Temuco - History

Temuco was founded when Chile had already lived independently for half a century, after a peace treaty was finally signed with the Mapuche Indians. The Mapuche had driven back for three centuries all attempts to colonize the area by the Spaniards first, and then by the Chileans.

This was the reason behind the "Frontier Capital" name under which Temuco was known for a long time. Just like several other towns in the area, such as Curacautín, Victoria, Lonquimay, Villarrica and Pucón, Temuco started out as a fort.

Two early arrivals contributed significantly to a swift development of the city: the railway and immigrants of European stock. Nowadays, Temuco is a prosperous, modern city, providing services to a region of great farming and tourist relevance. It is also a major market for Mapuche products and handicrafts.

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