SAN JUAN, the capital of Porto Rico and its oldest, largest and most important city. Its population according to the census of 192o was 70,707; and was in 1930, 114,715. The present and permanent location of the city is on an island near the north coast of Porto Rico. In its growth it has crossed the San Antonio channel until its extensions—San turce, Condado, Miramar and other suburban districts—have been absorbed and have become the residential portions of the city, leaving the principal busi ness sections on the older site. Its harbour is a large and almost land-locked bay with a rather narrow entrance from the At lantic.
The city owes its foundation to the noted explorer and colonizer, Juan Ponce de Leon. This ro mantic and gallant leader accom panied Columbus on his second voyage, when he discovered Porto Rico, in 1493. Afterward, in 15o8, Ponce de Leon was sent on an exploring expedition to the island, and then for the first time saw the bay on which San Juan is situated and called it "Puerto Rico," or Rich Port. After reporting his discoveries he was again sent to the island to effect a settlement, and did so near the present site of the city. The first settlement, known as "Caparra," was on the mainland, because of its greater safety from enemies approaching from the sea. Soon, however, that site was aban doned, and the present one was selected and has ever since been maintained. Substantial buildings, forts and fortifications were built during the following years. The city was completely sur rounded by a massive wall, with moats and gates and bridges which made San Juan a typical walled city of the Spanish type. On a high bluff overlooking and commanding the entrance to the harbour Morro Castle was built for the protection of the harbour and city against the numerous fleets of the enemies of Spain. Along the harbour walls were other fortifications, and on the ocean front, besides Morro Castle, the great fortress of San Cristobal, the Escambr6n, the Princesa and other batteries were built.
Library and the Central High School building. The city retains much of its ancient characteristics however.
There are many buildings of historic interest. Besides the old castles, El Morro and San Cristobal, are the Casa Blanca, built for the son of Ponce de Leon, and the cathedral, which contains his tomb. The imposing and interesting building, La Fortaleza, now and for many years the governor's residence and offices, was commenced and partially built in 1533, only 40 years after Columbus's discovery of the island. It was also called in Spanish times, "The Palace of Santa Catalina." Commerce.—The harbour is one of the best and most com modious in the West Indies. Several passenger steamers are in regular service between San Juan and New York. Steamers from France and Spain visit the island. Freight lines connect the city and nearly all Southern and Eastern ports of the States, and regular service is maintained with other West Indian islands. Passenger and freight service is also maintained with South American ports. The number of vessels entering and clearing San Juan is nearly 3,00o annually, and is steadily increasing.
A large proportion of both exports and imports from and to the island pass through San Juan. Sugar, coffee, tobacco and fruits are the principal products exported, while the principal imports are lumber, iron and steel, machinery, automobiles and trucks, flour, rice and other food products. The city is a distribut ing point for the West Indies of many important manufactured products. (H. M. T.) SAN JUAN or HARO ISLANDS, an archipelago (San Juan, Orcas, Shaw, Lopez, Blakely, Cypress, etc.) lying between Vancouver island and the mainland of North America. These islands were for many years the subject of dispute between the British and the U.S. Governments, and were finally assigned to the latter country by the arbitration of the emperor of Germany (on Oct. 21, 1872). Geographically, the cluster certainly belongs to the mainland, from which it is separated by Rosario Strait, generally much under so fathoms in depth, while Haro Strait, separating it from Vancouver island, has depths ranging from oo to 190 fathoms. In 1873 the islands, formerly considered part of Whatcom county, Wash., were made the separate county of San Juan. Of the total area of 200 sq.m., about 6o are in San Juan, 6o in Orcas and 3o in Lopez.