CHILE
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CHILE
Climate. The seacoast on the west and the mountain range on the east afford conditions which render the climate of Chile healthful. The temperature varies from 6.7° in the north to 43° in the south. It averages about 6° lower than on the eastern coast of South America, owing to the Antarctic current, which flows along the western coast, and to the Andes which shut off the warm winds from the eastern plains. The northern section is tropical, and, being subject to the dry southeast trade-winds, is practically rainless. The central division has a temperate climate and a rainfall during the winter, with dry summers. In the southern section the rainfall is heavy, averaging 115 inches annually.
The rivers of Chile, of which there are a large number, have their rise in the Andes and empty into the Pacific, and for the most part are short shallow streams.
Cities. Santiago, the capital of Chile, is the third largest city in South America, population, 332,724. Valparaiso, the chief port on the western coast of South America, is 62 miles west of Santiago, population 162,447. Iquique, celebrated as a nitrate port, has a population of 42,488. Other cities are Con-cepcion, population 55,330; Talco, population 38,040; Chilian, population 33,506; La Serena, population 15,996; Curico, population 17,573; Antofogasta, population 32,496; Talcahuano, port of the city of Concepcion, population 15,561.
Resources. It is a noteworthy fact that the barren, rainless section in the north of Chile is the chief source of the nation's wealth. The export of nitrate from this region amounts to over $43,000,000 annually, being more than two-thirds of the total exports of the country. The nitrate produce of 1910 was 5,078,133 tons. Other mineral products, copper, silver, gold, iodine, with leather, wool, hides, etc., bring the total exports up to $125,000,000. Agricultural products, while large in the aggregate, are not sufficient for the needs of the country, so that imports of food amount to six millions annually.
Railways. There were 3,573 miles of railway open for traffic in 1911. The Central system, a trunk line owned by the government, traverses the central valley with branches to coastal and interior points. A branch connects with the Transandine Railway, completed in 1910, which furnishes all-rail connection with the Atlantic coast at Buenos Ayres, a distance of §80 miles from Valparaiso.
Government. Chile is a republic, consisting of twenty-three provinces and one territory. The president is elected for a term of five years and is not eligible for a second term. He is assisted by a council of state composed of eleven members, six of whom are elected by Congress and five are appointed by the president. There also is a cabinet
of six ministers who are appointed by the president, with the approval of the senate. There is a national congress consisting of a senate and a chamber of deputies. The chief executive of each province is an intend-ant appointed by the president.
Education. A system of public schools is maintained by the state. In 1910 there were 2,716 public primary schools with 258,-875 pupils, beside 506 private primary schools with an attendance of 66,577. There are two universities, one belonging to the state, with an attendance of about 3,000. There are lyceums and colleges in the capitals and provinces, including four for girls in Santiago and 11 in other towns, with 2,500 students. There are three normal schools for men and three for women, with a« aggregate attendance of 2,222. There also are schools of mining, private secondary schools, agricultural and other special schools.
History. The northern part of Chile belonged to the Incas of Peru; the southern part to the Araucanian Indians, the only tribe unconquered by the Spaniards, and who, until lately, kept themselves independent of Chile. The first European to land in the country was the Portuguese discoverer, Magellan. He reached Chile in 1520, just after his famous voyage through the strait that bears his name. Pizarro's lieutenant, Almagro, headed an expedition southward from Peru in 1535, and another expedition, under Valdivia, founded Santiago in 1542. Chile declared herself a republic in 1810 and revolted from Spain, under the leadership of Don Bernardo O'Higgins, her first dictator. The constitution was adopted in 1833.
Chile's war against Peru and Bolivia arose over boundary-disputes with Bolivia. No sooner was war declared against Bolivia, in February, 1879, than Peru avowed a secret treaty, offensive and defensive, made six years before, between herself and Bolivia; and as a result, she bore the brunt of the war. Chile overwhelmingly defeated the allies. In the battle of Iquique, May 21, one of Peru's four ironclads was sunk on the rocks; and at the battle of Cape Augamos the capture of the ram Huascar left Chile master of the sea. The invasion of Peru followed, 10,000 Chileans routing 20,000 allied troops at Dolores, November 2. The doubtful battle of Tarapaca, a week later, was followed by a retreat of the Peruvians. Early in 1880, 14,000 Chileans won a third battle, north of Tacna, after a hard march across the desert and still harder fighting. At last, after two well-fought battles, at Chorrillos and Mira-flores, the Chilean army of invasion entered Lima, Jan. 18, 1881. The little republic has since passed through a revolution, brought about by the unlawful use of power by the president or, rather, dictator, Balmaceda. The law-abiding party or congressipnalists were successful, Balmaceda committing suicide after all hope was lost. In 1891 an at-
