CHAPTER X

THE ANDINE STATES: TÁCHIRA, MÉRIDA, AND TRUJILLO 157

Access—Roads versus railways—Mineral wealth—“Maracaibo” coffee—Forests—San Cristobal—Water supply—Industries—Roads—Rubio—Táchira Petroleum Company—San Antonio—Lobatera—Colón—Interrupted communications—Pregonero—El Cobre—Old mines—La Grita—Seboruco copper—Mérida—The Bishop and the Bible—Eternal snows—Earthquakes—Electric light—Road schemes—Gold and silver—Lagunillas—_Urao_—Wayside hospitality—Puente Real—Primitive modes of transport—Las Laderas—The Mucuties valley—Tovar—Mucuchíes—The highest town in Venezuela—The _páramos_—Timotes—Trujillo—Valera—Water supply—La Ceiba Railway—Betijoque and Escuque—Boconó—Santa Ana—Carache—Unknown regions—Possibilities of the Andes.