CHILI AND VALPARAISO. 47 



CHAPTER in. 



CHILI AND VALPARAISO. 



Chili is washed on the west by the Pacific Ocean ; on 

 the east bounded by the Cordilleras ; on the south by 

 Patagonia ; and on the north by Bolivia. Like all other 

 parts of South America, it is subject to earthquakes ; deep 

 ravines may be seen intersecting the surface in all direc- 

 tions. The appearance of the coast is far from being in- 

 viting, especially in the vicinity of Valparaiso ; but there 

 are in the interior many extensive and fertile valleys. The 

 southern part is admirably adapted to the growth of wheat, 

 of which large quantities are now raised. Chili is also 

 rich in mineral productions ; copper ore is found in the 

 mountains in the greatest abundance. 



The climate is variable — the southern part being, on ac- 

 count of its higher southern latitude, considerably colder. 

 At Valparaiso the mean temperature at midday is 65°, in 

 the evening and morning 60°. During the winter, which 

 commences the first of May and ends in September, the 

 rains sometimes last for two or three days, and during their 

 continuance the rivers swell to three and four times their 

 usual size. 



Earthquakes are sometimes very violent — that of 1835 

 nearly destroyed the towns of Talcahuana, Aranco, Talca, 

 and Conception. At Valparaiso the sea receded two feet, 

 and the ground was much rent. In order to lessen the 

 destruction of human life, the houses are usually built low 

 and of light material. 



