Coyhaique

Coyhaique on the map of Chile

Coyhaique (also Coihaique ) is a city in the south of the South American Andean state of Chile and is the capital of Región de Aysen (Region XI). Coyhaique has about 43,000 inhabitants ( 2005) and is approximately 1650 km south of Santiago.

Geography

The city lies at the confluence of the Río Simpson and Coyhaique River in a wooded valley. The Carretera Austral Highway runs through the town.

The climate is characterized by polar winters, maritime weather of the nearby coast and continental climate of the Andean page.

History

The city was founded October 12, 1929 and quickly became the most important city in the region. About the Río Simpson could easily reach the harbor of Puerto Aysen. The port of Puerto Aysen silted today. The ships dock today in Puerto Chacabuco.

Before colonization lived native Indian from the tribe of the Chonos and Alacalufes in this area. The new settlers cleared vast areas of forest in 1900 and it created large cattle and sheep pastures.

Economy

Coyhaique is the economic center of the region. The city has a regional airport Aereopuerto Teniente Vidal 7 km south of the city.

The forests provide plenty of forestry wood stocks. In the mines to Coyhaique zinc is promoted. Otherwise, tourism is the major source of income.

Controversial is the ' Alumysa' project of the Canadian company Noranda Holding Ltd.. and the Alumysa joint venture. They want to build a huge aluminum plant in the area around Coyhaique. Chile itself, however, has no bauxite for aluminum production, this would have to be imported. Environmentalists fear major environmental damage caused by the discharges from such large industrial plant.

Tourism

To Coyhaique there is a national park and national preserve, invite to excursions. These are, the Rio Simpson (National Park), and the national reserves Coyhaique and the Cerro Castillo. Many lakes invite you to visit, such as Lake Castor Pollux y, Lago Caro, Lago Frio, La Paloma Lago, Lago Elizalde, Lago Caro and Lake Atravesado.

The Museo Regional de la Patagonia shows the history of Patagonia with their Indian past. At Río Simpson is the " Piedra del Indio " - a stone with the profile that resembles an Indian.

Twinning

• Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina