The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

TOPOGEAPHT OF AEGENTINA. 455
the landing stage. Surrounded by vineyards, whicli yield the much esteemed
Chocoli wine, Bahia Blanca enjoys a climate analogous to that of "West Europe,
and corresponds in latitude to that part of Chili between Concepcion and
Taldi^'ia, where the plants of the temperate zone thrive best. It is connected
with Buenos Ayres by two railways and a weekly service of steamers. It also
trades directly with the European seaports, and holds the first Unks in the chain
of railways by which this seaboard will ultimately be connected with the ujiland
valleys of the Eio Colorado and with the Chilian harbour of Valdivia.
Bahia Blanca receives its supply of water by a canal derived from the Rio
I Hcvn«ro Grande
WestoFGrcen^xK
to5
Fathoms.
Kg. 179.
—
Bahu Blasca.
Scale 1 : 1,400,000.
Depths.
5 Fathoms
and upwards.
. EO
MUes.
Naposta, and from two artesian wells sunk in the district between the town and
the estuary to the respective depths of 790 and 886 feet. But although drinkable
the water from this source is charged with a certain quantity of salt, which it is
hoped may be got rid of by more closely cementing the sides of the wells.
Extensive swamps, especially in the direction of Cuairero, have already been
drained seawards and the slush replaced by the pure water of irrigation canals.
These hitherto unproductive tracts are now covered with gardens and fields.
The great territorial division, which takes the name of La Panipa, and which
is traversed by the Eio Salado as far as Lake Urre Lafqucn north of the Rio