Bolivia : The central highway of South America, a land of rich resources and…
"Tabby's travels" by Lucy Ellen Guernsey is a historical and travel account written in the early 20th century. It offers a richly illustrated survey of Bolivia as the “central highway” of South America, blending archaeology, history, geography, and contemporary nation-building. Grounded in extensive travel and official access, it aims to correct misconceptions, celebrate national character, and spotlight resources and opportunities. The focus is Bolivia’s past and present—its peoples, cities, mines, and institutions—from
Titicaca and Tiahuanaco to La Paz, Sucre, and Potosí. The opening of the volume presents a dedication to President Ismael Montes, an extensive table of contents and illustrations, and an introduction arguing that Bolivia is widely misunderstood despite its central position, rich resources, and rising prospects; the narrator recounts cordial hospitality, long muleback journeys, and official support. Chapter I evokes the country’s dramatic landscapes and remoteness, then examines the pre-Columbian world around Lake Titicaca and Tiahuanaco, discussing Aymará and Quichua origins, myths of Viracocha and Pachacamac, and theories of successive cultural periods. It narrates Inca expansion into Collasuyo, sacred sites on Titicaca, the legend of Manco Cápac, and the grandeur of palaces and temples, before turning to ominous signs that precede the Spaniards’ arrival. The story then sketches the Spanish incursion via Almagro and the Pizarros and the founding of Chuquisaca (Sucre), La Paz, and Potosí, underscoring the Titicaca plateau’s symbolic role. At the start of Chapter II, the text outlines colonial rule under the Audiencia of Charcas, the pomp of its oidores, the mita labor system, missionary efforts, urban growth and mining wealth—especially Potosí—and growing unrest, including indigenous and creole uprisings that foreshadow independence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Wright, Marie Robinson, 1853-1914 |
|---|---|
| LoC No. | 07020755 |
| Title | Bolivia : The central highway of South America, a land of rich resources and varied interest |
| Original Publication | Philadelphia: George Barrie & Sons, 1907. |
| Credits | Karin Spence and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | F3301: Latin America local history: Bolivia |
| Subject | Bolivia |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 77232 |
| Release Date | Nov 14, 2025 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1280 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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