Sassafras, and sarsaparilla. Various kinds of gums, resins, and balsams are also found. The cereals, Indian corn, cotton, vanilla, sugar-cane, rice, and all tropical fruits grow in the country.
Cattle are raised to a considerable extent. The native dialects are the Cakchiquel, Quiché, and Maya. Some important ruins are found at Quirigua. The United States and Great Britain have ministers resident at New Guatemala. American consuls, or consular agents, reside at the capital, and at the ports of Champerico, San José, and Izabal. A transcontinental railway is projected by the Government from New Guatemala to Livingston, a distance of two hundred and fifty miles. The line will cost about $12,000,000. It is said that the work of construction will be begun in the spring of 1884. There are about 4,000 miles of telegraph in Guatemala.
ROUTES AND CITIES.
Route I.
1. From Tonalá, Mexico, to San José de Guatemala, 221 miles.
Leaving Tonalá, the Pacific Mail steamers touch at San Benito (102 miles) and Champerico (145 miles), (Champerico Hotel). A Californian corporation has recently constructed a railway from the last-named port to Retalhuleu, a distance of 30 miles. Retalhuleu is the capital of the department of the same name, and has a population of 5,000. There are two hotels here. There is no harbor at Champerico, but a substantial iron pier has been erected to facilitate the landing of passengers and cargo.
Leaving Champerico, the steamer proceeds to San José de Guatemala, 76 miles distant (Hotel, San José). An American consul resides at the latter town. This port is an open roadstead, and has a pier similar to that of Champerico.
