Cor'doba,

Cor'doba, a central province of the Argentine Republic, mostly pampa land, rising to the Sierras de Cordoba and de Pocho in the west. Area, 55,350 sq. m.; pop. 380,000. Cattle-raising is the chief industry. The climate is healthy, but very dry; the temperature ranges from 18° to 107° F.—The capital, Cordoba, lies 246 miles WNW. of Rosario by rail. It has over 10 miles of tramways, a cathedral, a handsome city-hall, the old university building, with walls from 4 to 6 feet thick, a national observatory, and noble baths. The university (1613) sank greatly after the expulsion of the Jesuits (1767), until in 1870 several German professors settled here. The town possesses also a national college, a school of art, and an academy of sciences, which publishes a valuable Bolctin. Founded by Cabrera in 1573, the town was famous during the Spanish occupation as a seat of learning and the centre of the Jesuit missions in South America. It was afterwards falling into decay, but the opening of the railway in 1870, with the transit trade which this brought, has greatly restored its prosperity. In the hot months of December, January, and February, however, the place is a very trying residence. Pop. (1869) about 28,500; (1895) 42,700.