Beautiful Philippines: A Handbook of General InformationPhilippine Islands. Commission of Independence
History
Beautiful Philippines: A Handbook of General Information
Philippine Islands. Commission of Independence
Philippines -- Description and travel; Philippines -- Economic conditions
Mount Mariveles rises in the midst of the whole peninsula of Bataan. It
is about 4,700 feet in height and forms a conspicuous object from
the city especially when illuminated by the brilliant hues of the
sunset sky. Though once an active volcano its sides are now covered
with vegetation and practically the whole of its slopes down to a
very short distance off the shore are virgin tropical jungles. The
ascent of the mountain can be conveniently made from a day and a half
to two days from Lamao, where the Philippine Government maintains a
scientific experimental farm. The trail up the mountain passes along
a ridge with here and there steep but short slopes. As the ascent is
made the trees become noticeably smaller and orchids, ferns, mosses
and the like much more abundant. From the first peak 2,800 feet high,
the traveler can obtain a view of what Agassiz termed the greatest
wonders of nature--the sea, the mountains, and the tropical forests.
The view from the very top surpasses that from the first peak. To
the east lies the bay, with Manila and Cavite in the distance; to
the south nestles Corregidor Island with the surf beating its shores;
beyond is the China Sea, dotted here and there with specks of vessels
bound to and from Hongkong or the other islands; to the north and
west is a semi-circle of forest-covered peaks, standing as sentinels
guarding the amphitheater-like crater; and to the northeast lie the
cultivated fields of rice and sugar cane, studded here and there with
the church steeples that mark the sites of the towns.
ZAMBALES PROVINCE.--North of Bataan along the western coast of Luzon
is the Province of Zambales. It has two important harbors that are
well sheltered--Olongapo and Subic. Olongapo is a naval station which
boasts of one of the largest floating dry docks in the world.
Zambales was also visited by the Dutch during the early part of
the seventeenth century. It was in 1617 that Admiral Spielbergen,
with a powerful fleet appeared off the coast of Playa Honda. The
Government forces, under the command of Juan Ronquillo, sallied out
and engaged the Dutch squadron. Spielbergen displayed much bravery,
but was defeated.
[Naval Station]
The only points of particular interest are the Naval Station along the
coast which is, however, practically abandoned, and the fortifications
on Grande Island, at the entrance to the bay. To visit either of them
permits from the military or naval authorities are necessary. The
floating dry-dock Dewey whose voyage from the United States was a
matter of much public interest in 1906 is now located here.
PANGASINAN PROVINCE is the second largest rice producing province in
the archipelago. Tobacco and coconuts are also principal products. The
swamp lands and the tide flats are sources of nipa thatches and
alcohol. Mongo, cogon, sugar cane, and mangoes are also raised
extensively.
[Salt Making and Industries]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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