46 POLITICAL DIVISIONS AND 



Chile. One shower far northward in Atacama produced as great an effect on the vegetation 

 as two in the parallel of Huasco, and three or four about Illapel ; and a winter at Valparaiso 

 so dry as greatly to injure the pasture, would produce the most unusual abundance at Huasco, 

 only 2Y5 miles farther north. Nor is it a less interesting fact for pomologists, that in all parts 

 of northern Chile, fruit-trees produce more abundantly at a considerable height than in the 

 lower country. This circumstance has been remarked by more than one traveller in the 

 mountainous region ; and the size and flavor of the dried figs, peaches, and grapes, from Huasco 

 and Gruanta, have surprised all in our own country who have had the opportunity to see them. 



Communication between the extremities of the province is kept up over two principal roads 

 or, rather, two bridle-paths one quite near to the coast, the other through the departmental 

 capitals. There are, also, innumerable similar tracks, leading from them to the several mining 

 districts. Wheeled vehicles can be used only in the immediate vicinities of the larger towns, and 

 for a few miles along the valley of the Coquimbo river. Since our departure from Chile, one 

 railroad has been projected between La Serena arid the port eight miles distant, and another 

 between Tongoy and the copper mines of Tamaya, in the vicinity of Ovalle. As may be 

 inferred, these mines are exceedingly productive ; and, fortunately, they are in the possession 

 of gentlemen fully resolved to profit by the experience of their countrymen in Atacama. A 

 road is also needed from La Serena as far up the valley as Elqui, and then Coquimbo would 

 rival Atacama in wealth, though one mostly produces silver, and the other only copper. I am 

 not prepared to say that such a road could be constructed without a great outlay, but am fully 

 assured it would prove a valuable investment. Another measure of great public utility is the 

 erection of a dam across the outlet of the lake, near the headwaters of the Coquimbo river, 

 by which the supply to the valley could be regulated. For want of such provision, the haciendas 

 suffer very greatly during years when there has been but a light fall of snow on the Andes. 



As a portion of the domestic trade is carried on by land, and does not enter the custom- 

 house statistics, it is not possible to ascertain the actual agricultural deficiency. Taking the 

 year 1850, when the crops were a fair average, as a standard, provisions were brought by sea 

 to the value of $433,503, and from the Argentine provinces to the value of $22,840, of which 

 three fourths of the latter sum was for black cattle. In the same year, similar domestic pro- 

 visions were exported to the value of $47,8*72. Adopting the last census as correct, its 85,000 

 people will have required, for the subsistence of each individual, food which cost $4.Y5, besides 

 the introductions from Aconcagua by land. 



ACONCAGUA. The northern limit of this province is the river Chuapa ; its southern is partially 

 the range of mountains which, springing from the peak of Tupungato, near the 33d parallel, 

 leaves the main chain of the Andes in a northwest direction, then, after crossing the head of 

 the great longitudinal valley, bends to the southward and forms the Central and Coast ranges, 

 and partially by the Cuesta Blanquillo, a northern spur of the same range, which separates 

 it from the province of Valparaiso. Its eastern and western boundaries are, respectively, the 

 Andes and the Pacific. The range from the Andes, in its original direction, is called the 

 Cuesta de Chacabuco, subsequently the Cuesta de la Dormida. It was at the former mountains 

 that the first great battle was fought between the royalists and patriots, whose eventual 

 results liberated the country from the crown of Spain ; and the Cuesta de Chacabuco has thus 

 become holy ground to the nation. Within this province is the peak of Aconcagua, the 

 loftiest summit (22,300 feet) now known on the American continent. 



Its departments San Felipe, Andes, Ligua, Petorca, and Putaendo are divided into 41 

 sub-delegations and 242 districts. Its capital, the city of San Felipe, one of the largest and 

 most prosperous interior towns of Chile, is situated near the junction of the main stream of 

 the Aconcagua with the Putaendo, one of its tributaries. San Felipe is laid out like the other 

 large towns ; has its public square, paved and lighted streets, alameda, is well watered, and 

 has many large and commodious houses. Santa Kosa de los Andes or, as it is sometimes 

 called, Villa Nueva the chief city of the department of the Andes, lies on the margin of the 



