202
DESCRIPTIVE GMI6F LPHY.
BOLIVYIA.
1. Bozıvra, formerly called Upper Peru, is one of the most
important of the South American states that threw off the
yoke of Spain... It became independent in 1825, and was
named alter General Bolivar, the liberator of South America,
2, "The most lofty mountains of the New World are in
Bolivia; it lies chiefly in the interior, and consists, for the
most part, of a high fertile plain on the east side of the Andes,
raised from 8,000 to 14,000 feet above the ocean,
3, "This clevated territory has cities above the region of the clouds,
and cottages situated as high as the top of Mont Blanc. It yields
Indian corn, wheat, rye, barley, and potutocs; the latter also grow wild.
4. Cotton, coffee, indigo, and other tropical products are raised in
the less elcvated distriets, Gold, silver, copper, and other metals are
found. "The silver mines of Potosi have been for nearly 300 years the
Most renowned in the world.
5. Lake Titicaca forms
part ofthe western boundary
of Bolivia, It has no visible
outlet to the sea, above which
jt is elevated 12,795 feet,
This lakeis navigated chiefly
by boats made of rushes
plaited together; the mast
and rudder only are of wood,
which, owing to its scarcity
here, forms the most valua-
ble part of the vesscl,
6. The condor, the largest
of the vulture kind, is found
in Bolivia and other parts of
the continent. Inhabiting
the Jofliest summits of the
Andes, he descends to the
lower country only in pur-
guit ofprey. He fecds chiefly
on carrion ; but also attacks
deer and other quadrupeds. The condor is about 34 feet long from
the beak to the end of the tail, and the wings measure in extent from
to 13 feet.
Condor.
Bolivia. Q.—1. What was Bolivia formerly called? What is it!
When did it establish its independence? After whom was it named?
=. What are in Bolivia? Of what does it consist? 3. What of its
eities and cottages? What does it yield? 4. The other products ?
What are found, &c.? 5. Describe Lake Titicaca, 6. The condor "