Spain did not recognize the independence of Venezuela until
1845.
Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, lies 3,025 feet above sea level
in a fertile valley entirely surrounded by mountains. It is a
beautful city containing many parks, all of which are abundantly
adorned with the statues of patriots, scientists, artists, and philan
thrppists. Fifteen years ago one of the finest statues of Washing
ton ever made was erected in Caracas, this being the first South
American city to thus honor him. Richard Harding Davis once
termed Caracas the " Paris of South America."
. The internal resources of Venezuela are incalculable, and her
geographical position, situated as she is in the centre of the
northern part of the South American continent, peculiarly adapts
her to close commercial relations with the United States. The
principal ports of the Republic are La Guyra, Puerto Cabello,'
Maracaibo, Carupano, and Barcelona. Through Venezuela flows
the second largest river in South America, the Orinoco, navigable
for many miles and communicating with the Amazonas, the first.
Ciudad Bolivar on the Orinoco is a great commercial centre.
The area of Venezuela exceeds that of Prance, Germany, and
the Netherlands combined, or that of the states of Texas,
Colorado, Idaho, and California. The healthfulness of the climate
may be judged by the large number of persons reaching or pass ,
ing the age of zoo years, as compared with the vital statistics
of other countries. The summer or dry season extends from
October to April, and the winter or rainy season, from April to
October,.
The agricultural belt of Venezuela embraces an area of almost
1,50,000 square miles. Both the land and labor are very cheap.
OtWrfifth of the entire population are engaged in the pursuit of
agriculture. The cultivation of coffee, cocoa, and sugar cane
constitute the principal agricultural industries. The best grades
of coffee and cocoa are exported to Germany. We grow as fine a
quality of sugar cane as. is produced in, any country in the world,
but we are sadly handicapped by. the lack of modern machinery
and improved methods of refining. Notwithstanding the fact
that the original Spanish conquerors introduced wheat into, the
P9lAntrY, its cultivation has never been extensive. The state of
lisA Andes is, the most, productive, but the amount produced is