Southern Chile
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Chile's southern region of lakes and volcanoes is an expression
of nature's inimitable aesthetic and startling exuberance. Between volcanic
cataclysms, glacial sculpting, torrential rivers and massive temperate rainforests,
this is very much a landscape in flux, modeling and remodeling itself before
our eyes.
This area is home to one of the most remarkable indigenous
cultures in the Americas, the Mapuches. For nearly three centuries, the
Mapuches defended their homeland, La Araucania, from the Spanish conquistadors.
Three centuries: such vigor! But that is the nature of the lake region.
Vigorous, yes; but safe and with a European elegance
which is surprisingly familiar. As the Mapuches ceded their territory
to the newly independent republic, European settlers flocked to this paradise
of rich volcanic soils, ancient forests, and clear glacially formed lakes
whose waters reflect the chain of active volcanoes along the eastern horizon.
These settlers cut and burned the massive tracts of temperate
rainforest back into the mountains and built their towns throughout the
central valley, in select ports along the wild Pacific coast, and upon
the shores of myriad rivers and lakes. The pastoral landscape which characterizes
the central valley in this region - broad undulant pastures, German-style
farmhouses, quiet tidy lakeside pueblos - can be attributed largely to
the industry and vision of these 19th century immigrants.
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