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South America: Republic

This country was named after Simon Bolivar, to whom it and other South American states were in great part indebted for their independence. It is bounded on the N. and E. by Brazil; on the S. by the Argentine Republic; and on the W. by Peru and the Pacific. The total area is given as 472,000 sq. m. Prior to the war with Chili it extended from lat. 12º to 24° S., and from long. 57° 25' to 70° 30' W. The population is estimated to be 2,300,000, of whom 1,000,000 are civilized Indians, 500,000 whites, 500,000 of mixed blood, and 325,000 wild Indians.

GEOGRAPHY, ETC. - Bolivia is a land of lofty mountains, and of elevated tablelands. Two great ranges, the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Oriental, unite in the N. Among the loftiest peaks are Illimani (21,145 ft.), Sahama (22,350), and Parinacota (22,030). Many of these mountains are volcanic.

RESOURCES. - The wonderful silver mines of Bolivia have for centuries been the marvel of the world. It is estimated that the mines of Potosi yielded, from 1545 to 1789, £400,000,000. The annual product of this remarkable mountain is still over £400,000. The deposits, which seem inexhaustible, are of great richness. Other mines, which are thought to have ores of equal value, have been discovered in various parts of the Republic. With a more settled government, and better means of transportation, this would be the great silver-producing country of the world. As it is, the yearly export of this one metal is valued at £2,000,000. Gold is found at many points of the mountains, and in the sands of all the rivers flowing from the Cordillera Oriental. The tin mines of Oruro and the copper deposits in the mountains near Corocoro are very rich. The quantity of these three minerals exported yearly is valued at £1,000,000. Lead, salt, sulphur, nitre, etc., are abundant, but the lack of means of transportation makes it impossible to utilize these sources of wealth. The vegetable productions are varied and of great value. Cotton-yellow and white-grows wild, and sugar-cane, coffee, cacao, and tobacco of superior quality are raised. The most important produce, however, is the coca, which grows on the E. slope of the Andes, and which the Indians use as a stimulant. Copaiba, valerian, jalap, ipecacuanha, sarsaparilla, and other medicinal drugs, and many varieties of gums, such as the caoutchouc, grow in abundance. Ebony, rosewood, mahogany, cedar, cinchona, and other trees are found in the vast forests, together with many valuable dyewoods. Indigo, cochineal, flax, corn, etc., are extensively cultivated. The manufactures are limited to coarse cotton cloths; various fabrics made from the wool of the llama and alpaca; hats, cordage, and leather. The constant warfare of the last half century has done much to check the progress of the country in this and other directions.

Government.-Executive power is entrusted to a president, elected for four years, and legislative functions to a senate and house of representatives, elected by universal suffrage. The seat of the executive government is at Oruro. BRAZIL.

This, once the only empire in the New World, is a country large in area, but, as considering its resources, the lowest in rank as to population of the 10 great states of the world. Fifth in extent, covering with its settled and unsettled provinces 3,217,645 sq. m.; it contains, all told, 14,000,000 inhabitants. Its boundaries extend from 4° 30' N. lat. to 33° S., and from long. 35° to 73° W. The countries on its N. limits are the United States of Colombia, Venezuela, British, Dutch, and French Guiana, and the Atlantic Ocean; upon the E., the Atlantic; upon the S., Uruguay, Paraguay, and the Argentine Republic; upon the W., Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and the United States of Colombia. All the South American states, except Chili, border upon this great state, which occupies more than two-fifths of the South American continent. Its greatest breadth is 2600 m. There are in the republic 20 provinces and one neutral municipality. The provinces are: Amazonas, Pará, Maranhao, Pianhi, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Parahyba, Pernambuco, Alogôas, Seregipe del Rey, Bahia, Espinto Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catharina, Rio Grande de Sao Pedro, Minas Geraes Matto Grosso, Gozaz, Paraná, and San Paulo. The republic has a coast line of 4000 m. In some portions it is sandy and low, elsewhere rocky and forbidding. Probably one-half of the territory is covered by highlands and mountains of no particular size, when compared with the Andes. The river system is very extensive. The Amazon, the greatest of all rivers, falls into the Atlantic just under the equator. This river and its tributaries drain an area of 800,000 sq. m. At its mouth the Amazon is 180 m. wide. The average depth is from 214 to 264 ft., at one point it is 1520 ft., at its mouth it is 513 ft. With its tributaries the Amazon affords navigation over not less than 30,000 m. within Brazilian territory. There are other rivers, and many lakes. MINERALS AND AGRICULTURE.-Brazil produces diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, topazes, gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, and other metals. For diamonds Brazil was for a long time famous, and one of the biggest diamonds in the world, 1832 carats, was found at the Serra do Frio mines. During the first 100 years the diamond washings produced $

20,000,000. But of far greater value is the coffee of Brazilthe yearly export exceeding $50,000,000. Bituminous coal is extensively mined. The people of Brazil are varied in their pursuits. In some regions where the soil is productive, they prefer to gather nuts and cacoa and make india-rubber rather than apply themselves to agricultural pursuits. Besides, coffee, cotton, sugar, tobacco, wheat, beans, and cacoa are also grown; but coffee is the first in importance. More than one-half of all the coffee used in the world comes from Brazil, In the province of Para the coffee plant grows everywhere, on every roadside or waste.

MANUFACTURES. - Manufactures have always been in a backward state, but of late years many improvements have been made through the introduction of American machinery chiefly. Sugar-refining is extensively carried on. Rum, gin, and brandy are distilled, and tobacco is manufactured on a large scale in some sections. Cottonweaving factories have been established. Silk, braids, ribbons, bronzes, etc., are produced, while there are also important foundries and iron-working establishments. The workmen in these and in the gold and silver factories are chiefly foreigners, the native Brazilian preferring to seek political position rather than turn his attention to a trade.

RELIGION, EDUCATION, ETC. - The Roman Catholic is the established religion of the republic. But notwithstanding this, the constitution prescribes complete toleration for all other beliefs. RACES AND POPULATION. A large element of the population consists of negroes brought from Africa. One-third the entire population is white. ARMY AND NAVY. -The army is recruited by enlistment and conscription. Bounties and grants of land at the end of 14 years' service are held as an inducement to enlist. The nominal strength of the standing army is 13,000 on the peace footing and 32,000 on the war footing. The navy consists of 59 steamers carrying 177 guns, including 9 ironclads.