Page:A history of Chile.djvu/432

CHAPTER II EXTENT AND RESOURCES Chile is a long narrow strip "of country stretching a distance of 2,600 miles along the Pacific coast of South America ; its breadth varies from forty to one hundred miles, its area is estimated approximately at about 294,000 square miles. This great country, extending from latitude 17" 47' S. southward to Cape Horn, has for its eastern boundary the center of the almost insur- mountable Andes, and for its western boundary the Pacific, along the shores of which runs the range of the Cordillera de la Costa. Before the recent acquisitions of territory from Peru and Bolivia, Chile was protected on its northern boundary by the almost impassable Ata- cama desert, three hundred miles in length, so that the natural position of the republic was one of great se- curity and strength. Beside the mainland and exten- sive islands along the coast south of Puerto Montt, Chile owns the island of Juan Fernandez and claims Easter Island. Between the Andes and Cordillera ranges runs a long valley, extending from the Quillota river south to Chilo^ Island, a fertile valley in which are situated the prin- cipal cities and where are found the best cultivated districts. To the northward of this valley there are fertile districts, such as those of Coquimbo and Acon- 386