The population of Chile is not large when its possibilities are considered. It is very unevenly distributed. The number of persons to the square mile is less than one-half the proportion in the United States. The pure white population are undoubtedly in the minority. The following table shows the names of provinces, with their area and population according to government census of 1907:
The following table shows the population according to the several censuses taken:—
| Census of 1835 | 1,010,332 |
| ” ” 1843 | 1,083,801 |
| ” ” 1854 | 1,439,120 |
| ” ” 1865 | 1,819,223 |
| ” ” 1875 | 2,075,971 |
| ” ” 1885 | 2,527,320 |
| ” ” 1895 | 2,712,145 |
| ” ” 1907 | 3,248,224 |
II
MOUNTAINS AND VOLCANOES
The Coast, or Maritime range of mountains in Chile does not present, like the Andean range, a continuous chain, but is broken by valleys and small plains, as well as by rivers in their course to the ocean. The slopes of this range are generally formed by a succession of hills, frequently covered with vegetation, but which rarely exceed six thousand feet in height. In places cross ridges connect this range with its loftier neighbouring range, where the two systems seem to merge into one. The three highest peaks in the Maritime range are Cerro de Limon Verde (11,380 ft.), Cerro de Agua Amarga (10,550 ft.) and Cerro de la Campana de Quillota (9,325 ft.)
The Andean range of mountains is a succession of high mountains with lofty peaks covered with the everlasting snows. At intervals passes are formed in this cordillera, which permit access from one side to the other. The lowest of these is that of Perez Rosales (3,230 ft.) in Southern Chile, and the highest is Agua Negra (15,715 ft.). The highest point of the Andes is Mount Aconcagua, and from there to the south the altitude gradually decreases until it reaches sea level at the Straits of Magellan.
The following table gives the names and height of the principal peaks of this range of lofty mountains according to the best estimates.
| Names | Latitude | Altitude Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Pico del Aconcagua | 32° 41´ | 23,080 |
| Cerro del Mercedario | 31° 59´ | 22,300 |
| Cerro Tupungato | 33° 25´ | 22,015 |
| Volcán de San José | 33° 41´ | 20,000 |
| Cerro Juncal | 33° 10´ | 19,500 |
| Cerro El Cobre | 28° 28´ | 18,320 |
| Cerro Peña Negra | 28° 11´ | 18,300 |
| Volcán de Maipo | 33° 59´ | 17,665 |
| Altura sin nombre | 27° 50´ | 17,100 |
| Llullaillaco | 24° 15´ | 17,060 |
| Cerro del Plomo | 33° 14´ | 16,750 |
| Cerro Doña Ana | 29° 37´ | 15,315 |
| Volcán de Tinguiririca | 34° 50´ | 14,700 |
| Cerro del Viento | 30° 45´ | 14,050 |
| Cerro del Campanario | 35° 57´ | 13,120 |
| Cerro Colorado | 35° 18´ | 12,975 |
| Descabezado del Maule | 35° 36´ | 12,755 |
| Cerro del Azufre o Copiapó | 31° 16´ | 12,000 |
| Volcán de Peteroa o Planchón | 35° 13´ | 11,925 |
| Volcán de Villarica or Quetripillan | 39° 14´ | 11,810 |
| Volcán de La Yegua | 36° 00´ | 11,342 |
| Nevado de Longavi | 36° 14´ | 10,522 |
| Volcán de Nevado de Chillan | 36° 47´ | 9,725 |
| Volcán de Antuco | 37° 23´ | 9,060 |
| Corcovado | 43° 10´ | 7,380 |
| Monte Sarmiento (Tierra del Fuego) | 54° 10´ | 6,890 |
| Yanteles | 43° 30´ | 6,625 |