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Temuco is the perfect starting point for an exploration
of Chile's stunningly beautiful Lake District, a region of rolling hillsides, lush green
forests, and snow-capped volcanic peaks. Temuco is also the cultural centre of the Mapuche
Indians, the original inhabitants of the area. Almost alone among South American peoples,
the Mapuche successfully resisted European incursions, maintaining independent control of
their territory for over 300 years in the face of considerable force. Today, the Lake
District has almost 3,000 Mapuche reservations, and Temuco is the principal market town.
Traditional Mapuche crafts are sold at Temuco's Mercado Municipal and Feria
Libre. For more information on the Mapuche, visit the Museo Regional
de la Araucanìa.
Temuco offers a wide variety of outdoor activities. In town, the Ñielol
Hill is
the perfect place for picnics and leisurely walks, with great views of the surrounding
countryside. It is also the best place in town for close-up looks at the copihue, Chile's
national flower. Visitors to Temuco can also easily arrange mountain bike rentals and
skiing, hiking, boating, rock climbing and windsurfing excursions.
Just a short distance from Temuco is the Parque
Nacional Conguillìo, an
outstanding place to gain an introduction to the natural beauty of the Lake District.
Conguillio features a number of very good walking trails, which lead through the forest
and meander past alpine lakes and deep canyons. Dominating the park is the still-active Llaima
volcano, which erupted as recently as 1994. The park is also home to the rare araucaria
(monkey puzzle tree), a protected species that can live for as long as 1,000 years and
takes five centuries just to reach maturity.
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