BOGOTA', more fully SANTA It DE BOGOTA', in South America, the federal cap ital of the United States of Colombia, formerly New Granada. It is situated within the limits of Cundinaraarca, in lat. 4' 6' n., and long. 78' 30' w., on a table-land, which. at en elevation of 8694 ft. above the sea, separates the basin of the Magdalena from that of the Orinoco. Independently of its political importance, B. occupies a commanding position in relation to commerce. It lies on the most convenient route between Quito and the Caribbean sea; while, by navigable affluents of the Orinoco and the Magdalena, distant respectively 37 and 55 in.. it enjoys it twofold access to tide-water. Its imme diate vicinity, too, is favorable to the growth of a great city and the maintenance of a. large population. The table-land measures about 60 m. from n. to a., and about 30 from e. to being bounded on all sides by mountains which, thou eh lofty enough to give shelter, arc vet below the line of perpetual snow-. This extensive plain—a temperate zone on the verge of the equator with a singularly genial and salubrious climate—is fertile, yielding abundant crops of wheat and barley, as also generally of the leguminous plants cultivated in Europe; while, favored as it is with two rainy sea sons in a year, it is as rich in pasture as in grain, affording ample sustenance to minter. oils flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. B. was founded in 1538, consisting then f.f houses in honor of the 12 apostles. In 1800, it contained 21,464 inhabitants; s.11 in 1821, 30.000; and now it is stated at 50.000. Prospectively, also, the surrounding moun tains promise. one tiny, to give to industry many valuable minerals, such as inin, coal, and salt. The last two, in fact, have already been obtained to some extent. Mines of emeralds, gold. silver, and copper are also said to exist within the same district. B. Is
regularly and handsomely built. It has four public squares and five elegant bridges over two small rivulets—the San Francisco and the San Augustin. Like every place in Spanish America. it teems with churches and convents—two of the latter overhanging tie. city On twin hill-tops at a height of 2500 ft. above the general level. B. likewise pos gCS'4e,. in addition to official buildings, a mint, a theater, a university, and spacious bar racks. A short way from the city, the rivulets above mentioned join n of the same nam w e as the to( ilself..—The river Boaola.otberwhie called the Punclt, m itself object of interest. It is the .4i1UA. of or the table-land, which, both from geological features and from aboriginal traditions, appears to have once been a land-locked basin, somewhat like the still loftier and larger plateau of Titi caca. Be this as it may, the river B. has found, if it has not forced, a passage for itself towards the Magdalena. At the cataract of Tequendama the waters plunge over a preci pice 900 ft. high; 4nd the clouds of spray clothe the adjacent grounds in the most lux uriant vegetation. About the center of this cataract, known as the fall of Tequendama, stands the natural bridge of Icononzo, formed as if by the fortuitous jamming of rocks from the opposite sides of the cleft. Between the crest and the foot of this fearful tor rent, there exists a difference of climate, which is obviously disproportioned to the mere difference of elevation; and the excess may perhaps be ascribed, in conjunction with the ceaseless moisture, to the wall-like precipice behind, which, besides intercepting the winds, increases by reflection the heat of the sun.