The town of Iloilo stands on a low sandy flat on the right bank of a river; at the end of this flat is a spit on which a fort is built, and close to which there is deep water.  Vessels of moderate draft (15 feet) can ascend the river a short distance and lie alongside wharves which communicate with the merchant houses, but large vessels must anchor outside near the spit.  It is a town of great commercial importance, and a brisk coasting trade is carried on from it.  The better class of houses in Iloilo are built on strong wooden posts, 2 or 3 feet in diameter, that reach to the roof; stone walls to the first floor, with wooden windows above, and an iron roof.  The poorer class of dwellings are flimsy erections of nipa, built on four strong posts.  The roads and bridges are in a deplorable condition and almost impassable in the rainy season.

The chief imports are Australian coal, and general merchandise from Europe, but most sailing ships arrive in ballast.

The exports are sugar, tobacco, rice, coffee, hides, and hemp; it is also the principal place of manufacture of pina, juse, and sinamoya, a tissue greatly in use among the Philippines.  In 1883, 93,750 tons of sugar were exported, principally to America.

Typhoons do not occur regularly, but in most years the tail of one passes over the place, which suffers also from the visitations of locusts.

Provisions of all kinds can be obtained, but the prices are higher than at Manila.  In 1886 beef was 12 1/2 cents per pound, bread 11 cents, vegetables 11 cents, fowls $2 per dozen.  Water is scarce and is brought across from Guimaras in tank boats; it is supplied to the shipping at the rate of $1 per ton; the Europeans depend mainly upon rain water.

There are generally about 500 tons of coal in store, chiefly Australian; it is kept for the supply of local steamers that take in what they require alongside the wharves.  Vessels in the roads can have it brought off in bulk in lighters or schooners at a cost of 50 cents a ton.  Coolies can be hired at 75 cents per ton, but they will not coal vessels if they can get other work.  Notice is required the day before coaling, as men are not kept in readiness.  The price of coal in 1886 was $11.00 per ton.

There is regular weekly communication with Manila, which is 250 miles distant.

The Province of Capiz is bounded on the north by the Archipelago Sea, on the east by the District of Concepcion, on the south by the ridge separating it from Iloilo, and on the southwest by the mountains, separating it from the Province of Antique.  Its very high mountains are covered with luxuriant vegetation, and give rise to many rivers which water the valleys of the province.  There are gold and copper mines, and much tobacco, sugar, rice, and abaca is raised.  During the year three fairs are held, in which articles of the country are bartered.  The province is divided into two parts, called Ilaya and Aclan, which are irrigated by the rivers Panay and Adan, respectively.  The area is 1,543 square miles and the population 189,171, distributed among 36 pueblos and 287 barrios.