Los Ãngeles, BÃo BÃo
Los Ángeles (Spanish for The Angels ) is a city in Chile, whose full name Santa María de Los Ángeles is ( Spanish for " Saint Mary of the Angels" ). It is located in the region of Bío -Bío and had according to a survey by 2005 125.431 inhabitants.
Geography and climate
Los Ángeles is located at an altitude of 139 m above sea level, approximately 110 km south of the city of Chillán and about 130 km south-east of Concepción, the capital of the Bío -Bío Region.
Center of the city is the Plaza de Armas, which is bordered by the streets Valdivia, Colón, Caupolicán and Lautaro.
The austral summer are very hot, relatively cold at night. South of the city slowly begins the rain richer part of Chile.
History
Los Ángeles was founded on 20 March 1739 by Governor José Manso de Velasco as a fortress against the Mapuche. The river Río Bío Bío formed long as the border between the Spanish sphere of influence and that of the Mapuche.
The earthquake in 1960, the city was destroyed to 70%.
In the town of German influences are not important, so there are two German private schools: the Liceo Aleman and the Colegio Aleman.
Attractions
The region is popular with trekking friends. Biggest attraction of the area is 30-40 m high waterfall Salto del Laja. Excursions into the Andes on offer. The 2895 m high volcano Antuco is located approximately 90 km east of the city. Here there is an easy ski slope in winter.
The Río Bío- Bío, and the National Park Laguna del Laja is ideal for excursions. The 116 km ² national park is covered with cypress forests. There are many animal species, such as the Vizcacha ( a Chinchillaart ), Andean condor and puma.
In the town there is a museum Museo de la Alta Frontera on the history of the Mapuche and their struggle against the colonization by the Spanish.
Los Ángeles itself is not a special tourist destination. However, the city is a starting point for trips in the surrounding area.
Economy
The city is an industrial center, while the surrounding area is dominated by the forestry. The city is conveniently located on the Panamerican Highway, which is also called Route 5 in this area.
Religion
As the new bishop of the Diocese of Los Ángeles, Pope Benedict XVI. on 7 January 2006 Felipe Bacarreza Rodríguez, who had previously served as Titular Bishop of Nepi in Concepción. On the same day the pope had accepted the resignation for reasons of age of his predecessor, Miguel Blas Caviedes Medina. In the mainly catholic town are also numerous smaller evangelical churches, even the Jehovah's Witnesses are represented by a relatively large branch.
Sons and daughters of the town
- Pedro Luna (1896-1956), painter