CHILE: PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The country of Chile has an extraordinary shape, very long and narrow.
Unlike the other Republics of the West Coast, Chile has no trans-Andine
region, as the watershed of the Andes constitutes the eastern boundary
line. Thus confined between the sea and the mountain tops, while the
coast line of the country is nearly 2700 miles, as far as from Labrador
to Guiana, the width is scanty, mostly varying from 100 to 225 miles,
though at one point in the south the western boundary of Argentina is
but 26 miles from the Pacific Ocean.
Although so narrow for most of the distance, Chile has three sections
longitudinally: a very narrow coastal strip, a plateau, or a central
valley, and the mountain region. Its remarkable length from 18° S.
Lat., several degrees in the torrid zone, to 56°, well towards the
Antarctic Circle, gives it a wide range in climate arising from the
latitude, as well as the variation from the altitude which it shares
with the countries previously mentioned. From north to south also, the
Republic has three zones: the hot arid land at the north, 18°-32°,
followed by the temperate agricultural section in the centre to 42°,
and the cool, rainy, forested lands at the south; sometimes four
sections are spoken of, in which case the first is regarded as two,
dividing at 27° into the nitrate section north and a mineral, south. Of
these two the former has a plateau section between the Andes and the
sea, the latter some transverse ridges. The country has 25 per cent
in woods and forests, 7¹⁄₂ per cent in pastures, 5 irrigable land and
12¹⁄₂ per cent arable.
As already noted, the Pacific Coast south of Ecuador is a practically
rainless desert for a distance of 1600 miles along the shore of Peru
and Chile, about as far as Coquimbo. Here begins the agricultural
centre of Chile, including the rich longitudinal valley (with soil 330
feet deep), in which the capital, Santiago, is situated; the valley
extends from the Aconcagua River to the Gulf of Ancud, 620 miles. Many
populous towns and ports are in this section, among them Valparaiso.
The forest country farther south is but sparsely settled.
=Mountains.= The Cordillera of the Andes, which extends throughout the
entire length of the country, and is continued at the north by the
Cordillera of Peru, is recognized from its geological formation as
belonging to a recent epoch. It contains many volcanoes, mostly extinct
or inactive except in the south. Aconcagua, of volcanic origin, the
highest peak of the Andes and of all America so far as is yet known,
is a little north of the centre. Its summit is just over the border
in Argentina, as the watershed forming the boundary here runs west of
the line of greatest altitude. The height of Aconcagua is variously
stated, but 22,817 feet has perhaps the best authority. Other lofty
peaks are near, Mercedario and Tupungato, each over 22,000 feet. There
are 24 passes across the range at a height of 10,000 feet more or
less. Farther south the mountains diminish rapidly in height with few
summits above 10,000 feet. The range ends in Tierra del Fuego with Mt.
Sarmiento, 7000 feet.
A cordillera of the coast, geologically older, is much lower,
disappearing altogether at the north. In general quite steep towards
the sea, it slopes gradually towards the central valley or plateau.
This range continues at the south in islands, which in great numbers
fringe the coast. Here the shore is much indented with straits and
bays, resembling the fjords of Norway. Nearly all of the narrowing
point of the continent, the entire Strait of Magellan, and most of
Tierra del Fuego belong to Chile.
RIVERS
The rivers of the country are numerous except in the north, where
but two reach the ocean. Farther south to 35° they are torrential
in character, but important both for irrigation and as a potential
source of hydro-electric power; their descent from so great a height
indicating large future possibilities. Beyond 35° a number of streams
are navigable for some distance for boats of light draught, 500 miles
in all, the Bio-Bio for 100 miles, the Maule for 75. South of these
rivers are many picturesque and important lakes close to the Cordillera
where they serve as great reservoirs for the excessive precipitation
of rain and snow on the west side of the mountains. The largest are
Lakes Rauco and Llanquihue, with estimated areas respectively of 200
and 250 square miles. Lake Todos los Santos, 40 square miles, described
as of marvelous beauty, is northeast of Puerto Montt among the Andean
foothills, at a height of 500 feet.
The seaboard at the north, with few indentations, has in consequence
poor harbors, where landing in small boats may occasionally be
dangerous or impossible. In the far south are sheltered harbors, but
few cities requiring them.
CLIMATE
The climate of the country naturally is extremely varied. In the
northern section the immediate coast like that of Peru is preserved
from intense heat by the Antarctic current. A little way back on the
arid plateau the temperature is excessive by day but cool at night.
Going south from the arid section the rainfall gradually increases
until in the far south there is too much. The central regions have
a fair supply with an excellent climate, mean annual temperatures
of 50°-60°. Farther south with rain 150-170 days in the year, in
some places 80-100 inches, the climate is less agreeable. The winds
are generally west, either a little north or south. While the mean
temperatures are fairly low, the extremes are much less than at the
same latitudes in most parts of North America or on the East Coast
of Argentina. Even at the farthest south, at Punta Arenas, the most
southern city of the globe, the weather is never so cold as often
in the usual winters of New York or Boston. Until recently suitable
sanitation has been lacking in many cities and the death rate has been
high. Now the authorities are alive to these matters and with the
installation of proper sewerage, already accomplished in Santiago and
in progress in other cities, the death rate is lower. In no cities from
Guayaquil south need any tourist be apprehensive of danger.