The city of Barranquilla is near the Caribbean Sea on the Magdalena River. Its importance is due to the fact that it is the chief city of Colombia near the seacoast. It is a fairly modern city with a population of about 50,000. It has risen to first-class importance as a shipping city. Because of a large sand bar at the mouth of the Magdalena River, goods that are brought down this river to Barranquilla are transported by railway 18 miles to the poer at Puerto Colombia. In the main, the city is ugly. The streets of the lower section are unpaved. Winds sweep through the streets, blowing the sand into the traveler's eyes. On the higher ground back of the town are the resident section of the better class. These are largely German merchants. The street here shown stands in sharp contrast to many of the other thoroughfares of Barran-

quilla. As you see, it is paved and the houses are very well kept, though old-fashioned in appearance. You will observe directly in the center of the street an ox team hitched to a two-wheeled cart. This kind of vehicle and team are common in South America. Notice the balcony of the house on the left-hand with the curtains hanging down to keep out the hot sunshine. The balcony above where the two children may be seen, serves as a fine, cool porch in the evening. Colombia is a large country, one-soxth as big as the United States, omitting Alaska. It is rich in minerals, precious woods, and tropical fruits. All kinds of climate can be found because of the various elevations. Bogota (bo' go-ta) is the capital, and the political, religious, and intellectual center. Columbus landed on the shores of this country on his third voyage.