Evening star., 1919-05-25
BY RUSSELL YOUNG.
OLOMBIA. one of the more i'm
portant Latin American re-
4 publics, possesses a mineral

publics, possesses a mineral
wealth. although little ex-
plotted. that assures it future OF
great prominence. Already it has the
distinction of furnishing the worlds
chief supply of emeralds.
There also is a promising future for
the republic in it's vast gold deposits
Silver. platinum, mercury, iron. lead
and copper exist and when more ex.
tensively mined will reap rich re.
wards for that country. 1t may be
said that. with the exception Of gold
and emeralds. the republics mineral
deposits barely have been touched
Because of this the greatest oppor.
tunities for future development are
simply waiting.
1t would require considerable space
even to begin to describe the natura
wonders of this fair country. 1t:
scenic magniflcence alone is worthy o.
considerable description. Now tha
the United States is giving evidence
of a far more genuine interest in. ant
stronger relationship with. the vari-
tries as a result of their trade promi.
nence since the war, it is expected
that the people Of the United States
will become better acquainted will
the wonderful countries to the south.
Area and Population.
Aside from the distinction of its
mineral resources and its many Other
possibilities Colombia is large in ares
and its population Is progressive and
ambitious.
Place about thirty-fve states the
size of Maryland alongside of eacf
other and an estimate of the size OF
illustration it can be said that Co
lombia is nearly fifteen times larger
than Virginia, twice as large as Ger
many, ten times the size of Cuba
thirty times larger than Switzerland
and more than twice the size OF
France. If figures can be more con-
vincing, Colombia is exactly 476,90t
square miles in area.
1t has population of slightly ovel
5000. 900; also an extensive coast line
on both the Caribbean sea and Pacific
ocean.
Statistics Of Commerce.
According to the last figures. Co.
lumbia's foreign commerce amounted
to more than $50.O00.0 900 annually. OF
this amount about $32,000.000 was In
exports and $1s.000.000 in imports
About one-half of the latter were
whereas four years ago only trifie
more than one-fourth of the coun-
try's imports came from the United
States.
More than two-thirds of Colombia g
total amount of exports was taken
ago less than one-half OF Colombia s
products came here. 1t is, therefore.
noticeable that the commerce between
these two countries has been greatly
Increased since the beginning OF the
war in Europe, and now that condi-
tions are getting back to normal. de-
termined efforts are being made to
maintain this commercial intercourse.
Colombia like the majority of the
other southern countries. with vast
resources and practically unlimited
commercial possibilities, is looking to
ital which is so sorely needed for Its
commercial advancement.
Chance for Agriculture.
Although there is extensive agri-
culture in this southern republic. es-
pecially in the regions along its
coasts, it is nominally mineral-pro-
ducing nation. However, 1t is point
ed out that, with SUFFICIENT capital, its
agriculture could soon be made to
equal in yearly revenue its mineral
production.
Considerable corn. sugar cane, cot
ton of the Sea Island kind. rubber.
cacao, bananas. fibers. tropical fruits
and vegetables are grown in the
lower regions. In the highlands and
uplands coffee. apples. peaches. ber-
ed In fact, most anything common
ly grown in temperate zones thrive in
the mountain territory. Practically
every section of the country is suit
able for stock raising. and although
this industry is by no means as ex-
tensive as it should be. there are
great numbers of sheep and cattle
raised there. The advancement of this
industry is especially promising one
of the attractions being the healthful
climate. numerous rivers. and the
fact that the pastures in many sec
tions remain green throughout the
year.
districts there are exceptionally rich
timber lands which hardly have been
great possibilities. Cedar and ma
hogany are extensive in these regions.
and already are being exported to
some little extent.
Big Annual Yield in Coffee.
Coffee is probably Colombia's great
est agricultural crop. It's field yield
annually is more than $4,000. 900
pounds. and next to Brazil, Colombia
exports more than any other country,
and the industry represents an in
vestment of approximately $42.000.0o0.
The bulk of this crop is consumed by
the United States.
The fruit of the tagua palm. known
as ivory nuts. from which the higher
grades of buttons are manufactured,
is a growing industry and the exports
last year amounted to nearly a half
million dollars.
Gold is found in almost every sec
ton of the country, and the deposits
are said to equal those of the Trans
vaal. In the mountain ranges that
separate the Cauca and Magdalena
rivers gold is said to be found where
ever there is gravel, and back in the