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MARTHA

Volume 12 · 291 words · 1823 Edition

ST, a province, of South America, on the coast of Terra Firma, bounded on the north by the North sea, on the east by Rio de la Hache, on the south by New Granada, and on the west by Carthagena. It is 300 miles in length and 200 in breadth, is a mountainous country, and the land very high. Here begins the famous ridge of mountains called the Cordilleras des los Andes, which run from north to south the whole length of the continent of South America. It is extremely hot on the sea coast; but cold in the internal parts, on account of the mountains. It abounds with the fruits proper to the climate; and there are mines of gold and precious stones, as also salt works. The Spaniards possess but one part of this province, in which they have built St Martha the capital. The air about the town is wholesome; and it is seated near the sea, having a harbour surrounded with high mountains. It was formerly very considerable when the galleons were sent thither, but is now come almost to nothing. W. Long. 74. 11. N. Lat. 11. 20.

Martha's Vineyard, an island of North America, near the coast of New England, 80 miles south of Boston. It is sixteen miles in length and eight in breadth, and has a light soil, which in some places is fertile. In conjunction with neighbouring islands of smaller size, it forms Duke's county, containing about 3200 inhabitants. The climate is temperate and healthy; the winter is generally mild, and in summer the temperature seldom exceeds 80 of Fahrenheit. The inhabitants apply themselves chiefly to the fisheries, in which they have great success. W. Lon. 70. 35. N. Lat. 41. 0.