Iguassú in Spanish is spelled Iguazú, but the Portuguese form has the right, because it is a Brazilian river, nowhere flowing in Argentina, and for a short distance only on the boundary. The Brazilian spelling should therefore be followed by us, and it has the advantage that it is more apt to be correctly pronounced.
Persons not undertaking the study of Spanish should at least learn the simple rules of pronunciation; the vowels having the ordinary continental sounds, the consonants in the main like our own, though in the middle of a word b is generally pronounced like v, d like th in this and ll like ly. The rules for accent are easily remembered, names ending in a vowel being accented on the penult, those in a consonant, except s, z, and n, on the ultima, unless otherwise indicated by an accent.
The heedlessness of many Americans on such matters is notorious and inexcusable. Knowing the correct pronunciation they continue to mispronounce even an easy word. A notable illustration is Panamá, which many former residents of the Canal Zone and others here persist in calling the ugly Pánama instead of the correct and agreeable Panamá. Although in English the accent is not generally used on this word or on Colón, Panamá is repeated throughout the book to emphasize the correct pronunciation.
It is hoped that other accents given will in general be found correct. It may however be said on Brazilian authority that the accents on Brazilian names are less important than in Spanish.
A considerable divergence in the date of statistics may be noted, for which there are several reasons. In some cases pre-war figures, in others figures for 1917 or 1918, seem to afford a fairer valuation; or they might be the only ones available. Some figures (often in the nearest round number) are given as late as 1921, but to bring all at the same time up to the moment was quite impossible. Great difficulty has been experienced in choosing between conflicting statements and figures. In one case three sets of figures of areas were presented by the same person, before I finally secured the most accurate.
My grateful appreciation is due and my hearty thanks are here expressed to all who in any degree have helped by supplying or verifying data of whatever nature. Officials of the various countries and of many large companies evinced kindly interest in the work and gave freely of their time, few being too busy to afford information. The names are too numerous to mention, but I trust that all will feel assured that their courtesy was recognized and that the remembrance will be cherished.
CONTENTS
| CHAPTER | PAGE | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | [xv] | |
| I. | South America as a Whole | [1] |
| THE NORTH COAST | ||
| II. | Colombia: Area, History, Government, Population, Etc. | [7] |
| III. | Colombia: Physical Characteristics | [14] |
| IV. | Colombia: The Capital, the States and Territories, Chief Cities | [20] |
| V. | Colombia: Ports and Transportation | [30] |
| VI. | Colombia: Resources and Industries | [40] |
| VII. | Venezuela: Area, History, Government, Population, Etc. | [53] |
| VIII. | Venezuela: Physical Characteristics | [59] |
| IX. | Venezuela: Capital, States, Territories, Chief Cities | [63] |
| X. | Venezuela: Ports and Transportation | [77] |
| XI. | Venezuela: Resources and Industries | [86] |
| XII. | Guiana as a Whole: British Guiana | [100] |
| XIII. | Dutch and French Guiana | [109] |
| THE WEST COAST | ||
| XIV. | Ecuador: Area, History, Government, Population, Etc. | [114] |
| XV. | Ecuador: Physical Characteristics | [121] |
| XVI. | Ecuador: Capital, Provinces, Chief Cities | [130] |
| XVII. | Ecuador: Ports and Interior Transportation | [135] |
| XVIII. | Ecuador: Resources and Industries | [141] |
| XIX. | Peru: Area, History, Government, Population, Etc. | [148] |
| XX. | Peru: Physical Characteristics | [156] |
| XXI. | Peru: Capital, Departments, Chief Cities | [162] |
| XXII. | Peru: Ports and Interior Transportation | [174] |
| XXIII. | Peru: Resources and Industries | [185] |
| XXIV. | Bolivia: Area, History, Government, Population, Physical Characteristics | [205] |
| XXV. | Bolivia: Capital, Departments, Chief Cities | [214] |
| XXVI. | Bolivia: Ports and Transportation | [221] |
| XXVII. | Bolivia: Resources and Industries | [229] |
| XXVIII. | Chile: Area, History, Government, Population, Etc. | [245] |
| XXIX. | Chile: Physical Characteristics | [250] |
| XXX. | Chile: Capital, Individual Provinces, Cities | [254] |
| XXXI. | Chile: Ports and Transportation | [261] |
| XXXII. | Chile: Resources and Industries | [270] |
| THE EAST COAST | ||
| XXXIII. | Argentina: Area, History, Government, Population, Etc. | [280] |
| XXXIV. | Argentina: Physical Characteristics | [287] |
| XXXV. | Argentina: The Capital, Individual Provinces and Territories | [291] |
| XXXVI. | Argentina: Seaports and Interior Transportation | [301] |
| XXXVII. | Argentina: Resources and Industries | [315] |
| XXXVIII. | Paraguay: Area, History, Government, Population, Etc. | [332] |
| XXXIX. | Paraguay: Physical Characteristics | [338] |
| XL. | Paraguay: The Capital and Other Cities | [341] |
| XLI. | Paraguay: Resources and Industries | [345] |
| XLII. | Uruguay: Area, History, Government, Population, Physical Characteristics | [354] |
| XLIII. | Uruguay: Capital, Departments, Chief Cities, Ports | [360] |
| XLIV. | Uruguay: Transportation, Resources and Industries | [366] |
| XLV. | Brazil: Area, History, Government, Population, Etc. | [372] |
| XLVI. | Brazil: Physical Characteristics | [379] |
| XLVII. | Brazil: The Capital, Individual States, Cities | [390] |
| XLVIII. | Brazil: Transportation—Ocean, River and Railway | [406] |
| XLIX. | Brazil: Resources and Industries | [414] |
| L. | Brazil: Other Industries | [424] |
| LI. | South American Trade | [434] |
| LII. | Life in South America | [454] |
| Appendix I. Postal Regulations, etc. | [459] | |
| Appendix II. Leading Banks of South America | [462] | |
| Appendix III. Steamship Lines to South America | [467] | |
| Appendix IV. Publications | [477] | |