Evening star., 1908-01-13

world 1t has a population and commerce
| that entitle 1T to first rank as a capital
and metropolis. Its great size, its varied
attractions, and its modern characteristics
are not generally known and appreciated
/ In the United States because it Is out of
the usual route of travel abroad.
Within the limits of Rio Janeiro are
nearly 1900 people, and 1t is growing so
| rapidly that the million mark will be
passed before this decade is ended No
city in the United States. with the excep-
ton of New York and Chicago, is in
creasing Its population more rapidly. Its
most striking features are the famous
Avenida Central its principal street, the
boulevard system along the water front
the elegant public buildings and churches
and the presence on one side of the mag
nificent bay and on the other of lofty
mountain peaks, in its immediate suburbs
from which an incompatible view can be
obtained
The Avenida Central extends for a mile
and half through the very heart of the
CITY, and is as beautiful as the Champs
Elysee In Paris or the Inter den Linden
In Berlin 1t was constructed recently
at cost of $50, 100000, and would put to
shame anything corresponding to it in
Washington, New York or Chicago. 1t
is over 100 feet wide in the clear. while
running along it's center are handsomely
designed ovals serving as refugees for pas
sengers crossing, and each one carrying
an exquisitely designed pillar with three
large electric lights. Alternating with
these at the side of the roadway are
decorative gas lamps Illumination can
thus be arranged to nicely at any time
or the day or night or for any function.
racing the Avenida are handsome. build
ings of harmonious design. Here are
many OF the cluSs, newspaper offices, the
national library, the homes of the most
important commercial bodies and large
department stores. At the north end is
pier Tor passengers who are coming and
going from steamers. At the south is the
national opera house with the Monroe
palace. In which was held the third in
ternational American conference, and
which Is intended for public meetings Of
great Importance.
Other avenues parallel or at right angles
to this Avenida are now in course Of con-
struction. The boulevard system is ex-
tensive and causes admiration This be-
gins at the bay near the south end of the
Avenida and skirts the water around the
crescent of Botafogo, beneath the magnifi-
cent peak of Corcovado and finally con-
tinues on toward the open Atlantic fif-
teen miles from the heart of the city
This grand driveway presents a variety
OF beauty at every turn, and has no equal
In Europe or the United States.
The mountains back of and surrounding
the city are rapidly being converted into
parks, villas and locations for handsome
residences. Tramways run to their sum-
mitS, where panorama spreads before
IIi0 eye uOC 10 De IOuuQ IN IQ6 1mmcQlale
vicinity of any corresponding great city
Of the world. Rio Janeiro possesses
system of waterworks, sewerage, electric
tramways. electric lights, telephones, tele-
graphs. etc, equal to that in any city of
North America Automobiles abound, and
on every hand there are evidences of
wealth. The city also has its CONNER
cial and manufacturing life that shows its
material growth. Its libraries, colleges,
schools and hospitals are conducted with
nn-fn-dafa rnafhod1 in
capa cious buildings with the latest facili
ties.
Brazil, Of which Rio Janeiro is the capi-
tai, has population Of nearly 10000, 600.
The most startling fact about the coun-
try Is that it has a larger connected area
than the United States proper, extending
over 3,200,000 square miles. The total
foreign trade of Brazil in 1906 amounted
to $3.50, 600. 900. of which exports were
valued at $265 .000, 900 and imports at $685.
OO0 900, giving a remarkable balance of
trade Of 500, 100000 in favor of Brazil.
These totals. moreover, represent an ad-
of 1905, positive indication Of prosper
ity. That Rio Janeiro is a busy port Is
indicated by the fact that the total num-
ber of ingoing and outgoing vessels in
1906 amounted to nearly 400, with a total
tonnage of about 100000.
Although Rio Janeiro is often classed
as a tropical city, being just north of the
tropic Of Capricorn. 1t is situated so near
the sea that 1t has the benefit of constant
breezes Close at hand, moreover is the
summer capital Of Petropolis, at an ele
walton of several thousand feet, and re-
sorts in the surrounding mountains where
everybody can go to cool on If 1t gets too
hot in town. Careful attention to sani-
tation has minimized the dangers from
yellow fever and typhoid. which so long
scourged Rio Janeiro and gave it bad
name in the world An unlimited supply
of the purest water helps to promote the
physical welfare of its inhabitants. The
latest health statistics show that the NOR
tality rate is only 1866 per thousand.
which is lower than the average of Wash
ington and many other leading American
cities