The last constitution was framed in 1828. The legislative body consists of a senate and a house of representatives, the members of which are chosen by the people. The executive is vested in the president, who likewise is chosen by the people for four years, and is assisted by a ministry, chosen by himself, and a council of state, chosen by the legislature. So far this constitution is founded on the principles of a central government; but the separate governments have the power of regulating their public and ecclesiastical affairs without the interference of the general government, and to frame laws for their own territories, which however must be approved by the general legislature in order to become law. BOLIVIA. 1. Situation, Extent, Boundaries. 2. Surface and Soil, Mountains and Plains, Rivers and Lakes. 3. Climate and Productions. 4. Inhabitants and Population. 5. Political Division and Towns. 6. Manufactures and Commerce. 7. History and Government. 1. Bolivia lies between 10° 30′ and 25° S. lat. The main body of the country, which lies within the Andes and east of the range, is between 10° 30' and 23° S. lat. A part of the coast along the Pacific extends from the mouth of the river Loa (21° 28') to Point Rincon. (25° S. lat.) From east to west it extends between 57° 20′, and 71° 40′ W. long. The greatest length from Point Rincon on the Pacific to the confluence of the rivers Mamoré and Guapore, which form the Rio Madeira, is about 920 miles. The greatest width occurs near 22° S. lat., where it extends from the Rio Paraguay on the east to the Pacific, a distance of 860 miles. The line which divides Bolivia on the north from Peru has been already described. On the east of Bolivia is Brazil; but the boundary-line on this side has not been exactly determined. From the confluence of the Mamoré and Guapore it follows the course of the Guapore upward to the small settlement of S. Miguel (12° 40′ S. lat. and 64° W. long.), from which point it runs along the water-shed between the rivers Guapore and Paragau on the east, and the Baures and Ubahi on the west. It crosses the elevated tract which separates the basins of the Madeira and Paraguay near the source of the Rio Paragau, and extends thence in a straight line south south-east to the Rio Paraguay, which it reaches south of Nueva Coimbra. Farther south the Rio Paraguay divides Bolivia from Brazil and the republic of Paraguay. South of Bolivia are the Gran Chaco, the republic of Salta, and Chile: the parallel of 22° is considered as constituting the boundary-line between Bolivia and the Gran Chaco. It is separated from Salta, which is reckoned among the provinces of the Rio de la Plata, by the extensive and elevated tableland of Yavi, and afterwards by the ridge called the Abra de Cortaderas. Towards the west, the boundary-line runs across the most desolate portion of the Despoblado, near 23° S. lat. When it has reached the western range of the Andes, it turns south, and extends along the range to 25° S. lat., whence it runs west to the Pacific. Here Bolivia borders on Chile. On the west Bolivia is washed by the Pacific. 2. Bolivia comprehends, as already observed, the country between the Andes and the Pacific, from 25° to 21° 28′ S. lat., and also nearly the whole of the Bolivian Andes, with the greatest part of the intervening valley of Titicaca, the mountainous region between the Alturas de Lipez and the Despoblado, with a portion of the last-mentioned desert and of the table-land of Yavi. To the east of the Andes extends the Great Longitudinal Valley, of which the northern and larger part belongs to Bolivia. The whole surface of Bolivia may be distributed into six natural regions, which, according to a rough estimate, occupy the following extent in square miles : A. The coast between the Pacific and the western de- Square Miles. 30,000 32,000 84,000 D. The long valleys, which branch off from the Andes on 50,000 35,000 F. The plains of Moxos and Chuquitos, which extend from the termination of the long valleys (near 63° W. long.), and from the banks of the Rio Beni to the boundary-line of Brazil 149,000 380,000 The country between the Pacific and the Andes is nearly a desert; it is called the Desert of Atacamà. Only a few patches of cultivable ground occur in the vicinity of the mountain-range, where some springs issue at the foot of the mountains, but are soon lost in the sandy soil. The country south of the Alturas de Lipez is chiefly occupied by bare rocky ridges, nearly without vegetation; but in the valleys, which sink down to 5000 feet above the sea-level, the grains of England, with Indian corn, and the fruits of southern Europe, are successfully cultivated. The cultivable ground of this country south of the Alturas probably does not exceed one-seventieth part of the whole. The two extensive ranges, which include the valley of Titicaca, are above the line of vegetation; they occupy more than twothirds of the region. The valley of Titicaca has rather a fertile soil, especially in the neighbourhood of the lake, where quinoa, potatoes, and barley are cultivated, but no other grains or roots succeed, owing to the severity of the climate. The long valleys south of the Sierra de la Cruz are the most populous and best-cultivated part of Bolivia, especially the valley of Cochabamba, which is noted for the richness of its soil and its vegetable products. The Yungas, or small valleys north of the Sierra de Santa Cruz, appear to be no less fertile than the long valleys, and are surrounded by ridges covered with trees to a considerable elevation, but the cultivable parts are not extensive Almost all the rivers that drain these valleys contain gold, and a considerable quantity of this metal is collected. The Plains of Moxos and Chuquitos are covered with interminable forests, interspersed here and there with savannahs of considerable extent. Their fertility is great; but they are still only cultivated along the rivers, and are very thinly peopled, as the aboriginal tribes which inhabit them were only converted to Christianity and civilised eighty or ninety years ago, and some of them still live in a savage state. The waters which descend from the western range of the Andes do not reach the Pacific, except those which unite with the river Loa. This river, which, towards its mouth, forms the boundary between Bolivia and Peru, may run about 180 miles, but it contains very little water. In summer it is only about fifteen feet broad at its mouth, and one foot deep. In some places, in the interior, the water is used for irrigation, and is sweet; but at its mouth it becomes impure in consequence of running over a bed of saltpetre. The Rio Desaguadero, which drains the valley of Titicaca, runs about 200 miles, until it is lost in some swamps and lakes: it is not used for irrigation. Numerous rivers descend from the eastern declivity of the Andes; and those which drain the country south of the Alturas de Lipez are also very numerous. They unite either with the rivers which fall into the Rio Madeira, or with those which constitute the most remote branches of the Pilcomayo, an affluent of the Paraguay. The two most remote branches of the Madeira rise in the mountains east of the valley of Titicaca. The southern branch, which rises near 19° S. lat., is called Rio Grande, and unites with the northern, called Condorillo, after a course of about 80 miles. After this union the river is called Rio Grande, or Guapahi. After running east for a great distance, it turns north and north-east, encircling the eastern extremity of the Sierra de la Cruz. North of 15° S. lat. it is joined by the river Chapare, which brings down the waters from the northern declivity of the Sierra de la Cruz, and after their confluence the river is called the Rio Mamoré. Hence the course of the river is north by west, until it has passed 12° S. lat., and is joined from the east by the Guaporé, which descends from the western declivity of the mountains of Brazil. From this point the river is called Madeira. Near 10° 30' S. lat., it is joined by the Beni. The Beni rises where the Sierra de Santa Cruz branches off from the Andes under the name of Rio Quetoto. It runs north-bywest from 17° 40' to 13° S. lat., receiving between these limits numerous streams which descend from the Yungas by a north-eastern course. At 13° S. lat. it turns to the north-east, and runs in this direction until it joins the Madeira. The Guapahi and Mamoré, as well as the Beni, are navigable from the places where they leave the mountains. The navigation of the Rio Madeira is, however, interrupted by numerous cataracts, which occur between 9° and 10° S. lat. The cataract of Theotonio is said to be fifty feet high. Farther down the Madeira is free from impediments to navigation, and may be navigated by vessels of any size. The Pilcomayo receives all the waters which descend from the eastern declivity of the Andes between 19° and 23° S. lat. The most northern branch, the Pilcomayo Proper, rises near 19° S. lat., and descends along the valley of Chuquisaca with a south-eastern course, until it meets, within the mountainous country, the other branch called the Pilaya, which draws the greater part of its waters from the Despoblado and the Alturas de Lipez, and runs east by north. After their confluence, the Pilcomayo runs east by south, and soon leaves the mountainous country and enters the Gran Chaco. It does not appear that these rivers are navigated within Bolivia, but the waters are used for irrigation. The lake of Titicaca, situated in the valley between the two ranges of the Andes, is the largest inland lake of South America: it covers more than 4000 square miles, and contains several islands. There are several lakes in the Great Longitudinal Valley, east of the Andes; but their extent has not been ascertained. 3. The natural regions of Bolivia differ greatly in climate and productions. Atacama is steril from want of moisture, as it never rains in this region, and even the fogs which are common during a part of the year, do not rise high enough to deposit their moisture on the high hills and table-lands. A little maize is cultivated in a few fertile spots. The valley of Titicaca and the plains of Moxos and Chuquitos present a great contrast both regions have a regular rainy season, which occurs from November to April; but while the rain descends in showers on the valley, it pours down in torrents on the plains. The mean annual temperature of the valley probably does not exceed 45°, whilst that of the plains appears to be 75°. The valley produces only quinoa, potatoes, and onions, but has good pasture. On the plains cacao, coca, indigo, cotton, rice, mandioc, and several tropical fruits are grown, whilst the forests $4 supply copaiva balsam, sarsaparilla, caoutchouc, vanilla, and canella de clavo, and many other valuable plants and fruits, with excellent timber. The valleys between the mountains and plains have a very moderate climate, and sufficient rain for the growth of the grains and fruits of Europe in the higher, and those of tropical countries in the lower districts. In the forests which cover the eastern declivity of the Andes, cinchona bark is abundant, and it is an article of foreign trade. The valley of Titicaca as well as the savannas of the plain, supply pasture for cattle, horses, mules, and sheep: even those parts of the mountains which are inaccessible to man are the resort of numerous herds of guanacoes, vicuñas, and llamas; a great number of llamas are also kept as beasts of burden in the valley of Titicaca. Fish is very plentiful in all the rivers which drain the plains. Vicuña and sheepwool, together with some hides, are articles of export to foreign countries. The principal commercial wealth of Bolivia consists of the metals. Gold occurs in all the valleys of the Yungas, and is particularly abundant in the Tipuani, an affluent of the Beni, where large pieces of native gold are sometimes found. Gold is also found in a mountain near the coast, but it is not worked, on account of the desert situation. Silver is no less abundant. The famous mines of Potosi have supplied more silver than all the other mines of the world, and they are still worked, though not with great advantage. Other mines occur in the valley of Titicaca, near Oruro, and at Porco, west of Potosi, and in some other places. Copper is found in abundance on the surface, near the southern extremity of the valley of Titicaca, but though the ore is very rich,. it cannot be brought to the shores of the Pacific, on account of the expense of transport. Iron and lead occur in several places, but they are not worked. Gold and silver only are exported to foreign countries. 4. The population consists of whites, mestizoes and Indians. The Indians are about three-fourths of the whole population, and they are very numerous in the valley of Titicaca, in the Yungas, and on the plains, where the number of whites and mestizoes is small. The two latter races are much more numerous in the long valleys and on the coast. The native population of the valley of Titicaca consists of Peruvians, who are distinguished by their industry in agriculture, and the rearing of cattle and llamas. They speak the Quichua language. The plains are inhabited by numerous tribes, most of which are comprehended under the names of Moxos and Chiquitos. The Moxos have been civilised by the missionaries, who entered their country about 200 years ago, and they have almost entirely adopted an agricultural life; they cultivate different kinds of plants and roots, and live in fixed dwellings. The Chiquitos seem to have preserved much more of their former roving habits, but our knowledge of them is very imperfect. South of the Chiquitos live two nations, which have never submitted to the whites, and are quite independent, the Chiriguanos and Zamucos. |