Ladrones

Ladrones, or MARIANA ISLANDS, a group of fifteen islands in the western Pacific, north of the Carolines, in $13^\{\backslash circ\}$—$21^\{\backslash circ\}$ N. lat. and $144^\{\backslash circ\}$—$146^\{\backslash circ\}$ E. long., disposed in a row almost due north and south ; their united area is about 420 sq. m. They were discovered by Magellan (1521), whose sailors called them the 'Thieves' (Ladrones) Islands, from the thievish propensity displayed by the natives ; in 1668 they received the name of Mariana Islands. In 1899 they were sold by Spain to the United States. A channel divides the islands into two groups. The five to the south are low and flat, those to the north mountainous ; most are thickly wooded, and all are well watered, fruitful in cocoanuts, rice, maize, cotton, sugar, tobacco, and indigo. The area cultivated, however, is small, and the trade is of little consequence. The people are mostly indigenous Chamorros and Tagals from Luzon, besides a mixed race of partly Spanish descent. At the time when the islands were discovered the inhabitants were reckoned at 60,000, but the present population is only about 8700. Under the Spanish rule their former gaiety and cheerful industry have changed to dull, apathetic indifference and laziness, and their heathenism to an outward Christianity which places no check on license and immorality. The largest island is Guam, with an area of 198 sq. m., and a pop. of nearly 7000 ; on it is the only town, Agaña.