The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1911-11-24

of the American continents
which possesses no seacoast. 1t ex-
tends over an area Of 708.195 square
miles, and has population of 2.267.-
935, or 80 per square mile, being the
most sparsely populated of any OF the
American republics.
The vast plateau, which includes over
10000 miles, at an average altitude
of $4,000 feet above sea level, and on
which are situated most of the larger
cities of the republic, is the most noted
Typographical feature of the country,
The mountains abound in mineral
wealth. Tin, silver, copper and DIS
muth, with rubber, are the principal
exports. Coffee. cacao, tobacco, sugar
cane and other products Of the trop-
ical as well as many of the temperate
zone are successfully cultivated; coca.
from which cocaine is derived. is
raised and exported in large quaint
ties, and the forests contain numerous
species of valuable woods. including
rubber and cinchona trees. the bark
of the latter being used for the manu-
facture of quinine.
Under the constitution which was
promulgated on October II, 1880. the
republic has a democratic representa-
tive form of government Government
al powers are delegated to three dis
tinct and coordinate branches-legis-
lative, executive and judicial
The legislature consists of two
houses, the senate and chamber of
deputies, the former consisting of 16
and the latter Of rs members, both
houses being elected by popular vote.
the former for six and the latter for
four years. Every male citizen over
twenty-one years OF age, whose name
appears on the electoral register, who
can read and write, and who has
fixed independent income, has the right
to vote. The senate is renewed by
thirds every two years and one-half
of the chamber of deputies is renewed
every four years. Congress meets an.
nually at La Paz, the s.ctual capital,
on August 6, the session lasting for
a period of 60 days, which may be ex-
! tended for 80 days. 1t may also be
COuF6u6U III CAL oSSotSh W
the president of the republic.
The president and two vice-presi-
dents are elected for a term Of four
years and may not be reelected for
the term Immediately following. The
annual salary of the president is $4,000
bolivianos ($7.200).
The republic is divided into eight
departments, which are again divided
| into provinces, the latter into cantons
or districts, and these again into mu-
inequalities. Congress at the close of
1910 authorized the creation of an
additional department to be known as
the DEPARTMENT. de los Chiquites,"
the capital of which will be Puerto
Srarez on the Paraguay river The de-
partments are governed by projects.
appointed by the president for term
Nof four years, while the provinces are
governed by subprefects, also appoint.
ed by the president.
Products and Industries.
It is upon her mineral wealth that
the republic mainly depends, and pres
ent conditions all point to increased
activity in the exploitation of these
resources through the constantly In
creasing foreign demand for the min
eral products of the country.
The mineral wealth of Bolivia, in
GLIDING nearly all known metals. is
/ widely distributed and very rich and
| abundant Great veins of ore contain
ing the precious metals are found in
| the mountains of the republic. and
while their exploitation is carried on
on considerable scale. yet. due to the
lack of labor, capital and adequate
| transportation facilities. they are not
fully developed, and in many Instances
remain entirely virgin. The tin. cop
per and bismuth mines of the republic
are among the richest in the world.
Bolivia produces one-quarter OF the
total tin output of the world. Re-
Gently tin sold for $1,000 a ton. The
wealth accruing to the Andean repub-
lie from this source would be simple
arithmetical problem IL this price was
constant. Fortunately. during the past
few years the value of ton OF tin
has never gone much below $3.50. and
at the price the Bolivian tin miner Is
assured good profit despite the diff.
culties of transportation. Tin. as 9
component of bronze. had its uses as
q metal thousands OF years prior to the
laast remote history. As to when II