Industrial and commercial South AmericaPeck, Annie S. (Annie Smith)
History
Industrial and commercial South America
Peck, Annie S. (Annie Smith)
South America; South America -- Economic conditions -- 1918-
=Bogotá=, the Capital of Colombia, is situated on a plateau or savanna,
a sort of shelf over 8000 feet above the sea, on the west side of the
East Cordillera. The shelf, overlooked by fine snowclad volcanoes, has
a low rim on the west and a high ridge on the east. About 70 miles long
and 30 wide, it is entirely covered with towns and farms. The city is
the largest in Colombia (population probably 150,000), on account of
its being the capital and having a good climate; the mean temperature
ranges from 54° to 64°. 600 miles from the north coast and 210 from the
Pacific, Bogotá is the most difficult of access of any of the South
American capitals. Nevertheless, the city has always been noted as
the home of culture and of intellectual tastes. It is well laid out
and covers a large area, as the houses are of only one or two stories
with interior patios or courts, as in most South American cities.
Many streets have asphalt pavements; there are hundreds of carriages
and automobiles, also 23 miles of electric tramways. Like all South
American cities, it has large plazas, open squares usually with trees
and other green in the centre, and public gardens. The Capitol is an
imposing building covering two and a half acres. Other good public
buildings include the Presidential Palace, a public library, a museum,
etc. Of course there is a cathedral and many churches, two theatres of
the first rank, several fair hotels, a large bull ring, a hippodrome,
polo grounds, etc. Here are telephones and electric lights as in all
other considerable cities. The people are industrious, intelligent, and
fond of amusement.
A more precise idea of the geography of Colombia and of the commercial
possibilities of the different sections will be gained by reviewing
them in order, beginning with the north coast, going around the
outside, and concluding with the interior.
STATES AND TERRITORIES
=The Goajira Peninsula=, a Comisaría at the northeast, is inhabited
chiefly by Indians who are practically independent. They gather forest
products such as tagua nuts (vegetable ivory), breed useful horses,
and do some trading at the port of Riohacha in Magdalena. A few savage
tribes make travel in some sections dangerous. The peninsula contains
much wet lowlands, as well as mountains, extensive forests, and fine
fertile country, with considerable mineral wealth yet unexploited:
gold, and probably extensive veins of coal. Large sections covered with
guinea grass are capable of supporting great herds of cattle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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