Villarrica (Chile)
Villarrica is a city in southern Chile in the Región de la Araucanía . It has around 45,000 inhabitants (2005).
geography
Villarrica is located about 85 km southeast of Temuco on the west bank of Lago Villarrica . The Lago Villarrica has an area of around 176 km² and a maximum depth of 165 m. There are many wonderful beaches by the lake. It is the source of the Río Toltén .
To the southeast of the city is the active volcano Villarrica with a height of 2840 m.
The climate is comparable to that of Germany . It rains a lot, especially in winter, and snowfalls are rare.
history
In 1551 Pedro de Valdivia reached the area around Lago Villarrica . On April 23, 1552, Jerónimo de Alderete founded the city of Santa María Magdalena de la Villa Rica . However, the city had to be abandoned between 1554 and 1559 after massive Mapuche attacks . In 1559 García Hurtado de Mendoza re- founded the city. In 1575 the city was badly damaged by the Villarrica volcano , killing 350 residents.
From 1597, massive Mapuche attacks began again and the city was completely abandoned in 1602. The Spaniards withdrew from the area for a long time.
Since January 1, 1883, the area was handed back to the Chileans under Gregorio Urrutia by the cacique Epulef. On January 2, 1897, the rebuilding of the city began. In June 1916 the municipality of Villarrica was founded.
During the very strong earthquake of May 22, 1960 , Lago Villarrica overflowed its banks and destroyed many houses near the bank.
Attractions
Tourism is the most important source of income in Villarrica, especially the lake Lago Villarrica and the volcano Villarrica attract many tourists.
To the east of the lake are two national parks, the Villarrica National Park and the Huerquehue National Park .
Sons and daughters
- Carlos Lucas Manríquez (* 1930), boxer, bronze medal winner, 1956 Olympic Games
- Óscar Hernán Blanco Martínez (* 1964), Catholic clergyman, Bishop of San Juan Bautista de Calama
See also
Web links
Coordinates: 39 ° 16 ′ S , 72 ° 13 ′ W