COLOMBIA

121

ably.  Hides  to  the  value  of  $2,661,721  were
exported  last  year,  the  United  States  taking
by  far  the  greater  portion.  Some  30,000  alligator ­
  skins  are  sent  annually  to  the  leather
markets  of  Europe  and  America.
Excellent  hard,  cabinet  and  dye  woods  are
to  be  found  toward  the  interior,  but  the  poor
transportation  facilities  retard  the  development ­
  of  trade  in  this  field.
Colombia’s  chief  wealth  is  in  her  mines.
There  is  much  gold,  also  iron,  silver,  lead,  copper ­
  and  coal.  In  the  production  of  platinum
this  country  ranks  next  to  Russia.  Petroleum
is  found  and  the  petroleum  industry  is  rapidly
assuming  large  proportions.  Practically  all
the  emeralds  of  the  world  to-day  come  from
Colombia,  this  precious  stone  being  worth
more  per  carat  than  diamonds.  The  government ­
  controls  the  exploitation  of  emerald
mines,  leasing  them  to  operators.  The  chief
groups  of  mines  are  the  Muzo,  the  Coscuez,
the  Chivor  and  the  Cuincha,  the  first  named
having  a  yearly  output  of  262,348  carats  of
the  first  water,  467,690  of  the  second,  22,700