The PAN AMERICAN UNION JOHN BARRETT : : : Director General FRANCISCO J. YANES : Assistant Director COLOMBIA J ///////##//#//////////////////////f////////#f/#«#f#///#/#/////##/f#///#//f###//////M////#//#/////##/#///////////////////###/////#/M * ASHINGTON, D. C. iq\7 COLOMBIA IN BRIEF Area, 476,916 square miles (1,235,214 square kilometers). Population, 5,472,604. (Census of 1912.) Foreign Commerce, 1915 Exports § 3 i, 579 -i 3 i Imports 17,840,350 Total $49,419,481 Principal Exports: Coffee, emeralds, gold, cattle hides, bananas, tagua (ivory nuts), Panama hats, rubber, etc. Principal Imports: Textiles, foodstuffs and condiments, metals, railway supplies, pharmaceutical products, soft drinks, wines, and liquors. The climate along the coasts is tropical, but in the elevated regions of the interior temperate and healthful. Bogota, the capi- tal, owing to its elevation, enjoys a delightfully cool and salubri- ous climate the year round. Chief physical characteristics: An extended coast line on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Three chains of moun- tains cross the country, one of these being the source of the Mag- dalena River, which empties into the Caribbean Sea. The Mag- dalena is navigable for over 900 miles (say 1,500 kilometers), while the Cesar, Cauca, Nechi, Lebrija, and Sogamoso are naviga- ble for varying distances. Means of approach: The principal ports of Colombia on the Caribbean Sea are Puerto Colombia, at the mouth of the Magda- lena River and connected by rail with Barranquilla, 18 miles (28 kilometers) distant; Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Riohacha. These may be reached by steamers from New York, or from New Orleans by transshipment to coast lines at Colon, Panama. The first three have been added to the itinerary of the United Fruit Company’s steamers from New York. They are ports of call also for several European lines. On the Pacific Ocean, Buenaventura and Tumaco are the most important ports, reached by all of the Pacific Coast lines from South American ports and from Panama from the north. There are regularly traveled roads between Bogota and Venezuela to the northeast and Ecuador to the south. If specific information in regard to Colombia not contained in this pamphlet is desired, the Pan American Union will endeavor to provide it upon application t> the Director General. The Republic of Colombia covers an area of 476,916 square miles ( 1.235,214 square kilometers), with a population of 5,472,604 (census of 1912), equal to 11.47 inhabitants per square mile (4.43 per square kilo- meter). Three chains of mountains which cross the country produce a variety of climate and products, ranging from the temperate to the tropical. Coffee, cacao, sugar cane, tobacco, and bananas are successfully grown and largely exported, and the extensive forests contain a number of valuable cabinet and other useful woods and medicinal plants. Vege- table ivory and rubber are other products of export; also "Panama” hats, in the manufacture of which the natives have acquired considerable skill. The mineral wealth of the country has been but little exploited, although its emerald mines furnish the world’s chief supply of these gems. Gold is found in every department, and silver, platinum, mercury, iron, and lead also exist. The emer- ald and salt mines and the pearl fisheries are Government monopolies. Oil has recently been found in paying quanti- ties. HISTORICAL SKETCH When Columbus, on his fourth and last voyage, had discovered Cape Gracias a Dios, on September 14, 1502, he sailed along the Colombian coast for a considerable distance, but did not make any attempt to settle the country or conquer the aborigines. It was left for Alonso de Ojeda, who in the year 1508 was granted the land lying east of the Darien River, which was termed the Province of Uraba, to attempt the conquest of the country. Ojeda succeeded in establishing himself firmly along the coast, battling continually with the Indians; but all of his attempts to conquer the Chibcha Kingdom, situated on the high plateau, were fruitless. In the year 1536 Jimenez de Ouesada undertook the subjugation of the Chibchas and at the same time two COAT OF ARMS OF COLOMBIA. VIEWS OF BOGOTA. COLOMBIA. Upper picture: National Capitol. Center picture: Avenue of the Republic. Lower: Western end of the Plaza of Bolivar. Bogota, the capital of the Republic of Colombia, has beautiful environs, and is making great progress with the view of increasing the attractiveness of its natural location The traveler always remem- bers the city with pleasure, as it preserves very well the fascinating atmosphere of classic Spanish America. COLOMBIA. 5 other expeditions, for the same purpose, started from other points, that of Frederman and of Pizarro’s first lieutenant, Benaleazar. These three expeditions met on the plateau, and it was due only to the tact and diplomacy of Quesada, that strife was avoided. Having succeeded in this, he established friendly relations with the aborigines, a highly civil- ized people, similar to the Incas of Peru. He established his capital, the present city of Bogota, at the site of the old Chibcha capital and explored the country in all directions. A governor-general was appointed by Spain and the name changed to the Province of New Granada, and in the year 1717 it was made a viceroyalty. The first viceroy was Antonio de la Pedrosa y Guerrero, and New Granada was successfully governed by twelve viceroys until the year 1810, when the last, Don Antonio de Amar y Borbon, was deposed by the citizens of Bogota. Revolutionary movements had previously been initiated in various parts of the country, but the war against Spain took definite form in July of that year. On August 7, the patriots under the able leadership of Gen. Simon Bolivar and F. de P. Santander utterly defeated the royalist forces at Boyaca. Bolivar succeeded in effecting a union between Venezuela and the former viceroyalty of New Granada, and on the seventeenth of Decem- ber, 1819, the new Republic formally adopted the title of the Republic of Colombia. On July 12, 1821, a constituent congress met at Cucuta and elected Simon Bolivar as the first President of the “Greater Colom- bia.” The “Intendencia de Quito,” now the Republic of Ecuador, joined the union in the year 1822, but when, on December 17, 1830, Bolivar died, the union was dissolved, and New Granada adopted the title of the Republic of New Granada on November 17, 1831. This title was subsequently changed to that of the Granadine Confederation, later to that of the United States of Colombia, and lastly to the Republic of Colombia. The changes of name indicate the various phases of the development of the republic. Colombia finally resolved to adopt the unitary republican form of government and has maintained it ever .since as best fitted for the country. CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT By the constitution adopted August 4, 1886, the Republic of Colombia abolished the Federal Union and the sovereignty of the several States and adopted the unitary republican form of government, with legisla- tive, executive, and judicial branches. The Senate and the House of Representatives, constituting the National Congress, are intrusted with the legislative power, the former chamber consisting of thirty-five and the latter of ninety-two members. Senators are elected indirectly for a term of four years by electors chosen Courtesy of The South American. THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE AT BOGOTA. COLOMBIA. The home of the president is one of the handsomest buildings at the capital. Stately and dignified, it is an attractive feature of the city. COLOMBIA. 7 for the purpose, and representatives are elected by direct vote of the people for a term of two years, at the rate of one for every 50,000 inhab- itants. Two substitutes are elected for each senator and representative to replace them in case of absence or inability to serve. Congress meets at the capital, Bogota, every year on July 20, for a period of ninety days. It may prolong its sessions for thirty days, or be called in extra session by the President. The President is elected by direct vote of the people for a term of four years. There is no vice-president, but two designados, first and second, elected annually by the Congress, succeed the President, respectively, in case of his absence, death, or inability to serve. The President is assisted by a cabinet of eight members who are the heads of their respective departments. President, Dr. Jose Vicente Concha (inaugurated August 7, 1914). First Designado. Second Designado. Minister of the Interior. Minister of Foreign Affairs. Minister of Finance. Minister of War. Minister of Public Instruction. Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. Minister of Public Works. Minister of the Treasury. The Department of the Interior (Ministerio de Gobierno) is intrusted with the administration of the various departments and national terri- tories, the post and telegraph offices, hospitals and charitable institu- tutions, sanitation and the maintenance of public health; also of the courts and penal institutions since Colombia has no department of jus- tice. This department is also charged with the supervision of the press of the country. The rural and national police also come under the jurisdiction of this department. The Department of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exte- riores) has charge of the diplomatic and consular corps and the mainte- nance of foreign relations through them, as well as the settlement of international boundary disputes. The Department of Finance (Ministerio de Hacienda) prepares the annual budget, collects and disburses all public funds, and has charge of the service of the public debt, the customhouses and internal-revenue offices and the control of the valuable salt deposits. The War Department (Ministerio de Guerra) has charge of all matters pertaining to the army and navy, and attends to the instruction and THE POST OFFICE BUILDING AT BOGOTA. COLOMBIA The postal department has about 700 post offices distributed throughout the country, and these handle approximately 7,000,000 pieces of mail matter per year. COLOMBIA. 9 training of citizens of the reserve forces. The military and naval col- leges are also under its control. The Department of Public Instruction (Ministerio de Instruccion Publica) exercises supervision and control over the public schools, high schools, colleges, and institutes for special instruction, among the latter being the National School of Commerce, the National School of Fine Arts, and the National Academy of Music. It also has charge of the National Library, the National Museum, and the Astronomical Observa- tory, and through the various sanitary commissions and health boards frequently intervenes in matters concerning the public health. The Department of Agriculture and Commerce (Ministerio de Agri- cultura y Comercio) is charged with the work of promoting agriculture and commerce in the broadest sense. Among its duties are the en- couragement of education in all branches of agriculture, veterinary, horticulture, and the establishment of practical and experimental schools; the administration and development of national forests and mines. Under commerce comes the study and control of savings banks, chambers of commerce, patents and trademarks, weights and measures, investigations and studies on economic and commercial needs, costs of transportation and insurance, production and consumption statistics, imports and exports, crop zones and areas, and rents and property movements. The Department of Public Works (Ministerio de Obras Publicas) is intrusted with the encouragement and regulation of manufacturing industries, mines, agriculture, forests, public lands, the regulation of navigation, the administration of railways, the maintenance of roads and bridges, of public buildings, and other public works. The Department of the Treasury (Ministerio del Tesoro) is charged with all matters pertaining to the budget. It also has charge of the mint, the printing of bank notes, and the emission of bonds. The judiciary power is vested in a Supreme Court of Justice consist- ing of nine magistrates, a superior Tribunal for each Department, and a number of minor judges. The Supreme Court is elected by Congress from names submitted to it by the President for a term of five years. The justices of the Superior Tribunals are elected by the Supreme Court for a period of four years and are chosen from names submitted to it by the respective Departmental Assemblies. There are also a number of minor judges. The permanent army consists of about 6,000 men. The President, however, is authorized to increase this number to 20,000 in case of pub- lic necessity. Military service is compulsory, 1 and the total war strength of the armed forces is estimated at 120,000. The navy com- x The service is compulsory in the sense that the standing army is drafted, one-third every year, so that the entire army is renewed every three years. COLOMBIAN MONUMENTS COLOMBIA. I I prises five cruisers, three gunboats, one troop ship, and other auxiliary vessels. There are about 700 post offices in the Republic, handling approxi- mately 7,000,000 pieces of mail matter per annum. There are over 500 telegraph offices, with 20,000 kilometers (12,000 miles) of Government lines in operation. The Government has the control of these systems. Contracts have been concluded for establishing wireless stations at Bogota, Buenaventura, Medellin, Santa Marta, the island of San Andres, and Cartagena for communication with the West Indies, Panama, and Venezuela. Plans are also under way for wireless stations at Arauca, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cucuta, Manizales, Orocue, Riohacha, Tamala- meque or El Banco, and Tumaco. Under Decree No. 340 of 1910, and subsequent decrees, the Republic has been divided into fourteen Departments, three Territories or “ Inten- dencies,” and seven “ Comisarias” or special districts. Executive authority in each Department is vested in a governor appointed by the President, while the Intendencies and Comisarias are governed by special commissioners. The provincial and district executive authorities are likewise appointed by the President, but municipal councils are elected by direct vote of the people. Colombia maintains as diplomatic representative to the United States a Minister at Washington. It has a Consul General in New York; Consuls in Mobile, San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore, Boston, Newark, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Norfolk (Va.), and in Ponce and San Juan, Porto Rico; Vice-Consuls in Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans, and Norfolk, and a Consular Agent in Gulf- port (Miss.). The United States maintains a Minister at Bogota, and has Consuls in Barranquilla and Cartagena, Vice Consuls in Barranquilla and Cartagena, and Consular Agents in Cali, Medellin, and Santa Marta. The monetary unit in Colombia is the gold peso, equivalent to approx- imately $0,973. It weighs 1.5976 grams and is 0.9167 fine. The multi- ple of the gold dollar is the pound ($5.00). The subsidiary coins are silver and nickel. The former are 0.900 fine, and in denominations of 50, 20, and 10 centavos; the latter are 1, 2, and 5 centavos. The ordi- nary medium of exchange is the paper peso, convertible at and repre- senting the above gold peso. The capital of the Republic is the city of Bogota, with a population not much short of 150,000, in the interior of the country, on the tem- perate plateau, at an elevation of 8,564 feet (2,610 meters). It lies in a healthful and productive region, with higher mountain ranges sur- rounding it. As the valleys in the neighborhood are well inhabited by an industrious people, an abundant and remarkably varied food supply HISTORIC POINTS IN SANTA MARTA. COLOMBIA. Santa Marta was the first city founded on Colombian soil by the white man. It owes its inception to the Spanish explorer, Rodrigo de Bastidas. who set up the flag of his country in the blue bay beneath the mountains of Tairona in the year 1525. Upper picture: Statue of Bolivar at San Pedro Alejandrino, just outside of the city of Santa Marta. Center picture: The home of San Pedro Alejandrino where Bolivar passed away. Lower picture- Government palace at Santa Marta. COLOMBIA. 13 is one of the attractive features of the city. The difficulty of approach from the sea, as will be explained under railways, is the only reason why Bogota is not regularly visited by foreigners as it deserves. Among the notable public buildings are the presidential palace, the national capitol, the cathedral, several banks, and the schools of medicine, law, and engi- neering. The city of next importance in the Republic is Medellin, now accessible, except for a short ride over a good road, by railway from Puerto Berrio, one of the Magdalena River ports. Medellin is quite modern, although with a history back to the early days of the country, and its commercial activity, and the general energy and ambition of the people, make it a most attractive city. Its population is approaching 75,000. Cali, with almost 30,000 inhabitants, is the interior city for the Pacific port of Buenaventura, and is considered one of the most advanced cities in the Republic. The chief ports on the salt water are Buenaventura, already mentioned, destined to become, with the devel- opment of Canal operations, important for all the western region of Colombia; Cartagena on the Caribbean Sea, the classical port of the vSpanish Main; Barranquilla, head of the steamer service for the Magda- lena River traffic, and Santa Marta, now revived into great importance byjffie increasing banana interests of this coast. PRODUCTS AND INDUSTRIES The coast and hot regions of the Republic produce corn, sugar cane, sea-island cotton, rubber, cacao, bananas, fibers, tropical fruits and vege- tables, while the mountains and uplands yield coffee, apples, peaches, berries, potatoes, wheat, barley, and in fact all of the products of the Temperate Zone. The entire country is suitable for stock raising, the pastures in many sections remaining green the year round. On the Magdalena, an adequate labor supply is obtainable for large plantations of bananas as well as of cacao and rubber. The valleys of the Atrato and Leon have long been recognized as having proper charac- teristics for the cultivation of these products. With a sufficient popu- lation the Santa Marta district could within a few years increase its importance tenfold. On the Sinu River there is also much good banana land, as well as an area suited to the cultivation of oranges, pineapples, alligator pears, and many other tropical products. This is the great cattle belt. It is also the source of the cedar and mahogany exported from Colombia. The coffee crop of the Republic yields annually about 1 ,000,000 bags (bag contains 60 kilos or 132 pounds) produced by 125,000,000 coffee plants. Next to Brazil, it exports more coffee than any other country and the industry in Colombia represents an investment of $37,500,000, making it probably the most important in the country. During 1915 COLOMBIA. J 5 the coffee exports were valued at more than half of the total exports. The United States consumes the bulk of Colombian coffee and took 1 1 1,077,449 out of the 149,1 1 1,674 pounds exported that year. The prin- cipal coffee districts are the Department of Cundinamarca, which pro- duces the renowned Bogota brand; the Ocana, Cucuta, and Bucara- manga districts in the Department of Santander, and in the Tolima and smaller valleys of the Cordilleras. The gathering of ivory nuts, the fruit of the tagua palm, from which the higher grades of buttons are manufactured, is one of the growing industries of the country. The exports of this product during 1915 were valued at $343,264. In some departments, notably Antioquia, the mineral industry is well established, while the Marmato and Sucio River gold deposits are said to be equal to those of the Transvaal. It is said that the entire Pacific coast of Colombia has been formed by gold-bearing alluvial, so that with more effective development a great mining center will be established. The great gold-bearing region is found in the Department of Antioquia and in the mountain ranges that separate the Cauca and Magdalena Rivers. In this large area of many thousands of square miles, wherever there is gravel there is gold, and back in the mountains, where the rock has been laid bare, veins are found everywhere. These veins contain treasures of gold that can be extracted by the systematic use of modern machinery and methods. Many hundreds of miles of this rich territory have never been explored except by the Indian hunter. Recent gold discoveries near Neiva, on the upper Magdalena River, have opened up a new section of the gold belt. It is known that the Department of Narino, bordering on the Ecuador line, is rich in the precious metal. Gold nuggets are found in the gravel beds of all the rivers of this section flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Discoveries have also been made of rich gold-bearing quartz on the headwaters of the Andagueda and Chirvigo Rivers, distant about 125 miles from Quibdo. Copper ores are very abundant in Colombia, but owing to the richness of the country in gold and silver little attention has been paid to the common metals. When the value of the copper deposits becomes better known and appreciated, Colombia will without doubt rank as one of the greatest copper-producing countries of the world. Copper ores are found in the Ocana and Velez districts, in the Department of Santander, in the districts of Moniguica and Santa Rosa, in the Department of Boyaca, and in the Department of Antioquia. Russia is the only country whose platinum output exceeds that of Colombia. This metal, which is always found mixed with gold, comes from the gravels of the Choco district, its main source being the Platina and Condota Rivers, which are tributary to the San Juan River. It is also obtained from some of the streams that flow into the Atrato River. CATTLE IN THE CAUCA VALLEY, COLOMBIA. The Cauca Valley, by reason of its topography and its combination of pasture and table lands, con- stitutes one of the richest natural resources of Colombia. Hills and mountains, valleys and plains, cultivated fields and uncultivated lands, forest and prairies, all combine to make the region beautiful and attractive. The soil is wonderfully adapted to cattle raising and agriculture. COLOMBIA. 17 Coal is found in the Cordillera, lignite on the coasts, and coking and steam coal in the interior. Valuable deposits have been discovered recently between the Atrato and Leon Rivers; in short, the Colombian coal fields are well located to take advantage of the market facilities which are becoming available with the operation of the Panama Canal. The petroleum deposits are said to resemble those of the Beaumont, Texas, oil fields. The quality of the product is excellent and it w r as awarded the first prize in the Centennial Exposition held at Bogota in July, 19 10. Refineries have been established for the elaboration of gaso- line, benzine, paraffin, and other by-products from the crude petroleum. Iron ores are abundant in the Republic, and shipments of high-grade asphalt are made from Santander. The principal manufacturing industries are those for the making of textile goods, glass, earthenware, matches, hats, iron foundries, and flour and sugar mills. All or very nearly all the emeralds mined today come from Colombia. And, in spite of the supposed higher value of diamonds, the emerald is the most precious of gems. Carat for carat, a flawless emerald would bring perhaps three times the price of a flawless diamond in the jewelry market. India, the storehouse of precious stones, is credited with pro- ducing the first emeralds, but the oriental emerald is not identical with the modern gem, as it is a variety of the ruby, of a green color and extremely rare. “Smaragdus,” the Greek word from which emerald is traced, really meant any green stone, and this led to some confusion in identifying the true character of the jewels referred to under this name in ancient writings. Now the name is only applied to that gem of the beryl family of a bright green color (due to traces of a quantity of oxide of chromium), a translucent hexagonal crystal with glass-like luster and uneven frac- ture, composed of silica, alumina, glucina, magnesia, and soda. It is brittle and comparatively soft when fresh from the mines, but hardens on exposure to air. Today emeralds are found in Austria, in Siberia, in India and especially in Colombia. Tradition has it that an Aztec gem appropriated by Cortez was val- ued at 40,000 ducats. Another wonderful stone, the size of an ostrich egg, was found in the Manka Valley, Peru, where the Indians worshipped it as the Goddess of Emeralds. The Spanish conquerors opened up the mines of Colombia in 1540. The richest mineral areas were those of Muzo and Coscuez, about 75 miles (121 kilometers) north of Bogota, and the Somondoco or Chivor group, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northeast of Bogota, at an elevation of about 6,500 feet (say 2,000 meters) above sea level. A curious fact in the history of these latter mines is that they were closed and lost to the world in an enveloping forest of jungle for over a hundred years and only rediscovered some 12 or 15 years ago. EMERALD MINING IN COLOMBIA. Upper (Left) Characteristic shapes of the emerald crystals found in the Muzo mines. (Right) Cross section of a remarkable emerald crystal recently found at Muzo, showing carbonaceous impurities disposed along crystallographic lines so as to form a six-rayed star pattern. Center: The emerald in matrix. Lower (Photo by J. E. Pogue) Panoramic view of buildings and open cuts at Muzo mines. The yield from this mine, both in quantity and quality of good stones, has exceeded the total of any other emerald deposit in the world. COLOMBIA. 19 The Government of Colombia controls the exploitation of emeralds, leasing the mining districts to the working companies. The Muzo group, from which the finest emeralds come, has an estimated yearly output of 262,548 carats of the first class, 467,690 second class, 22,700 third class, and 16,000 fourth class. The Coscuez group, named for an Indian princess, which produced the variety of emerald called eanu- tillo, one of the most valuable stones, is now in the category of “lost mines," the exact location being unknown. The Somondoco or Chivor group, not now being worked, is supposed to possess a matrix that would yield a half million dollars’ worth of emeralds a year. The Cuincha group, across the Minero River from the Muzo mines, forms a new field of much promise. The emerald-mining country of Colombia is extremely inaccessible, and the difficulties of transport force a recourse to the simplest methods in order to extract the stones. The Muzo mine is in what seems to be the bowl of an extinct volcano, and the method in use there is typical. Twenty or thirty laborers with picks and crowbars break out the face of the crater along a determined line, leaving a trail of green quartz that contains the crystals; the quartz is then cut and separated with the greatest care, for the gems are extremely fragile when in the matrix, and the debris dropped into a sluiceway, where it is washed by a stream of water coming with force from the higher planes of the mine ; the water is then drained off and the sediment searched for the green gems. It was by just this method that the most valuable single emerald in the world was found. COMMERCE FOR 1915 The total foreign trade of Colombia for the year 1915 amounted to $49,419,481, of which $17,840,350 represented imports, and $31,579,131 exports. The figures for the year 1914 were: Imports, $20,979,229; exports, $32,632,884; total, $53,612,113. There was, therefore, a decrease for the year 1915 as compared with the preceding year of $3,138,879 in imports, and of $1,053,753 in exports, or a total decrease in foreign trade of $4,192,632. The balance of trade in favor of the Republic for the year 1915 was $113,738,781. In 1914 it was $1 1,653,655. Ten-Year Table of Foreign Trade Y ear. Imports. Exports. Total. 1906 $10,608,394 $14,613 ,918 $25 ,222 ,312 19^7 12 ,088,563 14 ,480 ,711 26,569,274 1908 13 .513 ,889 14,998,734 28 ,512,623 1909 11 ,117,927 1 6 , 040 ,193 27,158,120 1910 17.383,039 17 ,625 ,152 35,008,191 1911 18 , 108 ,863 22 .375 ,899 40 ,484 ,762 1912 23 ,964,623 32,221 ,746 56,186,369 I 9 I 3 28,535,780 34,315 ,252 62 ,851 ,032 1914 20,979 . 22 9 32 ,632,884 53 ,612 , 1 13 1915 17 ,840,350 31 . 579 >i 3 i 49 . 419 .481 WASHING DEBRIS FOR EMERALDS IN COLOMBIA. Formerly the search for emeralds was carried on though galleries or wells, but this method has been abandoned in favor of working by free excavation. The deposits are worked from their highest point downward. The men stand upon narrow terraces in the great open cuts from which they pry the rocks loose by means of long crowbars. After removing the loose earth covering the stones, thcidebris is washed in the abundant supply of water found within easy reach of the mines. COLOMBIA. 21 IMPORTS The imports by countries of origin for the last five years were : Countries. 191 1 1912 1913 1914 U915 United States $5 ,404,976 $7 ,612 ,037 $7 ,629 ,500 $6 ,486 , 749 2 $8 ,980, 177 United Kingdom 5 ,838,789 7,838,879 5,837 ,400 6,346.386 5 , 800 , 000 France 1 ,718, 748 2 ,01 1 ,886 4 , 408 , 600 1 ,249 .374 850,000 Germany Italy 3,242,635 4 , 201 , 1 25 596,881 476 ,969 570,919 60 , 724 595 .203 4,012 ,100 726 , 100 2 ,570,424 625 ,492 570,257 407,525 82,181 400 , 000 397.733 499 ,000 Other Countries 1 .505 .982 5 .423 ,080 2 ,640 , 841 1 ,810,173 Total $18,108 ,863 $23,964,623 $28,535 .780 $20,979 ,229 $17,840,350 'Estimated. 2 United States exports to Colombia. The imports by major groups of articles for the last five years were as follows: Articles. 191 1 1912 1913 1914 1915 $8,025 ,856 $10,547 , 134 $1 1 ,455 .233 $6,785 ,236 $6,511 ,472 Metals and manufac- tures Foodstuffs and condi- 2 ,004 ,082 2,916,925 3,163,697 2 ,670,472 1 , 435,405 ments 2,191 , 009 3 , 054,953 2,817 .420 1 ,974,469 2,296,935 Locomotion : Railway cars, carriages, wagons. 726 ,048 1 ,031 ,711 1,164,104 1 ,027 ,950 660,045 h Soft drinks, wines and liquors 628 ,596 835 .772 1 ,051 ,412 747 ,657 309.544 Drugs and medicines Materials for the arts 762 , 209 838,349 947 , * 89 770,700 818 ,942 and trades Firearms, accessories 702 ,856 620,251 904,317 461 ,179 246,510 and ammunition Paper, school and office 48 ,992 57,439 605 ,527 265 ,987 66,154 supplies 453.702 477,522 555 .609 566,417 508,243 Lighting and fuel Crystal, glass, porcelain 371 .447 564,063 523 ,502 554.897 607 ,056 and earthenware Agricultural and mining 457 .381 503,579 520,229 495 ,no 249,047 implements and ma- 323 .074 381 ,588 503,875 897 , 190 891 ,302 Hides and skins and manufactures 310,441 459,607 486 ,326 380,776 354,214 Wood and manufactures 226 ,373 317,402 359 .392 249 ,480 174,496 Electrical material 100 ,090 175,639 320,261 222 ,566 159,343 Animals 7 . 179 26,017 289 ,478 1 84 ,084 8,822 Oils and greases 106,819 I 7 G 734 159,067 200,092 185 ,671 Perfumery and soap . 97 ,389 152,170 153,563 1 15 .329 90,128 Varnish, colors and ink 104,345 125 ,862 151 .774 122 , 170 243,313 82 ,994 154. 921 148,433 41 ,803 Rubber, celluloid, etc. 84.505 102 ,358 148,436 Musical instruments 55 .768 69,623 89 , 664 70 , 850 72 ,995 Tortoise shell, horn, etc Explosives and combus- 53.501 75 ,600 78,237 39,167 14 ,826 tibles 38,420 94,116 68,843 81 ,456 7 ,964 89 , 206 7 .637 307 ,551 148,751 Miscellaneous 228 ,781 365,209 470,425 1 ,548,400 149 ,076 1 ,612,351 1 ,280,898 Total $18 , 108 ,863 $23,964,623 $28 ,535 ,780 $20,979,229 $17 ,840,350 SCENE NEAR BARRANQUILLA. COLOMBIA. Barranquilla is the chief port of entry of Colombia and is a progressive city of over 50.000 inhabitants ON THE MAGDALENA RIVER. COLOMBIA. Three types of craft used on the Magdalena — steamer, champan. and canoe. The first stage of the journey from Barranquilla to Bogota, the capital, is made by fiat-bottom stern- wheel steamers and requires from 8 days to 2 weeks. COLOMBIA. 23 EXPORTS The exports by countries of destination for the last five years were: Countries. 191 I 1912 1913 1914 1915 United States United Kingdom Venezuela Spain France $12,248 ,995 4.596,138 $15,832 ,882 4,376 ,182 $l8 ,86l ,800 5 ,566,000 $18,272,332 5 ,874,512 $21 ,945 ,602 3 ,692 ,207 1 , 590,779 419,885 253 .986 236 ,269 I 26 , 5 IO 97,585 59.550 I 19 ,654 769 , 189 302 ,918 625 , 199 797 ,900 5 i ,996 457,993 2 1 ,078 1 1 7 , 640 173 ,726 76,594 1 ,779,393 2 ,3>3 .076 3 ,494 ,544 593 , 700 3,216 ,200 5 ,279,652 Germany Other Countries Addition for market val ues over customs house values, coffee and I , 910,354 2 , 731 ,569 1,854,211 9 , 230,354 258 ,349 2 ,898 ,409 Total. $22 ,375.899 $32 ,221 ,746 f34.315.252 $32 ,632 ,884 S3 1 ,579,131 Nearly the whole value of exports to Venezuela, as shown above, consisted of coffee in transit shipped through the Venezuelan port of Maracaibo. The exports by major groups of articles were as follows: Articles. 191 1 1912 1913 1914 1915 Vegetable products. . . Mineral products Animal products . ... Manufactured products Live animals Miscellaneous products Currency Gold and silver coin by $14.375 , 3 °i 4.507 .762 1 ,960 ,410 1 , 347 ,394 92 ,852 7 .445 84,735 $20,792 ,418 7 ,769 ,388 2 ,258 ,701 1 ,210,678 150,606 3 * , 809 8,146 $23 ,975 ,300 5,514,600 3 ,362 ,700 1,017,100 85 , 800 48,152 300 , 100 1 1 . 500 $17,756,091 6,377,624 2 ,053 ,673 1 ,416, 804 17,617 32 ,953 1 ,482 ,779 800 $17,584,547 6,336,742 2 ,990 ,602 1 ,110, 709 1 2 1 , 000 12 ,768 524,353 Addition for market val- ues over customs house values, coffee and 3 , 494,543 2 ,898 ,410 $22 ,375 ,899 $32 ,221 ,746 $34.315 ,252 $32 ,632 ,884 $31 ,579.131 According to Vice-Consul Claude E. Guyant, Barranquilla, the declared value of the principal articles invoiced for shipment to the United States in 1914, 1915 and 1916 were as follows: Articles. 1914 1915 1916 Balsam Bananas Cattle Cocoanuts Coffee Gold Hats (Panama) Hides, cattle .... Ipecac Tagua (ivory nuts) Minerals and mineral earth Platinum Rubber $32,578 877,731 1 ,600 19 . 54 i 1 2 , 243 ,012 785 ,207 1 ,080 ,508 1 ,197 ,535 43 , 660 * 19 -459 78,016 357 ,519 89 , 104 $27,944 863 , 483 4 > ,255 1 ,276 1 2 ,632 ,829 921 ,350 566,683 2 .079,343 248,524 95 ,645 38,601 504,302 102 ,339 7 ,424 43.252 * 34,037 129 ,046 24.338 95 .672 66,911 0 ) $1 ,667,213 to (>) 16,616,686 2 ,066 ,941 682 , 269 3 ,575 .051 167,219 259.550 0 ) 1 ,456,648 271,326 (*) 57,306 249,239 229 .336 154.336 44,686 261 ,275 Skins, goat and deer Sugar Tanning extract and mangrove Tobacco Woods (cedar and mahogany) . . . . All other articles 83.057 113.178 54.576 777 86 , 706 50,933 $17 ,314,697 $18,624,254 $27 ,759 ,081 0 ) In 1915 included in all other articles. ill OVERLOOKING THE OLD TOWN OF SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA. Santa Marta, founded in 1525, was the first settlement of the Spaniards on the northern coast of what is now Colombia. In 1533 an expedition from this set ment founded the nearby city of Cartagena, and three years later sent forth the expedition which discovered Bogota, then known as Mequeta Simon Boli died in 1S30 on the San Pedro estate, about 3 miles from the city. At the present time Santa Marta is a flourishing center for the export of bananas and ot fruits, being the terminal of a railroad and a shipping port for the steamers of the United Fruit Co COLOMBIA. 2 5 RAILWAYS AND INTERIOR WATERWAYS The peculiar geographical features of the Republic have rendered the construction of extended railroad lines a very expensive and difficult undertaking. The chain of the Andes divides the southwestern part of the country into three distinct ranges, the middle one of which ceases some 150 miles (242 kilometers) from the northern coast, thus permitting the Cauca River, which rises between the central and western range, to unite with the Magdalena some distance above its entrance into the Caribbean Sea. To reach Bogota from the west coast, which would be by far the shortest route from the ocean, a railroad would have to trav- erse not only the western and central ranges, but mount to the plateaus of the third range, on which the capital is situated. The Magdalena River, which is at present the only available outlet from Bogota to the Atlantic coast, is impassable at several points on account of rapids and has a bar at its mouth which impedes navigation. Barranquilla, at which point the river journey to the capital begins, is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) by rail from the seaport of Savanilla. The traveler can also make the trip by rail from Cartagena to Calamar, 65 miles (105 kilometers), taking the steamer at the latter point. A journey by water is then made to La Dorada, where a change is made to the railroad, and a second river trip commenced at Puerto Beltran, and the final stage of the journey made by rail from Girardot to Bogota, the total time consumed being about seven days. There is as yet no continuous railroad system within the Republic, but there are many short lines at present engaged chiefly in local traffic, which, when their plans are fully carried out, will connect the coast on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides with the centers of production. Those lines which tap the valleys of the Atrato and Cauca Rivers will probably at some future date form a part of the proposed Pan American railway system. There are two short lines in the northeastern part of the Republic, but the interests of most of the lines now in operation are bound up with those of the capital, the whole eastern and southern territory from Bogota to the Venezuela and Ecuador boundaries having no rail con- nection with the more settled sections of the country. A VIEW OF CARTAGENA. COLOMBIA. Cartagena, called the "Heroic City,” is situated on the Caribbean coast, and was founded in 1533. It was the first city of Colombia to declare independence of Spain in 1811, and has been several times besieged, the most memorable siege being that of 1815. COLOMBIA. 27 The length of railways in operation in the Republic is 1,113 kilometers (about 690 miles). The following table shows the lines in actual oper- ation and the mileage of each: Kilometers. Miles. Amaga Railway 36 22.3 Antioquia or Puerto Berrio Railway 169 105.0 Bolivar Railway 28 17-3 Cartagena Railway 105 65 . 2 Cucuta Railway 55 34 1 Dorado Railway 33 20.5 Girardot Railway 132 82.0 Pacific (Cauca) Railway 174 108. 1 Puerto Wilches (Great Northern Central) Railway 20 12.4 Honda- Ambalema 82 50.9 Colombian Northern Railway 62 38.5 Sabana Railway 40 24 . 8 Santa Marta Railway 98 60.8 Tachira Railway 16 9 9 Tolima Railway 30 18.6 Total I.IX 3 690 . 8 The lines from Barranquilla and Cartagena, as already stated, run from the north coast and connect with the steamer routes on the Magda- lena River. The Santa Marta road also starts on the north coast and runs to the town of Fundacion, on the river of the same name. It is the outlet for a large banana district, and the railroad company has contracted for extensions into new territory which are expected to materially increase the output of that fruit. The bay of Santa Marta offers a safe anchorage all the year round; there is a wharf with accom- modations for large steamers and a depth of water of 30 feet. The Great Northern Central line starts from Puerto Wilches, on the Magdalena, and is under construction toward Bucaramanga, with the ultimate expectation of being built to the capital. The Dorada Railway was constructed in order to afford a means of easy transportation around the rapids of the Magadalena, which here make navigation impossible. The line extends from La Dorada through Honda to Ambalema, but passengers leave the train to take the steamer route to Puerto Beltran. The Girardot Railway starts at the Magdalena and joins the Sabana line at Faeatativa, the latter line running direct to Bogota and thus completing the line of communication between the Caribbean Sea and the capital of the Republic. These two roads are, of course, of the utmost importance to Colombia, for previous to their completion it was necessary to take a long trip by muleback over the mountains to the river. The Tolima Railway is a short line running from the Mag- dalena at Girardot to the town of Chicoral, and it is planned to extend it to Ibague, the capital of the Department of Tolima. Two other lines, the Colombian Northern and the Southern Railway, run from Bogota through the extensive Savanas, the former to the north and the latter terminating in the town of Sibate, toward the south- west. The Colombian Northern is now in operation to Nemocon and is :r‘ ' Courtesy of The American Museum Journal. THE RUGGED GRANDEUR OE COLOMRIA— PARAMO VALLEY, SANTA ISAREI-. The Paramo cf Santa Isabel lies about two days' journey from Salento, the largest town on the Quindio trail, whieh crosses the central Andes, and on clear days especially toward dusk, can be seen at several points rising above the forest-capped ridges to an altitude of between 16,000 and 17.000 feet COLOMBIA. 29 expected to continue on to Chiquinquira, 66 miles (106 kilometers) farther, where it will meet the Puerto Wilches line to be extended from Bucaramanga. If the plans for this route are carried out, these two roads will form a great trunk line from Bogota to the Magdalena, which will not only shorten the distance and the time consumed in the journey to the coast, but will open up a vast extent of territory now but little developed. The Cucuta Railway is a short line connecting the city of that name with the port of Villamizar, the head of navigation on the Zulia River, with an extension to Tachira on the Venezuelan frontier. The Pacific Railway, from Buenaventura on the west coast, runs to the prosperous city of Cali and thence through the Cauca Val- ley. Cali was connected with the Cauca River in July, 1910, by a short steam tramway. The Pacific line is expected to follow 7 the Valley of the Cauca for a considerable distance, and will furnish an outlet to the sea for the increasing commerce of that district. With the comple- tion of this line and the railroad connecting the Cauca with the cities of Amaga and Medellin, also that between Medellin and Puerto Berrio on the Magdalena, the products of a large part of the Republic wall be much more easily and quickly transported to foreign markets than at present, so that the commerce of the country should receive an impetus it has never before knowm. Colombia has a fine system of waterways, the most important of which is the Magdalena, navigable by vessels of considerable draft for a distance of over 600 miles (966 kilometers) and by smaller craft 300 miles (483 kilometers) farther. The Atrato is navigable for 200 miles (322 kilometers) inland and the Sinu for 110 miles (177 kilometers). The Cauca, the Zulia, the Cesar, the Neehi, the Lebrija, the Sogamosc and some of the smaller tributaries are also navigable for various distances. Steamer service to Colombia is maintained on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides. To Buenaventura on the Pacific, local steamers of all lines running south from Panama make regular passage, the distance being 355 miles (571 kilometers); express steamers, however, do not stop at Colombian ports. Cartagena and Barranquilla (in reality this is Savanilla, for Barranquilla is rather the city on the River) are regular ports of call for steamers between Colon and European ports, on such lines as the Royal Mail, the Hamburg- American (Atlas service), the Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, the Veloee and the Compahia Transatlantica. Santa Marta, farther to the east, is now 7 in direct con- nection with New York by the steamers of the PInited Fruit Company. Some of the interior highways, especially from Bogota and Medellin, are so well built that automobile service is conducted on them, but much FACULTY OF LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCE, BOGOTA, CENTRAL SCHOOL OF ARTS AND CRAFTS, BOGOTA, COLOMBIA. COLOMBIA. COLOMBIA. 31 of the travel from place to place must be restricted to cart road of a rather primitive character, or even to mule paths, too narrow to admit a wheeled vehicle. The pleasures of these journeys fully compensate, however, for the lack of some of the luxuries available to the traveler in more thickly populated countries. Colombia is a land of contrasts, from the tropic coast to the temperate plateau and even to the snow-clad mountains of the Cordillera. It has not yet become a tourist country, although every attraction of natural beauty can be found there. Near Bogota are the Falls of Tequendama, higher than Niagara but not so voluminous; a miracle spring is worth visiting, and manv interesting remains of the aboriginal inhabitants can be found in the neighborhood and studied. As railway facilities increase, Colombia is sure to become better known to the transient visitor. EDUCATION Education in Colombia is under the control of the Minister of Public Instruction. There are five subdivisions, designated as follows: Pri- mary, secondary, professional, artistic and industrial. According to the latest figures available, there were reported to be 5,225 schools with an attendance of about 335,480 pupils. In 1915 there were 4,200 primary schools with 298,541 pupils in attendance. Many of the schools for secondary education are entrusted to religious bodies. There is a university at Bogota, founded in 1572, with faculties in letters, philos- ophy, law and political sciences, medicine and natural sciences, and in mathematics and engineering. A university at Medellin was founded in 1822, and there is also the University of Magdalena at Cartagena. Great effort has been made to establish schools of arts and crafts for the working classes, and gratifying success has been the result. The art schools in the larger cities are always well attended. Normal schools to the number of twenty-one have been founded in thirteen departments, and Medellin and Pasto have each a mining school. T HE PAN AMERICAN UNION is the inter- national organization and office maintained in Washington, D. C., by the twenty-one American republics, as follows: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Domini- can Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Salva- dor, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. It is devoted to the development and advancement of commerce, friendly intercourse, and good under- standing among these countries. It is supported by quotas contributed by each country, based upon the population. Its affairs are administered by a Direc- tor General and Assistant Director, elected by and responsible to a Governing Board, which is com- posed of the Secretary of State of the United States and the diplomatic representatives in Washington of the other American governments. These two executive officers are assisted by a staff of inter- national experts, statisticians, commercial special- ists, editors, translators, compilers, librarians, clerks and stenographers. The Union publishes a Monthly Bulletin in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French, which is a careful record of Pan American progress. It also publishes numerous special reports and pam- phlets on various subjects of practical information. Its library, the Columbus Memorial Library, con- tains 36,000 volumes, 18,000 photographs, 132,000 index cards, and a large collection of maps. The Union is housed in a beautiful building erected through the munificence of Andrew Carnegie.