Valparaiso

Valparaiso ("Valley of Paradise"), a province and its capital in the Republic of Chili, South America. The former has an area of 1,670 square miles, and is bounded N. by Aconcagua, W. by the Pacific, S. and E. by Santiago. Though broken by mountains, the country is exceedingly fertile, and possesses valuable mines of silver and copper. The capital, founded in 1544 upon a fine bay 70 miles N. of Santiago, is the chief port of Chili. It is strongly fortified, and has a naval arsenal, building sheds, docks, and an indifferent commercial harbour. Metallic cores, wheat, chinchillas, wool, indigo, and drugs are the chief exports, whilst European goods are imported for the whole of Chili.