Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-04-20
Geographic News
Bulletins by the
National Geographic Society

SANTIAGO
Set San francisco or Los An
geles down in the most beautiful in
land portion of the valley OF Cali
fornia, give the Sierra Nevadas four
thousand feet more height and pile
on them more generous caps VI
snow, and you will get a conception
OF the importance, the lovely sur-
roundings. and the climate OF SAN
tiago. capital of Chile"
So says a bulletin from the WASH
ington, ID. c., headquarters of Lle
National Geographic Society in re-
gard to the city in which the Fifth
International Conference Of Ameri-
can States Is being held.
Santiago with its more than half
a million population" continues the
bulletin, lis fairly comparable In
size to the two cities mentioned. as
well as to Buffalo and our W
capital city. Washington. Among
the Spanish cities OF the world on,y
Madrid and Barcelona in the Old
World, and Buenos Aires and Mex
leo City in the New. exceed 1t.
Leads Inland Cities In Beauty OF
Setting
But II is not on size that admir-
ers Of Santiago base their eutogles.
LaG N1iJe Ia O1A oA t2RAt0Ab Aa1
a subtle charm all Its own. Much
of this Is due to its location. Many
travellers agree that 1t has the most
beautiful and inspiring setting of
all the great inland cities of the
world. 1t Is situated neal the upper
end of a mountain-rimmed valley.
40 miles long by 20 wide. Ton
miles to the east the Andes rise
to heights greater than $4,000 feet,
presenting a towering wall always
snow-capped. On the west is q
lower coast range; and to the south
stretches a level expanse Of fertile
farming land divided into large e'-
tates.
Santiago 10 built on the plain.
but within 1t rises a 400 foot hill
covering several hundred acres.
which has been made into one of
the worlds unique parks, Once
nearly bare. the hill of Santa Lucia
has been transformed into an en-
chanting modern hanging garden of
groves and flower beds, winding
roads and trails. cascades, terrac .s, !
sylvan theatres and observation
kiosks. From its slopes one may
obtain numerous charming vistds.
spread out in all its lovely details.
Ou1uibtdtAdUly u uHCtIOpOES
ut is a city predominantly of low. |
flat-roofed buildings, for the hand
of Spain lies heavy upon 1t in all
matters of habit and custom. But
for all that the old Spanish life mas
taken on a briskness that must be
bred of the west. There Is a more. |
ment and hustle that mobiles much
Of the influence of Old Spain. and
at the same time stamps
Santiago Enthusiastically a metropolis.
THE axis of life in Santiago Is
beautiful Alameda de las De-
icias-'the tree-lined avenue of the
ielights'-which cleaves the city in
It's great breadth of $50 feet
Is divided by four rows of stately
.rees. Down the center is the Pa
.eo, a broad promenade. lined by
many flower beds and statue stud
led little parks, along which ia
Vulnerable nurse maids herd their
'omping charges. On either side OF
he Paseo are the tracks of the
street railway. and farther
are broad driveways. the
Alameda is lined with many of the
residences and public build
ngs of the capital.
A Fresh Air City
1.-THE lover of fresh air comes into
lis Onl III odlltid&0 9OA8AAtAot we
nate. Great crowds promenade on
he Paseo and in the PLACES each
Most of the dwellings a.e
# the Spanish type with open courts
n the center, in which much of tie
time Ia spent. The street
,ars, even, are double -deckers. with
he upper seats open. Those who
yish to climb the steps and enjoy
he air and view pay a smaller Zee
the passengers who ride on
he lower level.
Few great cities are SO fortunate
IS Santiago in regard to their wa
supplies. Sparklingly pure cold
yatt from the high Andes 10 avail
Lble in abundance within q few
niles. The city could grow to a
community of many millions with
nut being faced with any great DIFF
iculty about this necessity icr
which some municipalities have had
% reach out hundreds Of miles
Through the city runs the Mapoc.,o
i've: whose floods were once a
Of danger. Chilean engineers
nave tanned the river, however. con-
lining II within a concrete channel
md it is now harmless"