Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1905-08-04
yENEZUELA'S COAST.
Natural and Artificial Characters.
tics About La Guayra,
A Point OF Worldwide Interest ne.
Cause OF Recent Intsrnatiopnl
Troubies-Surround nE Coun- /,
try and Features. |


The recent state OF Venezuelan af-
fairs In connection with the attempt
IN the part of England and Germany
to force the immediate payment OF
certain financial obligations, and tho
fact that this country is more or less
concerned in these events through the
application of the Monroe doctrine to
possible complications of the situn-
tion, has aroused general interest to
such an extent that a description Of
the natural and artificial characteris-
ties OF that portion OF the country
near the scene of operations may be
of interest, says the Chicago Tribune,
Near La Guasra, the port Of entry to
Caracas, the coast Is high and rugged,
the mountains rising nearly perpen.
dicular, their bases washed by the
blue waters of the Caribbean sea,
their SUBMITS capped by huge masses
of billowy clouds.
The town of La Guayra is on the east,
ern side of small bay. the natural
outlines of which have been extended
and improved by means of a stone
breakwater and quay, which stretches
due west from the eastern extremity
Of the bay,
The buildings of the town are most
~ one-story in height. built of sun.
dried brick, plastered outside and
painted white or light yellow, and the
roofs are of red. sun-baked tiles.
Back of the town, to the south and
east, rise the steep mountain sides. on
a spur of which stands the little for-
tification Of Lavigia, which Is reached
by a narrow path partly hewn out OF
the solid rock.
This fort Is practically the sole de-
fcnse Of the town, and, as a defense, 10
Of little or no value. as-tts guns are
old and it's walls of such a nature that
they would rapidly orumble under a
weIl-directed fire OF modern rifles. A
landing, therefore, could be easily
made even against strong opposition
~hen Gtyecte9 1spder coyer. OF war-
ships, which, on account OF the great
depth of water well In shore, can
stand close In.
On the southern side of the bay
the mountains recede from the shore,
forming on the west somewhat ex-
tensive and very fertile area of fiat
land.
East OF La Guayra the mountain bases
are nearer the shore. with here and
there a small patch of land sufficient
ly level to admit of cultivation A
short and very primitive railroad runs
along the shore close TO the water, tc
the little watering place called Ma
cuto, distance of about four milea
rom La Guayra.
The distance from La Guayra 10 Cara
cas- in an air line IL seven miles, but ow-
irZ to the elevation OF the latter city
1000 feet), the distance by rail Ia
{ bout Is miles.
The railroad is the property of an
English syndicate, and was opened
for traffic In 1888. Itiswell construct
I'd, and required great engineering
lies of the route
From La Guayra the road runs west
through the little suburb OF Cardonal,
md then, turning south and east, 1t
.scends, by means of steel viaduct,
o its artificial ledge on the side of the
and thereafter following
he twists and turns of their precip-
tous sides, passing through three or
our short tunnels and over IS steel
ridges, ascending 1890 feet In dis
ance of 222 miles and then descending
DO feet into the valley of the Guayra
ver, in which Caracas is situated.
The nature Of the country along this
quite is such that comparatively
mall number of men could success
lily oppose vastly superior invading
)rce