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Araucania

This is the land of the historic Mapuche people, an ethnic group that resisted the Spanish conquest for over 300 years and which, in certain areas, still maintains its language, mysticism and traditions. These inhabitants, whom the Spanish conquistadors called Araucanians, are the origin of the territory's name. Nevertheless, the natives called themselves Mapuches (men of the earth). Their environment is characterized by the presence of forests of the millenarian araucaria, an endemic tree species that is preserved in national parks and forest reserves where it cohabit with a varied flora and fauna. Today this species is considered a Natural Monument and its farming is forbidden. Further south is another of Chile's living landmarks, the alerce or larch, the second longest-living tree in the world.

Some of the araucaria or pehuén trees are over two thousand years old. Their seed, the tree's nuts or piñon, is the main food source of the Pehuenches (people of the pehuén). Surrounding the forests, beautiful rivers and lakes go hand in hand with the vegetation and give life to a landscape full of natural charm, that adds to the tourist attractions of the urban centers in the area. The most outstanding urban centers in this area are Los Angeles, Temuco, Villartica and Pucon, cities that have excellent hotels, top level gastronomy, malls and transportation.

Of these, Pucón, a vacation resort on the edge of lake is the main destination for tourists because of its long and attractive beaches, also offering excursions to neighboring national parks and volcanos, rafting Trancura river and a varied night life that includes such as the Casino, discotheques, pubs and a hotel facilities. But these are all merely starting points for interesting walk, or a wide selection of adventure sports such as trekking, rafting, climbing volcanos or skiing. Or, if you prefer, you can relax in a pleasant, cultural environment.

Attractions
History
About a century before the arrival of first conquistadors in Chile, the Inca empire was engaged in a conquest of its own, spreading south and incorporating the diverse tribes of northern and central Chile into the realm known as Collasuyo. At the rio Maule, however, the advance of the incas was halted by a group of fierce, independent Indians, whom they called aucas. These aucas -a name that was transformed by the conquistadors into Araucanians- called themselves Mapuches and their story is one of the most compelling in the history of the Americas.

During the second half of the 16th century, Pedro de Valdivia led his troops south from central Chile to investi- gate reports of rich farmland, luxuriant forests, and seemingly numberless natives. The truth turned out to be even better than he had imagined, and despite Mapuche resistance - and the death of Valdivia in the battle of Tucapel - the Spanish managed to establish 8 cities south of the Biobio river. These soon became the focus of Spanish activity in colonial Chile.

But Spanish dominion in La Araucanla was short lived. Resourceful Mapuche warriors soon learned to ride and shoot on horseback, and studied the weaknesses of Spanish soldiers and strategy. In a bloody general revolution beginning in 1599, the Mapuches drove the Spanish from their homeland. Of the eight Spanish cities south of the Biobio river, only Castro remained.

The Spanish were never to regain even a foothold in La Araucania. For nearly 300 years following the 1599 revolution, this territory remained as Mapuche as ever; in fact, during this period Mapuche territory actually expanded, spreading east and south into the Argentine pampa, proving yet again the vitality and adaptability of the only native culture in Spanish America to successfully resist conquest.

In the late 1800's, as newly independent Chile strived to consolidate its far-flung borders, a long military campaign known as the 'Pacification of the Araucanía' cede land rights to the thousands of Chilean and foreign immigrants arrived to take possession of Mapuche Lands, and the landscape was transformed with the construction of railroads, towns and cities. Still Araucanía remains the Mapuche heartland, is as readily apparent in tongue-twister Mapuche place names such as Huequehue (were-kay-way) and Currarrehue (kur-rah-ray-way), in traditional Pehuenche Indian villages in the Upper Biobío watershed, and in Temuco's colorful Mapuche handicraft markets.

Geology
This is the most volcanically active-region in all Chile, and volcanic eruptions and depositions continue to play a great role in regional geomorphology. Near the city of Temuco, Llaima volcano erupted 22 times during the 20th century, blocking the flow of rivers in Conguillio National Park, forming new lakes almost overnight. Close on the heels of Llaima for the title 'most active' is Villarica volcano, near Pucón, which erupted 10 times during the 20th century.

Flora and fauna
The most characteristic and noteworthy floral element in this region is unquestionably the araucaria tree, a Jurassic-age conifer that grows only in southern latitudes, at elevations ranging from 800-2,200m. Also known as pehuen (in Mapuche) or "monkey-puzzle" the araucaria has been declared a Chilean Natural Monument. The fruit of the araucaria, known as pidon, appears in supermarkets throughout La Araucania every year in April. Also of note is the copihue, Chile's national flower, which can be observed in Temuco's Parque Cerro Ñielol just north of the city.

Recreation and relaxation
The city of Temuco is often referred to as the 'gateway to the lake district' because of the access it provides to picture-perfect Lake Villarica. Along the south shore of this lake - overlooked by the smoking cone of Villarica volcano - the towns of Villarica and Pucon constitute one of southern Chile's top destinations for relaxing lakeside vacations. Campgrounds, cabins, and resort complexes abound, providing access to lovely black-sand beaches, forests and rivers, with limitless opportunities for aquatic sports, fishing, biking and horseback riding, and other activities.

Hotsprings
Pucon is very literally a 'hotspot', with no fewer than seven separate hotsprings scattered through the Andean valleys to the east. There are springs here for all taste, from the natural pools at los Pozones and Paqui hotspring to the upscale Huife hotspring.

Activities
Rafting
Rafting in Chile began with the Biobio river, the historic and dazzlingly beautiful river that served as the de facto border between La Araucania and Spanish Chile for over 200 years. Today, the Biobio has been sacrificed to hydroelectric development, but a number of operators offer rafting trips on the Trancura river, just outside Pucón. Visitors can choose from the lower Class IV section, suitable for families and children, or the wilder, Class IV adrenaline rush of the upper Trancura.

Fishing
With dozens of lakes and streams to choose from in the surrounding area, Pucón has long been a focal point for fishermen from Chile and abroad; the traditional flat-bottomed fishing skiff used throughout the south was invented here. The Trancura river and the Liucura river are among the best spots in this area to fish for rainbow and brown trout.

Skiing
From June through September, intense storms from the Pacific cover the slopes of Villarica volcano with a blanket of maritime snowpack, providing a truly incomparable ski experience: flying down the face of an active volcano with a universe of lakes laid out like a map at your feet. This area is particularly suited for spring skiing, when the September sun creates ideal corn snow conditions, and a wealth of natural cornices and half- pipes make it a favorite with snowboarders. There are also ski areas and great ski mountaineering opportunities on the Antuco, Lonquimay, and Llaima volcanos.

Mountaineering
The volcanos of La Araucanía - and Villarica volcano in particular - provide one of Chile's most unique and accessible mountaineering experiences. You need no special experience to climb to the summit of this 2,840m smoking giant, from the crater of which climbers can peer down into a cauldron of glowing red lava. Villarica National Park extends east from the volcano all the way to Lanin volcano, at 3,747m the highest peak in southern Chile.