The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

CHArXER XI.
PAR.'LNA SLOPE A^T> ADJACENT COASTLANDS.
States of S. Pavlo, Parana, and Santa Catharina.
TIE geographical region draining south-westwards to the Parana
presents a remarkable degree of physical uniformity, although
divided into several political administrations, and although the
zone of the waterparting is unequally distributed between Minas
Geraes, Goyaz, and Matto Grosso. The whole territory is the
fragment of a plateau disposed in a vast curve between the two parallel lines of
the Atlantic coast and the course of the Parana. Northwards it is limited by the
Rio Grande, a main branch of the Upper Parana, and towards the south by the
upper valley of the Rio Uruguay.
At the south-west corner, in the narrow tract comprised between the converg-
ing Parana and Uruguay rivers, the boundary towards Argentina has not yet been
determined. But colonisation has scarcely yet been extended to this region, and
even in S. Paulo, hj far the most populous of the three States, there still exist
" unknown lauds " of great extent disposed in parallel strips by the Upper Parana
affluents.
From the reports of pioneers and adventurers these lands are known to be to
a large extent fertile. They seem destined some daj' to be the home of teeming
populations, and their settlement has already been commenced. Every year,
every day almost, sees fresh tracts reclaimed from the wilderness.
The Paolistas.
Amongst all the populations of Brazil, those of S. Paulo are distinguished by
their enterprising spirit, so much so that in some respects this region might be
regarded as the true centre of Portuguese America. Soon after the discovery the
daring pioneer, Joao Ramalho, in friendly alliance with the Indians, had estab-