systems and ranges of mountains, the principal chain being that of the Andes, which extends from north to south as far as Tierra del Fuego, and constitutes a giant boundary wall between Argentina and Chile; but even the barrier created by this great chain of mountains--at some points of a height approaching 15,000 feet--to rapid communication between the two countries has been removed by the opening of railway communication which now permits of the journey from one side of the mountains to the other, to be performed, during the greater part of the year, in a comparatively few hours. Other physical features of the Argentine Republic have been so much more fully referred to elsewhere in these pages that it is merely necessary for the purposes of this brief sketch to make some reference to the Constitution in its relation to national progress. As stated above, the Federal Constitution of the Argentine Republic is almost a counterpart of the American Constitution and is based upon the broadest principles of liberty and justice, with even fewer limitations in regard to foreign residents than are imposed by the Constitution of the United States. Nor is there any doubt that in an almost equal degree to its great natural resources, the remarkable development and advance of the Republic is due to its liberal Constitution and to the legislation enacted in terms of its provisions. The principles it embodies have been carried into practice in all its laws. In that Republic there is perfect religious and civil freedom; there are no restrictions upon healthy immigration, or upon the nationality of land owners. The right is accorded to every inhabitant, native or foreign, to engage in any lawful commerce or occupation, to petition the authorities, to enter, remain upon, travel over, or leave Argentine territory at will; and to use and dispose of property and to form part of any society or association having lawful purposes. [Illustration: THE ARGENTINE PAVILION AT THE PANAMA PACIFIC EXPOSITION] [Illustration: INTERIOR VIEW OF THE ARGENTINE PAVILION AT THE PANAMA PACIFIC EXPOSITION] Under its provisions the right of property is inviolate and prerogatives of blood, of birth, or titles of nobility are not recognized, all men being equal under the law. The composition of the judiciary, the executive and the legislative branches of government, differs only from that of the United States in that all judges are appointed and not elected.