Cauquenes

Cauquenes is a city in the middle of the South American Andean country Chile. It is located in the Maule Region, Cauquenes Province and has 41,200 inhabitants (as of 2005).

Geography

Cauquenes is located about 155 km south-east of Talca. The cities of Linares and Parral lie some 90 km to the east. The city is situated between the rivers Río Tutuvén and Río Cauquenes.

The climate is Mediterranean, with warm summers.

History

In the area of ​​the Native Promaucaes del Maule lived. The writer Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga described them as well-organized and fighting people in the Arauco War with the Spaniards to 1558th

The city was founded on May 9, 1742 Villa de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes Manso del Tutuván by Governor José Antonio Manso de Velasco. The areas were provided by the cacique cacique Ascencio Galdámez y Quiñante and his wife Micaela de Araya.

The town's name was later changed to Cauquenes. The origin of the name is not entirely clear, probably derives from the people of the Cauques ago, which was established there once.

Attractions

The town consists of a number of ancient buildings, which originated in the 19th century. There is a large modern market in the city, where you can buy handicrafts.

50 km northwest of the city lies the national reserve Federico Albert 14.5 km ². The forest area was created in 1900 on the Pacific, to prevent the spread of the sand dunes of Chanco in the interior.

30 km west of the city, the national reserve Los Ruiles is 4.5 km ². It is a wooded mountainous landscape.

Economy

The area is mainly known for its vineyards, as well as forestry.

The city is located on the Panamerican Highway.

Education

• Universidad Católica del Maule ( ucm )