Paine (Chile)

Paine is a city in the middle of Chile. It is located in Region Metropolitana and has about 50,000 inhabitants ( as of 2004).

The city's name comes from the Mapudungun language of Picunche Indians and means something like Blue Sky.

Geography

The city lies about 50 km south of Santiago de Chile at the Pan-American Highway. It belongs to the province of Maipo.

History

The area around Paine was already populated very early. North of the city the Inca Fortress Pucara de Chena from the 15th century. The first Spaniards arrived already in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia in the area around Santiago de Chile.

On December 26, 1883, Maipo province was founded. The portion Paine himself was formed on November 2, 1885. The community Paine was born on May 1900 and the municipality Paine 6 on December 30, 1927.

Economy

Paine is dominated by agriculture, mainly fruit and vegetable crops (eg cultivation of watermelons).

Tourism

The Ruta Patrimonial Histórica religiosa is a religious trail around Paine, which involves visiting several Churches.

Six kilometers south-west of Paine is the Laguna de Aculeo, a very popular water sports area of 11 km ² water surface. There are many small lagoons and forests. The high mountains Altos de Cantillana with up to 2,300 m high peaks are also very popular.

Every year in February there is a folklore festival called Festival de la Sandía de Paine.