of the El Dorado, or 'Golden City,' which turned the brains of so many early adventurers. 5. BAYS AND CAPES. The principal bays on the Atlantic are those of Porto Bello, Darien and Zinu, the bay and harbor of Carthagena and that of Santa Martha. On the Pacific are the bays of Panama, St Miguel and Guayaquil. The chief capes on the Atlantic coast are those of Vela and Puntas Gallinas; and on the Pacific, those of Punta Mala, San Francisco, and Blanco. season. 6. CLIMATE. The seasons are here divided into the wet and dry The climate on the coast, and low plains is very hot, and in many parts unhealthy. In the northern parts the alternation of mountains and valleys occasions a considerable diversity of temperature. No country has been more frequently visited with destructive earthquakes than the coast of the Caracas. They are felt in the greatest violence in the city and province of Cumana. In the Caracas the shocks follow the course of the shore, and extend but little inland. 7. SOIL. The soil is very fertile. On the banks of the great rivers, and their tributary streams, there is a rich mould of vast depth and amazing fertility, constantly increasing by annual depositions but condemned to be choked by its own exuberance and the indolence of man. 8. NATURAL PRODUCTIONS. There are few countries on the globe where Nature has been more prodigal of her bounties than in Colombia. It is the region of eternal spring, and clothed with the richest variety and profusion of trees, shrubs and plants. The forests are crowded with majestic trees, crowned with odorous flowers, and spreading with umbrageous and resplendent foliage and flowers. Cedar, the pardillo, and black, yellow, and red ebony, are very common in the forests. The dyeing woods of the eastern districts are superior to those of Campeachy; and the mahogany of Panama excels all others. Fruit trees are abundant and very productive. Among the other productions of the vegetable kingdom are cacao, Peruvian bark, coffee, indigo, sugar, cotton, tobacco, vanilla, sarsaparilla, sassafras, squills, cassia, and aloes. Maize, potatoes, plantains, yucas, curas, and ignames are reared in great abundance. The last root is sometimes found of such magnitude as to weigh 25 pounds. Wild cochineal grows in great quantities in the departments of Coro, Carora, and Truxillo. The guadua bamboo has been found on mountains, to the height of 860 fathoms. 9. MINERALS. Some of the interior districts have long been celebrated for the abundance of their gold; and frequently no other money is known. Platina, the rarest and most infusible of all metals, and in value next to gold, is solely produced in Choco and Barbacoas. There are some mines of extremely rich silver in the Vega de Supia; and mines of cinnabar are abundant. This country also abounds in precious stones, as amethysts, pantausas, (a kind of precious stone of various colors, with grains of gold in the interior), diamonds, but of a very small size; with jacinths, garnets, and turquoises. There are mines of beautiful emeralds, in the district of Muzo, of a very superior quality. Coal is rarely found. Copper-mines of a superior quality are wrought in the vicinity of Nirgua. Salt is met with in great abundance along the whole coast of Venezuela, and is of a beautiful whiteness. Mineral waters, both cold and hot, abound, and are of various qualities. 10. ANIMALS. Vast herds of horses and horned cattle are scattered throughout the country. Of the wild animals, the tapir, the jaguar, and puma, are well known. Monkeys are numerous, and fill the woods with their chattering noises. There are two or three species of wild cats, but they are not very dangerous. Wild boars and deer are common. The ant eater is an extraordinary animal, measuring eight feet from the mouth to the tip of the tail, and often weighing from 150 to 200 lbs. He has a long slender tongue, which he thrusts into the ants' nests, who settle upon it in crowds, when be draws it into his mouth, and devours them. The ants are very numerous and destructive; some of them are above an inch long, and cause great pain by their bite. Insects are, in general, extremely numerous. There is a species of centipede, a yard in length, whose bite is mortal. Bats often cover the streets of Carthagena like clouds, and are very troublesome. The electric eel abounds in the lakes of Venezuela. 11. FACE OF THE COUNTRY. The face of the country is remarkable: the western part contains the loftiest ridges of the Andes, while the eastern stretches out into immense plains, intersected by gigantic rivers. Some of these plains, or llanos, extend over immense spaces with such a general uniformity of level, that in some parts, for thirty square leagues, there is not an eminence higher than a foot. They are miserably dull and dreary; but abound with pastoral wealth. 12 NATURAL CURIOSITIES. The Fall of Tequendama, about 15 miles from the city of Bogota, is one of the most extraordinary cataracts in the world. The river Bogota, after winding through a plain with a breadth of 140 feet, contracts itself, on reaching a perpendicular rock, into a bed only 40 feet wide, and precipitates itself, at two bounds, to the depth of 650 feet. The noise with which this immense body of water falls, is astounding; and the column of vapor, rising like a thick cloud, is distinctly seen at the distance of five leagues. Another curiosity is the natural bridge of Icononzo, or Pandi. A torrent is crossed, at the height of 300 feet above its level, by a rocky arch about 46 feet long and 35 broad; and this arch is 2,850 feet above the sea. 13. DIVISIONS. Colombia embraces the ancient Captain-Generalship of Caracas, including Spanish Guiana, the Vice-Royalty of New Grenada, and the Intendency of Quito. It is divided into 12 departments, and these are subdivided into 49 provinces, and the provinces into 218 cantons. * 14. ROADS. The road which crosses the elevated paramo of Assuay is nearly as high as Mont Blanc. Here, at a height far supassing the peak of Teneriffe, are found the magnificent remains of the superb road constructed by the Incas of Peru. This causeway, lined with free stone, may be compared to the finest Roman roads in the south of Europe. 15. Towns. Bogota,t is the capital, though not the most populous city of Colombia. It is situated in a spacious and fertile plain, on the most easterly ridge of the Andes, in lat. 4° 10' N., and lon. 73° 50', at an eleva tion of upwards of 8,000 feet above the level of the sea, which, notwithstanding its contiguity to the equator, renders its climate cool and delightful. The town is large, with broad and well paved streets. The churches and convents cover nearly one half of the ground. There are 9 monasteries and three nunneries. The cathedral is a handsome edifice, filled with immense treasures. One statue of the virgin alone is ornamented with 1,358 diamonds, and 295 emeralds, besides numerous other precious stones. All the houses are low, in consequence of the apprehension of earthquakes; they are built of sun dried brick, white-washed, and covered with tiles. The population of the city is about 30,000. Apure The Equator Guayaquil Asuay. During the rule of the Spaniards in South America, this city was more commonly called Santa Fe. Since the independence of the country, its general appellation has been Bogota. The city of Caracas is situated on an elevated plain, 2,900 feet above the level of the sea, at a distance of about 8 miles from the shore. The town is in the form of a great square, and every street cuts the transverse street at right angles. It contains two cathedrals, five churches and a college. Its markets are well supplied with almost every luxury as well as necessary of life; but Caracas is not so flourishing as formerly, and more than one half of the houses in every street are uninhabited. The population was 50,000 in 1812, when the great earthquake took place, which buried 12,000 of the inhabitants in its ruins. The population is now reduced to less than 30,000. Carthagena is situated on an island off the shore of the Carribean Sea, and is united to the main land by two wooden bridges. The harbor is safe and commodious; but the aspect of the town is dark and melancholy. Carthagena is very strong, and of vast extent. There are immense cisterns within its walls; and the water preserved in them is excellent. The yellow fever often prevails here. Pop. about 18,000 Panama is a city and seaport on the Pacific Ocean, built at the bottom of the bay of that name. Guayaquil is an important place on the shore of the Pacific, on the west side of Guayaquil river. It is one of the handsomest towns in South America, and has considerable trade; but the marshes in the vicinity render it unhealthy. The principal article of export is cacao. 10,000. Pop. commerce with Laguayra is situated N. of the city of Caracas, and has considerable commerce with Europe and the United States. Pop. 7,000. Porto Cabello is an unhealthy place, but has some Jamaica and other islands of the Atlantic. Pop. 8,000. Valencia is an interior town, situated about half a league from the lake of Tacarigua. Pop. 10,000. Quito, situated nearly under the equator, stands on the eastern slope of the western branch of the Andes, 9,514 feet above the sea, and 35 leagues from the shore of the Pacific Ocean. The temperature of the city is that of continual spring, and neither the heat nor cold is troublesome, though the extremes of both may be felt in the neighborhood. The volcanic mountain of Pichincha forms its basis. The crevices are so numerous, that many of the houses in the suburbs are built on arches, while the acclivity of the ground precludes the use of carriages. Quito contains seven churches, with numerous convents and nunneries, a handsome hospital, courts of justice, a treasury, and other public buildings. Most of the houses are large, though only one story high, on account of the earthquakes to which it is liable. Two very destructive earthquakes happened in 1775 and 1797; by the last not less than 40,000 persons were destroyed. The city, however, soon rose from its ruins, and contained, before the revolution, a population of 70,000. The whites compose about one sixth, the Mestizoes a third, the Indians a third; and the rest are negroes. 16. AGRICULTURE. The cacao, or chocolate tree, is a principal agricultural production; but indigo is raised in considerable quantities, and there are extensive plantations of cotton. Coffee and sugar are cultivated to some extent; and the soil is well adapted to the raising of tobacco. Other agricultural productions, as maize, potatoes, plantains, ignames, &c. are raised in great abundance. Still, however, amidst all the exuberance of nature, agriculture is so imperfectly known, and so languidly pursued, that not the thousandth part of the productions, which the country might yield, is raised. 17. COMMERCE. The principal articles of export are cacao, indigo, tobacco, coffee, hides and cattle. The imports are manufactured goods of al inost every description. The contraband trade is still carried on to a considerable extent. In 1825, the exports from La Guayra and Porto Cabello amounted to $1,885,257, of which more than two thirds were to the United States. The imports during the same period amounted to $3,4280,42. 18. MANUFACTURES. The manufactures consist of cotton cloths, carpets, counterpanes, and coarse woolens of different descriptions. The mechanical arts have improved in some degree, by the introduction of foreign tools and artizans. 19. ARMY AND NAVY. The army is composed of 32,476 men; namely 25,750 infantry, 4,296 cavalry, and 2,520 artillery, exclusive of 400 artizans employed in the workshops. The navy consists of 19 ships of war, namely, 6 corvettes, 7 brigs, and U goletas (schooners); these are manned principally by foreigners. 20. POPULATION. The population is estimated at 2,700,000. Of these 400,000 only are whites; 640,000 are Mestizoes; 650,000 Indians; 800,000 mulattoes and free blacks and 150,000 slaves. 21. INHABITANTS, MANNERS, &c. The inhabitants are similar to those of Mexico; whites, Indians, blacks and the mixed races. The Creoles, or desendants of Europeans are the ruling class. Many Indians still live in the interior, but barbarous and cruel, especially the Ottomaques and Carribos. The latter and the Arrowacs, dwell in the east of Guiana and on the coast. They have always been engaged in war with each other. Those who live near the settlement, are so given to falsehood, that Depon says, the testimony of one white is, by law, equal to that of six Indians. This may be, however, because the whites make the laws.. There are many villages of converted Indians in Guiana. The Guaygueria Indians are nearly as well formed as the Carribs, and much more civilized. They inhabit the island of Margarita, and the environs of Cumana. The mantilla In dress, the ladies follow many of the Spanish fashions. is general, and at Bogota the females wear a broad beaver hat. The general language is the Spanish. The manner of building is light. In the cities. the houses are generally low from fear of earthquakes. Hammocks are often used for beds, and sometimes suspended from tress. The Colombians have several light meals in the 24 hours. At seven in the morning they have chocolate, at ten soup, eggs, &c., and a dinner at two. Between that hour and 5, comes the siesta, which is followed by chocolate, and afterwards by a supper. Chocolate is universally used. All provisions are abundant and cheap. In some large towns where copper coin is unknown, eggs are the small change. If a person buys at a shop something worth less than 2 1-2 d. he receives several eggs with the merchandise. The abuse of intoxicating liquors is less pernicious than in Mexico. All classes, even ladies, smoke tobacco made into small cigars. The most fatal diseases are the pulmonic fevers. There are few facilities for travelling, either in roads or public houses. The traveller must carry with him whatever he requires, even beds. The character of the people resembles that of the Mexicans, being of a common origin. The ladies generally, but especially at Bogota, are said to have many attractions. The people are generally indolent, but ingenious. They are pretty well acquainted with the history and geography of their own country. They are superstitious and fond of show, but the society is tending to improvement. The most general amusements are dancing and gaming at bill There is a city militia,' says Cochrane, which is tolerably good; but that composed of the Indians, beggars all description; one has a hat with a feather in it, another a pair of blue pantaloons, or an old military cont; the men are of all sizes, ages and colors, and can only be compared to Falstaff's ragged regiment, or the army of Bombastes Furioso iards tennis courts, and cockpits. Public education receives the attention of the government, and primary schools are general in the parishes; 19,700 children are instructed in 52 Lancasterian schools, and 434 of a different kind. There are 3 universities and 20 colleges, and funds are provided for more of the latter. The property of all monasteries that had not eight monks was confiscated for the advancement of education. 22. RELIGION. The Roman Catholic is the established religion, and it is as deeply rooted as in Old Spain. The Virgin is oftener invoked than the Creator. The revenues of the church depend upon the harvest and price of the articles on which tithes are levied. There are 1694 ecclesiastics of all grades, together with 750 nuns and 1436 novices in 23 convents. In general the marriages are very early. An unmarried man of 20 is regarded as an old bachelor, where others are married at 15, to wives of 13. 23. GOVERNMENT. The government is a republic. There are no hereditary honors. After 1840, no person is to have the right to vote who cannot read and write, and in the case of habitual drunkards, the rights of citizenship are suspended. The President, Vice-president, senators and representatives are chosen by electors, which are chosen once in 4 years, by the parishes. Senators must be 40 years of age and have real estate to the value of 8,000 dollars, or an equivalent income. The representatives must have half as much. All the rights of persons and property are fully secured by law. 24. HISTORY. The republic of Colombia is of recent origin. Previous. ly to the revolution, it was divided into three states, known by the names of the Vice-Royalty of New Grenada, the Captain-Generalship of Caracas, and the Presidency of Quito; and these were under the dominion of the Spanish crown. A futile attempt was made by General Miranda to revolutionize Venezuela in 1806. In 1810, Simon Bolivar, having raised an army of less than 1,000 men, after several successful battles with the royalists, entered, as a deliverer, the city of Caracas, on the 4th of August, 1813. In 1819, the different territories were united under the title of the Republic of Colombia, and a popular representative government was established. Since that time, the country has been subject to occasional political disturbances, but it is now comparatively tranquil. 1. BOUNDARIES, EXTENT, &c. This country is bounded N. by the Atlantic Ocean; E. by the Atlantic; S. by Brazil, and W. by Colombia and Brazil. It extends from the mouth of the Amazon to that of the Essequibo; and lies between 10 and 70 N. lat., and 50° and 600 W. lon. The name of Guiana was formerly given to the country extending from the Orinoco to the Amazon; but Spanish Guiana now forms a part of Colombia, and Portuguese Guiana is annexed to Brazil. The rest of the country belongs to the English, Dutch and French. 2. RIVERS. The country is watered by the tributary streams of the Orinoco and Amazon. The principal rivers which fall directly into the Atlantic, beginning in the north, are the Essequibo, the Demerara, the Berbice, the Corantine, the Surinam, the Marony and Oyapoco. All these rise in the mountains, and are generally navigable for some distance into the interior. 3. SHORES. The coast of Guiana is rendered almost inaccesible by dangerous banks, rocks, quicksands and bogs. Along the sea shore, the coun |