Temuco is the center of our Araucanian ethnic group, which resisted the Spanish Conquerors for more than a hundred years. Their silver and wood handicraft work is quite interesting and very pretty. Worth seeing are the Spanish fortresses near Valdivia and the presence of the Jesuits is shown in the many beautiful churches on the Island of Chiloe. The German immigration to this area in the late 17th century produced an important effect on our society.Beautiful and surprising tours of the Lake District, with cute little villages such as Pucon, Frutillar and Puerto Varas. There are spectacular waterfalls near Pucon, Riñihue, Huilo Huilo and Petrohue. Also the snow-capped volcano of Villarica, Llaima and Osorno, the last on the edge of the big Lake Llanquihue.In this area we can also find some of the most visited national parks, like Conguillio, Villarica, Nahuelbuta and Vicente Perez Rosales, the last one with a stand of our Araucaria pine trees, very tall and stately. The fruit of the pines called piñones was well appreciated by the native araucanos. The larch trees, Alerces, now protected, have long been used in construction.Lakes of emerald colored waters including Caburga and Todos Los Santos are perfect for water sports and fishing. On Lake Llanquihue a controversial aquaculture salmon industry has been developed in the last 10 years.Chiloe is an island of beauty and mystery. There is a unique typical cuisine, where oysters are a must, and a rich history in magic traditions, with folklore, typical dances and music. Castro, in Chiloé, is a beautiful little city where old houses on silts still exist to remind of the past. The harbour is lovely in the afternoon. Visitors can also see the strong and beautiful Mechuque and the Tenaunn church with black tulips in the back yard.The Aysen district, with the austral highway. Coihaique and the San Rafael glacier, with green forests and unspoiled lakes and rivers is the latest area developed for tourism. The rapids are as wild as any in the Rockies. These are excellent conditions for fly-fishing. National parks and protected areas, Port Chacabuco is the gateway to our most spectacular compound of glaciers at the San Rafael Lagoon.Andes on one side, canals and fjords of the pacific on the other, offers many places to visit and a great deal of activities to be done.In the protected area of Tamango we can see the Huemul, of the deer family, nearly extinct and featured in the National Coat of Arms. Also it must be seen, is the natural care formation called the Marble Cathedral, the cities here are like those of the old frontier. Coihaique, Balmaceda and Puyuhuapi, the last famous for its artesanal rugs. Also very important in this particular area are the Termas de Puyuhuapi with its hot springs.These cities are surrounded by a very special and unique natural environment, filled with exotic plants and impressive trees. This particular landscape is very much appreciated by a large number of tourists as well as scientists, and not long ago, by prince William of Britain himself. |