282 



AMAZONIA AND LA PLATA. 



Navigable Waterways. 



Meanwhile, in the absence of railways, except in the vicinity of Para, the 

 Amazonian region depends entirely on its steamers to keep up its relations with 

 the rest of the world. An English company, subsidised by the Brazilian Govern- 

 ment, maintains a flotilla which plies on the Amazons between Para and Iquitos 

 in Peru ; boats in connection with the main line also ascend the Jutahy, the Jurua, 

 the Purus, and its Aquiri affluent in the heart of the rubber region. They also 



Fig. 122. — Navigable Waterways of Brazil. 

 Scale 1 : 45,000,000. 



Ship Navigation. 



Boat Navigation. 

 1,250 Miles. 



visit the riverside ports of the Eio Negro, Madeira, Tapajoz, and Xingu, and 

 ascend the Tocantins as far as the cataracts. 



In the rest of Brazil fluvial navigation is of secondary importance. Even that 

 of the S. Francisco is interrupted by the great falls, which have not yet been 

 turned by a canal to connect the lower and upper navigable reaches. But on the 

 seaboard, lines of ocean steamers, rapidly replacing sailing vessels, keep open the 



