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OUATBMALA. 



GUATEMALA. 



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The ttata is well wat«r«d by • Urga Dumber of riran, but very 

 f«w of them are narieable : the principiLl are the Doloe, Polochic, end 

 llotagua. The Ato Dolce, though short, is the moat important river 

 of CtfOtral America, being the dianuel by which the Oolfo Dolce dia- 

 chatgea iU water* into the Oulf of llundunu, 15° 85' N. lat The 

 Oolfo Dolce is a fresh-water lake, about 60 miles in circuit, having 

 on its southern bank the small port-town of YsabaL The Kio Dolce, 

 issuing from the eastern portion of the lake, turns to the north, and 

 expands into a small lake, called the Qolfetta (the Small Oulf), about 

 10 miles in width. This river is about 20 miles long, and of oon- 

 aiderable depth, except on its bar, where there are only 6 or 7 feet 

 water. 



The Rio Polcchic rises near the village of Ta9U9, on the table-land 

 of Ouatemala, but soon descending into a wide and deep valley, it 

 becomes navigable at the Embarcadero de Teleman, a considerable 

 distance above the Qolfo Dolce, into which it falls. It is a rapid river, 

 and deep enough for vessels drawing several feet of water, but on the 

 bar at its mouth there are only 3 or 4 feet of water. 



The Motayua rises near the town of Solola on the table-land of 

 Ooatemala, through which it runs in an eastetn direction till it 

 descends from it some distance west of Zacapik At Qualtin, some 

 milt« farther down, the river becomes navigable, but, owing to its 

 numerous rapids and shoaU, it can only be navigated by boats not 

 drawing more than a foot and a half water. Towards its mouth the river 

 tnms tu the north-east and falls into the Gulf of Honduras about 16 

 miles west of Omo:k By means of this river a considerable quantity of 

 European goods, especially the heavier kind, is sent into the interior 

 of Ouatemala; they are transported from QualfUi to the places of 

 consumption on mules. 



The Lacantun, which rises in this state and separatee it for a con- 

 siderable distance from Yucatan, becomes an important river after its 

 entry into the state of Yucatan. The rivers which enter the Pacific are 

 numerous, but have all a short course. One of the most important is- 

 the Michetoyat, which at its mouth forma the harbour of Ystapa, the 

 port of the city of Guatemala. 



There are four rather considerable lakes in the state. Of these that 

 called Qolfo Doloe, noticed above, is the most important, as by means 

 of it moat of the foreign trade of the republic is carried on. The lake 

 of Peten, situated in the most northern district of Vera Paz, on the 

 table-land of Yucatan, is of an oval form and about TO miles in circuit. 

 It contains several islands, on the largest of which is a small fortress 

 and a collection of houses forming the village of Flores. The lake of 

 Atitlan is 80 miles north-west of the city of Guatemala, and near the 

 weatem edge of the table-land. It is about 18 miles long and 9 miles 

 broad, environed by lofty heights, including the volcano of Atitlan, 

 and remarkable for its extraordiuary depth and for having no outlet, 

 though several small rivers fall into it. The lake of Amatitan, 18 

 milea aouth-east from the city of Guatemala, is 9 miles long and 3 

 miles wide, and of great depth. It is much resorted to as a bathing- 

 plaoe by the inhabitants of the city during the season from February 

 to April ; and near the lake are several hot and mineral springs. 

 The Kio Michetoyat flows from this lake. 



Climate, Soil, Produclioiu. — The climate of the table-land is that of 

 a perennial spring ; the thermometer scarcely varying throughout the 

 year. The average heat in the middle of the year is from 68° to 70° 

 Fahr. ; but during the north winds, which prevail in the dry season, 

 from October to May, it sometimes though rarely descends 20 degrees 

 within a few hours. The tainy season usually sets in in May and 

 lasts till October ; but rain seldom falls except between 3 o'clock 

 in the afternoon and 6 o'clock in the morning. In June thunder is 

 firaquent ; in August and September the Pacific coast is subject to 

 violent storms from the south-west. The tableland is considered to 

 be very healthy, but gAitra is prevalent, especially among the mixed 

 imoes, and is often accompanied by idiotcy. Earthquakes are painfully 

 frequent 



The soil is generally very fertile. The table-land is nearly without 

 trees, and even bushes, except on the declivities of the hiUy ranges, 

 which traverse it in every direction. On the lower lands by the 

 Psoifio trees of very large size form extensive forests, and are a source 

 of great natuml weialth ; but owing to the thinness of the population 

 and the want of roads, are at present of little profit. Among the trees 

 are mahogany, cedar, Brasil, Santa Maria, guaiaoum, pimento, Ae. 

 Various medicinal plants are also abundant On the low tract by the 

 Gulf of Honduras there is a luxuriant and vigorous vegetation. 



On the table-land wheat and mails of excellent quality are largely 

 grown. Most European friiits and TwetaUes produce well; and 

 tropical fruits and vegetables abound. In the lower tracts excellent 

 rioe is raised. Tobacoo, ootton, sogir, caoca, vanilla, and indigo are 

 raised for exportation. Moat of the cochineal which forms so 

 important an article in the commeroa of Central America is obtained 

 in GuatemaU. The agricultural resources of Guatemala remain how- 

 ever but slightly developed. The country is thinly peopled, and 

 owing to its unsettled state, and the inert character of the major part 

 of the people, little has been done toward* improving the rude 

 systems of cultivation or introducing superior implements; and a 

 oonsiderabls portion of the country Ucs almost waste. Of this unculti- 

 vated land a large part is used as gracing ground, and a rather large 

 number of cattle is kept. Sheep an reared >a considerable numbers. 



the wool, which is somewhat coarse, being used for the native manu- 

 fiteturea. The horsee are small, but hardy and handsomeL Mules are 

 numerous, being largely used for carrying goods. Hogs abound, and 

 are of good quality. A good deal of poultry is raised. 



Several metals are believed to exist in sutficient quantities to be 

 profitably worked under favourable circumstances. Gold, silver, lead, 

 copper, and iron are said to have been found. Lead mines are worked 

 hy the Indians in Totonioapan. Jasper and marble are obtained. 

 Brimstone of good quality is procured in the vicinity of some of the 

 volcanoes. Salt is made along the Pacific coast 



The manufactures an chiefly confined to articles of domestic con- 

 sumption. The cotton manufacture, ouce of cousiderable importance, 

 has greatly declined. It is now chiefly carried on in the corregi- 

 mientos of Guatemala and Sacatepeques. The manufacture of woollen 

 cloth has retained more of its former consequence : the ""Ung of the 

 ordinary ooane cloths, and of a kind of bltML cloak much worn in the 

 coimtry employs a large number of looms. Hats, jewellery, furni- 

 ture, earthenware, and the ordinary articles of domestic use are largely 

 made in several of the towns. The exports an confined to few articles. 

 Of these the most important is that of cochineal, which was introduced 

 into Guatemala as lata as 1811, and did not for several years produce 

 more than sufficient for home consumption. In 1811 about 15,000 lbs. 

 were exported: in 1849 the quantity had increased to 1,469,100 lbs. 

 The other articles of export are chiefly mahogany and other woods 

 employed in cabinet work ; vanilla, sarsaparilU, and other medicinal 

 roots and plants ; indigo ; and hides. Sugar, coSee, and cotton are also 

 exported in small quantities. The imports are British cotton and 

 dry goods, linen and silk fabrics ; cutlery aud hardware ; porcelain and 

 fine earthenware; fancy goods; wines, &c. In 1851 the exports 

 amounted to 994,488 dollars; the imporU to 1,354,430 dollars. 



Divitiont, Towru, i:c. — Guatemala is divided into seven department* 

 (corregimientos), which, with their chief towns, are as follows : — 



1. Guatemala occupies the south-eastern portion of the territory, 

 has an area of nearly 5000 square miles, and a population of about 

 90,000. The surface of the country is considerably diversified, the 

 climate equable and genial, and the soil remarkably fertile. This and 

 the following deportment form the great cochineal district The 

 nopal (C'ocCiU opttiUta), the plant on which the cochineal insect is 

 produced, grows freely and luxuriantly, especially around the town of 

 Amatitan, where are the chief plautatiuus : the insects come to matu- 

 rity in April, and the collecting of them continues for about a mouth. 

 The other productions of this department are maize and wheat, 

 stigar and coflee, most of which however is required for home con- 

 sumption. The principal towns are Guatemala, the capital of the state, 

 Amatitan, Escuintla (population 3,000), aud Jalpatagua, AmatituM, at 

 thu foot of the lake of the same name, which formerly depended on the 

 persons who annually resorted to it for bathing, is now, in conse- 

 quence of the great increase in the rearing of cochineal, a rich aud 

 flourishing place, having a population including the suburbs of upwards 

 of 9000. 



2. Sacatepeques lies to the west of the corregimiento of Guatemala ; 

 it contains above 1900 square miles, and a population of about 5(i,000, 

 who are chiefly settled in its southern part The country around the 

 city of Old Guatemala is one of the most picturesque in the world, 

 and the soil is extremely fertile. Maiie and other grains, and vege- 

 tables and fruit in great variety, are largely grown. Cotton, coflee, 

 tobacco, and sugur flourish here, though they are not yet grown to any 

 great extent Poultry aud bogs are raised in considerable quantities 

 for the supply of the capital. The olive and vine grow well here, but 

 an not cultivated to any extent The chief towu is Old Guatemala 

 [OCATKMALA, City of], but there an several other populous places 

 around it notwithstanding the proximity of the two volcanoes Agua 

 and Fuego, and the frequency aud severity of the earthqtukes with 

 which it is visited. The larger of these towns are Chimaltenango, 

 population 4000, aud Patsim. 



8. Sololii, lies tu the west of the former corregimientos, and contains 

 about 4000 squan miles. The surface is very much broken, and the 

 soil, especially in the valleys, very fertile. The climate is colder than 

 in some other parts of the state. Wheat, maize, and fruits are the 

 chief products. Sheep are bred in large numbers. Jerga and other 

 coarse woollens an manufaotured. At least three-fourths of the 

 inhabitant* are Indians, who are mostly engaged in agriculture or 

 weaving : twelve or fourteeu of their villages are placed around the 

 shores of the lake Atitlan, which is nearly in the centre of Solol((, 

 From the midst of this lake rises the volcano of San Pedro. The 

 chief towns of this department are Sololi, population 5000, Atitlan, 

 and Masatenango, but neither of them is of any importance. 



4. Quesaltenango lies to the north-west of Sololi; it contains above 

 4500 square miles, and 70,810 inhabitants; and is one of the most 

 important of the departments in an industrial point of view. It has 

 a tolerably level surface, a temperate climate, aud a very fertile soil. 

 The products an maize and wheat, sugar, cacao, and various fruits 

 and vegetables, which are largely exported to the city of GuatenuiU, 

 to Salvador, and Cbiapa. Large herds of cattle and mules, and great 

 flocks of sheep an mnintaiued. The capital Q,>u*alle!nango, popula- 

 tion 20,000, a large portion of whom are Indiana, is the next town iu 

 importance to Guatemala. It «tauds on the little river Samalo, and 

 is a large well ani regularly-built place. It contaius a spacious 



