Although the vineyards of Moquegua have not been cultivated so extensively as those of Chincha and Ica, its olive groves rival the best of other sections, and all kinds of fruits grow in its orchards and fields. The olives of Moquegua are particularly remarkable for their size, richness, and quality, equalling the best varieties produced in Seville and California. This fruit was first imported into Peru from Seville, Spain, during the time of the viceroyalty, and became perfectly acclimatized, producing a better olive in its new home than in the parent orchard, though the cultivation was neglected in consequence of the repeated gold, silver, and copper “finds” that absorbed the attention of the people in those days; and it is only within recent years that the industry has assumed importance. In the coast province of Camaná, Department of Arequipa, and in Ilo and Moquegua, the olive groves extend over many acres; and, although the industry is still in its infancy and only the most primitive methods are used in the elaboration of the fruit, the yield is thirty per cent of pure oil. At present, the production of olives does not amount to sufficient for the home market, and very little is exported.
A favorite diversion of passengers on the steamers making the voyage along the west coast of South America is to watch the loading of the ships in the various ports. At some of these ports baskets of dried figs and dates are brought on board by the local venders; but, though this is a promising trade, it is still in a primitive stage of development. The province of Ica has a few establishments where dried fruits and jams are prepared, and every year shows an improvement in the industry.
A MILK VENDER ON HER WAY TO MARKET.
THE SAMA VALLEY, TACNA.
CHAPTER XXV
TACNA AND ARICA
A VENERABLE PALM OF TACNA.
At the time of the Independence, Arica was a province of Arequipa, which then comprised, in addition to its present territory, the provinces of Moquegua, Arica, and Tarapacá. Afterward Arica was divided to create the province of Tacna, and, in 1839, Moquegua was separated from Arequipa and joined to Tacna, Arica, and Tarapacá, to form the Department of Moquegua. In 1868, Tarapacá was made an independent Littoral Province, with Iquique as its capital; and, in 1875, the province of Moquegua was elevated to the same dignity. Tacna and Arica, with the small province of Tarata, which had been formed the year previous by a division of Tacna, were then joined to constitute the Department of Tacna, one of the richest and most important of the republic, politically and commercially.