CHILE 



119 



The Republic of Chile lies between the Andes and the South 

 Pacific, between latitude 17 deg. 15 min. and 55 deg. 59 min. 

 S., and longitude 66 deg. 30 min. and 75 deg. 40 min. W. Its 

 extreme length is about 2800 miles, the coast line is about 

 2625 miles, and the average width 90 miles. The Andes form 

 the eastern frontier, with an elevation of 5000 to 10,000 ft. 

 above sea-level, and the highest point, 22,422 ft., is Aconcagua, 

 an extinct volcano. The total area is about 291,500 square 

 ndles, with a population of 3,500,000. 



There are at present about 2,000,000 cattle and 5,000,000 sheep 

 in the country. In the far south, with Punta Arenas as a 

 centre, tliere are large flocks of British breeds of sheep and 



[N Patagonia. 



several meat works operating. A very high class of mutton 

 is exported, while the stockowners are British born, and several 

 New Zealanders have settled here. 



The northern part of the country is comparatively bare of 

 pastures,, but rich in minerals. The central has fertile plains 

 and a temperate climate; here cattle raising is carried on 

 lai^gely. 



