chicle, tortoise-shell, pearl shells, sugar and 
tobacco form the principal items of export. 
The exports and imports during 1913 were 
as follows: 
Country 
Exports 
Imports 
Panama 
... $ 2,467,556 
$10,400,000 
Costa Rica 
• • • 10,432,553 
8,778,497 
Nicaragua 
3,861,516 
4,966,820 
Salvador 
9,928,724 
6,173,545 
Guatemala 
... 14,449,926 
10,062,328 
Honduras 
3,300,254 
5,132,678 
British Honduras.... 
2,850,000 
3,500,000 
The bulk of the export and import trade of 
all of these countries is in the hands of the 
United States, due to our geographical posi 
tion, and the fact that we have many citizens 
living within their boundaries, engaged in 
various enterprises. England, Germany and 
France are our closest competitors. Perhaps 
Germany has more real money invested here, 
and there is a great preponderance of German 
mercantile establishments throughout these 
nations. The following table gives the de 
tails for 1913: