HONDURAS, BRITISH

a British crown colony; w. side of Gulf of Honduras, in w. of Caribbean Sea (18° N., 88° 20’ W.), bounded N. by Yucatan province of Mexico, W. by Guatamala. It produces cedar, mahogany, rosewood, logwood, sugar, coffee, sarsaparilla, fruits, tortoise-shell, most of which are exported; imports cotton, yarn, cloth, hardware, general goods. Climate is moist and hot, and unsuited to Kuropeans. Colony is administered by lieut. governor, a isted by executive and legislative councils. Inhabitants include Europe ans, Indians, mixed.races, Harly Brit. settlers had considerable trouble with Spaniards, who made various attempts to oust them, but were ultiindependent 1839; Britain’s claims were finally confirmed in 1859. Belize, the cap., on good harbor, does large export trade. Area, 8,598 sq.m. Pop. 42,300. See under CenTRAL AMERICA.