DISTRICTS AND POPULATION. 



1829. 



almost entirely cultivated. The other islands are small, and 

 very close to each other ; but separated by navigable channels, 

 which offer many dangers to the frail vessels in which the 

 islanders move about. 



The province is divided into ten districts, or Partidos, as 

 follows : — 



1. San Carlos, containing the northern coast of the island, 



as far as Chacao. 



2. Chacao. The N.E. part of the island. 



3. Carelmapu and MauUin. 



4. Calbuco. 



5. Dalcahue, extending from Chacao to Tenoun. 



6. Quenac. 



7. Quinchao. 



8. Castro. 

 9- Lemuy. 



10. Chonchi, which extends from Castro to the south ex- 

 tremity of the island. 

 By the census of 1828, the population of the large island, 

 and those in its neighbourhood would appear to be, com- 

 paratively, very considerable ; the number of souls being 

 43,131 particularly as the greater portion of the interior, and 

 much of the sea-coast, are quite uninhabited. The population 

 of the district of San Carlos is confined principally to the town ; 

 for between it and Chacao, there are very few inhabitants. At 

 Chacao there are only about two hundred houses, and Dalcahue 

 is but thinly occupied: but Castro, Quinchao, and Lemuy, are 

 very populous. These three districts are the most fertile and 

 productive part of the island, particularly for seven or eight 

 miles round Castro. The peninsula opposite to that town, which 

 is entirely cleared, would abundantly repay its cultivators, 

 were industry more common among them. 



Childe is governed by an ' Yntendente,' or civil governor, 

 who exacts obedience to the constitutional laws, as well as 

 to the orders of the executive powers, and the resolutions of the 

 provincial assembly, which is composed of members, elected 



* In the year 1783 there were 23,44/ (AgUeros) : and in 1832, 43,830. 



