Temuco - City of Chile

Temuco is the capital of the Araucanía Region, Chile. The name comes from the Mapudungun language, meaning "temu water"; "temu" is a tree used by Mapuches for medicinal purposes. The city is located 670 km south of Santiago. Because it is near lake-based resort centers, it is considered a hub for tourist excursions.

Chilean poetry has deep roots in Temuco. Nobel Poets Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda both lived in Temuco. Mistral was the principal of an all-girls school where Pablo would visit her and show her his first verses when he was around 15 years old.

The city was founded on February 24, 1881 as a fort during the Occupation of the Araucanía. Manuel Recabarren, in charge of the project, named the place Fuerte Recabarren.

On April 15th, 1888, the first city officers were elected including the first mayor José del Rosario Muñoz. The city grew quickly a census in 1895 indicated a population of 7,708 people, and when Cautin was declared a province, Temuco became its capital, with its population by that time of 16,037 people.

Temuco is located in the center-south of Chile, equidistant between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. Morphologically, the city placement corresponds to Cautín River-originated fluvial land masses that developed in a crushed form between two hills, Ñielol and Conunhueno.

Climatologically, Temuco corresponds to Chile's central valley Mediterranean region, with a warm temperate weather and transition to humid regions. Throughout the years, cyclonic and anticyclonic influences do alternate, with a short dry summer period . Annual mean rain during 1961-1990 was 1.157 mm .

Is the principal artery in Temuco. Here we can find The Araucaria Museum building the Menchaca Lira Campus of Art Building. The English Alley, where we can find the Red Cross Building and a Blue house .

Recently, Alemania Av. has become an important commercial centre. Several restaurants, drug stores, boutiques, supermarkets and two shopping malls have been opened there. There will also be a Casino in the same avenue.

The Ñielol Hill represents the original forest of the whole southern Chile area as it was before the Spanish people colonize it. It has also a special meaning for the Mapuche population as a religious center at the top. We can also find a restaurant at the top and a viewpoint of the east side of the city and Padre Las Casas, across the river. It is a "must" for visitors.