In Peru similar hats are made from Ecuador straw. In order to prevent this a tax of one sucre a kilogram was placed on the export of the straw, but without killing the Peruvian industry. The finest Ecuadorian hats, which come from Montecristi and Jipijapa in Manabí, are sold in Guayaquil at high prices, but far less than in New York. A shoe factory, cotton and woolen mills, breweries, ice plants, tanneries, flour mills, saw mills, etc., not forgetting chocolate, are locally important. Along the coast are many maguey plants, from the fibre of which to make bags and twine a profitable industry might be created. For the establishment of a paper factory, the Government proposes, it is reported, to grant valuable concessions to British capitalists. INVESTMENTS From the list of Ecuador’s productions and exports, agriculture, especially cacao, might seem to offer favorable opportunities; to some gold mining might appeal or the possibilities of petroleum. For many years engineering and construction work of various kinds, including sanitation, must present openings for capitalists, and for experts in such matters. With forests so near the coast saw mills and lumbering would undoubtedly be profitable. Stock raising for local requirements is a fair possibility. CHAPTER XIX PERU: AREA, HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, ETC. More than a century ago, the distinguished scientist, Alexander von Humboldt, declared that the country of Peru would one day become the centre of the World’s colonization. It has been called the richest in natural resources of any country upon the globe, containing within its borders every variety of climate and of natural or possible production, together with wonderful fertility of soil and marvelous wealth in minerals. Other countries make a similar claim. To decide the question is impossible. Without intimate acquaintance with all, even to express an opinion would seem an impertinence. AREA, POPULATION, BOUNDARY =Area.= Pending the decision of certain boundary disputes, the area of this Republic can hardly be stated with even approximate accuracy, for figures given vary over 200,000 square miles. The territory claimed by the Government, including Tacna and Arica, with a vast domain over which Ecuador and Colombia have asserted a right, covers 700,000 square miles. Had all claims been decided against her, Peru would have fifth place in area among the South American Republics; but as the arbitrators of her boundaries with Brazil and Bolivia gave judgment largely in her favor, she is likely to remain fourth with at least 540,000 square miles. With this figure Peru is ten times the size of New York State, and approximates the area of the entire Atlantic slope of the United States.