2 



the surface of Chili may be estimated at 378,006 

 square miles. 



Sect. I. Limits. — Chili is bounded upon the 

 west by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by Peru, on 

 the east by Tucuman, Cujo and Patagonia, and on 

 the south by the land of Magellan. It is separated 

 from all these countries by the Cordilleras, which 

 form an insurmountable barrier on the land side, 

 while the sea renders it secure upon that quarter. 

 The. few roads which lead to Chili from the neigh- 

 bouring provinces are impassible, except in summer, 

 and are so narrow and dangerous that a man on 

 horseback can with difficulty pass them.^- 



The extent which modern geographers assign ta 

 Chili is much greater than that which the inhabi- 

 tants allow it ; the former usually comprehend with- 



* There are about eight or nine roads which cross the Cordille- 

 ras of Chili, of which that leading from the province of Acon- 

 cagua to Cujo is the most travelled. This road, which cannot be 

 passed in less than eight days, is bordered on one side by the deep 

 beds which the Chile and the Mendoza, two considerable rivers, 

 have worn there ; on the other side, by very lofty and perpendi- 

 cular mountains. It is so narrow and incommodious, that, in many 

 places, travellers are obliged to quit their mules, the only animal 

 that can be employed, and to proceed on foot ; nor does there a 

 year pass when some loaded mules are not precipitated from these 

 roads into the rivers. These precipices, however, do not follow the 

 whole course of the road ; for occasionally it passes over very 

 agreeable and pleasant plains, where travellers halt to refresh 

 themselves. In these places the Incas, when they Conquered 

 Cusco and the northern provinces of Chili, caused soine stone 

 houses to be constructed for the accommodation of their officers ^ 

 one of which has been ruined, but the others still remain entire* 

 The Spaniards have built some more, for the greater conve- 

 nience of travellers. 



