466 



CHILI. 



the American lion, are sometimes seen. All the domestic animals introduced from Europe 

 have multiplied greatly. The horses of Chili are excellent ; and those hred on the plains re- 

 semhle the Arabian stock. Birds are exceedingly numerous. The coasts abound with various 

 kinds of fish ; there are also many whales and seals. 



10. Face of the Country. Chili presents a plain, gradually rising in elevation as it recedes 

 from the coast and approaches the Andes. The country, intercepted between the foot of the 

 Andes and the Pacific Ocean, is divided into two equal parts, the maritime and midland. The 

 maritime part is intersected by three ridges of mountains, running parallel with the Andes. The 

 midland part js generally level, of great fertility, and enjoying a delightful climate. 



POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



1. Divisions. Chih is divided into 8 provinces : Coquimbo, Aconcagua, St. Jago, Colcha- 

 gua, Maule, Concepcion, Valdivia, and Chiloe. 



2. Roads. The high ridges which everywhere separate (he valleys of Chili from each other, 

 are passable only for mules. There are but 3 or 4 carriage roads in the whole country. The 

 commerce with Buenos Ayres is carried on through the passes of the Andes. The pass most 

 frequented is thaf of Uspalata, on the road between Santiago and Mendoza. 



3. Towns. The nietropolis of this country is St. Jago, or Santiago, situated in a delightful 

 valley. It is built with great neatness, and the houses, though low, are commodious. Those 

 of the superior inhabitants encompass a square court, and have in the front an ornamental porch, 

 with a stable and coach-house on its two sides. Behind almost every house is a garden, be- 

 yond which runs a clear, rapid stream. The cathedral is a spacious edifice, 384 feet long. 

 The mint is also a handsome building. Population, 50,000. 



Valparaiso, which stands on a fine bay of the Pacific Ocean, is the port of Santiago, and 

 enjoys considerable trade. Population, 20,000. Concepcion is pleasantly situated, and has a 

 tolerable harbor. It was originally built 3 leagues to the north of its present position, but hav- 

 mg been twice destroyed by earthquakes, the inhabitants removed hither. Population, 13,000. 

 Talcahuano, the port of Concepcion, is 6 miles distant, on the southwest side of the bay of 

 Concepcion. Coquimbo is pleasantly situated on tlie river of that name, and near a fine bay, 

 in the 30th degree of south latitude. The city is large, but thinly peopled, and its port is at the 

 mouth of the river, about 2 leagues distant. Valdivia stands on the banks of that river, and is 

 a strong military post, situated near a good harbor, formed at the mouth of the river. 



4. .Agriculture. The soil of Chih is extremely favorable to the growth of maize, wheat, 

 barley, and rye. Hemp also grows well. The sugar-cane, the cotton-tree, the banana, the 

 sweet potato, and numerous other plants are cultivated. The vine yields abundantly, and the 

 olive likewise attains great perfection. Forests of apple, peach, and quince trees, in some 

 places extend for leagues. Oranges, citrons, and lemons are produced of an excellent quality. 



5. Commerce and Manufactures. The chief trade of Chili is carried on with the United 

 States, Great Britain, Peru, and Buenos Ayres. The exports, beside gold, silver, and cop- 

 per, are hemp, cordage, hides, wine, and oil. The traffic between Chih and Buenos Ayres, 

 consists principally in exchanging the Paraguay tea of the one country, for the precious metals 

 of the other. A few articles for domestic use are manufactured in Chili. They consist mostly 

 of coarse cloths, carpets, blankets, hats, saddles, &c., which are either used in the country, or 

 exported to Peru. 



6. Inhabitants, &lc. The population consists principally of Spaniards, or people of Spanish 

 descent, Indians, and Mestizoes, with a few French, English, Irish, Italians, and negroes. 

 The»e are some independent Indians, as the Araucanians, Puelches, and Cunches. The Arau- 

 caniaus possess a great portion of country. They are well-formed and vigorous, intrepid, 

 warlike, and jealous of liberty and honor. Ercilla found in the rude virtues of these people a 

 subject for the best epic poem in the Spanish language. 



in Chili the men follow the European fashion of dress, and the women that of Peru ; the 

 latter wear long gowns, and have a modest air. Much wealth is wasted in liveries, equipages, 

 and ostentation. Many of the conunon people wear the universal poncho, a long cloth worn 

 as a cloak, with a hole cu^ 'n it for the neck. The houses are low, and the inferior ones are 

 sheds of woven branches. In cities, almost every house has a garden, as a refuge in earth- 

 quakes ; and Santiago looks nearly as much like a forest as a city. 



The food generally used is not peculiar, hut there are good wines produced in Chili. The 



