The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-09-10

LUG Chitcu Oh SOlOmDld, Win
which we are having considerable to do at
present, and may have much more to do
in the future. is one of the finest and most
picturesque countries in the world, and
one of the richest in agricultural and min
eral resources. 1t has been called the
Italy of America" 1t occupies the
northwestern corner of the South Ameri-
can Continent, including the Isthmus of
Panama, having length from north to
south of about 1000 miles; east to west
of $50 miles; giving about $4,000 square
miles of area, or about as much as is in
the Southern States, exclusive of Texas.
1t is washed by two great oceans, and
has coast line along the Pacific and
Caribbean Sea of about 5000 miles, in
which are numerous bays and other inden-
taticns giving splendid harbors. The
population is about 100000, which in
cludes over 10000 of uncivilized Indians.
About one-ffth of the entire population
are pure Spaniards; about one-tw'elfth are
Indian and Spanish mixed, With about one
sixteenth of the total number Zambos, or
admixtures of the negro blood and the
white with Indians.
The pure negro has been almost totally
obliterated, and no longer appears in the
population.
Every variety of climate can be found
in Colombia, from the burning hot equa-
tOrial heat in the swamps and lowlying
plains to the eternal Winter which rests
on the snow-cOvered nights of the Cor
dilleras
The country is about equally divided
into mountains, valleys, and plains, and
every species of vegetation appears in
these. The main agricultural product of
the country. however, are cattle. but there
is an extensive production of coffee. sugar,
fnh
Offered for the raising of coffee if the eoun-
try could ever come under a settled Gov
eminent. The Andes system breaks into
three great ranges of mountains, which
spread out like the reeds of fan, and run
through the entire country, with peaks
15,OOO to 1900 feet high. The ranges
are broken by tremendous gorges through
which run the routes of travel. The Andes
are here called Cordilleras, and the Eas-
tern COrdillera is by far the largest chain,
and consists of a series of extensive ia BILE
lands. cool and healthy, where the white
race flOurishes as vigorously as in Europe,
and where the bulk of the population re-
sides. On these, removed from either
ocean. and very difficult to access. is the
Capital, BOgota, which is situated on a
tableland at the elevation of 1904 feet
above the level of the sea. The plateau
has an area of about 400 square miles,
and is bounded on all sides by mountains
which are high enough to shelter it, though
they are below the line of perpetual snow
This extensive plain, which has temper
ate and salubrious climate, right at the
equator, is exceedingly fertile, but the
greater number of the people are sunk in
direst poverty. Bogota is Go miles from
its nearest port, Honda, which is the head
of navigation on the Magdalena River, and
tho road therptn iS pycaadinVfv difiioy1lt
and nothing exceeding 125 pounds in
weight can be carried over it. This has
so far prevented the introduction of any
kind of machinery or manufacturing ap-
planes, and will continue to be such a
barrier until firm, stable Government
will permit the construction of railroad.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Bogota was founded in 1888. and in 1898
became the Capital of the Spanish Vice
Royalty of New Granada, which included
all of the northwestern part of South
America. 1t was also the seat of an
Archbishop. 1t is the Capital of the State
of Cundinamarca, which had n population
of $4,000 in 1881, and Bogota itself
claims a population of 10000. The town
is regularly and handsomely built, though
most of the houses have but one story, and
little glass, owing to the prevalence of
earthquakes. The streets are at right
angles, and paved and lit. though rarely
clean. Bogota teens with churches, and
its cathedral has famous statue of the
Virgin, covered with costly jewels. 1t has
an unfinished National Capitol, a Univer-
sity, and number Of official buildings,
schools, observatory, two theaters, mu-
seums, and about 40 newspapers. Its in
habitants proudly claim for it the title of
the ATHENS of South America" The