Copper is extensively mined and, next to the nitrates, is the most valuable product. Great Britain is the customer for the greater part. Coal occurs in the southern part of the state, and is mined for export to the various states of the Pacific coast. It is not a good coal for iron smelting, however, and about three times as much is imported as is exported. A considerable part of the imported coal comes from Australia, and with it structural steel is made from pig-iron that is also imported.
Chile is well equipped with railways, a part of which has been built and are operated by the state. The most important line traverses the valley between the Andes and the coast ranges, from Concepcion to Valparaiso. In this region are most of the manufacturing enterprises.
The imports are chiefly coal, machinery, textile goods, and sugar. The British control about two-thirds of the foreign trade; the Germans and the French have most of the remainder. The United States supplies the Chileans with a part of the textiles, a considerable quantity of Oregon pine, and practically all the coal-oil used.
VALPARASIO
Valparaiso is the chief business centre of the Pacific coast of South America. Most of the forwarding business is carried on by British and German merchants. The transandine railway, now about completed, will make it one of the most important ports of the world. Santiago is the capital. Concepcion and Talca are important centres of trade. Chillan is the principal cattle-market of the Pacific coast of South America. Copiapo is the focal point of the mining interests. Iquique is the port from which about all the nitrates are shipped. Punta Arenas, one of the "end towns" of the world, is an ocean post-office for vessels passing through the Straits of Magellan. It is about as far south as Calgary, B.C., is north.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
What will be the probable effect of an interoceanic canal on the commerce of these states?
From the Abstract of Statistics make a list of the exports from the United States to these countries.
From the statistics of trade in the Statesman's Year-Book compare the trade of the United States with that of other countries in these states.