BRAZIL— GENERAL SURVEY. 



87 



belong to its basin on the inland slopes of the Andes. The great river which 

 forms the central axis imparts to Amazonia an independent life, a world apart, 

 with distinct natural features, products, and populations, and with a separate 

 outlet towards Europe and North America. "With the rest of Brazil its relations 

 are still maintained, not by overland routes, but by this great waterway. All 

 landward communication except in the south-east is prevented by the boundless 



Fig. 29. — Relief of Brazil. 

 Soale 1 : 500,000,000, 



Heights. 



to «50 

 Feet. 



650 to 1.660 

 Feet. 



1,650 to 3,300 

 Feet. 



Depths. 



3,300 to 6,550 

 Feet. 



6,550 Feet 

 and upwards. 



to ino 

 Fathoms. 



100 to 1,000 

 Fathoms. 



1,000 Fathoms 

 and upwards. 



1,250 Miles. 



and tractless woodlands inhabited only by savage tribes. A direct overland 

 journey from Manaos, capital of Amazonia, to Hio de Janeiro, capital of the 

 republic, would resolve itself for half the route into a dangerous exploring expe- 

 dition. A hostile fleet anchoring in the Amazons estuary would sufiice to divide 

 Brazil into two halves as distinct as France and Algeria. Hence it is not sur- 



