilities
are provided by branches of the National City Bank of New
York ; Royal Bank of Canada ; Bank of Nova Scotia ; Banco
Popular de Puerto Rico ; and Banco Territorial and Agricola
de Puerto Rico. United States currency is used; both British
and metric weights and measures are employed.
COMMERCIAL CENTERS
SAN JUAN.—On the northern coast ; capital and chief commer
cial center. San Juan is the logical place in which to establish
an agency, as the chief commercial houses of the island are
established here. A large trade, both import and export, is
transacted. Many important wholesale firms in San Juan carry
large stocks. Principal hotels: Condado Vanderbilt; Palace;
Miramar.
PONCE.—Second city in importance in Puerto Rico ; easily
accessible by rail or automobile from all parts of the island;
81 miles from San Juan by a military road, and is connected
with that city by rail and motorbus. In Ponce are located many
important wholesale firms, exporters, and retailers, some of
which import direct. Ponce should be visited by all traveling
salesmen.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Area.—Trinidad, most southerly of the West Indian islands,
has an area of 1,862 square miles. The adjacent island of
Tobago has an area of 116 square miles.
Topography.—Three ranges of hills (highest point 3,085 feet)
cross Trinidad from east to west in the north, central, and
southern parts of the island. The remainder of the terrain is
comparatively low and level. There are numerous small streams
and rivers, none of which are navigable.
Climate.—Lying between 10° and 11° north latitude, Trinidad
has a warm, humid climate. The mean annual temperature is
78° F. (maximum 92° and minimum 67°). The two seasons,
the wet (from June to December) and the dry, show little vari
ation in temperature. Rainfall ranges from about 50 to 100
inches a year. Trinidad is not in the usual hurricane path.
Tobago has a similar climate.
Population.—The estimated population on December 31, 1936,
was 448,253. The white population is composed chiefly of Eng
lish, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Port-of-Spain, capital
and largest city, also the commercial and shipping center, has
an estimated population of 75,680. Next in importance is San
Fernando, near the oil fields and asphalt lakes, with a popula
tion of 15,000. English is the general and official language,
although a French patois is widely spoken.
Standards of living.—About 90 percent of the population live
simply, mainly on local produce, and have a very small purchas
ing power. The remaining 10 percent are fairly well-to-do, and
maintain a high standard of living, purchasing automobiles,
radios, and luxury goods of all kinds.
Chief Economic Activities.-—The latest census showed that of
272,000 employed persons, 79,000 were in agriculture ; 24,000 in
personal service ; 14,000 in commerce and finance ; 13,000 in the
making of wearing apparel ; 9,000 in transportation and com
munication ; 7,000 workers of wood ; 5,000 metal workers ; 5,000
professional men ; and 2,000 in Government service. The leading
industries are agriculture and the production and refining of
petroleum and asphalt. Manufacturing, while relatively unim
portant, includes cigarettes, matches, and rum.
228
I WEST INDIES 229

Steamship Service.—The following lines provide service to
Trinidad: American Caribbean Line (foreign flag), weekly to
and from New York; Aluminum Line (Norwegian) between the
Guianas, Trinidad, and New Orleans, about every 10 days;
American Republics Line (U. S.), north-bound only, every other
Wednesday; Furness Prince Line (British), north-bound only,
alternate Fridays with American Republics Line ; American-
South African Line (U. S.), monthly from Africa en route to the
United States; Royal Netherlands Steamship Co. (Dutch), about
every 20 days, via Haiti, Curacao, and Venezuelan ports ; Mc-
Cormick Steamship Co. (U. S.), monthly from and to Pacific
coast; Canadian National Steamship Line (Canadian), fort
nightly from Canada and Boston, via northern islands. There
is frequent service between Europe, Panama, West Indies, and
South America by many foreign steamers, both passenger and
freight, also frequent first-class passengers and mail service by
cruise liners from December to April.
Air Service.—Pan American Airways maintains service three
times a week between Trinidad and Miami, semiweekly with the
east coast of South America, and five times a week with
Venezuela and connections for Colombia and Panama.
Royal Dutch Airlines (K. L. M.) has a semiweekly service,
Barbados to Trinidad, Venezuela, and Curacao.
I Railways and Highways.—The Government-owned railway
system operating between Port-of-Spain, San Fernando, and
Sangre Grande is little used by visitors. An excellent network
of roads covers the island, and motorcars are the usual means of
transportation between the principal centers.
ENTRY AND CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS

Passports.—Visas are not required by American citizens enter
ing Trinidad. Temporary visitors in possession of return tickets
are not required to have passports. All others must have pass
ports and may be called on to post a bond of $250. Passports,
however, are useful for identification, and steamship companies
usually will not accept American citizens for passage to the
United States without definite proof of citizenship.
Duties.—The general customs policy is that of producing rev
enue. Duties average 25 percent ad valorem, with goods from
any part of the British Empire paying 50 percent less. Consular
invoices are not required. No duty is levied on the personal
effects of temporary visitors, nor on samples except those of com
mercial value. Samples of commercial value may be imported
under bond for a limited period.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Directories and Guidebooks.—The following are suggested :
Trinidad and Tobago Year Book (published by C. B. Franklin,
Trinidad) ; The West Indies Year Book (published by Thomas
Skinner of Canada, Ltd., Montreal).
Sales Territories.—Port-of-Spain, capital of the Colony, and
San Fernando, center of the petroleum industry, are the only
commercial centers of the island, and are generally considered
as comprising a single sales territory. The distance between
these two cities is approximately 50 miles by road, and a visitor
making his headquarters in Port-of-Spain might conveniently
make as many daily visits to San Fernando as is deemed
necessary.
Best Visiting Time.—The climate of Trinidad varies little
throughout the year, but what little preference exists as to
visiting time is for the months of January to April.
Clothing.—Light clothing is suitable throughout the year, and
a very lightweight but waterproof raincoat will be found useful.
Hotels.—Principal hotel in Trinidad is Queen's Park Hotel at
Port-of-Spain. Smaller hotels are Hotel de Paris and Hotel
Sand, Port-of-Spain ; Paramount Hotel, San Fernando.
Holidays.—Holidays usually observed are : New Year's Day,
January 1 ; Good Friday ; Easter Bank Holiday, Easter Mon
day ; Empire Day, May 24 ; Whitmonday, June ; King's Birthday,
June ; Feast of Corpus Christi, June ; August Bank Holiday,
first Monday in August ; Christmas Day, December 25 ; Boxing
Day, December 26.
Currency and Banking.-—The Trinidad dollar is 6 to the pound
sterling at $4.80. Banks in Trinidad are Royal Bank of Canada ;
Canadian Bank of Commerce; and Barclays Bank (Dominion,
Colonial, and Overseas).
VIRGIN ISLANDS
VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES
Area.—The Virgin Islands of the United States lie between
longitude 64°34' and 65°6' W., and between latitudes 17°40'
and 18°25' N., being about 40 miles from Puerto Rico at the
nearest point. Their land area is about 132 square miles.
Topography.—The island of St. Thomas is of volcanic origin.
It appears to be the top of a chain of submerged mountains.
A range of rocky hills runs east and west, with branching spurs.
The town of Charlotte Amalie is built on three lower spurs of
this range.
The island of St. Croix differs entirely in physical aspect from
the islands of St. Thomas and St. John. Only the northern part
of St. Croix is mountainous. Most of the island consists of fer
tile plains; the extreme southern part is flat. The island
of St. John consists of a series of mountain peaks, hills, and
valleys, with little level land.
Climate and Rainfall.—The climate of St. Thomas, St. Croix,
and St. John is remarkably mild and healthful. During the winter
months, particularly, the climate of these islands of the Carib
bean is among the best in the world. While the islands are situ
ated within the Tropics, the heat of the sun is tempered by
the refreshing trade winds, which blow constantly from the
north-northeast and northeast during the greater part of the
year. The temperature ranges from 69° to 91°, with a difference
of about 6° between winter and summer averages. Rainfall
(usually in the form of showers) varies somewhat from month
to month, but there is no dry season such as many places know ;
although the averages show that about 45 percent of the rain
falls in the last 4 months of the year.
Population.—The last official census of the Virgin Islands of
the United States (taken in 1930 by the Bureau of the Census,
Department of Commerce) classifies the people by color or race
into four main groups—white, negro, mixed, and all other
colored. The term "mixed" is used to designate persons of mixed
white and negro blood. According to this classification, the
census recorded the following distribution by color or race :
White, 9.1 percent ; Negro, 78.3 percent ; mixed, 12.4 percent ;
other colored, 0.2 percent.
The census also showed a total population of 22,012, divided
as follows : St. Croix, 11,413 ; St. John, 765 ; St. Thomas, 9,834.
Chief Economic Activities.—In St. Croix sugar production and
manufacture of rum are the principal industries ; in St. Thomas,
231
232
shipping is the principal industry, and has continued its im
provement with resulting benefits to the community at large.
Steamship Service.—The American Caribbean Line and the
Furness-Bermuda Line maintain fortnightly sailings of freight
and passenger steamers from New York City to St. Thomas and
St. Croix and return, after calling at various ports in the Wind
ward and Leeward Islands. The Bull Insular Line provides
semiweekly passenger, mail, and freight service from Puerto
Rico to the Virgin Islands and return. The East Asiatic Line
provides a monthly freight and passenger service from Europe
to St. Thomas, thence to Jamaica, through the Panama Canal
to the west coast of the United States, and return. The Com-
pagnie Generale Transatlantique provides an irregular freight
and passenger service from the French islands in the West Indies
to St. Thomas.
Air Service.—Weekly airplane service for mail and passengers
is provided by the Pan American Airways and the Aerovias N.
Puerto Rico, Inc.
Cable Service.—Cable service is available to all parts of the
world.
ENTRY AND CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS
The United States immigration laws are in full force and effect
in the Virgin Islands of the United States.
Baggage.—Upon arrival in the Virgin Islands, the handling
of baggage is accomplished by the United States customs officers,
who board vessels and make their inspection upon the ships,
except where it is found necessary to bring baggage either to
the customs warehouse or to the customs office for inspection.
Samples and Advertising.—Commercial travelers are required
to file invoices for their samples with the customs office. Sam
ples are then checked against invoices and the traveler is free
to show his merchandise and take orders. All advertising
matter and samples are duty free if not sold. If intended for
sale, duty is assessable at same rate as for other merchandise.
Upon the traveler's departure the samples are again checked
against invoices. He may sell the samples to merchants or
firms working under burgher-briefs, such merchants or firms
to make entry and pay duty at the customhouse before delivery
of goods is made.
Other Regulations.—The ports in the Virgin Islands are almost
free ports, only a nominal duty of 6 percent on invoice value
plus all charges to last through port of shipment being assess
able on merchandise of foreign origin except the United States.
This duty is collected on foreign merchandise imported from
the United States and its possessions, unless such merchandise
has passed through some process of manufacture which causes
it to lose its identity.
WEST INDIES 233
The copyright and trade-mark laws of the United,States apply

to the Virgin Islands, and commercial travelers should be care
ful to obtain the consent of the United States assignees before
offering for sale any merchandise registered in the United
States, such as perfumery and liquors.
Residents of the United States, including tourists, are entitled
to $100 exemption when returning from the Virgin Islands to
the United States; that is, they may include purchases of for
eign goods purchased in the Virgin Islands in their $100 ex
emption from foreign countries. Goods manufactured in the
Virgin Islands are duty free in the United States, but any
such merchandise which is subject to internal revenue in the
United States is liable to such tax upon entry at a United States
port. Thus, rum or tobacco products pay internal-revenue tax
but no duty, if of Virgin Islands manufacture.
Tourists and other returning residents are advised, before
purchasing perfumery and other merchandise with trade-marks
registered in the United States, to call at the customs office for
information as to conditions under which United States as
signees will permit the entry of such merchandise in passenger's
baggage. Such passengers are allowed to include in their $100
exemption 1 gallon of liquor for each passenger, 100 cigars,
and as many cigarettes as desired (within the exemption).
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Clothing.—Tropical garments are essential to comfort—light
summer fabrics (chiefly cotton) for women, and cotton and
linen suits for men. White canvas shoes with leather soles
are preferable for both men and women.
Hotels.—Bluebeard's Castle Hotel and Grand Hotel in St.
Thomas offer the best accommodations.
Holidays.—The following holidays are observed in the Virgin
Islands : January 1, New Year's Day ; February 12, Lincoln's
Birthday ; February 22, Washington's Birthday ; March 81,
Transfer Day ; Holy Thursday ; Good Friday ; Easter Monday ;
Whitmonday ; May 30, Memorial Day ; July 4, Independence
Day ; July 25, Supplication Day ; first Monday in September,
Labor Day ; October 25, Thanksgiving Day ; November 11, Arm
istice Day ; in November, Thanksgiving Day ; December 25,
Christmas Day ; day after Christmas Day ; January 6, known
as "Three Kings' Day" ; every Thursday commencing at noon,
during the months from April to October, inclusive, except the
Thursdays in those weeks in which fall holidays other than
Sundays.
Business Hours.—Government offices in the Virgin Islands are
opened for business from 8 to 12 a. m. and from 1 : 30 to 4 : 30
p. m. daily, except Sundays and holidays. Bank business hours
are 9 to 11 : 30 a. m. and 1 to 3 p. m.
Currency and Banking.—United States currency is legal tender

in the Virgin Islands of the United States. The Virgin Islands
National Bank (with head office at Charlotte Amalie, St.
Thomas, and branches in Christiansted and Frederiksted, St.
Croix) is the principal banking institution in the Virgin Islands.
Chief Commercial Centers.— St. Croix, the largest island (pop
ulation, 11,413), has two ports of entry, Frederiksted and
Christiansted. Charlotte Amalie, the only town on St. Thomas,
has a population of 9,834.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Area.—The British Virgin Islands are located about 60 miles
east of Puerto Rico, close to the Virgin Islands of the United
States. The principal islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Ane-
gada, Jost van Dyke, Peter, and Salt ; total area, about 67
square miles. Tortola, largest and most important of the group,
is about 12 miles long and 3 miles wide at its broadest point ;
its area is about 21 square miles.
Topography.—Tortola is hilly, the highest point being Mt.
Sage (1,780 feet). Jost van Dyke is rugged and mountainous.
Virgin Gorda, almost square in shape, has a mountainous terrain.
Anegada is very low.
Climate.—The climate of the Virgin Islands is better 'than
that of any other West Indian Islands. The temperature seldom
exceeds 90° F. and at night is often as low as 65°. Rainfall
averages about 55 inches. Hurricanes sometimes occur.
Population and Industry.—On December 31, 1936, the popula
tion was 6,165. Principal economic production consists of cot
ton, limes, sugar, coconuts, and onions.
Transportation and Communication.—Tortola is best reached
via St. Thomas, and thence by motor launch connecting with San
Juan, Puerto Rico. There are about 60 miles of road open to
traffic. Motor vehicles are not used.
Entry Requirements.—There are no special regulations regard
ing the registration of commercial travelers or the entry of
transients.
Currency and Banking.—The monetary system is British ;
British gold, silver, and copper coins are current and are legal
tender. American coins are also in circulation. All banking
is done through the Danish National Bank at St. Thomas. The
Government, however, has organized a savings bank, with an
office at Road Town, Tortola.
Commercial Centers.—Road Town, Tortola, chief commercial
center, is the only port of entry. It is an open roadstead ; ships
anchor in a depth of 6 to 14 fathoms within 3 to 4 cable-lengths
from shore. A Government pier has been constructed. Anegada
and Virgin Gorda Islands are reached from Tortola by motor
launch.
WINDWARD ISLANDS
GRENADA
Area.—Grenada, most southerly island of the Windward
group, is 68 miles southwest of St. Vincent and about 90 miles
north of Trinidad. The island is about 21 miles in length, 12
miles at its greatest breadth, and contains about 120 square
miles. Between Grenada and St. Vincent are the small island
dependencies known as the Grenadines, the largest of which is
Carriacou, with an area of 8,467 acres and a population of about
9,400. The Grenadines are of little commercial importance.
Topography.—Grenada is mountainous and picturesque. The
island has many small streams, and a number of mineral and
other springs.
Climate.—Between December and May the weather is dry and
pleasant; but during the wet season the air is hot and humid.
The climate, however, is healthful ; yellow fever is practically
unknown.
Population and Industry.—The estimated population of
Grenada, including Carriacou, as of the year 1937, was 88.201.
The principal industry of Grenada is agriculture ; chief products,
cocoa, nutmeg, and mace. The cultivation of bananas has been
started and a sugar factory erected in order to supply local
needs. Various other crops are grown, but only to a slight
extent. Cultivation of cotton is practically confined to the
island of Carriacou.
Transportation.—Steamship services are afforded by the Ca
nadian National Line, the Furness-West Indies Line, and the
Harrison Steamship Co. There is no regular air service. A net
work of good roads covers the island. There are 116 miles of
main roads and 277 miles of secondary roads, all suitable for
motor traffic. While there are no rail or tram services, the Gov
ernment subsidizes a motor mail and passenger service along the
eastern and western coasts.
Communication.—There is no inland telegraph service, but a
telephone service has been established in the Colony. Wireless
communication is available with Barbados, and a cable service
connects Grenada with all parts of the world.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Entry Requirements and Samples.—There is no special require
ment in Grenada for registration of commercial travelers. Sam-
202836—40 16 235
pies are examined by customs officials, and a deposit equal to

the duty payable on goods of similar commercial value is re
quired. This deposit is refunded when the samples are taken
out of the Colony.
Holidays.—The chief holidays observed in Grenada (which
are those usually observed in Great Britain) are: January 1,
New Year's Day ; January 2, day after New Year's Day ; Good
Friday ; Easter Monday ; Whitsunday ; May 24, Victoria Day ;
Corpus Christi ; first Monday in August, bank holiday ; December
25, Christmas Day ; December 20, Boxing Day ; the day ap
pointed as Thanksgiving Day, usually in August, is also a holiday.
Hotels.—St. George; St. James; the Douglas (boarding house).
All three establishments are in St. Georges.
Currency and Banking.—The monetary system is British. The
British sovereign and subsidiary coins of silver and copper form
the principal money in circulation. Three banks do business
in the Colony: Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial, and Over
seas ) ; Royal Bank of Canada ; Grenada Cooperative Bank.
There is also a Government Savings Bank with seven branches.
COMMERCIAL CENTERS
ST. GEORGES.—Capital and principal port of the island ; pop
ulation, 6,000. Located on southwestern coast, 90 nautical miles
from Trinidad and 65 nautical miles from St. Vincent. The town
has electric power and light, and is connected with the other
communities by bus.
GRANVILLE.—Situated about the center of the east coast ;
incoming vessels may tie up alongside the jetty. There is a
daily motorcar service to St. Georges, and the two towns are
also connected by steamer.
ST. LUCIA
Area.— St. Lucia (a British possession), most northerly of
the Windward Islands, is about 25 nautical miles south of Mar
tinique and 30 nautical miles northeast of St. Vincent. The area
of the island is 238 square miles.
Topography.—The surface of St. Lucia is mountainous. The
main range runs north and south, sloping gradually down to the
sea on both sides. The average height of the range is 1,500 feet ;
the highest point, 3,140 feet, is in the Canaries Mountains, near
the center of the island. There are several rivers on St. Lucia,
the principal ones being the Cul-de-Sac and the Roseau on the
leeward side, and the Dennery Troumassee and the Canelles on
the windward side.
Climate.—The climate is pleasant ; temperature averages be
tween 75° and 85° F. Annual rainfall approximates 84 inches;
rainy season, June to December. The coldest months are Janu
ary to March ; the hottest are August to October. Nights are
usually cool at elevations above 500 feet.
WEST INDIES 237
Population and Industry.—The population of St. Lucia, as of

December 31, 1935, was estimated at 64,959. Agriculture is the
primary industry ; principal crops are sugarcane, tropical fruit,
limes, coconuts, bananas, and cacao. The growing of fresh
fruits and vegetables has been stimulated during recent years.
Transportation.—Steamship service to St. Lucia is afforded
by the Canadian National Steamship Co. the French IAne, and
the Furness-Wcst Indies Line. Coastal steamship service is
afforded by the Jewel Navigation Co. While there are no rail
roads or street-car lines on the island, the various districts are
connected by motorbus service.
Communication .—St. Lucia is connected by cable with all parts
of the world. There is a wireless station, but no inland tele
graph service. The principal towns of the island are linked
with a telephone system. Air mail is forwarded to St. Lucia
via Antigua or Trinidad, there being no regular air service to
the island.
HINTS TO TRAVELERS
Entry Requirements.—Business travelers must take out a
license before doing any business. The license rate is 1 pound
sterling per annum, the license expiring on December 31 of each
year. Permission is granted for samples to be taken out of
customs for display purposes, provided a guarantee is furnished.
Holidays.—The holidays in St. Lucia are the same as those
of Grenada and St. Vincent.
Hotels.—St. Antoine ; Central ; Unique ; Caribbean ; Home.
Currency and Banking.—British currency is the most impor
tant medium of exchange in St. Lucia. The only commercial
bank operating on the island is Barclays Bank (Dominion,
Colonial, and Overseas). There is a Government Savings Bank.
Castries.—Capital and chief town of St. Lucia ; population.
19,915. Located 1,747 nautical miles from New York and 67
nautical miles from Kingston, St. Vincent. Incoming steamers
may lie alongside the docks and discharge passengers direct to
the wharf. St. Lucia is one of the more important islands in
the Lesser Antilles, owing to its excellent harbor with splendid
docking facilities. Castries is a coaling station of some impor
tance. Agricultural production on St. Lucia is relatively large
and staple, and the trade is fairly extensive.
ST. VINCENT
Area and Population.—St. Vincent (a British possession), a
small island of volcanic origin in the Caribbean Sea, has a length
of 18 miles, a breadth of 11 miles, and an area of about 140
square miles. Some of the Grenadine Islands, to the aorth

of Carriacou, are dependencies of St. Vincent. The principal
islands of the Grenadines are Bequia, Moustiques, Mayreau,
Cannouan, and Union Islands. Total area (including the five
islands of the Lesser Grenadines), 150 square miles. Popula
tion : St. Vincent proper, 55,219 ; including Grenadines, 56,571.
Topography.—The island is mountainous, with irregular
wooded ridges running its entire length. The highest point in
the island is the volcano of Soufriere (3,500 feet). There are
numerous small streams, but none is navigable.
Climate and Products.—The climate is healthful. The rainy
season, from August to November, is generally hot and damp;
average annual rainfall, about 100 inches. Temperature ranges
from 60° to 88° F. ; the nights are always cool. Although in
the hurricane zone, the island is seldom visited by hurricanes.
Principal products are cotton, fruits (especially bananas) and
vegetables, arrowroot, cassava, and sugar.
Transportation and Communication.—The Canadian National
Steamship Co. operates a weekly mail, passenger, and cargo
service. Other steamship lines serving St. Vincent are the Ocean
Dominion Steamship Corporation, the Harrison Line, and the
American Caribbean Line. There are no railways on the island.
St. Vincent is traversed by 67 miles of first-class highways, suit
able for all kinds of traffic. There is a motorbus service be
tween Kingstown and Georgetown.
Currency and Banking.—British gold, silver, and copper coins
are legal tender in St. Vincent. The only commercial bank is
Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial and Overseas) ; there is a
Government Savings Bank, with head office at Kingstown and
with branches at Georgetown and other smaller communities.
COMMERCIAL CENTER
Kingstown.—Capital of St. Vincent; population, over 5,000.
Located on southwest coast about 1,876 nautical miles from New
York and 89 nautical miles from Fort de France, Martinique.
Ships visiting Kingstown anchor about one-fourth mile offshore ;
landing is effected by shore boats. St. Vincent has a fair volume
of trade, and Kingstown is visited by salesmen who canvass the
smaller towns. Principal hotels, Pelican ; South Bridge.
548 927

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This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized

by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the

For sale by .thelSuperintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. - Price 40 cents

from the United States—originating in Miami, Fla., and passing

Islands of the West Indies.—A number of steamship lines out

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

cruz. In Central America, aside from the capitals, such agencies

Item Mexico Guate El Sal Hon Nica Costa

Population (est. thousands)... 19,478.8 3,044.8 ,632.0 962.0 1,000.0 606.6

Table 1.—Summary Statistics for Mexico, Central America, and

Population (est., thousands) . 57.0 8, 693. 2 3, 491. 2 4,165.0 1, 479. 0 2,700.0

Population (est., thousands) 1, 723. 5 1. 173. 6 456.0 333 48 171

in Tabasco ; Bacalar, in Yucatan ; Alcuzague, in Colima ; Cuitzeo

The population of Mexico was officially estimated as 19,478,791

Table 2.—Population of Mexico, by Governmental Divisions, 1938

Aguascalientes 155, 830 0.8 Nayarit (including

Racial Elements.—Sixty-one percent of the Mexican popula

Nationality 1900 Percent 1936 Percent

10,280 28.2 46,052 30.2

Since the expropriation of the petroleum companies in March

Agriculture, livestock and Domestic servants. . 186.4

Table 5.- -Average Daily Wages of Skilled and Unskilled Workers

1.40 $0,316 2.52 $0,569

Demand for foreign goods generally has been restricted by

Chief clerk $158. 02

CHIEF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

The main agricultural products are corn, beans, wheat, barley,

Table 7.—Production (Compared With 1931-35 Average) and

Average, 1931-35 Exportation

Wheat 1,129 11,993 1938 1,306 13, 425

Stock Raising.—Stock raising, traditionally outstanding in

1 Conversion based on average value of the Mexican peso in U. S.

Silver .. .. ..1,000 troy ounces_. 74,642 81,020 31,331,653

79,758,580 pesos ($17,642,598), or 10 percent of the total for all

Item 1937 1938

Since the expropriation of the oil companies in March 1938,

Table 1O.—Production Values in Mexican Industries,

Value of production in-

Cotton textiles 155,815.000 167,859,000

i Of this total, cigarettes (894,275,000 packs) made up 60,843,000 pesos.

Table 11.—Mexican Production and Importation of Electrical

2, 479, 832, 000 2, 521, 548, 0O0

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION

Mexico City, the center of the country's financial and political

Other Highway Routes.—From the Gulf coast, in addition to

The following itineraries cover the more important highways,

Guerrero ; population, 7,500 ; fertile farming region. Iguala.—

Item 1937 193S

21, 674, 627 21, 370, 092

LEADING RAILROAD ROUTES BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND MEXICO

Laredo-Mexico City.—Via Monterrey, Saltillo, San Luis

Mexico between Guadalajara and Mexico City. Train leaves Los

Mexico City-Veracruz.—Via Orizaba and Cordoba.—A daily

tion regarding rail travel in Mexico : 201 North Wells Building,

To West Coast Ports of Mexico.—Panama Pacific Line.—Ships

aviation companies, operating independently, serve various popu

Coahuila ; and Aguascalientes, State of Aguascalientes. Planes

The following compilation gives data concerning air-service