PERNAMBUCO, the capital and principal seaport in the above province, stands on the Atlantic, at the mouth of the Capibaribe, 210 miles N.E. of Bahia; S. Lat. 8. 5., W. Long. 34. 52. It consists of the towns of Pernambuco proper, or Recife, and Olinda, which are about 3 miles distant from each other. (See OLINDA.) The former stands upon a flat, and is divided into three parts, occupying respectively a peninsula, an island, and the continent. Recife, or Pernambuco properly so called, is built upon a peninsula which extends to the southward of Olinda. This is the most mercantile part of the threefold city. S. Antonio stands upon an island or sand-bank formed by the arms of the Capibaribe, being connected with Recife by a long bridge almost entirely constructed of stone. The third division of the city is situated on the mainland, to the westward of the other two, and is joined to them by a wooden bridge, considered as the largest in Brazil. This portion of Pernambuco is called Boa Vista, where the richer inhabitants reside. The appearance of the country, when Pernambuco is approached by sea, is described as charming. The hills are clothed with wood, gradually rising towards the interior; but none of them is of any considerable height. Recife contains regular though narrow streets, and houses of brick, three or more storeys in height. Besides several churches, there stand here the custom-house and the residence of the port-admiral; but the most of the provincial authorities reside in S. Antonio, where
the streets are broad, and the houses large, the ground floors being generally occupied with shops. Among the public buildings here are the treasury, town-hall, prison, barracks, governor's palace, &c. There are several public squares, and the general appearance of this quarter is very lively. The principal street of Boa Vista is broad and handsome, and there are here many elegant buildings. A long embankment connects the sand-bank and town of S. Antonio with the mainland at Affogados, to the south and west of Boa Vista. The position of Pernambuco, on the most easterly point of South America, renders its harbour one of much importance; and the nature of the harbour is no less favourable for commercial purposes. It is formed by a singular reef, probably of coralline structure, which extends for 1500 miles along the Brazilian coast, from the province of Bahia to that of Maranhão. This remarkable reef at the top is scarcely sixteen feet in breadth. To a great depth on the outside it slopes off more rapidly than the Plymouth breakwater, but it is perpendicular within; thus forming a magnificent natural bulwark or breakwater, within which the ocean is as still as a mill-pond. In some parts it sinks under water, and there are numberless breaks, by which a communication with the sea is laid open. The harbour, which is well protected from the sea by the reef, has two deep and safe entrances; but there is a bar of sand within it, which, even at spring tides, does not admit vessels drawing more than 15 feet. This might, however, be removed by dredging. The anchorage is about half a mile in length, and of breadth sufficient to admit four rows of vessels. The harbour is defended by forts; and there is a lighthouse 80 feet high, visible to a distance of 16 or 17 miles. The commerce of Pernambuco is very important, the exports consisting chiefly of cotton, sugar, rum, hides, and dye-woods; and the imports, of cotton and linen cloth, hardware, cutlery, silks, wine, flour, cod, &c. The trade has been on the increase for some years. Pernambuco was much improved by the Dutch, who were in possession of it from 1630 to 1654. The population of the town is 12,000; of the district, 38,000.