Detailed Description

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Title: Guía de la navegación del bajo Magdalena
Creator: Ortiz, Nicolás
Publication Info: Bogotá : Imprenta de Medardo Rivas, 1894.
Physical Details: 60 p. ; 17 x 12 2/10 cm.
Physical Condition: Wrappers gone, but good, some ink-stains on charts

Summary: Nicolás Ortiz presents here a compendium of information concerning the navigation on the lower Magdalena River. He provides some historical background concerning the boats used before the steamboats, the companies and projects intended to improve the navigation of the river, the distances between different river ports, a brief description of some of port villages, the freight and travel prices, and a description of the illnesses suffered by travelers.
Historical Notes: The problem of how to develop adequate transport is a fundamental issue in the economic history of Colombia. The government was aware as early as the nation’s independence in 1819 that the lack of proper transportation would have a substantial negative impact on the development of the economy. Despite this awareness, Colombia advanced very little in its transportation system from 1820 to 1870. There were only mule-roads, underdeveloped river navigation systems, and one road suitable for wheeled vehicles. It was not until the 1870s that the government launched projects to build railroads. Safford, Frank 2010 El Problema de los Transportes en Colombia en el Siglo XIX. In Economía Colombiana del Siglo XIX. A. Meisel Roca and M.T. Ramírez, eds. Pp. 524, 528, 535. Bogotá: Fondo de Cultura Económica.
Donor Notes: A vade maecum of the lower Magdalena River by steamboat, with types of craft, flora & fauna of the region, medical nostroms, & distances between various places along the river's route. - J.L.H.

Subject(s): Magdalena River (Colombia) -- Description and travel
Magdalena River (Colombia) -- Navigation
Inland water transportation -- Colombia -- Magdalena River

Type: Pamphlet
Language: Spanish
Format: JPG
PDF - Color
Donor: Helguera, J. León
Collection: Helguera, J. León Collection
Institution: Vanderbilt University
Accession Number: P00305
Record Number: 64
Islandora ID: islandora:4641