Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-08-17
BOLIVIA NOTED FOR.
TIN AND RUBBER
CoUNTRY'S EXPORTS EXCEED
IMPORTS BY TEN MIL
, LION DOLLARS
Nations Territorial Extension Is 500,
600 Square Miles

Bolivia Is the most extensive inland
country of South America. Its torntor-
ial extension is approximately 100000
square miles. This area embraces tht
vast central tableland 10000 feet above
sea level which Is the source of min;
eral wealth, and the tropical valleys
end river regions which are the source
0i rubber production.
Bolivia's chief source Of productive
wealth is in the mineral products,
which includes tin, copper, silver, gold
shtimony, tungsten and bismuth.
The tin deposits are the only ones
in the western hemisphere which are
available commercially on a large
jscale. The country produces about
Zone fifth of the tin consumed by the
entire world and Is a close second to
the Malay strait in the quantity and
value of the output. This now approx
imates $4,000 metric tons of metallic
tin. The mineral Is found In lodes in
combination with other ores, notably
silver, and the lodes are worked as
high as 1900 feet.
with silver and other ores, as well as
In an almost pure state. The present
,nroduction is 1000 tons annually, but
lthls is capable of great increase. From
10000 to $4,000 tons of zinc are an
inlally mined for export.
Silver was lor centuries a leading
product of Bolivia. The Potosi mines
contributed vast sums to the Spanish
,Erown but little silver has been mined
in Bolivia in recent years. Improved
transportation facilities and improved
machinery and modern methods are
relied upon to reopen many of the
H'olivia mines which were supposed II
eSe worked out.
The gold deposits of Bolivia are al
Fuvial, although there are some quartz
,veins. The introduction of dredging
machinery in the placer regions Is at
tended with much difficulty and ex-
pense because of the lack of transpor-
Eation facilities. 1t Is believed, howev-
sl, that these difficulties will be over
come and that Bolivia will regain her
Former position as gold producing
country.
Rubber is the chief agricultural eI.
port.
The population of Bolivia is esti-
Enated at between 100000 and $780,
400 inhabitants. The mass OF the
Inhabitants are civilized Indians
who are engaged in agriculture, or are
Employed in the mines or In fIeighting
.pnd other means of transportation.
h'hose of mixed blood costitute about
100000. They furnish the bulk of the
iaboring population In the mining dis
kr.cts and the cities.
n La Paz is the largest city. It has
10000 inhabitants. 1t lies in the great
tentral plateau. $4,000 feet above sea
level. 1t is the seat of government. and
10 some extent the financial capital OF
he country, but other cities divide the
commerce with it, because nf being
lie centers OF somewhat isolated dis
lTicts.
Oruro, the center of the tin mining
region, has 10000 inhabitants. Potosl,
is.nce the branch of the railway was
Extended to 1t, is regaining come of
It's Importance as commercial and
mining center. It's population is 10000.
Sucre, which still has legal status
is the capital, has much accumulated
. tr,ealth and is an attractive city for
y lhe tourist. 1t Is the center Of consid-
3trable trade. The population is about
5000.
4 Cochabamba is the center of ricn
agricultural district and is a trading
ttenter as we'll. The railway line will
loon reach 1t, and its commercial i'm
HOrtance will be enhanced. The popu-
Iation is 10000. Santa Cruz is .he most
Important center of population in the
k,reat tropical agricultural region. 1t
has 10000 inhabitants.
Bolivia derives her revenues chiefly
H:om export and import axes although
sIlere are also internal taxes The re-
Ifeipts from imports are about double
N ose from exports The expert tax is
laid on rubber and tin and other min
lals. The export of tin nets S1,000,00J
% the government.
The monetary system is stable. Nom
nally, the silver standard obtains,
/ but the gold basis is the real measure
lIf values. The current medium of ex-
- hange is the silver boliviano, which
maintained ut 80 to. 40 cents.