Mountains.—This province is not mountainous, if we except the eastern part, in the whole extent of which there is a general cordillera, running parallel to the coast, which occasionally receives the name of Cubatam. This serra is not universally of the same altitude, neither does it run uniformly at an equal distance from the sea. It has many broken parts, by some of which torrents descend to the ocean, and others wind into the interior. It abounds in verdant woods, being generally high towards the sea, and is the most elevated land of the province, with the exception of some dispersed mountains in the interior; besides, the largest rivers which irrigate this district have their origin in it, and run westward.
The serra Araassoiava, by corruption Guarassoiava, which signifies the eclipsing of the sun, alluding to the great extent of land obscured by its shade, previously to the sun’s departure. This mountain, which is ten miles in length, and of proportionate width, consists entirely of a pure mineral of iron, and is situated in the district of the town of Sorocaba.
The mount of Araquara, from which are frequent exhalations, and which is reputed to contain gold, is situated upon the right margin of the Tiete, thirty miles below the embouchure of the Piracicaba. This mountain must not be confounded with a serra of the same name, which exists more in the centre of the province.
Near the head of the Jaguariquatu, is the elevated mount of Pirapirapuan, which is discovered at a great distance, and possesses gold. The mountain of Thaho, upon the margin of the Thajahi, is also high, and yields the same metal.
The serra Dourada is situated in the campo of Guarapuaba, to the west of the Tibagi. The serra of Apucaranna, is also in the plains of Guarapuaba.
In the vicinity of the sea is to be remarked Mount Cardozo, on the left of the entrance to the bay of Cannanea. Mount Jurea, by corruption Judea, receives this name in consequence of its appearing like Judea to the travellers, who cannot pass the road leading over the summit without much fatigue. It is a few leagues to the north of the river Iguape, is high, commands an extensive view, and precipitates various torrents, amongst which the river Yerde is conspicuous, forming several cascades.
The serra of Jaguary, which is between the rivers Itanhaen and Una, near the beach, is in great part composed of stone, with trees of more than ordinary magnitude.
Mineralogy.—There are mines of gold, silver, brass, iron, brimstone, pumice-stone, flint, magnet, calcareous stone, granite, amolar, or grindstone, potters’ earth, rubies, diamonds, and a diversity of other precious stones.
Rivers and Ports.—None of the maritime provinces, with the exception of that of Para, present so many navigable rivers, notwithstanding the most important are incapable of conducting the productions of the central districts of the country to the ports of the sea, the whole flowing in a contrary direction to the westward, and are swallowed up by the Paranna; but even the produce of the western districts, if agriculture should at any future epoch flourish there, cannot descend by the Paranna, in consequence of the Seven Falls, (Setequedas). It might, however, be conveyed over land to the point where the river becomes navigable, and from thence to the ports, by overcoming other obstacles in the imperfect mode already practised in these parts.
The principal rivers of this province are the Paranna, the Iguassu, the Parannapanema, and the Tiete.