Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1918-11-23

~ N THE broad and majestic
Parana, sweeping southwark
toward the sea, stands Argen-
tina's second metropolis, Ro-
sario, about 300 miles distant from the
Atlantic. Unlike many other large
South American cities, Rosario is
neither the capital Of state nor the
capital of a nation. Its Importance,
therefore, is not closely allied with
the vagaries of provincial or federal
politics; it stands upon the solid foun-
dation Of commerce and industry.
Across the river, and eastward from
the city's busy streets, lies the rich
Argentine province of Entire Rios,
writes William A. Reid, in the Bulle-
tin of the Pan-American Union. To
westward stretches the level pampa,
seemingly into endless space, over
which the harvester gamers the gold
en- grain or the cowboy rides with the
growing herds-industries so vast in
extent that foreign nations constantly
send forth their ships to trade with
this famous depot of supplies. Many a
man is familiar with the great capital
of the Argentine nation, and with it he
associates enormous quantities of
products, very true presumption !;
but fewer people hear of Rosario, more
or less overshadowed by the larger and
more palatial city, but, nevertheless,
place that in recent years has largely
expanded its commerce, grown in gen.
eral prosperity, and needed the call of
civic betterment.
Rosario is situated on the west bank
ferent names and tributaries, coming
from sources far away in the heart Of
a continent. For 200 years Rosario
has existed; but for the last few de-
cades it has been growing. These two
words are typical Of the city's prog
ress, and it is Of the latter-day growth
that we write; but at the same time
it must be remembered that the unset
tied condition Of the world during the
last few years and the lack of ship
ping facilities have retarded the prog
ress of Rosario as well as other i'm
On a Level Plain by the River.
Rosario is located in the southern
part of the Province of Santa Fe. In
this section of the province the land is
slightly undulating, but as one travels
from the city he realizes the vast area
of level plain by which he is surround
ed; the soil is fertile, the pasturage is
usually ample for the stock, while the
absence Of trees, save here and there
the solitary "Ombu," reminds one Of
the agricultural regions of Kansas and
Iowa. On this vast level plain, by the
rivers side, the early builders of Ro-
sario made beginning. The plain
where the city stands is from so to
300 feet above the waters of the river,
and at certain seasons of the year
heavy rains in the interior of the con-
tinent swell the Parana, which rises
considerably, often overlooking it's
lower shores.
The region about Rosario being COM
paratively level, there was little diff
Guilty in planning streets, avenues and
public parks. The streets generally
run westward from the river and are
crossed at right angles by others, max
ing about as perfect checkerboard
plan as any city can show. Approx
mately 1000 acres of land are occu-
pied by business streets and buildings,
and the city's population is about 1885,
600. Pleasing features of construction
are the Wilderness Of avenues and
streets, the liberal number Of parks,
and the general openness contrasting
with the older section of Buenos Aires
and its narrow streets.
AS seen from approaching river
steamers the city is rather disappoint-
ing. The fairness of the plain and the
line of bluffs along the western shore
prevent sightseeing at its best. Should
we enter Rosario by rail, however,
conditions are reversed and one gath
ers very fair impression of outlying
districts and the thousands of low
buildings which house workingmen
and their families. Eight railroad
lines enter the city from as many d.
rections, though most of these roads
come from the westward-lying grain
fields. Noticeable in the suburbs Of
Rosario are the growing number of
mall agricultural patches and truck
gardens which are now supplying the
markets of Rosario, Buenos Aires and,
,.her cities with vegetables, dairy ana
psher products. A decade or more ago
Anen the VIZ tier visited Rosario for the