More than $1,000,000 worth of rubber was exported in 1913, and in the same time coffee to the value of $783,787, most of which went to Chile.
The total exports in 1912 amounted to $13,717,884, as against $10,652,843 imports, the leading articles being boots and shoes, candles, ready made clothes, crockery, drugs, food stuffs (flour and canned goods), hats, hardware, machinery, oils, paper, perfumes, textiles, wines and liquors.
I cannot refrain from repeating that Ecuador, due to the prevalence of disease, is passed over by most travelers and as a consequence there is little competition, and one is sure of doing business here if his product is appropriate.
A small license or fee is one of the legal requirements to sell goods in this country, but is more honored in the breach than the observance.
These towns should be made:
| Population | |
|---|---|
| Guayaquil | 80,000 |
| Quito | 80,000 |
| Cuenca | 35,000 |
| Riobamba | 18,000 |
There is but one city in the Galapagos group of islands, namely Floriana. They are unworthy of any attention from a commercial standpoint.
Ecuador is reached most directly from Panama in about three days. Travelers going to Peru or Panama from any of its ports are detained in quarantine and have their baggage disinfected. This rule is strictly observed. Freight should be sent via any line to Colon or Panama for trans-shipment as there are but few direct boats. From San Francisco the Kosmos Line of Hamburg formerly maintained a bi-monthly direct service which may be resumed after the war. The West Coast Line from New York has irregular sailings via the Strait of Magellan, carrying only freight; the voyage takes about three months as the ships drop off cargo en route.
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COLOMBIA
Columbus on his fourth trip of discovery to the New World was the first European to sight Colombia. He sailed along the coast during September, 1502, but did not undertake to land. Alonso de Ojeda in 1508 obtained a patent from the Spanish crown and after repeatedly repulsing the warlike Indians, secured a foothold at Cartagena, which place he proceeded to fortify. Others with warrants from the King of Spain also entered the territory, ultimately subjugating the Indians and establishing the capital at Bogota in 1538.