l8 CHILI. 



The principal cities are the following : SANTIAGO, VAL 

 PARAISO, TALCA, COXCEFCION, SERENA, COPIAPO, IOUIOUE, 

 and ANTOFOGASTA. First of all stands SANTIAGO, the Capital 

 of the Republic, with a population of about 200,000. It was 

 founded in 1541 by the Conqueror Pedro de Valdivia. Its 

 situation is in an extensive valley called MAPOCHO, bounded 

 on the east by the Cordillera, on the west by the mountains 

 Prado and Poanque, on the north by the small river Colina, 

 and on the south by the river Mapocho, which passes the city 

 on one side, and feeds many assequies^ or small canals, for 

 irrigation. It also supplies the city with water. 



The city is divided into squares, about one-hundred-and- 

 fifty, marked out by the streets, which are well paved, broad, 

 and clean. Besides many sumptuous private buildings, belong 

 ing to wealthy owners of mines, and large landed proprietors, 

 there are some important ones, such as the Mint, the Presi 

 dential Palace, the Cathedral, the University, with a Museum 

 of Natural History, under the direction of the Venerable and 

 well-known Scientist, Doctor R. A. Philippi, and many other 

 Colleges, Hospitals, etc. Most of the private houses are 

 built in the old Spanish style, and only one story high, as a 

 precaution against the earthquakes. 



The bridge across the Mapocho is a handsome structure. 

 Close by is the Alameda, or public promenade, forming a 

 triple avenue more than half-a-mile long, and much frequented 

 by foot passengers. The middle one, planted with a double 

 row 7 of Lombard poplars, serves for the carriages and horses. 



Mirth and gaiety preside in the Chilian society, and 

 foreigners are received with much friendship and conviviality. 



Next in importance stands VALPARAISO, or Vale of 

 Paradise, the most important port of Chili, with about 

 120,000 inhabitants, according to the last census. The bay is 

 of a semi-circular form, surrounded by very steep hills which 

 rise abruptly almost from the edge of the water, particularly 

 to the southward. The principal part of the town is built 

 between the cliffs and the sea. The principal street faces the 

 bay and forms the great artery of Valparaiso, and is skirted 

 by elegant warehouses, banks, government and other private 

 buildings. A great activity ahvays reigns here. At the back, 

 the houses rise one above another, forming a species of 

 amphitheatre, which, when first seen from the sea, have a 

 most beautiful and picturesque appearance. At night the 

 sight is more peculiar still, the lights being scattered about the 



