TRANSPORTATION. In regard to transporta tion and communication facilities, Chile stands in the front rank among the South American countries. The first railway line in Chile was opened in 18512 — the short line connecting Copiap5, the capitol of Atacama, with Calikra, on the coast. The construction of railway lines by the State was begun as early as 1857, when the line between Valparaiso and Santiago was opened. It was not, however, until 1888 that the construction of State lines was begun on a large scale. In that year Congress authorized the construction of twelve lines by the State, with a total length of about 750 miles. In 1900 the total length of railways in operation was about 2880 miles, of which 1353 miles were operated by the State. The State lines arc conducted in a progressive way in regard to equipment and man agement. while the rates arc unusually low. Nu merous new railway lines are projected; and a number are nearing completion, among them the line connecting Valparaiso with Buenos Ayres, Argentina, of which only a small part across the Andes remains to be constructed. (For a further
account of this undertaking. see Railways, under ARGENTINA-) Tramway lines are operated in every city of importance. The telegraph lines owned by the State had a total length of nearly 1E88'2 miles in 1900. There were 2710 miles owned by private companies. The telegraph rates are also very low, and the use of the tele graph and telephone is extensive, owing to the poor condition of the country roads. The shipping of the Chilean ports exceeds that of any other country in South America. In 1899 there entered and cleared over 15,000 vessels, with a registered tonnage of over IS,000,000. There were 11,320,000 tons in 1885. About 40 per cent. of the carrying trade is done in British bottoms, and the rest in German. French. and Chilean. The Chilean merchant marine num bered. in 1900, 142 vessels (39 steamers), with a total tonnage of 71,214. The Chilean ports are connected with Europe by six steamship lines.