454 



REPUBLIC OF THE EQUATOR. 



4. Government. Since the separation of Venezuela from New Grenada, a new constitution 

 has been adopted, resembling that of the latter. 



CHAPTER LX. REPUBLIC OF THE EQUATOR. 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



1. Extent and Population. The Republic of the Equator (Ecuador) is bounded on the 

 N. by New Grenada and Venezuela ; E. by the empire of Brazil ; S. by Peru ; and W. by 

 the Pacific Ocean. It extends from 2° N. to 6° 30' S. lat., and from 65° to 81° W. long., 

 having an area of 325,000 square miles, with a population of 650,000 souls. 



2. JYTountains. The western part of tlie State is traversed from south to north by a chain of 

 the ^ndes, forming a double ridge of colossal summits, the valley between which constitutes an 

 elevated table-land, from 25 to 50 miles in width, and from 9,000 to 9,500 feet in height. The 

 principal summits projecting above this great plateau, are Cfiimborazo, 21,730 feet high, Cay- 

 ambe Urcu., 19,600, and the volcanoes of Jlntisana, 19,400, Cotopaxi, 19,000, and Pichin- 

 cha^ 16,000 feet high. Above the height of 16,750 feet these mountains are covered with 

 perpetual snow. Chimborazo has been ascended to the height of 19,800 feet, probably the 

 highest point on the surface of the globe ever trodden by the foot of man ; the air is here so 

 much rarified that blood issued from the eyes, lips, and gums of the visiters. 



3. Rivers. The whole of the eastern part of the State is traversed by the great river J\Iara- 

 non or Amazon., which forms part of the southern boundary of the Republic. It receives the 

 Jfapo., the Putumayo or Ysa, and the Tigre from the north, and the Huallaga, the Ucayali, 

 and the Javari, from the south, within the limits of the Republic. The other most important 

 river is the Guayaquil, which is navigable for the largest vessels to the distance of 40 miles 

 from the sea, and empties itself into the fine bay of the same name. 



4. Minerals. Ecuador is less rich in the precious metals than the neighboring countries. 

 There are, however, mines of gold and silver, and a few are still worked. Lead, quicksilver, 

 and copper, also occur in some places, and in others sulphur is prepared in considerable quanti- 

 ties. Topazes, emeralds, rock crystals, and fine marble are found. 



5. Climate and Face of the Country. Although this country lies directly under the equa- 

 tor, the great elevation of the central valley, and of tlie western table-land renders the climate of 

 diose sections mild and temperate. In the low country along the coast the; heat is excessive, 

 and the climate is dangerous to foreigners. The productions resemble those of New Grenada. 



In some parts of the low country the air swarms with mosquitoes and other flies still more 

 tormenting ; the ground teems with snakes, centipedes, and other reptiles, whose bite causes 

 fever and inflammation. There is here a chameleon, whose scratch- is believed to be mortal, 

 a belief which seems chimerical, but which greatly harasses the citizens. The ants cannot be 

 prevented from filling even the dishes, and sometimes when a tart is cut up, they are seen run- 

 ring off in all directions leaving the interior void. The shores are crowded with caymans and 

 alligators, whose numbers cannot be kept within any tolerable limits. But the valley and table- 

 land of the interior present a different scene, almost realizing in soil and climate, the fabled 

 glories of the golden age. The climate is an eternal spring, at once benign and equal, and even 

 during the 4 rainy months, the mornings and evenings are clear and beautiful. Vegetation nev- 

 er ceases ; the country is called the evergreen Quito ; the trees and meadows are crowned with 

 a perpetual verdure. The inhabitant of our wintry clime sees with astonishment the plough 

 and the sickle at once in activity ; herbs of the same species, here fading with age, there just 

 beginning to bud ; one flower drooping and its sister unfolding Its beauties to the sun. Stand- 

 ing on an eminence, the spectator views the tints of spring, summer, autumn, all blended, 

 while above these verdant hills and flowery vales, rise the lofty cones of the Andes clad in 

 eternal snows, or frowning with naked rocks. 



POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



1 . Divisions. The territory of the Republic is divided into 3 departments, which are sub- 

 divided into 8 provinces. 



Departments. Capitals. 



Equator, ..... Quito. 



Guayaquil; - - - - Guayaquil. 



Assuay, - - - - Cnenca. 



