PARIA

PARIA, a province of Bolivia, in South America, situated in the department of Oruro. On the north and north-east it is bounded by the provinces of Pacajes and Oruro, on the east and south-east by Porco, on the south-west by Lipes, and on the west by Caranjas. This province is traversed by a rapid river called the Desaguadero, or Drain, which is invariably represented in maps of Peru and Bolivia as flowing into the lake of Titicaca, whilst the reverse is the fact. It issues from this celebrated sheet of water, and, after flowing a considerable distance, its waters are dissipated by spontaneous evaporation. The province of Paria is situated in a mountainous tract of country, and being very elevated, the temperature is consequently cold. Like Oruro and other provinces in this region, it is a mining district, and contains several mines of silver. There are some lakes in the province, from which salt is extracted; and also some hot springs. The lake of Paria is from three to four leagues in length and two in width, and abounds in excellent fish. Alcedo says that it has a whirlpool, which sucks down floating bodies, and finds a passage to the sea under the cordillera, and through the shore, close to the port of Iquique. In 1748 its waters rose to an immense height, a phenomenon which Alcedo attributes to the stoppage of its subterranean passage; but this was far more likely to arise from volcanic agency, so frequent in this country, raising and depressing the land in various directions. Farming operations are carried on in Paria, but little grain is produced; the rearing of cattle, which are plentiful, chiefly occupying the attention of the inhabitants. The cheese made here of sheep's milk is esteemed a great delicacy, and is much sought after. The capital of the province, which bears the same name, is situated 210 miles west-north-west of Chuquisaca, in 18° 50' south latitude, and 68° 20' west longitude. The population amounts to 50,000, of which number 37,000 are Indians, and 13,000 Creoles.