Temuco
Temuco is the capital of the Araucania Region, Chile. The name comes from "temu", which, in the Mapudungun language means "temu water"; temu is a tree used by Mapuches for medicinal purposes. The city is located 670 km south of Santiago. Because it is near lake-based resort centers, it constitutes a hub for touristic excursions.
Chilean poetry has deep roots in Temuco. Nobel Poets Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda both lived in Temuco. Mistral was the principal at the school where Neruda (Neftali Reyes) studied. The school is now named after Neruda.
History
The city was founded on February 24, 1881 as a fort during the Occupation of the Araucania. Manuel Recabarren, in charge of the project, named the place Fuerte (Fort) Recabarren.
Born as a military encampment, Temuco had in its origins the attributes of a camp, and a year after its founding, the first major streets started to form in the downtown area.
On April 15th, 1888, the first city officers were elected, including the first mayor Jose del Rosario Munoz. The city grew quickly; a census in 1895 indicated a population of 7,708 people, and when Cautin was declared a province, Temuco became its capital, with its population by that time standing at 16,037 people. Forum Temuco, clik [*http://www.temuconline.cl Here]
Geography and climate
Temuco is located in the center-south of Chile, equidistant between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. Morphologically, the city placement corresponds to Cautin River-originated fluvial land masses that developed in a crushed form between two hills, Nielol (350m) and Conunhueno (360m).
The city is surrounded by an environment typical to central-southern Chile, consisting mostly of coniferous forests in the midst of a central prairie of moraines and cones next to the foothills of the Andes. The zone produces many crops and fruits, and has an abundance of forests, particularly alerce, oak and lingue. Despite all this, air quality has deteriorated because burning wood is the primary source of heat for most of the city. Air pollution is generally kept under control by the frequent rain in winter.
Climatologically, Temuco corresponds to Chile's central valley Mediterranean region, with a subtropical weather and transition to humid regions. Throughout the years, cyclonic and anticyclonic influences do alternate, with a short dry summer period (when compared to Santiago or other central valley cities). Its mean annual temperature is 12C, with highest median during the warmest month of 23.5C and lowest median during the coldest month of 3.9C . Annual mean rain during 1961-1990 was 1.157 mm .
Demographics
Greater Temuco has a population of 260,878 (2002 census), which makes it the second largest city south of Santiago (behind Concepcion), and the sixth largest in the country. One of the distinctive features of Temuco is the strong presence of the Mapuche culture, who make up 13.05% of the population in the Temuco commune, and numerous German immigrant colonies. Temuco proper has a population of 227,086.
Transport
Traffic is frequently congested during working hours and parking on public streets in the downtown sector is difficult to find and is controlled with parking fees being charged. Many streets are one-way, and marked with an arrow, if and when visible or installed.
In residential areas people frequently park on either side of the street, regardless of traffic direction and in some areas vehicles may be seen parked either entirely or partially --with only one side of the vehicle-- on the sidewalk or grass area.
Traffic signals frequently use green arrows to control turns and right hand turns are not permitted when a red light is showing unless there is a specific sign authorizing such a turn.
Drivers often disregard marked traffic lanes and many buses and collective taxis will stop virtually anywhere to take on or discharge passengers.
Buses and collective taxies are the most popular massive transport. The bus fare is $100 for students an $250 for adults; the collectivos charge $300 ($400 at night). Regular taxis are also available.
Maquehue Airport is commercial air terminal for Temuco located to the South of the city. Because its low capacity, the Chilean Airport Direction is projecting a new and bigger airport for Temuco. It would be located near Freire, about 20 minutes southern from Temuco. At the time there is a controversy because it would be located in Mapuche areas.
The railroad connects Temuco with Santiago to the north and Puerto Montt in the south and points in between.
Temuco does not have a rapid transit rail system. There is a train station, connecting Temuco to Santiago and Major Cities South.
Important places
Alemania AvenueIs the principal Artery in Temuco. Here we can find The Araucaria Museum building (19th century Chilean style); the Menchaca Lira Campus of Art Building ; The English Alley, where we can find the Red Cross Building and a Blue house (Both Victorian styled).
Recently, the Alemania Av. has become an important commercial centre. Several restaurants, drug stores, boutiques, supermarkets and two shopping malls have been opened there. Soon, there will also be a Casino built there as well.
The Alemania Av. also has several University campuses; such as the Mayor University campus of Architecture, medicine and communications; the U.C.T Art campus; the U.F.R.O medicine campus; and the Autonoma University.
Downtown
The core of Downtown Temuco is the Main Square Anibal Pinto. Temuco's Main Square is the only one in Chile that was not built with a water fountain in its centre; an art gallery was built in 1981 as part of a total renewal. Compared to other main squares of southern Chile, Temuco's main square is modern.
It is a tradition, in all creole cities in Chile, that some specific buildings must be in front of the main square; in Temuco, this tradition was broken. Main Squares are supposed to be surrounded by : a Cathedral , the Municipality , a Theatre , a Fire Station ,a School (there is no school in front of the main square), and a Bank (there are four banks around the main square)
Nielol HillThe Nielol Hill represents the original forest of the whole southern Chile area as it was before the Spanish people colonize it.
It has also a special meaning for the Mapuche population as a religious center at the top. We can also find a restaurant at the top and a viewpoint of the east side of the city and Padre Las Casas, across the river. It is a "must" for visitors.
Other features
Temuco is one of the newest cities of Chile. Its modern infrastructure, current architecture, and commercial downtown area define it as an important southern city. It has the largest department stores in the south of Chile, and has a very active commerce. Temuco is home to the universities known as Universidad de la Frontera, Universidad Catolica de Temuco Universidad Mayor de Temuco and Universidad Autonoma de Chile. It has a very notable geographic feature called Nielol Hill .
The central market is generally considered one of the best places to buy Mapuche crafts, and the Produce and meat market on the east side of town is renown for its local produce, including pinones (nuts from the Araucaria tree).
External links
Spanish
Ilustre Municipalidad de Temuco
Primera Compania de Bomberos de Temuco
Museo Nacional Ferroviario Pablo Neruda
English
Temuco City Guide, by All Southern Chile and Patagonia
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Temuco
