ANNOBON, ANNABON, ANOBOON, or ANNABOA, an island in the Atlantic ocean, near the western coast of Africa, discovered by the Portuguese on the first of May, of the year 1473, from which circumstance its name is derived. This island, which is about thirty miles in circumference, is inhabited by negroes, who are under the authority of two or three Portuguese, to whom they are extremely submissive. Those who are turbulent are transported to the island of St Thomas, a punishment which they hold in great dread. Though Annobon is filled with mountains, some of which are so high that they are frequently covered with snow, yet there are a number of fertile valleys in the island, pro ducing Indian corn, rice, potatoes, yams, bananas, millet, pine-apples, citrons, oranges, lemons, figs, and tama rinds. The cotton and sugar also succeed well. The' cotton is equal to any that is produced in India. It is collected by the ncgroes, and, when properly cleaned, is sent to Portugal. The sugar would also be excel lent, if the negrocs were sufficiently acquainted with the necessary processes. Before the Portuguese dis covered this island, it contained no animals but birds ; but having brought along with them oxen, cows, sheep, kids, pigs, goats, and poultry, these animals have mul tiplied with astonishing rapidity. There are several civet cats in the mountains, but the Portuguese do not derive great advantage from them. The climate of
Annobon is salubrious, and the air clear and serene. The island is refreshed with numerous brooks and fresh water springs, which become brackish during high tides. The inhabitants obtain a species of wine from the juice of the numerous palm trees which cover the banks of the island. The town, which is surround ed with a parapet, consists of about 100 housesonade with cants, and a few wooden ones belonging to the Portuguese. The inhabitants are ignorant of money, and know of no other commerce but that of bartering the productions of the soil for clothes and old garments. The negroes, both male and female, go almost quite naked. The women carry their children on their backs, and suckle them over their shoulder. They all profess the Catholic religion. In 1605, when the Dutch, under the command of admiral Matelief, were going to the East Indies, they touched at this island, and found in it two Portuguese and about 200 negroes, all of whom were trained to the use of arms. Distance from St Thomas, 25 leagues, and 45 from cape Lopez Gonsalvo. East Long. 5° 45' 15". South Lat. 1° 25'. See Voyages de la Campagnie, tom. v. p. 23. Dupin, Description de P.4frique, p. 487. Mod. Univers. Hist. vol. xi. p. 459. Purchet's Dict. Geog. et Commerc. vol. ii. p. 549. (71-)