TOPOGEAPHY OF CHILI. 



461 



The railway bridge spanning the Biobio at Concepcion is one of the triumphs 

 of modern industry, consisting of 62 massive piers with a total length of 2,000 

 yards, or 440 more than the viaduct crossing the Volga at Sizran, the longest on 

 the European mainland. The suburb of San Pedro stands at the southern extremity 

 of the bridge, beyond which the railway continues to skirt the coast as far as the 

 southern coalfields. 



A line seven miles long runs from Concepcion north to Takahuano {Takaguano) 



Fig. 175. — Concepcion, the Biobio and Neighbouring Inlets. 

 Scale 11 : 1,000,000. 



Vvest op breenwich 



0to5 

 Fathoms. 



Depths. 



5 to 25 



Fathoms, 



25 Fathoms 

 and upwards. 



IS Miles. 



Bay, which is completely sheltered on the west by the Tumbel peninsula, and on 

 the north by Quiriquina Island and a headland projecting from the coast. Thus 

 is formed a magnificent closed basin protected from all winds, and especially from 

 those of the south-west, the most dangerous on this seaboard. The Government 

 has taken possession of the south side of the bay, where it has established the 

 arsenal and the chief strategical base of operations along the south coast of the 

 continent. An artificial harbour has been enclosed in front of Talcahuano by 

 piers carried out to a depth of 26 feet at low water. Thus are combined all 



