Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala from Mexico

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1829. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL SKETCH OF GUATEMALA. Situation and Extent.--Rivers and Lakes.--Ports. --Political Considerations respecting Boundaries. -- Boundaries of States. -- Population. -- Statement of the Births and Deaths in Guatemala, in 1823.--Prices of Provisions in the City of Guatemala.--Relative Population of the Republics. --Number and Wealth of Towns.--Santiago, the Capital.-- Finance.-- Commerce.-- Considerations n the Nature and Value of Goods Imported into Guatemala and the other South American Republics.--Military Resources.--Communication within itself and with the Exterior. SITUATION AND EXTENT. The geographical position of Guatemala is highly advantageous. Placed in the middle of the two Americas, between the Colombian and Mexican republics, it is bathed by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and lies in the centre of the vast relations which now exist and may be hereafter opened between the old and new worlds. It is bounded on the west and north by Mexico, on the south-east by the province of Veraguas; on the south and south-west by the Pacific, and on the north by the Atlantic. Its figure is nearly triangular, and contains 16,740 square leagues, covering an area greater than that of either Peru or Chile. Its soil is of extraordinary variety as to quality, altitude, temperature and fruitfulness; and it yields, in consequence, all the productions of the frigid, temperate, and torrid zones. RIVERS AND LAKES. From its lofty mountains, which it is well known are a continuation of the grand Cordillera rising at Cape Horn and passing through Mexico into the centre of North America, flow down many rivers which empty themselves, some into the Atlantic and some into the Pacific ocean. Towards the north run the Polochic, the Golfo, the Motagua, the Ulua, t...