Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 4.djvu/488

extremity of the province), possesses great natural advan tages, which are by no means adequately appreciated. It might be turned to good account as a starting-point for vessels engaged in trade with the South American states that border upou the Pacific, but the difficult and some times dangerous navigation of the adjoining seas counter balances in the meantime the other advantages svhich it offers. The interior of the country, except where it is intersected by the low mountain ranges of the Ventana and Vaulcan in its southern portions, and the spurs of the Andes in the west, is on vast plain, of which by far the larger part is laid out in estancias, or cattle farms, though the soil is in itself well adapted for producing all the European cerealia. Agricultural pursuits, however, are by no means in favour with the natives, who cannot bring themselves to engage in any pxirsuit that cannot be prosecuted on horseback. " Every man, woman, and child in the country rides," says Parish. " One might fancy one s self in the land of centaurs, amidst a population half-men, hulf-horses. Even beggars ride on horseback." Some of the cattle-farms are of immense extent ; one in particular is mentioned by travellers as comprising more than 300 square miles of land, and yielding an enormous revenue to the proprietor. Some of the largest of them belong to British settlers, and are worked by British servants. The cattle were formerly hunted down and killed merely for the sake of their hides and tongues, while the carcases were abandoned to beasts and birds of prey. They are now slaughtered in abattoirs, where every part of the animal is made available. The beef is salted for exportation ; the tallow is boiled down, and now forms an important item in the farmer s revenue; and the trade in hides is steadily increasing, Beef and an infusion of the native tea are the staple food of the natives. In the province of Buenos Ayres there are 45,500,000 sheep, which give a yield of 136,500,000 ft unwashed wool; 5,116,000 cows; and 1,500,000 horses. This gives the unusual average of 200 sheep, 20 cows, and 6 horses to every inhabitant. The sheep-farms cover over 40,000,000 acres ; and the number of shepherds may be estimated at 30,000, of whom at least a quarter are Irish or Scotch. The total value of exports from Buenos Ayres in 1872 was 9,148,638, the most important being wool 203,610,000 1ft, sheep-skins 72,970,000 Ib, ox and cow-hides 3,121,758, jerked beef 916,220 qq., tallow 1,182,240 qq. The value of imports in 1872 may be stated approximately at 12,000,000, of which Great Britain contributed 3,800,000, France 3,200,000, Spain 800,000, Brazil 700,000, United States 700,000, Italy 600,000, Belgium 600,000,

Germany 100,000, other countries 1,200,000.

Of the cereals grown in Buenos Ayres the most import ant is maize, which is indigenous to the country. Wheat thrives well in the southern parts of the province, but the in habitants rarely grow more than enough to supply their own necessities, In the event of a surplus it is commonly exported to Brazil. The vine, fig, orange, and olive have been intro duced from the Old World, and are found to suit the climate admirably ; but the most valuable of European fruits is the peach. A considerable fruit trade is carried on in coasting vessels by merchants for the most part Italian or French.

The geographical position of Buenos Ayres is such as to enable it completely to control the foreign commercial relations of the entire republic of which it forms a part. The exclusive policy which it has always pursued on this point has often involved it in serious quarrels, not only with many of the South American states and the other pro vinces of the Argentine Republic, but with England and France. Since the expulsion of General Rosas, the naviga tion of the Parana and Uruguay has been thrown open, and other measures have been taken to place both the province and city of Buenos Ayres on a level with the other provinces of the republic.

The only towns of any importance, besides the capital, are San Nicolas, which is situated on the Parana, about. 200 miles N.W. of Buenos Ayres, and contains a population of about 10,000 ; San Pedro, also on the Parana, about 150 miles from the capital, in the same direction, with a population of 1000; Chascomus, on a lake of the same name, a place of considerable importance ; Dolores, 150 miles south of Buenos Ayres ; Villa de Mercedes, Chivilcoy, Las Flores, and Belgrano.

Buenos Ayres, the capital of the Argentine Republic and of the province of Buenos Ayres, is situated on the right bank of the estuary of the La Plata, in 34 39 S. lat. and 58 18 W. long. The river is at this point so wide that it is quite impossible with the naked eye to distinguish the opposite bank, and at the same time so shallow, that ships drawing 15 or 16 feet of water must anchor seven or eight miles from the city. Small craft generally anchor in what arc called the inner roads, abreast of the city. The depth of water is never sufficient to admit of their coining to shore.

A Rccolcta Cemetery. B Plaza Libertad. C Plaza Marta ov Pel Retire, and Statue of General San Martin D Plaza del Parquc. E Arsenal. F Plaza Lorca and Mar ket. G Plaza Victoria. Plan of Buenos Ayres. II Plaza de Mayo and the Arcades. K Plaza Monscrrat. L Plaza Independenclo. M Mercado Constitution and Railway Station. N Mercado dcSeptiemhro and Railway Station. 1. Barracks. 2. Railway Station. 3. Colisio Conceit Hall. II. Victoria Thcarre. University and Mu seum. Colon Opera House 1 . Arcliicpiscopal Palace. Cathedral. Congress Hall. Franco - Argentine Theatre. Custom House ana Government House

The town of Buenos Ayres is situated in a vast plain

extending westwards to the Andes. The level uniformity of its outline is only broken by the spires of the various

churches. The stranger, on landing, is struck with the