The fertile northern region of Argentina has hitherto been somewhat neglected, in spite of the fact that it is the oldest settled part of the country. When communications between Tucuman and Peru were interrupted the country declined, and the easily earned wealth of the Pampas diverted the attention of capital from less accessible parts. On the western side communications are excellent, and on the east they are fast improving. The towns and provinces are gradually increasing in wealth and population and, besides their great fertility in soil and every kind of produce, they will also be important as recipients of trade from places over the frontier. This importance, of course, will depend upon the development of the places in question. Those countries that lie about the upper waters of the Parana will not be trade centres for many years. As regards Bolivia, the case is doubtful. That country has a large mining industry, but her population is scanty and backward, and it is probable that it will still be more economical to despatch the greater part of its products by sea. In fact, the Argentine Government has raised objections to the prolongation of the railway into Bolivia, on the ground that it will not be a commercial success. However that may be, Tucuman, Salta, Cordoba, Parana, and many other towns with their adjacent districts will always have sufficient wealth to be of considerable importance in themselves, and when more immigrants have been attracted thither they will be regarded, in many respects, as the best part of the Republic. [Illustration: TUCUMAN.] FOOTNOTES: [150] "Descripcion Chorographica," p. 1. [151] South Americans say that it will not harm man under any circumstances. [152] M. Gonzalez, "El Gran Chaco Argentino," pp. 89, 90. [153] Captain Andrews, "Journey from Buenos Aires," i. pp. 59, 60. [154] W. MacCann, "Two Thousand Miles' Ride through the Argentine Provinces," ii. 52, 3. [155] "The land was rich in wheat, barley, and maize, and had fine pastures to fatten fine cattle. Game was abundant, the trees were of hard wood and of great size, and there was much cotton and flax which was woven into fine linen. There were traces of gold, and above all the climate was the best in the whole governorship" (Pedro de Lozano, "Coleccion," iv. 228). [156] "Journey from Buenos Aires," i. 241, 2. [157] Bonelli, "Travels in Bolivia," &c., ii. 247. CHAPTER XXIII INFORMATION FOR ENGLISH TRAVELLERS