Araucanía Region
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| See other Chilean regions | |
| Capital | Temuco |
| Provinces | Malleco |
| Area - Total |
Ranked 9th 31,842.3 km² |
| Population - 2002 Census |
Ranked 5th 869,535 |
| ISO 3166-2 | CL-AR |
The IX Araucanía Region (Spanish: IX Región de La Araucanía, literally in Spanish: Region of Araucany) is one of Chile's 15 first order administrative divisions and comprises two provinces: Malleco in the north and Cautín in the south.
Its capital is Temuco, other important cities include Angol and Padre las Casas.
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[edit] Geography
Virgin forests, featuring coigüe, raulí, and tepa, as well as bay and cypress trees, criss-cross the region in all directions. The majestic araucaria, or monkey puzzle tree, also known locally as pehuén, towers above the other trees; its fruit – the piñón, a type of pine nut – is still a staple food for the indigenous Pehuenches.
A large part of this natural wealth is protected in various National Parks (Nahuelbuta, Tolhuaca. Conguillío, Villarrica, and Huerquehue), or National Reserves (Malalcahuello, Las Nalcas, and Alto Biobío).
[edit] History
The Araucanía is the heartland of the indigenous Mapuche people who resisted both Inca and Spanish conquest attempts. Since 1885 the territory has been part of Chile after the occupation of the Araucanía.The Spaniards shed so much blood in their attempt to conquer the Mapuche people who inhabited this area, that they were forced to establish their southern "frontier" on the banks of the Biobío River.
Following independence, the Chilean Government opted for peaceful relations and did not begin effective territorial occupation until 1862, when new towns were founded and the railroad, telegraph, and highroads advanced. Araucanía was fully incorporated into Chile in 1882.
[edit] Economy
Until recently, Araucanía was dependent on cereal farming and was known as "Chile’s granary."
However, agriculture is now highly diversified, wheat is still the main crop, but production of oats, rape, and lupine has increased significantly and fruit and flower growing are also emerging.
The significant urban and commercial development, together with vast possibilities for tourism, contribute other openings for progress. Amenities range from a casino at Pucón to hot springs, adventure trails, and a Half- Ironman Triathlon (1.9- kilometer swim, 90-kilometer bike ride, and a 21-kilometer race).
[edit] Municipalities
The regio consists of 38 municpilaties:
- Angol
- Carahue
- Cholchol
- Collipulli
- Cunco
- Curacautín
- Curarrehue
- Ercilla
- Freire
- Galvarino
- Gorbea
- Lautaro
- Loncoche
- Lonquimay
- Los Sauces
- Lumaco
- Melipeuco
- Nueva Imperial
- Padre Las Casas
- Perquenco
- Pitrufquén
- Pucón
- Purén
- Renaico
- Saavedra
- Temuco
- Teodoro Schmidt
- Toltén
- Traiguén
- Victoria
- Vilcún
- Villarrica
[edit] Economy
The main tourism centre in the region is the Villarrica Lake and Pucón.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Gobierno Regional de la Araucanía Official website (in Spanish)
- Website of the Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia
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