Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 19.djvu/894

* UKUBITINGA. 766 hitinga anthracina), may be found in Arizona. These bawks nest in large trees, and lay white «ggs- tfRTJGTJAY, Sp. pron. oo'roo<rvi'. A river of South America. It rises on the west slope of the Brazilian Coast Range, and fiows first west- ward on the boundary between the States of Santa Catharina and Rio Grande do Sul, then southwest between the latter State and Argentina, and finally southward between Argentina and Uruguay, emptying into the Plata estuary (Map: America. South, D 5). Its total length is about 1000 miles. The greater part of its course lies on the plateau, and the upper por- tion, known as the Pelotas, passes through a densely forested wilderness. The banks are generally high as far as Salto, 200 miles from the mouth of the river^ and at that point navi- gation is obstructed by a series of rocky reefs and rapids, which become falls at low water. Below Salto the land on the western bank is low and level, and periodically inundated. The Uruguay here connects by lateral branches with the Parana. For the last 100 miles the river is very broad, and really forms the head of the Plata es- tuary, though the name Uruguay is continued to the Parana confluence. The river is navigable for large sea-going vessels to Paysandu, about 150 miles, and for smaller vessels to Salto. while barges navigate the stream 300 miles above the rapids. URUGUAY. The smallest of the South American republics, bounded on the north by Brazil, on the east by Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Atlantic Ocean and the Rio de la Plata, and on the west by the Uruguay River, the boundary line between Uru- guay and Argentina. Its area, including some small islands ofl' the coast and in the Plata, is 72,151 square miles. Topography and Minerals. The most elevated portions of Uruguay lie in the north and north- -west, flhere a few sharp ridges attain a height of nearly 2000 feet. Along the Urugiuay River are found table lands of moderate elevation, resem- bling the neighl)oring pampas of Argentina, though higher. The southeastern coast portion is low and marshy, with sandy stretclies bordering ■the ocean, while the interior is composed of rolling plains diversified in the north and north- west by low ridges of hills. Here extensive forest regions also occur, especially near the rivers; while the southeastern portion is largely covered with grass. The hills rest upon an old crystalline foundation of gneiss and granite, with some sand- stone. Tertiary and ancient eruptive rocks, and possibly Paleozoic strata. The maritime and river coast of Uruguay from Chuy to Santa Rosa is 685 miles long. After the Rio de la Plata and the Uruguay the Rio Negro, wholly within the re- public, is the most important river, and for a portion of its course is navigable for small craft. On the northeastern frontier Lake Mirim. though belonging entirely to Brazil. aflTords an outlet to the surrounding dist<'ict. But little advantage has been taken of the mineral wealth of the country, though it is certain that iron, zinc, lead, sulphur, antimony, and coal exist, and profitable gold Aashings. Marble and other building stone quarries are in operation, and some precious stones are sent abroad. URUGUAY. Climate, Flora, and Fauna. The almost pen- insular position of Uruguay gives it a delight- ful climate, with temperature ranging from 32° to 88 - F. Occasionally in the lowlands the temperature rises to 100° in February, while frosts are common in the upland regions, where occasional snows also occur at long intervals. Rains are plentiful throughout the year, but the greatest precipitation occurs in May and in Oc- tober. During the winter months cold storms, known as pamperos, blow from the southwest. In its flora and fauna Uriguay in the northern part resembles Southera Brazil, and in the south- ern part its neighbor Argentina. See Argen- Tix. and Brazil. Industries. During recent years there has been a steady advance in agricultural produc- tion. Public companies facilitate the purchase of land by settlers. Up to 1880 most of the breadstuflTs were imported, but since 1885 corn and wheat have become important articles of ex- port. About 1,400.000 acres are in cultivation, of which 750,000 are in wheat. The grazing in- dustries of Uruguay are. however, the chief re- liance of the inhabitants. In 1901, 6.320,601 head of cattle were reported. The sheep industry is like- wise of growing importance. In 190) the number of sheep was reported as 17.624,548. and the ex- ports of wool for 1900, 26,755 tons. The chief manufacture is flour. There are saladeros for the production of jerked and salted meats for foreign shipment, and the Liebig Company estab- lishment has a brand) at Independencia for the manufacture of beef extracts. In the season of 1900 these industries slaughtered 698.900 cattle. In 1901 there were 575.361 horses in the country. On an average about 70,000 grams of gold are extracted annuall}'. The gold mines are in the northern region. Transportation and Commerce. In 1901 the railway mileage of the Republic was 1210 miles, 602 of which bore a Government guarantee of Sti per cent, on the capital in- volved in its construction. The rivers are largely utilized for inland comnuinication, and in addi- tion there are some 2250 miles of national high- ways and 3100 miles of departmental roads and paths for local traffic. In 1901 the twenty-five Uruguayan steamers had a net tonnage of 10.037. For foreign toimage. see Montevideo, which is the chief port. and. owing to its recent improve- ments, one of the best on the coast. The value of the special foreign trade in merchandise is as follows: Imports $19,512,216 $25,0.52.788 $23.(191,932 Exports 29,319,673 36,574.I6i 27,731,126 • The leading imports include foodstuffs, tex- tiles, machinery, ironware, and jute; the ex- ports, preserved meats, hides and horns, tallow, cattle, beef extracts, and agricultural products. Government. The Constitution dates from July IS. 1830. The le,gislative department con- sists of a Senate, composed of one member from each of the nineteen departments, and of a Chamber of Deputies composed of 69 members — one for every 3000 voters. The executive power is vested in a President, chosen by a majority vote of the Assembly in joint session, for a terra