Page:Appleton's Guide to Mexico.djvu/239

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THE MEXICAN NATIONAL RAILWAY.
211

Leaving Acambaro, the road trends over the plain to the south, and then goes south westward for several miles, when the picturesque Lake of Cuitzeo is seen. The level of this lake is 6,021 feet, or 63 feet lower than Acambaro. Lake Cuitzeo is about 18 miles long, and affords good fishing. There are several islets in the lake, and it is surrounded by low hills. The stations are Summit Siding (14 kilometres), Andocutin (31•50 kilometres), Huingo (38•50 kilometres), Querendaro (49 kilometres), Quirio (63 kilometres), Charo (74 kilometres), La Goleta (76 kilometres), Atapaneo (80 kilometres), and Morelia (92 kilometres).

MORELIA.

Population, about 20,400. Elevation, 6,202 feet.
Hotels.Soledad and Diligencias.
Baths.Del Recreo, and in the Hotel Soledad.

The city lies in a basin. It is the capital of the State of Michoacan, is well built, and has clean streets. There is not much wealth in Morelia, but a large number of the inhabitants are well-to-do. At the present time a few buildings are in course of erection, especially the College of San José, with an ornamental façade. Many of the houses are built of a pinkish trachyte, which is brought from a quarry about a mile from the city. This stone, however, does not weather well, and, after exposure to the atmosphere for a few years, the buildings made of it appear to be quite old. Most of the dwelling-houses are of one story, while, on the main street and near the plaza, many of the shops are in buildings having two and sometimes three stories.

Places of Interest. —1, The Cathedral (well worth seeing). 2. The Palace. 3. The Paseo. 4. Several of the churches may be visited to advantage, if the tourist is not pressed for time.

The Cathedral occupies an entire block, and is built in the Spanish renaissance style. The wood-work of the choir