large areas of plateau and elevated valley within the limits
of the vertical temperate zone. In this region is to be found the
greater part of the white population, the best products of Colombian
civilization, and the greatest industrial development. The "sabana" of
Bogota is a good illustration of the higher of these plateaus (8563
ft., according to Stieler's _Hand-Atlas_), with its mild temperature,
inexhaustible fertility and numerous productions of the temperate
zone. It has an area of about 2000 sq. m. The lower valleys, plateaus
and mountain slopes of this range are celebrated for their coffee,
which, with better means of transportation, would be a greater source
of prosperity for the republic than the gold-mines of Antioquia. The
mountainous region of Colombia is subject to volcanic disturbances and
earthquake shocks are frequent, especially in the south. These shocks,
however, are less severe than in Venezuela or in Ecuador.

Islands.

There are few islands on the coast of Colombia, and the great majority
of these are too small to appear on the maps in general use. Gorgona
is one of the larger islands on the Pacific coast, and is situated
about 25 m. from the mainland in lat. 3 deg. N. It is 5-3/4 m. long by
1-3/4 m. wide, and rises to an extreme elevation of 1296 ft. above
sea-level. It is a beautiful island, and is celebrated as one of
Pizarro's stopping places. It has been used by the Colombian
government for political offenders. Malpelo island, 282 m. west by
south of Charambira point, in lat. 3 deg. 40' N., long. 81 deg. 24'
W., nominally belongs to Colombia. It is a small, rocky, uninhabited
island, rising to an elevation of 846 ft. above the sea, and has no
ascertained value. The famous Pearl islands of the Gulf of Panama are
claimed by Colombia, and their pearl oyster fisheries are considered a
rentable asset by the government. The group covers an area of about
450 sq. m., and consists of 16 islands and several rocks. The largest
is Rey Island, which is about 17 m. long, north to south, and 8 m.
broad, with an extreme elevation of 600 ft. The other larger islands
are San Jose, Pedro Gonzales, Casaya, Saboga and Pacheca. There are
several fishing villages whose inhabitants are largely engaged in the
pearl fisheries, and a number of cocoa-nut plantations. The islands
belong chiefly to Panama merchants. There are several groups of sma