The city and the mountain, Potosi, Bolivia, 1895. The Cerro Rico, ((Spanish for 'rich mountain'), was the principal source of silver for Spain during the period of the Spanish Empire. The city of Potosi became one of the largest in the New World, but, by the beginning of the 19th century, the silver mines were depleted. From "Round the World in Pictures and Photographs: From London Bridge to Charing Cross via Yokohama and Chicago". [George Newnes Ltd, London, 1895]