Spanish America, Vol. 2 (of 2)Bonnycastle, Richard Henry, Sir
History
Spanish America, Vol. 2 (of 2)
Bonnycastle, Richard Henry, Sir
Latin America -- Description and travel; Latin America -- History
The chief wealth of the people of Guanara consists in cattle, of which
they possess immense herds. They supply the provinces of Caraccas with
vast numbers of oxen and mules, and export their surplus by Coro,
Puerto-Cavello, or Guiana.
This city consists of a number of streets disposed in an uniform
and regular manner, and the houses, though not sumptuous, are well
built. The church is large, handsome, and much adorned, and there is
a very good hospital. The image of Nuestra Senora de Comoroto, which
is supposed to have a particular virtue, attracts a great concourse
of devotees from the neighbouring provinces, and renders Guanara a
lively place; it is 93 leagues south-west of Caraccas, in 8° 14' north
latitude, and 69° 54' west longitude.
_Barquisimeto_, which contains a population of 11,300 souls, is
situated in 8° 55' north latitude, and 66° 55' west longitude; 120
miles west-south-west of Caraccas, 450 north-north-east of Santa Fé,
45 north-north-east of Tocuyo, 80 miles south of Valencia, and 175
north-west of Calaboza, on a small river of the same name, which joins
the Portughuesa. It was founded in 1552, after the surrounding country
had been reduced, and is one of the oldest cities of Venezuela; being
placed on a plain at such an elevation, that it enjoys every cool
breeze from the river, and owing to this happy situation, the great
heat of the climate becomes supportable. The north-east winds are the
most constant, and whenever these do not blow, the thermometer rises to
82° and 84° of Fahrenheit.
The inhabitants pasture the plains with herds of cattle, and find this
a lucrative occupation, and an easy method of making use of their
time; but they also cultivate the valleys, which produce cacao of an
excellent quality, owing to the periodical overflowing of the stream;
and the sides of the mountains are now planted with coffee-trees, which
only require a little more care to be of the purest quality. The houses
of Barquisimeto are well built, and the streets are on a wide, regular,
and good plan. Its church is a handsome structure, and the luxury of
its ornaments, as well as the general aspect of the city, show the ease
and affluence in which the inhabitants, who are mostly Europeans and
their descendants, live.
The city is governed by a lieutenant-governor, and common council.
_Victoria_ is situated on the road leading from Caraccas to Puerto
Cavello, six leagues east of Tulmero. It was founded by the
missionaries, and for a long time consisted wholly of Indians, till the
fruitful nature of the valley of Aragoa drew a number of whites to it.
The lands were soon cultivated, and Victoria was covered with houses
instead of huts.
The principal ornament of this place is a handsome church, so large
that it might well be termed a cathedral; the number of inhabitants of
the town is about 8000.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account