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KIO DE JANEIRO 339 precipitous course of 400 m. between the two mountain chains (partly through the province of Sao Paulo), empties near the N. limit of Kio de Janeiro; it is navigable for only 50 m. from its mouth. Numerous salt lakes bor- der the coast, and in the interior are exten- sive sheets of fresh water. There are many islands on the coast, the largest of which are Ilha Grande and Marambaya. The principal ports are Angra dos Keis, Sao Joao, Mangara- tiba, Frio, Macahe', and Rio de Janeiro. The last, the only one of importance, is in the bay of the same name, and is one of the best in the world. It is an irregular basin penetra- ting inland 15 m., with a breadth varying from 2 to 9 m. The entrance, only 1,700 yards in width, is between steep hills, the eastern about 1,000 ft., the western 1,270 ft. in height. The latter is a conical isolated mass of gneiss, called Pao de Assucar. At its base is a fort, and on its opposite side another, forming the salient points of a system of fortifications designed to be impregnable. Just within and nearly midway of the entrance is an isolated rock, also fortified. The basin soon widens, and the shores trending in deep curves form beautiful bays and coves. Many islands and islets are scattered over its surface, the largest of which are cultivated and many of them fortified. Numerous streams empty into the basin, fresh- ening its waters and forming banks on which grow large oysters. The greatest depth of water is 150 ft., just within the entrance; thence northward it shoals gradually, and in the head of the basin there is only 6 or 8 ft. The tides, owing to local causes, are irregular. The climate of the province is agreeable and salubrious on the high lands, but warm and unhealthy on the low lands and near the sea. Vegetation is luxuriant, and crops are abun- dant. The forests contain varied and excel- lent timber, and almost all kinds of tropical and temperate plants are found. Coffee, sugar cane, cotton, mandioca, and tobacco are exten- sively cultivated ; tea, rice, cacao, and potatoes moderately. Coffee is the great staple, and its cultivation is steadily increasing. Nearly all the vegetables of temperate climes may be raised. Every variety of tropical fruit abounds, and flowers of rare beauty and fragrance adorn the gardens and forests. Among the native ani- mals are the ounce, tapir, wild hog, and mon- key. There are immense herds of cattle. The forests swarm with birds of brilliant plumage, and there is a large variety of beetles, butter- flies, and other insects, many of them of great beauty. Fish of many varieties are found in all the waters. There is gold in the Cantagallo region near Minas Geraes, and garnets and amethysts are found. Iron is abundant, but no mines are worked ; and granite, a great variety of marble, and several kinds of clay suitable for earthenware and porcelain abound. The province is divided into 17 districts, which are subdivided into municipalities, and these into parishes. Primary education is obliga- tory. The state provides 164 primary and 4 advanced schools, and there are about 200 private schools in the province. The largest city, Campos, on the right bank of the Para- hyba, about 35 m. from the sea, is said to con- tain 40,000 inhabitants. Nictheroy or Nithe- roy, the capital, contains 25,000 inhabitants, but owing to its situation near Rio de Janeiro it is practically a suburban town. Petropolis, in a valley of the Orgaos, contains the summer palace of the emperor and many villas. Rail- ways are constructing throughout the prov- ince, but the " Dom Pedro II." is the only completed road of importance. The chief cit- ies are connected by telegraph. The com- merce of the province is absorbed by the city of Rio de Janeiro. IL A municipality (Muni- cipio Neutro) enclosed by the province of the same name, bounded N. by the rivers Guandu- Minin and Mirity, W. by the Guandii, S. by the Atlantic, and E. by the bay of Rio de Ja- neiro, the islands therein forming a part ; ex- treme length from E. to "W. 36 m., extreme breadth 24 m. ; area, about 540 sq. m. ; pop. in 1872, 274,972, of whom 48,939 were slaves. There are several groups of mountains with- in its limits, among the highest peaks of which are Tijuca, 3,447 ft., Gavia, 2,575 ft., and Corcovado, 2,272 ft. These, viewed from the sea, present a remarkable outline known as the "sleeping giant." Large bowlders are scat- tered everywhere. In the plains and valleys are lakes of considerable size, only a few feet above the sea level, and there are numerous small streams and torrents, and many mineral springs. The coast is bordered with islands. Agricultural industry is devoted chiefly to the cultivation of fruit, vegetables, cereals, and grass to supply the markets of Rio de Janeiro ; but there are several extensive coffee and su- gar plantations, and large fields of mandioca. The municipality, which embraces the capital of the empire with a number of small com- munes, is governed directly by the executive and legislative authorities of the empire ; it is divided into 19 parishes, and sends three deputies to the national assembly. There are 185 public and private schools for primary education, with an average daily attendance of nearly 15,000. III. The capital of Brazil, and the largest city of South America, situ- ated in the Municipio Neutro, on the "W. shore of the bay of Rio de Janeiro, in lat. 22 54' S., Ion. 43 10' W. ; pop. about 260,000. It is of irregular shape, being built chiefly on a narrow undulating plain extending for 6 m. along the bay. Several rocky hummocks, which rise from the low ground, give the city a picturesque appearance. The older streets are very narrow, and the older houses, gen- erally of two stories and' without architectu- ral beauty, are badly arranged and poorly ven- tilated. The newer streets are wider, and the houses are of improved design, but wanting in modern conveniences. Many are painted in gaudy colors, some are ornamented with varie-