Colombia between the Years 1820 and 1S30, 13 



towards the interior in proportion to local obstacles, i. e. to the 

 greater or less facility of communication. It is this circumstance 

 which marks the difference betwixt Yeuezuela and the south and 

 the centre of Colombia, indicating a distinct and more rapid ca- 

 reer of civilization and prosperity. The branch of the Andes 

 which traverses Venezuela is much inferior in elevation to the 

 ridges of Quito and New Grenada. The whole of the inhabited 

 part of it belongs to the hot country or temperate mountain zone. 

 The following are the heights of the principal towns through its 

 whole extent : 



Caraccas . . , 2903 ft. Mean temp. 71^ 



Valencia . . . 1495 78 



Barquisimeto . . 485 • 78 



Tocuyo . . . 2058^ 75 



7o 



Tmxillo . , . 2684 



Merida . . . 62S0 • 66 



Cucuta . . about 400 . 83 



The differences of climate and productions bet\vixt the differ- 

 ent parts of the country are consequently trifling, and form no bar 

 to general communication betwixt the coast and interior. There 

 is therefore an amalgamation of ideas, an homogeneity, if we may 

 usejthe term, in the mass of feelings and opijiions on political 

 subjects. The population is not only more enlishtened, but. 

 what is of more importancCj more equally so. A different state of 

 things presents itself, when we examine the centre and south. 

 The main ridge of the Andes ascends rapidly from the frontier of 

 Venezuela; and^ by its direction from north to south, places the 

 population at a continually increasing distance from the sea-ports 

 of the Atlantic ; while its superior elevation producing a different 

 climate and temperature, gives birth to new habits and a distinct 

 nationality. To descend to the coast from these altitudes, is a 

 matter both of risk and difficulty. The line betwixt the Llanc- 

 ros and Serranos is strongly drawn^ and a separation of character 

 evident. The country from Cucuta to Bogota through Pamplona 

 and Tunja has a mean elevation of from 8,000 to 10,000 feet, and 

 a temperature of about 59^ Fahr, It is true that Bogota com- 

 municates with Europe by the valley of the Magdalena; but" the 

 length and inconvenience of this channel of intercourse render it 

 accessible but to few. Hence the struggle of opinions in New 



r 



Grenada, where the civilization of the superior class is out of pro- 

 portion to that of the bulk of the people. 



